So trying to recycle vs starting new threads.
I watched the game for a third time - (yeah it's nice having hoops back).
First of all it was Pace. Let me say that again, the opponent was Pace.
Ok that is out of the way. I know we have the PG position as the crux of our season and where our ceiling is. I think that has some truth in it but to me after seeing Cole testing his sea legs as a guard and more traditional SF against Pace, I think it's Cole and Jessie to go with Buddy that will determine the ceiling.
Coming in even the optimists saw Cole as more of an attack the closeout guy and that is it. He handled the ball a lot vs Pace and comfortably. You could see him grow into the game and also being cautious as he put all the off season work into action. He could have had 30 plus easily if needed. Two guys who can be that prolific as scorers, and doing so at multiple levels is itself something that could push up our ceiling.
If the opponent itself wasn't making this a fluke and Cole being on the ball more is something he is comfortable with then it changes this team. You get down the court and get the ball in either Buddy or one of the Forward's hands and go to work. Use Jesse as well off screens to move the ball and as an pressure release in the half court to reset and give him options to kick it out to.
Paying close attention to the second half again- Joe really never needed to penetrate much and Symir didn't need to get all the way to the tin- They just needed to keep the ball moving and make sure the offense got going and the ball to a shooter or playmaker. Joe could have been better yes. He wasn't as bad as I thought in the second half after re watching that third time- he just is what he is.
We will run into teams whose ball pressure will make this difficult and we get beat because of it. That is reality.
With that said playing with what appears to be possibly two big time scoring threats who can both be on the ball is a big deal giving we had figured still just one with "others" around him. Looking forward to seeing how much more Cole grows into using these new skillsets as competition improves. Really hoping it's legit because it really changes things if it is.
Disclaimer- we got excited with AG last year too albeit a somewhat lesser extent. Gotta see more first.