10-games-in observations

[DiamondM]

When people don't like results, they always complain about the ever-elusive "effort" or "energy". I disagree that has been the problem through the first 10 games. In the ways in which "effort" or "energy" can actually be quantified, the team as a whole and individually have actually been pretty solid -- namely rebounding (only outrebounded in 1 game -- a game we won), forced turnovers (1 more per game than last year), opponents' FG% (almost identical to last years'), PPG allowed (less than last year). And who on the team do you think has been lollygagging? Certainly not Jarrey, who is always diving for balls and creating turnovers. Not Semi, who has been a beast for us (despite his lack of size), even in games we've lost. Shake? He's playing 35 minutes a game, and I haven't noticed him lacking energy. Gu can't hit a bucket, but when he's in he looks like he's trying really really hard. Ben Moore? Is he the one you think isn't really putting out the effort. He's averaging just under 12 points and 8 rebounds a game. So Sterling, our "glue guy"? 10 points, 6+ boards/game. Dashawn needs polish, but he's a pesky thing putting out a lot of effort and energy whenever he gets on the court. Nothing about Froling or Tom's performance suggests they aren't putting forth sufficient effort (Harry needs work on defense down low, and stronger hands, but that's not a function of "effort").

No, what we are missing is what we knew we would miss -- an experienced point guard who knows how to run the offense -- to safely bring the ball up against pressure, know when to dish (and to whom) or take a shot, and perhaps more importantly, to take over and right the ship when the ship starts listing. We just didn't know how much we'd miss Nic. We know now. This team is still trying to figure out how to run the offense and how to do it. I was as disappointed as anyone about USC and Boise (I was at Michigan, and I'm telling you, I haven't seen them play like that since their Final 4 year, and I'm not sure playing our best we could have stopped them on that night.) But I don't think it's time to panic. Effort and energy they are giving, and the issues I'm seeing can be taught, and perfected with experience.

[sadderbudweiser]

It will be hard for us to get non-grad transfers next year due to our scholarship limitation. I agree that we need 1-2 transfers once we are done with our sanctions.

100% Can't in 2018 class, can only sign 1-2 guys, unless we lose 2+ guys after the season (that aren't seniors) but going forward we should. I'm still pumped after last nights win. Glad it's a slow day. Hope we use this game as a building block game.

As I've said before our scholarship penalty is a real killer. You just can't afford to be wrong on anyone.
It's brutal. It hurt us towards the end of last season and may again this year if the major minutes guys are playing doesn't let up some.

39 minutes for Semi last night, 34 for Shake. Albany won't be easy the night after Stanford.

[PonyLawExpress]

It will be hard for us to get non-grad transfers next year due to our scholarship limitation. I agree that we need 1-2 transfers once we are done with our sanctions.

100% Can't in 2018 class, can only sign 1-2 guys, unless we lose 2+ guys after the season (that aren't seniors) but going forward we should. I'm still pumped after last nights win. Glad it's a slow day. Hope we use this game as a building block game.

As I've said before our scholarship penalty is a real killer. You just can't afford to be wrong on anyone.
It's brutal. It hurt us towards the end of last season and may again this year if the major minutes guys are playing doesn't let up some.

39 minutes for Semi last night, 34 for Shake. Albany won't be easy the night after Stanford.

Yeah that game kinda worries me a little too, being the next day. We need to start using the bench, especially in games like USF, Tulsa,Tulane, ECU. Or we will run into the same problem as last season at the end getting tired.

[East Coast Mustang]

I'd be interested to hear Hoopmanx or some others' thoughts on Whitt and what he'll bring next year...can he run the point and take pressure off Shake and allow him to operate off the ball? That would be huge for us. I think Shake and Whitt could be a really dynamic backcourt

[mustangxc]

I'm still hopeful Emelogu provides that role for us this season.

[JasonB]

RE the energy thing... it is on defense. We play off the ball with hands up, but don't get physical and don't press players to try and force a bad pass turnover or a steal. That is why we haven't had fast breaks. We aren't really turning the other team over. Even the press - everyone is concerned about positioning. We make it difficult, and slow the other team down to waste time, but we don't really turn them over with our press. The defense isn't necessarily bad - we make things difficult with length on the perimeter and help - it is just very methodical. The offense a lot of the time is very methodical. Quietly efficient.

It could pick up as the season moves along. Last year the defensive intensity didn't really pick up until the Michigan game partially because everyone was worried about foul trouble. Things got good at the end of the game yesterday, so it could be a sign of picking up the confidence and getting more aggressive. We will see if it continues to take steps forward over the next two weeks or if we are what we are.

