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We are back from the islands and I thought I'd share a few thoughts and observations. I'm sure many of these are not original, but I haven't had time to sift through the posts made while we were gone.
Post play: Our big men defended well against (for the most part) much, much larger post players. I'm not sure if the quality of post opponents we'll see in the Valley was on display, but the size certainly was. PT, Durley and Ramon were not afraid to take it in on these guys and showed flashes of some nice interior moves (sure, they got a few swatted, but they didn't back down). Ramon stepped out in the UIC game and made some 12 - 13 foot shots, which was nice to see. We did miss some bunnies which, if made, could have really changed the momentum in games 1 and 2.
Guard play: I was surprised how much better Baylor's guards were than our guards, but there was a significant difference. Baylor just couldn't miss, but they were getting open looks off high screens and a weave. Early in the game, our bigs weren't digging down off the screens enough to stop the open three. They got confidence and just couldn't miss. Against Monmouth, we couldn't or didn't try to penetrate their match up zone and just couldn't buy an outside shot (of which we took many.) Monmouth was not as bad as some people seem to think. Their zone caused us fits and they hit some contested threes at the end of the shot clock that were just daggers. The guards played much better against UIC. The penetration really opened things up and they made open shots. Wendell played some nice defense in game three, but Lance Harris got more minutes in game one, and looked pretty decent.
Mantas: I've gotta think this guy is ready to break out, but he really gets down on himself. He played better the third game, but he just really needs to get his confidence up. You can see he has the ability to be a game changer.
Butler: I've seen references to him playing. He didn't. But it seemed like he is probably pretty close.
Wintrhop: Their fans were great. A bunch of them are even traveling to watch WSU play App State at ASU. What was most impressive to me was the quality of athlete they put on the floor. I tried to post this from the islands as well, but if the guys GM is bringing in have the level of athleticism he was recruiting at Winthrop, then we are going to see a major step up in that area. (This is not a knock on our current players, just a fact as the type of player that excels in GM's system.) I hadn't appreciated this until I witnessed it in person.
The fans: A very good representation from the Shocker Nation. There were some times when the group got down (watching us lose to MU in person was a real bummer) but I think the fans really helped keep the players up in game 3. That one was a lot of fun.
One and two is better than oh and three. And this team, and program, is only going to get better.
Oh, yeah, I heard a rumor that we may be back in the USVI in four years, which would mean, in the next four years, tournaments at the following:
08: Orlando (turkey with Mickey and Nick)
09: Big KC Tournament (good teams)
10: Hawaii (Never been!)
11: Back to the USVI (Stay left on the road!)
Looks like our vacation plans are set!
Post play: Our big men defended well against (for the most part) much, much larger post players. I'm not sure if the quality of post opponents we'll see in the Valley was on display, but the size certainly was. PT, Durley and Ramon were not afraid to take it in on these guys and showed flashes of some nice interior moves (sure, they got a few swatted, but they didn't back down). Ramon stepped out in the UIC game and made some 12 - 13 foot shots, which was nice to see. We did miss some bunnies which, if made, could have really changed the momentum in games 1 and 2.
Guard play: I was surprised how much better Baylor's guards were than our guards, but there was a significant difference. Baylor just couldn't miss, but they were getting open looks off high screens and a weave. Early in the game, our bigs weren't digging down off the screens enough to stop the open three. They got confidence and just couldn't miss. Against Monmouth, we couldn't or didn't try to penetrate their match up zone and just couldn't buy an outside shot (of which we took many.) Monmouth was not as bad as some people seem to think. Their zone caused us fits and they hit some contested threes at the end of the shot clock that were just daggers. The guards played much better against UIC. The penetration really opened things up and they made open shots. Wendell played some nice defense in game three, but Lance Harris got more minutes in game one, and looked pretty decent.
Mantas: I've gotta think this guy is ready to break out, but he really gets down on himself. He played better the third game, but he just really needs to get his confidence up. You can see he has the ability to be a game changer.
Butler: I've seen references to him playing. He didn't. But it seemed like he is probably pretty close.
Wintrhop: Their fans were great. A bunch of them are even traveling to watch WSU play App State at ASU. What was most impressive to me was the quality of athlete they put on the floor. I tried to post this from the islands as well, but if the guys GM is bringing in have the level of athleticism he was recruiting at Winthrop, then we are going to see a major step up in that area. (This is not a knock on our current players, just a fact as the type of player that excels in GM's system.) I hadn't appreciated this until I witnessed it in person.
The fans: A very good representation from the Shocker Nation. There were some times when the group got down (watching us lose to MU in person was a real bummer) but I think the fans really helped keep the players up in game 3. That one was a lot of fun.
One and two is better than oh and three. And this team, and program, is only going to get better.
Oh, yeah, I heard a rumor that we may be back in the USVI in four years, which would mean, in the next four years, tournaments at the following:
08: Orlando (turkey with Mickey and Nick)
09: Big KC Tournament (good teams)
10: Hawaii (Never been!)
11: Back to the USVI (Stay left on the road!)
Looks like our vacation plans are set!
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