sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Sorry this is belated and pretty short.
As might be expected, Elon barely brought any fans to the game. I didn't run into any, though I saw a few sitting behind their bench. Coaches wife and kids mostly, I think.
The NA was sung by a couple of young female twins. They had a unique take on the song that was refreshing and well received. Their voices blended together really well. I guess that was to be expected too.
No students, no cheerleaders, no SSS, not even an Otto. I think the stated attendance was close to right; there were about 16K that actually attended the game. The low numbers for these early games are going to make it extremely hard to lead the nation in attendance. We might have lost a significant number of season ticket holders after the ugly season last year and the relatively low expectations for this season...
Here are some random disjointed thoughts on the game...
TR looks a lot more at home and effective on offense when DaJuan is not in the game. It just gives him more room to operate in the paint. Though honestly, even scoring 20 points, TR wasn't really a part of the half court offense. He got most of his scoring opportunities getting offensive rebounds.
When DaJuan is out of the game, it also opens up real estate inside for the slashers to create...especially when TL replaces DaJuan. Word is already out that you have to cover TL so even if he is checked by a guard, the defense goes from relatively packed in with DaJuan in to really extended when he is out.
Anyway, I think DC2's lack of playing time is more about team dynamics than how he is playing himself. He actually looks pretty good out there. I am relieved to see him healthy and moving around without pain. Don't write him off yet.
We again look at our best when we are attacking the basket with the ball.
Silent G looks to be focusing more on finding opportunities to score than setting up his teammates for baskets. Seems like TC and he have almost switched roles in the last couple of games. TC, more than ever in his career, is passing up shots and looking to make passes. Those two are neck and neck in assists right now for the season (Silent G leads TC by 1) and probably will be for the rest of the season. I would guess is TC doing it with significantly less touches though.
He and TC are really causing problems for teams with their height and ability to anticipate at the top of the zone. One of the keys to the season will be their willingness to help out rebounding. This team is never going to be a good rebounding team but if the guards hit the boards hard, we can be adequate. Against most teams, on most days, that should be good enough to win.
Lydon is mostly playing at the high post now but he is only scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Would like to see him feed the low post if his man comes out to challenge him (he has already dribbled past his man and gone to the basket a couple of times). Would like to see some pick and rolls using TL. He is already doing the rolls but no one has passed it to him yet. Could really benefit from a Jonny Flynn playing with him right now. I hope Frankie Howard grows into that roll down the road.
Who would have thought he would be playing 35 minutes this early in his career? The good news is that he is in excellent shape and appears capable of handling that kind of playing time early. He is going to foul out of a lot of games though if he keeps playing this much.
MR didn't shoot well but he is getting guarded very tightly and when that happens and he has a lane, he is consistently taking the ball to the hoops. Shows an excellent first step and good athletic ability doing this. Drawing a lot of fouls early, so much so that he has a chance to lead the team in FTs attempted as a frosh. He is leading the team in this stat right now. After a good start on the defensive boards, he is falling off on the rebounding side at an alarming rate. Doesn't have to get 10 boards a game but if he plays over 30 minutes at forward, he needs to get at least 5.
I think the rotation is solidifying pretty quickly.
TL is going to get a lot of PT at PF and C. Coleman will play every game...the question with him is whether it will be like a frosh Christmas, playing token minutes until the first timeouts of each half, or if he can play well enough to really be part of the rotation. I think the latter.
CO will play a little too but never in crunch time except as a defensive only substitute in the event of a whooping coach epidemic, massive foul outs or like catastrophes.
The last time for meaningful playing time is for the backup spot for the guards. Because they are spelling both guards, it could be for very meaningful minutes, especially if Coleman does not flake off the rust and Silent G is forced to play some minutes at forward. That is probably going to happen in the big games sometimes regardless.
Anyway, there is a job opening for KJ or FH here. Could go to either one. I think KJ will provide more scoring. I see FH providing better passing and I think, better defense. Could go either way. Looks like JB is conducting open tryouts each game. Looks like KJ was out front early, but Frankie is now leading by a small margin. I think one of the big stories for this season, one of the keys determining if it is to be successful, is what happens on this front. Somebody has to emerge as a solid, reliable option. Maybe both will. With two uber experienced seniors in front of them though, I think Highlander has it right here.
There can be only one.
By the time the team boards the plane heading back from the Bahamas, we will probably have the answer. I hope so anyway.