[sadderbudweiser]

I'm still hopeful Emelogu provides that role for us this season.

.....and next. Whitt', Douglas, Landrum. We should be ok in the frontcourt.

[SMUstangs22]

He is talking about this year. Gu showed some potential to run the offense last night. I think it benefits us if it means more off the ball shots by Shake and less by Gu

[PonyLawExpress]

I'd be interested to hear Hoopmanx or some others' thoughts on Whitt and what he'll bring next year...can he run the point and take pressure off Shake and allow him to operate off the ball? That would be huge for us. I think Shake and Whitt could be a really dynamic backcourt

Hoop knows more than me but I remember following Jimmy Whitt's recruitment closely out of HS and he was fantastic. High ceiling & hard worker. He ran into the freshman wall and realized he needs to improve his 3 to go with his pull-up and get more physical to be able to drive and finish in college. Whitt is a good athlete, aggressive player, long arms, nice mid range game. Arky people thought he would score 12-14PPg as a frosh, I think he has all the tools to be a high end college guard, worst case I see him as a 1st guard off the bench/5th starter.

Whitt's rep was that he was always better off ball even though he has real nice handles and would play point from time to time. I wouldn't be surprised if we tried him some at PG or at least brought him up top at times to get Shake on the wing. Ultimately I think they will keep Shake at PG (where he wants to be), just use sets to get him off ball.

We are gonna have a lot of options in the backcourt next year.

[jimhagle]

Tom Wilson clanking 2 free throws the other night just reiterates why in the world did we use one of our few scholarships on this guy?

[Boston Pony]

Coming in after sitting cold for 39 1/2 minutes makes it difficult to be crisp. Cut the Freshmen a break until they have played some (like a full season) ... I haven't seen immediate impact play so far from them, however all of had times that they have shown some talent. We all develop at our own speed and way. I'd would like to see them play more in the less important games, however Coach is still developing the office for the starters i.e. a 'center-less' or wing dominated flow. I think by AAC play, a more cohesive flow on offense will be ready to go more like TCU and less like CSUB games.

[PonyLawExpress]

Tom Wilson clanking 2 free throws the other night just reiterates why in the world did we use one of our few scholarships on this guy?

I still like Tom and Dashawn's upside, they have shown some flashes. However, in the generation of college hoops big time players usually play well/can't be kept off the court as Freshman, exceptions Duke, UK, KU, Blue Bloods (have so many good ones).

I will hold off until next year to call either a bust, because they both might just need a year to develop, but wish they were more ready to play and become impact guys. It's frustrating when seeing Carsen Edwards, Charlie Moore, even Malachi Flynn and Michael Weathers (guards we went after) having real good freshman campaigns and our guards can't put it together.

[deucetz]

I think Jank is still figuring out playing style and rotations.

I was optimistic with Jank because I liked how he used the rotations better than Larry. Keith thrived in that rotation because he had more liberty to play and not fear being subbed out after a mistake.

If Larry stayed, his rotation would probably have been about the same--heavy minutes for the starting 5. We will need to have our freshman play more to keep our starters fresh. I hope we can figure out better roles for them before conference play.

[ponyboy]

No, what we are missing is what we knew we would miss -- an experienced point guard who knows how to run the offense -- to safely bring the ball up against pressure, know when to dish (and to whom) or take a shot, and perhaps more importantly, to take over and right the ship when the ship starts listing. We just didn't know how much we'd miss Nic. We know now.

Yep, that's what it comes down to. But Nic wasn't just an experienced point guard -- he certainly was a guy who did everything you want your PG to do -- but also just had the ability to take a team on his back like no one I've ever seen. He was truly special and probably my favorite Mustang ever, regardless of sport.

Right now this team looks to me just like the team the coaches predicted. Third in the conference, bubble tourney team. I'm happy with where we are.

One note on the TCU game. It's not a shock to me we won that game, as it seemed to be to some. My happiness about that win has nothing more to do than it was TCU we beat. I don't care if they're ranked 29 or 229 -- we beat the hated purple toads and Mac Engel, their biggest cheerleader.

[ojaipony]

I see Whitt as a smaller Shake (maybe a little faster, peskier with a less consistent 3 pt shot). I think the guy this team will really benefit from next year in the front court will be Landrum. Douglas looks like an absolute baller and I see him as our "next Shake".

I say that because, in bball especially, I believe that "you don't play your 5 best players but your "best 5" (ie team, how it all fits together).


Very curious to see how Chargois and Ray are going to be for us. I'd like us to get one more rim protector in this class. We'll see.