The 2003 isn’t a good comparison just because it was so long ago and the game was very different overall. Plus, we obviously had perhaps the best college player ever.
I really felt especially early in the season. That coach just wasn’t himself. I really think the chaotic portal cycle last season took a toll on him. That when he finally got the roster together. The energy to coach the team up early just wasn’t there. He was burned out before the season even started. I think with Kline and the front office we have going it will take a lot of pressure off of him moving forward and focus on the day to day coaching and game prep and overall getting the team ready for day 1 next season. I think for most part we played up to our talent level in the second half of the season. Just look at our Bart Tovik of 61 in the last month of the season. Seems about right playing without Donnie. At full health and performing to maximum potential from the start with the talent we had, we could’ve been a 35-45 range team this past season. What changed by February from November? I think the team finally started to gel, but also I think Autry was probably better rested and focused on the coaching side of the job. All just observation from the game I did attend this past season and watching from the couch.
We still are getting to caught up with positions.
The game hasn't changed that much. There are teams that win with shooting all over the floor but there are other teams that have made it to the sweet 16 without being as shooter heavy. There are different ways to win. I saw teams win last weekend relying on good physical interior play with complementary shooting. Balance is still important.
About Billy, Hac always said his floater in the lane you couldn't block. And Billy would bully most of the guards who played him.
Any chance of an overseas game or two in the summer?
Everyone left outside of Arkansas and Arizona can shoot. They just happen to have the most losses. It would be one thing if we went all in on great defenders, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
And Hak, Billy, and Pace were good scorers in the paint.
I think that exactly what we need. Play some Canadian teams or go to Europe.
I know they were, that was my point. You don't have to shoot 40% to be effective. I listed their percentages in a previous post. Gerry was our best at 35.7% and Melo shot 33.7. That's plenty good if you have 3 guys on the floor at once that can shoot around there and can also score in other ways while also having a guy or two that score in the post. Of course, in 2003 Melo could score at all three levels and we also had Hak as a post scoring option.
As i watch Duke, yeah they pay for great players but their coach has them ALL playing at warp speed. Every kid plays hard as they can. We arent even 20 points close to them. Love Donny but think he has flashes of Flagg without the effort. Please dont tell me he is only a frosh. Kid is loaded with talent but not with want. If he wants Flagg money, he gotta do Flagg stuff. Flagg makes mistskes but does itat 120%. Thier whole team plays really fast. In my opinion its a coach thing. My point being is u either teach it or u allow it and either way its your fault. I get us trying to be best people ever but if we had Hop,Red, and Jerry we would have the nicest staff ever but would they be the best. Met Red years and years ago and couldnt find a nicer human. Problem is u either motivate the kids or u dont. No in between. Can Red do this, i hope so but i truly doubt it and I really hope i am 1000% wrong.
My take is that Red is more of a father figure type personality. Very positive. Definitely not a hard arse type like JB. There are lots of ways to motivate people. I hope that his style works.
Me too for sure, but i also feel Duke coach is same way but how does he get that effort. kinda amazing now a days.
