Wow. UNC was most entertaining basketball game I've seen at Texas in many a year. Had a great view of the defensive side in the 2nd half and the fight for rebounds was tremendous. Too bad the horns have to play with the silly college fouling rules, but I think they are adapting. My take on the growth of the horns this season:
1) OK, China was an abortion, but frankly I just threw that game away in my mind as far as any kind of measurement. There was too much going on with such travel and strangeness with a new coach and new system.
2) To my point of throwing China away, coming back and beating Washington at their second meeting was I thought a good sign despite continuing struggles early. I expected and still expect the team to need time to jell and get used to Shaka system and philosophy.
3) Prior to UNC game there seemed to be good progress, but it was against lesser competition so UNC was going to be a big measurement as far as early season progress. Boy, we passed that measurement with flying colors. Some impressions:
a) Rotations getting more stable
b) Selective defensive pressure more effective, fewer breakdowns and breakouts.
c) Players getting more comfortable to letting the ball fly on offense (THIS IS HUGE TO ME, HORNS BASKETBALL ALWAYS PLAYED LIKE THEY HAD CORNCOB IN NETHER REGIONS UNDER BARNES SUPPRESSIVE OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY). Getting transition buckets and buckets early in the shot clock are not a sin anymore, hallelujah.
d) Energy and rebounding steady and strong throughout the game.
e) Defensive blocks now seem to be more controlled (rather than swatting into stands, we now have a chance to recover ball).
f) Isaiah T is still playing with some abandon, but is also playing with more control and making fewer errors of (over) aggression. IT is of course key to our team and if he is effective it is likely our team will be effective.
g) team passing seems to be improving
h) effective use of the big guy(Ridley) mixed in with penetration and outside shooting makes it tough on opposing defenses.
4)It is my strong impression, that Shaka's personality is full of positive energy and is contagious to the basketball team. The vibe I think is one of positive fun, with which I think helps college players thrive. Not to say, that hard work and high energy isn't demanded, but its presented in a much more positive light than we used to see under the previous administration.
5) OK, I admit I'm a bit giddy, now that I feel the potential of Shaka + Texas looks like it could be realized sooner rather than later. I'm trying to temper expectations as Felix has been very hot and carrying a lot of offensive effectiveness on his shoulders. To me he is an exceptionally key player, and if he were to get injured or cool down we might struggle to win games that at first blush we should win. I'll be looking for more distribution and increasing effectiveness of others so that Felix doesn't have to be hot all the time to win against good competition. The good news is there are signs of just that, as the freshmen (and everyone else) look to be getting more comfortable with Shaka's system.
6) Recruiting seems to be going very well.
1) OK, China was an abortion, but frankly I just threw that game away in my mind as far as any kind of measurement. There was too much going on with such travel and strangeness with a new coach and new system.
2) To my point of throwing China away, coming back and beating Washington at their second meeting was I thought a good sign despite continuing struggles early. I expected and still expect the team to need time to jell and get used to Shaka system and philosophy.
3) Prior to UNC game there seemed to be good progress, but it was against lesser competition so UNC was going to be a big measurement as far as early season progress. Boy, we passed that measurement with flying colors. Some impressions:
a) Rotations getting more stable
b) Selective defensive pressure more effective, fewer breakdowns and breakouts.
c) Players getting more comfortable to letting the ball fly on offense (THIS IS HUGE TO ME, HORNS BASKETBALL ALWAYS PLAYED LIKE THEY HAD CORNCOB IN NETHER REGIONS UNDER BARNES SUPPRESSIVE OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY). Getting transition buckets and buckets early in the shot clock are not a sin anymore, hallelujah.
d) Energy and rebounding steady and strong throughout the game.
e) Defensive blocks now seem to be more controlled (rather than swatting into stands, we now have a chance to recover ball).
f) Isaiah T is still playing with some abandon, but is also playing with more control and making fewer errors of (over) aggression. IT is of course key to our team and if he is effective it is likely our team will be effective.
g) team passing seems to be improving
h) effective use of the big guy(Ridley) mixed in with penetration and outside shooting makes it tough on opposing defenses.
4)It is my strong impression, that Shaka's personality is full of positive energy and is contagious to the basketball team. The vibe I think is one of positive fun, with which I think helps college players thrive. Not to say, that hard work and high energy isn't demanded, but its presented in a much more positive light than we used to see under the previous administration.
5) OK, I admit I'm a bit giddy, now that I feel the potential of Shaka + Texas looks like it could be realized sooner rather than later. I'm trying to temper expectations as Felix has been very hot and carrying a lot of offensive effectiveness on his shoulders. To me he is an exceptionally key player, and if he were to get injured or cool down we might struggle to win games that at first blush we should win. I'll be looking for more distribution and increasing effectiveness of others so that Felix doesn't have to be hot all the time to win against good competition. The good news is there are signs of just that, as the freshmen (and everyone else) look to be getting more comfortable with Shaka's system.
6) Recruiting seems to be going very well.