As might be expected, Elon barely brought any fans to the game. I didn't run into any, though I saw a few sitting behind their bench. Coaches wife and kids mostly, I think.
The NA was sung by a couple of young female twins. They had a unique take on the song that was refreshing and well received. Their voices blended together really well. I guess that was to be expected too.
No students, no cheerleaders, no SSS, not even an Otto. I think the stated attendance was close to right; there were about 16K that actually attended the game. The low numbers for these early games are going to make it extremely hard to lead the nation in attendance. We might have lost a significant number of season ticket holders after the ugly season last year and the relatively low expectations for this season...
Here are some random disjointed thoughts on the game...
TR looks a lot more at home and effective on offense when DaJuan is not in the game. It just gives him more room to operate in the paint. Though honestly, even scoring 20 points, TR wasn't really a part of the half court offense. He got most of his scoring opportunities getting offensive rebounds.
When DaJuan is out of the game, it also opens up real estate inside for the slashers to create...especially when TL replaces DaJuan. Word is already out that you have to cover TL so even if he is checked by a guard, the defense goes from relatively packed in with DaJuan in to really extended when he is out.
Anyway, I think DC2's lack of playing time is more about team dynamics than how he is playing himself. He actually looks pretty good out there. I am relieved to see him healthy and moving around without pain. Don't write him off yet.
We again look at our best when we are attacking the basket with the ball.
Silent G looks to be focusing more on finding opportunities to score than setting up his teammates for baskets. Seems like TC and he have almost switched roles in the last couple of games. TC, more than ever in his career, is passing up shots and looking to make passes. Those two are neck and neck in assists right now for the season (Silent G leads TC by 1) and probably will be for the rest of the season. I would guess is TC doing it with significantly less touches though.
He and TC are really causing problems for teams with their height and ability to anticipate at the top of the zone. One of the keys to the season will be their willingness to help out rebounding. This team is never going to be a good rebounding team but if the guards hit the boards hard, we can be adequate. Against most teams, on most days, that should be good enough to win.
Lydon is mostly playing at the high post now but he is only scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Would like to see him feed the low post if his man comes out to challenge him (he has already dribbled past his man and gone to the basket a couple of times). Would like to see some pick and rolls using TL. He is already doing the rolls but no one has passed it to him yet. Could really benefit from a Jonny Flynn playing with him right now. I hope Frankie Howard grows into that roll down the road.
Who would have thought he would be playing 35 minutes this early in his career? The good news is that he is in excellent shape and appears capable of handling that kind of playing time early. He is going to foul out of a lot of games though if he keeps playing this much.
MR didn't shoot well but he is getting guarded very tightly and when that happens and he has a lane, he is consistently taking the ball to the hoops. Shows an excellent first step and good athletic ability doing this. Drawing a lot of fouls early, so much so that he has a chance to lead the team in FTs attempted as a frosh. He is leading the team in this stat right now. After a good start on the defensive boards, he is falling off on the rebounding side at an alarming rate. Doesn't have to get 10 boards a game but if he plays over 30 minutes at forward, he needs to get at least 5.
I think the rotation is solidifying pretty quickly.
TL is going to get a lot of PT at PF and C. Coleman will play every game...the question with him is whether it will be like a frosh Christmas, playing token minutes until the first timeouts of each half, or if he can play well enough to really be part of the rotation. I think the latter.
CO will play a little too but never in crunch time except as a defensive only substitute in the event of a whooping coach epidemic, massive foul outs or like catastrophes.
The last time for meaningful playing time is for the backup spot for the guards. Because they are spelling both guards, it could be for very meaningful minutes, especially if Coleman does not flake off the rust and Silent G is forced to play some minutes at forward. That is probably going to happen in the big games sometimes regardless.
Anyway, there is a job opening for KJ or FH here. Could go to either one. I think KJ will provide more scoring. I see FH providing better passing and I think, better defense. Could go either way. Looks like JB is conducting open tryouts each game. Looks like KJ was out front early, but Frankie is now leading by a small margin. I think one of the big stories for this season, one of the keys determining if it is to be successful, is what happens on this front. Somebody has to emerge as a solid, reliable option. Maybe both will. With two uber experienced seniors in front of them though, I think Highlander has it right here.
There can be only one.
By the time the team boards the plane heading back from the Bahamas, we will probably have the answer. I hope so anyway.
