The practice wasn't particularly crisp. Shots were hitting the front rim. Legs were probably pretty tired. It was a spirited practice and they accomplished a lot.
They worked on inbounds plays some and inbounds with a short shot clock. They were polishing offense more than defense. They finished up with two 5 minute games.
The outside shooter today was Booker. He did a really fine job of getting to spots where he had a little space and knocking them down. Hornbeak also was hitting his 3's pretty good. In the 5 minute games Woodard scored several times by getting to the rim and he fired in sharp passes over and over. Cousins scored well in the games. But, his were coming off steals more than anything else.
The redshirts for the first part of the practice and the 1st game were Woodard, Cousins, Hornbeak, Cam, and Spangler. Spangler and Bennett jumped center. Bennett is suppose to get him, but, Spangler out quicked Bennett to the ball. Again, the game was a mismatch. The reds had too much for the whites. For the 2nd game Bennett, Booker, and Tyler came over to the reds. Hornbeak ran the point and they went with two bigs. Spangler was at a high post and Bennett in the low. Bennett looks more relaxed and is better when he is in with Spangler than when he is the lone big. The whites were Woodard at the point along with Cousins, Cam, Cole, and a walk on. For what to me was a bit of an upset, the whites got them with a little to spare.
The group made really good progress over this two weeks. Individually Woodard really came along and these practice helped Booker a lot too. After this trip and a couple of weeks off, they will come back in weeks and weeks ahead of the teams from the past two seasons.
I've tried to be objective with these little write ups. But now I want to finish up with some opinions. Hopefully, what I have picked up from the practice gym will keep me from being too far off. Unless Woodard falls apart in the face of foreign competition, the point guard competition is probably over. I think he will do fine in the exhibition games and the job will be his to lose going forward.
When Buddy gets back my prediction for a starting line up is Woodard, Buddy, Cousins, Cam, and Spangler. Hornbeak as a 6th man backing up two positions and getting starter minutes. Bennett in early and often for both Spangler and Cam. Near starter minutes for him too. Past that, Tyler then Booker will probably be every game subs. I don't expect much help from Cole or any one else that is around now. I don't know anything about the Juco's. I talked to a couple of people that would know and gave them a chance to say something about it. Nothing.
There are some people around saying that with the youth and the lack of a legit big man, 18 or 19 wins and a NIT would be a good season for this bunch. I'm not buying any of that. From one thru seven they have a big chance to be better than they were last year. They would have to stay injury free and the guards would have to keep progressing, but, I would put the over under number at 21 and bet the over.
They worked on inbounds plays some and inbounds with a short shot clock. They were polishing offense more than defense. They finished up with two 5 minute games.
The outside shooter today was Booker. He did a really fine job of getting to spots where he had a little space and knocking them down. Hornbeak also was hitting his 3's pretty good. In the 5 minute games Woodard scored several times by getting to the rim and he fired in sharp passes over and over. Cousins scored well in the games. But, his were coming off steals more than anything else.
The redshirts for the first part of the practice and the 1st game were Woodard, Cousins, Hornbeak, Cam, and Spangler. Spangler and Bennett jumped center. Bennett is suppose to get him, but, Spangler out quicked Bennett to the ball. Again, the game was a mismatch. The reds had too much for the whites. For the 2nd game Bennett, Booker, and Tyler came over to the reds. Hornbeak ran the point and they went with two bigs. Spangler was at a high post and Bennett in the low. Bennett looks more relaxed and is better when he is in with Spangler than when he is the lone big. The whites were Woodard at the point along with Cousins, Cam, Cole, and a walk on. For what to me was a bit of an upset, the whites got them with a little to spare.
The group made really good progress over this two weeks. Individually Woodard really came along and these practice helped Booker a lot too. After this trip and a couple of weeks off, they will come back in weeks and weeks ahead of the teams from the past two seasons.
I've tried to be objective with these little write ups. But now I want to finish up with some opinions. Hopefully, what I have picked up from the practice gym will keep me from being too far off. Unless Woodard falls apart in the face of foreign competition, the point guard competition is probably over. I think he will do fine in the exhibition games and the job will be his to lose going forward.
When Buddy gets back my prediction for a starting line up is Woodard, Buddy, Cousins, Cam, and Spangler. Hornbeak as a 6th man backing up two positions and getting starter minutes. Bennett in early and often for both Spangler and Cam. Near starter minutes for him too. Past that, Tyler then Booker will probably be every game subs. I don't expect much help from Cole or any one else that is around now. I don't know anything about the Juco's. I talked to a couple of people that would know and gave them a chance to say something about it. Nothing.
There are some people around saying that with the youth and the lack of a legit big man, 18 or 19 wins and a NIT would be a good season for this bunch. I'm not buying any of that. From one thru seven they have a big chance to be better than they were last year. They would have to stay injury free and the guards would have to keep progressing, but, I would put the over under number at 21 and bet the over.
