I was Encouraged

[cowboysooner]

Frankly, I don't and didn't expect much from this team. But overall, I was encouraged.

Not saying they will be all league, but Newell and Blair can play the point at this level. Newell looks like the best point prospect of the capel era to me. Nowhere close to a finished prospect, but his lateral quickness at the point is the best we have had in 10 years or more.

Liked the raw athleticism of Clark and Ahmed. Didn't see enough to form opinion on their skill level.

Kids were in substantially better condition than last year, and not suprisingly, played a lot harder from start to finish. So, this is a big positive. If the kids play hard, I can watch. Last year I had to turn the TV off sometimes.

Ultimately your won/loss record has mostly to do with how good you are, but it also does have to do with schedule, injuries and eligibility. I think this team is and will be better than last years team. Whether that means much in our win/loss record, I don't know. We are at best a work in progress. But based upon what I saw of the youngsters, there is hope for the future.

 

[scrybe]

I didn't get to see the game, cowboysooner, but it sounds like there were some real positives and things we can build on as this team learns to play together. Now if I can just avoid reading abd's analysis, maybe I'll be able to maintain this positive outlook the rest of the day.

 

[CMSOONER]

I'm not sure that we can say Newell and Blair can play point at this level just yet. Northeastern State was like I highscool program and neither player tore it up against them.

Blair couldn't guard their pg for anything. He had 8 assists but didn't really do anything else. Newell looked really athletic out there and had some steals and jumpers on the offensive end, but I'm not sure how successful the two can be against D1 competition.

Clark looked a little timid but I think he will begin to step up pretty quickly. Ahmed needs to put on about 30-40 lbs.

I don't know if Nick Thompson will be the player we want/need him to be. If he'll stay in the paint and play the post and rebound he could be. But if he stands around the perimeter all game like he did last night he will not. He is not skilled enough to play on the perimeter. If he wants to step out and shoot every so often that works, but he needs to spend 90% of the game in the post.

 

[cowboysooner]

I thought Thompson played OK for a first D-1 game. We need him to play inside on defense, not necessarily on offense. We will know more about him around the first of the year.

I agree that Blair didn't seem to be able to stay in front of their point guard. Part of that process is film study, anticipation, intensity and technique, and it isn't all about quickness. In other words, no matter his quickness, he can and presumably will improve through the year. This being said, I agree that it didn't look like he would be able to defend the point very well. I don't think we have had anyone other than perhaps Bobby Maze that could during the last 10 years or so. Q. White was the last really good defender at the point. We have just gotten by mostly since he played. This is why after last night I look forward to seeing newell develop. he seems to have the quicks to be a shut down defender at the point, we'll see how that works out as the year goes.

I didn't expect much, so maybe that is why I was so encouraged last night. I actually think we will be improved over last year. I'm not sure that is saying much however.

If the kids try and play as a team, I can and will watch and support them. I have seen few teams play as lazy and with as little heart as last years team. Until last year, I thought Capel's teams had always played hard. I don't know what happen last year.