First of all, nothing I am saying here is groundbreaking and many on the board have said/hinted as much. But I went to the game in Stilly last night and for the first time think I came away with a true understanding of what is happening here and it changed my perception of Moser to a degree.
--This is the least talented team in the B12.
--It's not fair midway through year 2 to blame the lack of talent on Moser.
--The offense is really bad and often hard to watch; the inclination in that case is to blame the coaching. But they do NOT have size, athleticism, OR shooting. Man, it's hard to design a highly functioning offense without at least one of those traits.
--Sherfield is a good example. He is a solid basketball player. He is a good natural scorer. But he isn't very big and he is NOT particularly athletic or quick. He cannot beat B12 guards off the dribble or create good looks for himself or his teammates. He still makes it work on occasion by hitting tough shots, but it's always a struggle. Last night we had a 3-1 break and he chose to kick out to Jacob who bricked a long 2-- awful shot. But the issue is that Sherfield just isn't athletic/talented enough to make a play in the paint there so kicking it out was probably his best decision.
--We are not physical capable of getting some of those easy lob/dunks that OSU got last night. You could cite bad defense/rotations, but it's hard to constantly defend at a high level players that are a bigger, stronger, and can jump higher than you can. Sometimes, the athletic gifts just win out.
--Our team plays hard. The more I watch, the more I realize we are probably fortunate to be 2-4 in B12 play. Of the 6 teams we've played, Tech is the only one I thought kind of looked like we did in terms of overall talent-- and they were missing a key piece or two. I don't necessarily think OSU is a "better team" than we are, but they absolutely have more gifted players. So I guess you could then spin that into if OU is equal to or better than OSU despite that athletic difference, maybe coaching is what is keeping them as close as it is?
--Tanner has gotten worse. Jacob has stayed about the same. I don't think it's because they aren't working hard or because the coaches are idiots who don't know how to use them. It's just that they are sort of fish out of water. I wouldn't go as far to say they aren't B12 caliber players-- but they aren't B12 caliber starters-- they are role guys at best on a good B12 team and here they are pivotal starting pieces. They have moments, but cant' sustain.
--The defense is generally good and consistent. The effort is generally great and consistent. Good signs as far as coaching goes. And offensively, they probably do about as well as they can-- it's ugly, but it's actually somewhat efficient. A plodding, grinding, brawling style is probably their best bet and it's what they try to do. I am NOT saying there isn't ANYTHING that can be done- there are times when literally no one is moving on offense. There are times when players hesitate on open looks. There are times when the team looks terrified on offense. I do think there are things Moser and staff could do to improve in those areas-- but again, it's really tough when you don't have the horses.
--I plan to support the team and root for them to somehow squeeze into the tourney because now I realize how big of an accomplishment that would be. Because they really are NOT a tourney team. They do not pass the eye test in that regard. I still hope they can earn their way there though.
--They must go 6-6 over their final 12 (assuming a loss to Bama in there as well) to be in a better position than they were last year. I would say 8-10 in conf would likely either have them in or needing maybe one win in KC to clinch it. 7-11 or worse and I think it's NIT again... or if it's REALLY worse then maybe no post-season at all. And that IS a possibility. I wouldn't be shocked if they go 3-9 the rest of the way or something like that. They will have the inferior talent in each of the 12 games. To expect to win half of those is a tall order. Baylor is probably a must win if you want to stay anywhere near on track. And must win games in Jan against good teams are not ideal.
--Again, tough team to watch. Anyone hoping for something to light the fire of the fanbase and get them out to the LNC the rest of the season can probably forget about that for this year. They are what they are. Can they scratch and claw their way to 6 more wins? I'd say highly doubtful, but I'll still be rooting for them to do it.
--The bigger question is will Moser be able to upgrade the roster enough by next year? Because I do think a third straight year of no Tourney (assuming they miss this year) and then it starts to get REAL uncomfortable.
--This is the least talented team in the B12.
--It's not fair midway through year 2 to blame the lack of talent on Moser.
--The offense is really bad and often hard to watch; the inclination in that case is to blame the coaching. But they do NOT have size, athleticism, OR shooting. Man, it's hard to design a highly functioning offense without at least one of those traits.
--Sherfield is a good example. He is a solid basketball player. He is a good natural scorer. But he isn't very big and he is NOT particularly athletic or quick. He cannot beat B12 guards off the dribble or create good looks for himself or his teammates. He still makes it work on occasion by hitting tough shots, but it's always a struggle. Last night we had a 3-1 break and he chose to kick out to Jacob who bricked a long 2-- awful shot. But the issue is that Sherfield just isn't athletic/talented enough to make a play in the paint there so kicking it out was probably his best decision.
--We are not physical capable of getting some of those easy lob/dunks that OSU got last night. You could cite bad defense/rotations, but it's hard to constantly defend at a high level players that are a bigger, stronger, and can jump higher than you can. Sometimes, the athletic gifts just win out.
--Our team plays hard. The more I watch, the more I realize we are probably fortunate to be 2-4 in B12 play. Of the 6 teams we've played, Tech is the only one I thought kind of looked like we did in terms of overall talent-- and they were missing a key piece or two. I don't necessarily think OSU is a "better team" than we are, but they absolutely have more gifted players. So I guess you could then spin that into if OU is equal to or better than OSU despite that athletic difference, maybe coaching is what is keeping them as close as it is?
--Tanner has gotten worse. Jacob has stayed about the same. I don't think it's because they aren't working hard or because the coaches are idiots who don't know how to use them. It's just that they are sort of fish out of water. I wouldn't go as far to say they aren't B12 caliber players-- but they aren't B12 caliber starters-- they are role guys at best on a good B12 team and here they are pivotal starting pieces. They have moments, but cant' sustain.
--The defense is generally good and consistent. The effort is generally great and consistent. Good signs as far as coaching goes. And offensively, they probably do about as well as they can-- it's ugly, but it's actually somewhat efficient. A plodding, grinding, brawling style is probably their best bet and it's what they try to do. I am NOT saying there isn't ANYTHING that can be done- there are times when literally no one is moving on offense. There are times when players hesitate on open looks. There are times when the team looks terrified on offense. I do think there are things Moser and staff could do to improve in those areas-- but again, it's really tough when you don't have the horses.
--I plan to support the team and root for them to somehow squeeze into the tourney because now I realize how big of an accomplishment that would be. Because they really are NOT a tourney team. They do not pass the eye test in that regard. I still hope they can earn their way there though.
--They must go 6-6 over their final 12 (assuming a loss to Bama in there as well) to be in a better position than they were last year. I would say 8-10 in conf would likely either have them in or needing maybe one win in KC to clinch it. 7-11 or worse and I think it's NIT again... or if it's REALLY worse then maybe no post-season at all. And that IS a possibility. I wouldn't be shocked if they go 3-9 the rest of the way or something like that. They will have the inferior talent in each of the 12 games. To expect to win half of those is a tall order. Baylor is probably a must win if you want to stay anywhere near on track. And must win games in Jan against good teams are not ideal.
--Again, tough team to watch. Anyone hoping for something to light the fire of the fanbase and get them out to the LNC the rest of the season can probably forget about that for this year. They are what they are. Can they scratch and claw their way to 6 more wins? I'd say highly doubtful, but I'll still be rooting for them to do it.
--The bigger question is will Moser be able to upgrade the roster enough by next year? Because I do think a third straight year of no Tourney (assuming they miss this year) and then it starts to get REAL uncomfortable.
