cowboysooner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2008
- Messages
- 1,643
- Reaction score
- 590
I wouldn't get to bummed about the SLU loss, just like I wouldn't get to high about the Santa Clara and Coppin wins. In college basketball, you really have to look at a teams talent, effort and intangibles more than early results. Early in the year, all sorts of things happen, and more so that in football, a team can almost be completely different by years end. This being said, at the end of the day, results are what it is all about.
I think we are better than last year because, after watching all the games so far, I think grooms is our first leget point in years, Osby is a legit 4 and Arent a raw but legit big. I think Clark, newell, neal and pledger are improved. I think newell, as well as the other kids, are playing in the correct positions.
Moreover, I like our up tempo offense, overall effort and defensive style.
We have weaknesses, which we knew before we ever played a game. Outside of Grooms, we don't have a decent ball handler. When Blair doesn't try to play beyond his talent and skill, we can get by with him at the point for small periods of time and maybe longer. Often he doesn't understand or accept his ball handling and exercises poor judgment and then is a real liability. But all in all, I like him as a player.
More than anything else, we just aren't quite there individually or as a team. As a team, we didn't understand or play Idaho State's zone, and looked poor. We have played it better since. We didn't understand or play SLU's hard perimeter picks, and didn't play it well. I bet we play it a little better next time we see it. We didn't understand when to play through or around the picks and when to switch, and consistently got caught with 2 players not knowing whether they were switching or not.
Individually, grooms, arent and osby are adjusting to D-1. Newell, clark and Neal are just not as good yet as they will be. Pledger hasn't guite grown into his role as a primary team scorer. These things will take time.
All in all, I think we are better, but this opinion isn't really based upon the results so far, but just watching the team.
SLU is pretty good and sound. But, if we hit a few more free throws, don't get a few too many defensive penalties, osby's put back is allowed, and blair doesn't turn the ball over on a few possessions in the first half, it is a decent game. Next time, we might make a few of our 3s and they might not hit 60 percent from the field if we play their high screens better. They are not 20 points better than us, or at least won't be in March.
Otherwise,
I think we are better than last year because, after watching all the games so far, I think grooms is our first leget point in years, Osby is a legit 4 and Arent a raw but legit big. I think Clark, newell, neal and pledger are improved. I think newell, as well as the other kids, are playing in the correct positions.
Moreover, I like our up tempo offense, overall effort and defensive style.
We have weaknesses, which we knew before we ever played a game. Outside of Grooms, we don't have a decent ball handler. When Blair doesn't try to play beyond his talent and skill, we can get by with him at the point for small periods of time and maybe longer. Often he doesn't understand or accept his ball handling and exercises poor judgment and then is a real liability. But all in all, I like him as a player.
More than anything else, we just aren't quite there individually or as a team. As a team, we didn't understand or play Idaho State's zone, and looked poor. We have played it better since. We didn't understand or play SLU's hard perimeter picks, and didn't play it well. I bet we play it a little better next time we see it. We didn't understand when to play through or around the picks and when to switch, and consistently got caught with 2 players not knowing whether they were switching or not.
Individually, grooms, arent and osby are adjusting to D-1. Newell, clark and Neal are just not as good yet as they will be. Pledger hasn't guite grown into his role as a primary team scorer. These things will take time.
All in all, I think we are better, but this opinion isn't really based upon the results so far, but just watching the team.
SLU is pretty good and sound. But, if we hit a few more free throws, don't get a few too many defensive penalties, osby's put back is allowed, and blair doesn't turn the ball over on a few possessions in the first half, it is a decent game. Next time, we might make a few of our 3s and they might not hit 60 percent from the field if we play their high screens better. They are not 20 points better than us, or at least won't be in March.
Otherwise,
