Feeling more like over ten wins

SoonerinNC

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Was real concerned after the x game

Was concerned about our ability to beat Coppin State

Good things
Fitz getting open for good shots and finishing. He did that pretty well last year too.

Clark's boards. We really need that.

Newell's D and ball handling

Thompson's great passing.

Excellent team defense. Excellent help defense. That will help us win some games we are not supposed to win.

Low turnovers except in garbage time. Also low fouls

Pledger solid but I hope Newell becomes our point guard. I think Pledger will have problems playing point on both offense and defense in the Big 12. Having said that I think Pledger will have a very good year.

Was fun to watch the team this year. We are probably not going to win as many games as we are used to but we will enjoy and respect this team a lot if tonight was any indication.

Opportunities

Better defensive rebounding. Too many second chances

Better shot selection. Too many trey attempts early in the shot clock and several times from too far out. Pledger's first trey is what we need. We worked the ball well and he got the ball in rythm just behind the arc.

Hopefully Cade will not have another hot and cold year.

Concerned about depth. Not sure we have more than 6 who can play without us suffering a pretty big dropoff.
 
As I said after the exhibition game, I will again stick to my pick of 19 wins. :ez-laugh: This team is fun to watch...
 
Nice post NC.

Rebounding scares the heck out of me with this year's squad. Hopefully, CJ Washington can be a guy who can come in and really attack the glass.
 
Nice analysis of the positives, SoonerinNC! You're spot on with every point you made.

IMO, this team is more fundamentally sound in the basics right now, than last year's team when the season ended. If they continue to play together, while focusing on the areas you mentioned, I don't see any reason why your prediction won't be fulfilled. The improvements we're seeing in team defense alone should be enough to put them over the top in a few games.
 
I think the 12-14 win range with a couple in conference is a real possibility. It is going to be difficult having open looks from the 3 versus better teams the way we have in these last two games. 4 guys on the perimeter will be interesting to see if it works. I think Newell needs to be our full time PG, tons of energy and always a chance for a quick steal. Definintely like the progress since the exhibition game so maybe that is a great sign to come with these guys.
 
I am going to remain cautious, given that Coppin State is one of the worst teams in D-1 basketball. It would be better to revisit this thread after Maui.

Against Coppin State, the starters all played 33 minutes each and Newell played 21. The next best (in a large victory) was 8 minutes. I think that ratio will stay constant, especially against better basketball teams. All the starters are gonna have to play 33-38 minutes a game. That and rebounding are going to be the key issues with OU.
 
I am going to remain cautious, given that Coppin State is one of the worst teams in D-1 basketball. It would be better to revisit this thread after Maui.

Against Coppin State, the starters all played 33 minutes each and Newell played 21. The next best (in a large victory) was 8 minutes. I think that ratio will stay constant, especially against better basketball teams. All the starters are gonna have to play 33-38 minutes a game. That and rebounding are going to be the key issues with OU.

there are 120 "guard" min per game (1 lead 2 wings)

i would bet the the 4 guards pledge davis clark and newell all end up averaging arond 30 min a game .. even if blair comes back and plays he is not going to get more than 10 min per game


then in the post it would be great to see fitz average 30 a game

with thompson getting 25-30 and washington getting 15 or more a night and the scraps going to barry and neal
 
there are 120 "guard" min per game (1 lead 2 wings)

i would bet the the 4 guards pledge davis clark and newell all end up averaging arond 30 min a game .. even if blair comes back and plays he is not going to get more than 10 min per game


then in the post it would be great to see fitz average 30 a game

with thompson getting 25-30 and washington getting 15 or more a night and the scraps going to barry and neal

When Washington comes back those post minutes may change.
 
I am going to remain cautious, given that Coppin State is one of the worst teams in D-1 basketball. It would be better to revisit this thread after Maui.

Against Coppin State, the starters all played 33 minutes each and Newell played 21. The next best (in a large victory) was 8 minutes. I think that ratio will stay constant, especially against better basketball teams. All the starters are gonna have to play 33-38 minutes a game. That and rebounding are going to be the key issues with OU.

Well said
 
I think 18 to 19 wins is very realistic for this team. The way everyone is meshing, I can only see us improving the entire season.
 
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