After 2 games I will already admit that I was wrong about this team. I'm not raising my expectations to Elite 8 or Final 4, but they will be a pretty good team. The reasons for my change of heart are chemistry, offense, and defense.
I think the chemistry is obviously better than at any point last season and I think that has a lot to do with certain guys growing up. The guys seem to really like each other. Don't know if that was the case last season.
Offensively we look like an entirely different program. We are running the Flex offense, some old UCLA set plays, feeding the post and then moving without the ball, etc. The reason this is SOOO important with this team is because our depth is not very good. When you run set plays and set a lot of screens you can dictate who gets the ball and where. You can take stiffs like Wangmene and Hill and they can be important screeners and finishers. Lucas can become a decent option at PG because you aren't expecting him to create offense. Balbay's lack of shooting ability is less of a concern because he can screen and cut, so his man can't just leave him open. And, Jordan knows where he will get the ball, and how often, so he shouldn't feel the need to take stupid shots. The offensive change is going to be huge as the season progresses.
The defense is actually a pleasant surprise. Brown and Hamilton seem to have made adjustments and seem to be more focused on that end of the court. Hill and Thompson will provide some blocks, which we haven't had in 5-6 years. Add that to guys that already played d, and this could be a decent defensive team.
So far I would have to give Barnes an A+. We had SERIOUS chemistry problems, no offensive movement, no real play makers on offense, and some terrible defensive efforts. To notice these issues and adjusting his philosophy, then getting his players to buy into it, shows me something.
Now, the interesting part is going to be how they handle setbacks. If they have truely matured then they shouldn't be a problem, but we won't know until that time comes.
I think the chemistry is obviously better than at any point last season and I think that has a lot to do with certain guys growing up. The guys seem to really like each other. Don't know if that was the case last season.
Offensively we look like an entirely different program. We are running the Flex offense, some old UCLA set plays, feeding the post and then moving without the ball, etc. The reason this is SOOO important with this team is because our depth is not very good. When you run set plays and set a lot of screens you can dictate who gets the ball and where. You can take stiffs like Wangmene and Hill and they can be important screeners and finishers. Lucas can become a decent option at PG because you aren't expecting him to create offense. Balbay's lack of shooting ability is less of a concern because he can screen and cut, so his man can't just leave him open. And, Jordan knows where he will get the ball, and how often, so he shouldn't feel the need to take stupid shots. The offensive change is going to be huge as the season progresses.
The defense is actually a pleasant surprise. Brown and Hamilton seem to have made adjustments and seem to be more focused on that end of the court. Hill and Thompson will provide some blocks, which we haven't had in 5-6 years. Add that to guys that already played d, and this could be a decent defensive team.
So far I would have to give Barnes an A+. We had SERIOUS chemistry problems, no offensive movement, no real play makers on offense, and some terrible defensive efforts. To notice these issues and adjusting his philosophy, then getting his players to buy into it, shows me something.
Now, the interesting part is going to be how they handle setbacks. If they have truely matured then they shouldn't be a problem, but we won't know until that time comes.
