We outrebounded another Power 5 team. We grabbed 75% of their misses and 40 percent of ours. Rebounding is a strength.
I'm still pleasantly surprised by this team even though they didn't win. If they played like I thought they would pre-season, we would have lost by 30. But despite lots of inexperience and bean-pole bodies, they have developing chemistry and lots of heart. Unforced TO's and missed open looks were not going to go unpunished against the best shooting team in the nation.
But we have some positives to take away from this game. For one, we outrebounded them and I think our rebounding will improve even more. Second, Chukwu got his jitters out. He got a little awkward and gave up position for lobs, but he hung in there and even found some confidence at the FTL. He alters a ton of shots and as he and Sibibe improve, the zone rises to another level. Third, Brissett finally got his outside shot going. It wasn't consistent but at least he saw the ball go in and his stroke looks really NICE. Big things ahead for him.
Frank didn't shoot it well, but he ran the team and stood up against one of the top programs in the country on national TV. He picked up some uncharacteristic fouls. But overall, he should be proud of his poise and effort against pretty tough M2M, and he was able to get to the rim a couple times. Tyus had a very slow start and, while he made his average, wasn't quite 100% which was needed against such a talented team.
MM showed some heart but (no points or rebounds) is struggling at this level. On the other hand, I liked everything about MD except he just needs to get his shot going. He's got to keep shooting when he's open and that jumper will fall. The sooner the better. Then he needs to eat and sleep in the weight room next summer.