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Message: [QUOTE="FireballPhil, post: 4917282, member: 553"] I like some of the newer wrinkles Red has put in on offense, and how he is continuing to tweak it. Specifically I like how he has Judah playing off the ball more, allowing JJ and even Q to bring the ball up the floor. I think this helps balance things out a bit as JJ and Q have the slightly weaker defenders on them and have great vision, opening up the floor for others to get involved. Now to just get some drive and dish to some open shooters going. We are already seeing more interior points as a result of it. This has partially dropped the amount of times Judah drives and gets to the line, but hopefully starts to expose the part of his game he needs to show and is capable of-shooting from deep. A Judah who shows to be a threat from every spot on the floor is the Judah that will enter mock drafts. On defense, the team is getting a lot better. The communication has been growing by leaps and bounds. The one thing I think they need to improve on is to not sag off so much on who they are assigned to. Three to four foot of space is to much, as the quick passes to the good shooters allows them to quickly get off a shot with a clean look at the basket. The shooters of today are not phased by a defender running out to them, they welcome it in the hopes of getting a foul called for a potential 4 point play. The overall energy of the team is higher than in recent years, partly because they are more engaged in the man to man defense, but also because the run and gun style of play keeps them going. They are looking for each other now on fast breaks, not just playing hero ball. Should the starting line up change? I don't know. The only spot I really question is Taylor's spot. He should be alternating with Bell, and whoever has the hotter hand play. But how do you determine between the two who starts? And who starts for Taylor? Benny is the obvious choice but I think with all the waves he has created, no matter how much he improves, should not start the remainder of the season. Let him work his way back through the year and win it back for next year. Taylor works hard and deserves his spot. He just needs a few plays designed to get him open looks, and to not be so tight at the start of games. Q could, and potentially deserves, to start, but we lose that high energy spark off the bench. And that is needed, especially to ensure Judah and JJ can get some rest during the game. Q's own words stated how he was tired and cramping at the end of the Pitt game, this style of play needs everyone to get some rest. If Brown could develop an outside shot he could also start, but really he wouldn't be much different than Taylor is in that position. Both are very good rebounders. The bottom line is we are getting better. Every player has things to work on, and the coaches have some tweaks to do. The season may be close to half over but ACC play is just beginning. We will continue to improve, and since this team appears to love playing together, will improve. There are going to be a few heartbreaking losses, but I think come ACC Tournament time will be the most dangerous team in the field. Fingers crossed. [/QUOTE]

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