Exhibition games don’t always show a lot. We’re definitely playing faster. Three point defense was not good. Individual defense needs to get better so guys don’t have to help so much. That’s why they got so many open threes Benny did some good things on offense, but he’s a turn style on defense. Really, really bad. Cuffe is a solid player. You can tell he learned defense by playing under Self at Kansas. He has very little wasted energy or movement. Excellent at getting in the passing lanes. Defensive rebounding was pretty good, but very few second chance points. Second half was not good. Not having Brown was a factor in the second half. Red needs to be careful with rotations and combinations on the floor. Playing a deep bench is good, but you have to have a purpose with your rotations and not just getting players time. Carey is a walking foul. McCloud can be a force. Only he or Brown should play center. Taylor plays solid defense and has a strong body. His defense is night and day better than Bell. Bell had a hard time guarding anyone without fouling. I’m not sure how Red is going to find time for Cuffe, Copeland, Westry, Taylor and Bell when Judah and JJ will get major minutes. Focus and intensity have to be maintained for longer stretches. Not good in second half. Red has quite a few answers, but they have a long ways to go. Big, strong power players are going to be a problem.
