Questions for those attending practice and close to the program? Give us updates for those of us not in the area. IB looks to be improving? The team looks different with Taylor and is Meyers on the bench now? What is the overall outlook for the season now that we are heading into conference play?
Basketball Question
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Things have really changed the last 4-5 games. Andrew Taylor made a huge difference and will have a great career. He takes some pressure off West (not having to be primary ball handler and can focus on getting in grill of opposing PG) and I think his offensive production yesterday showed that. Brooks Harris and George are really coming on, and to an extent Serenac is improving, all three eating up minutes of Williams and Byers who just haven't performed well this season. IB looks like a different man physically (still huge) and his play on the floor has really improved offensively and defensively. Goran M. is getting better as the back up to IB. With those two stepping up, minimal need for Byers or Williams to play the 5 except in a bind or if we go smaller. That leaves MB and JW battling for minutes at the 3 and 4 spots. Tavion gets the lion's share at the 3, so that leaves about 5 decent to good players battling for playing time at the 4 and some minutes at the 3 as West, Kinsey and Taylor take breaks and the line up is shuffled.
Taylor, Kinsey and West will get the most minutes by far. I'm just wondering if Williams or Byers will get it together and start getting more playing time. Both are really losing minutes lately and the team is playing well through it. I'm thinking Williams may have lost his starting job to George but we will see on Thursday.
Taylor, Kinsey and West will get the most minutes by far. I'm just wondering if Williams or Byers will get it together and start getting more playing time. Both are really losing minutes lately and the team is playing well through it. I'm thinking Williams may have lost his starting job to George but we will see on Thursday.
The team seems different this year, but in a good way
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The team is definitely much improved over the past 5 games or so... and Taylor is the main reason for that. He controls the pace of the game really well for a young PG and he shifts West to an off guard spot where he can focus on what he does best – shoot 3s and play stellar defense.
Having watched some, but not all CUSA teams this season, I think we are probably a .500 or so conference team (maybe a little better if things fall right, maybe a little worse if the injury bug hits).
Before the season, with losing Elmore and Burks, my prediction was 16-14. I think that is very much within reach... Considering the team has no seniors, finishing above .500 in a "rebuilding" year would bode well for the next 2-3 years.
Having watched some, but not all CUSA teams this season, I think we are probably a .500 or so conference team (maybe a little better if things fall right, maybe a little worse if the injury bug hits).
Before the season, with losing Elmore and Burks, my prediction was 16-14. I think that is very much within reach... Considering the team has no seniors, finishing above .500 in a "rebuilding" year would bode well for the next 2-3 years.
I agree with all of the above. Taylor makes everyone better but especially Jarrid. He takes the pressure off of his role as point guard and puts him back to his more comfortable off guard position. Bennett is a game changer on defense as long as he can stay out of foul trouble. I am pleasantly surprised by the play of Goran. Thought at the first of the season practices that he was 1 or 2 years away from contributing but he has done much better than expected. Marko will shine by the end if the year
Bennett’s shot blocking has been a pleasant surprise. He isn’t a quick up kind if guy and doesn’t get that high above the rim, but he gets a lot of blocks. He had 5 in 18 minutes of play against Duquesne.
I didn’t expect much at all from Goran this year. I thought it would be best to redshirt and develop him. He had all the tools, but I didn’t think he’d be able to put it together this soon. He’s going to keep getting better.
I also agree 100% on Marko. He still hasn’t had that breakout game, but he’s got some game. Watching him improve this season should be fun.
The thing with Marko I’ve noticed is he doesn’t back down. He will contest any layup or dunk attempt if he is near it. He also has a bit of a competitive streak to him as well. I like that.
Also on Goran...he was CUSA Freshman of the week after his Duquesne performance. He had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and a block in the game. He netted 20 minutes to Bennett’s 18 of playing time. He has to get stronger, improve his hands, and quit bringing the ball down when in the paint, but his upside is enormous. We absolutely have to have his continued improvement to be successful this year, because we all know that the conference officiating won’t favor him. We can’t afford to drop off a lot when Bennett goes to the bench.
Also on Goran...he was CUSA Freshman of the week after his Duquesne performance. He had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and a block in the game. He netted 20 minutes to Bennett’s 18 of playing time. He has to get stronger, improve his hands, and quit bringing the ball down when in the paint, but his upside is enormous. We absolutely have to have his continued improvement to be successful this year, because we all know that the conference officiating won’t favor him. We can’t afford to drop off a lot when Bennett goes to the bench.
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