We should win the next five

Beginning with Fla. a&m tonight. The only team that might take the horns down is Michigan. But I think we beat them. That would bring us to 9-2 going into the B12 opener against KU.

All we needed was to make one more three, or one more two, or one more free throw in the two losses and we would be sitting at 6-1 or 7-0, depending on the PK80 Championship game. Two overtime losses were so tough to take. Hopefully those are learning experiences for Shaka and the players.

So what are your thoughts on the B12 record?

I'm saying 12-6, which would give us over 20 wins and around a 5 seed in the March tourney.

 

#24 Bama will play us hard in Tuscaloosa. They're #7 in the league in FG% at 52.6%. Their Fr. PG Collin Sexton is #4 in the league in PPG at 25.20. We'll probably drop that one. Meechigan and VCU are beatable. I agree with the rest of your projection add a loss to Bama. 9-3 headed into conference play.

This team could win 14 conference games, or 8. IF we don't make adjustments on offense and pick up our shooting, I think we're safely 10-8 in conference play, pick up a win vs Ole Miss in between. 20-11 headed into B12 tournament. If Bamba gets comfortable and we find a shooter, we could split wins with the top teams. Otherwise they sweep us. Probably win 1 or 2 tourney games and drop 3rd. 22-12 and end up a lowly #6 seed.

Heading into this season I thought we were a Final Four team. After PK80, I don't think we're a Sweet 16 team. I hope I'm wrong and will happily eat crow.

 

I mentioned this in the Zags thread, but the offensive adjustment needs to be pressing for the majority of the game. We aren't a great half-court team ... but we have great athletes and a deep bench. So, it seems like a recipe for Shaka's chaos. Let Dylan harass the inbound and create double teams. Let our guards fly around and create turnovers. Then have Bamba on the back-end to keep our opponents from easy baskets when thing break down. Jericho can spell Dylan; Banks spell Bamba. Then, rotate the guards through to keep the pressure on. Our offense needs fast-break lay-ups and transition 3s, rather than sloppy half-court plays.

 

I think you've got the recipe for what's cooking now HI.

Per our discussions on the other thread about Young, I am still holding out hope (me=eternal optimist) for Young to contribute double figure points per game (10-12). If he can morph into an above average off the bench spark then we are instantly much better. I know, that is a big IF.

 

Wrt to Young, I'm still trying to get over his abysmal performance last year. His jacked up 3s and turned the ball over at an alarming rate. I cringed every time he entered a game.

I will say that he has done better in both of those areas this year. So, if we went to moved to more of a pressing style, I could see his aggressiveness being more of an advantage (e.g. transition 3s and scoring in the open court).

 

So far, and I know this is a very young season, he has taken care of the ball better than last year and his jumper is going in the hoop at a higher percentage. Would like to see if this is a trend, or just a momentary spike that drops off.

One thing seems clear, Davis has not been able to perform at the level he did as a freshman. I hate this, because I really like Davis. So someone is going to take some of Davis' minutes. Either will be Young or Febres

 

With road wins so hard to come by in this league, 12-6 or 13-5 makes you elite in this conference.

 

It's funny how two people can watch the same games and draw such different conclusions. I see our performance in PK80 as a net positive, showing that the team can compete with the very best teams out there. Sure, I would've liked to see another win, but the overall showing was better than I expected coming in.

 

It is indeed. I appreciate your positive outlook NJ.

I think every fan wants to believe the best is just right there within reach. The best is yet to come and it will come, and it will be here sooner than later. Next game. Next tournament run. Next season. Next top recruit. Next top 5 recruiting class. Next big name transfer pickup. Next crack assistant hire. Next new Head Coach. Next fancy Arena. Next time. We missed this one but hey, it was pretty good right? We’ll get the next one. How about now? How about we go win that game now and not next time.

I was that fan for 30 years. I just don’t personally want to indulge in the mediocrity anymore. Winning requires fire and edge and toughness and an unrelenting desire and commitment to being better than your opponent and just getting it done. I’m not seeing that on any level with this team.

But I appreciate the attaboy optimism from our fan base. We’re a football school anyway. Who cares right? 20+ wins and a tournament bid is good enough.

 

If my 19 year presence on this board has taught me anything, it's that there are two camps. One wants to believe the best, and maintains positivity. One wants to believe the best, but is beaten down by disappointment and becomes cynical. But I agree that both camps want to believe the best. I just think one, in fact, assumes it is not within reach until after it's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Pessimists are the only ones who say, "Look I'm just being a realist here."

 

My MO is M O--Mainly Optimist. I think, anyway. But when the team turns the ball over, is careless with shot selection and dribbles the shot clock out instead of running a passing, slashing, cutting motion offense (when we're forced into the half court, I mean) then i get frustrated, angry and usually say things i regret later.

Anyhow, I am going on record right now as predicting the Horns will beat both Michigan and Alabama. Not so sure about VCU. i think our pressing defense will bother their 3 point shooters. When we start conference at 9-3 or 10-2 I will be a gushing optimist. Anybody else willing to go out on the limb with me and predict our nonconference record we bring into the KU game?

 

This team is young and fitting in some new parts.
I think they will get better as the season goes on.
They are going to have some unexpected wins.

 

Duke starts four freshman and a senior. When Allen fouls out they sub another freshman. Duke played (and beat us) with five freshman in their lineup. Age is relative I guess.

Dylan can buy beer. He’s in his 4th year in the league. Davis and Roach are seasoned upperclassman. Roach is playing like a savvy junior. Davis is slumping but, hopefully he gets out of it. I watched Shakas presser again and Davis has been playing through a nagging groin injury apparently. Hopefully that clears up and he gets back on track.

Dylan got one scholarship offer out of high school. One. He should be playing with a giant chip on his shoulder. Dylan is the guy that should step out and bring the intensity and aged wisdom our younger players grow around. I see him trying to be that guy. It’ll come. I’m glad we have him another year.

 

Baddley (sp) really is the best freshman in college. He'll likely be the # 1 pick in the NBA draft.

And Duke has arguably the best coach in college BB. I don't ever root for Duke, but after i watched them in 3 games at the PK80, I was really impressed with Coack K. He is amazing at in game adjustments, and dealing with the moods, ups and downs of his players. He keeps them focused.

I love Shaka, but I have not seen him show that he can coach and scheme the half court offense. I think every team that competes for Championships has to be able to adjust and do this when necessary. I hope this weakness is fixed.

 

I'd like to be that confident, but the offense has just been so bad... it's hard to see them winning all three of those, and I think 2-1 will be a stretch. I have a bad feeling about the VCU game.

I still feel like this team's best play will be in the back half (or at least I hope it is), and I'm concerned we're going to put up some ugly performances trying to work our way there. The defense is tough and if they play dialed in, then we could really have something come tournament time.

 

You know VCU will be sky high. It will be a very tough test, no doubt.

 

The lack of outside shooting consistency is a huge weakness. Jones is our best so far. Young needs more touches to get more confidence. Febres has shooting potential.

 

Man, Jones has really taken it to another level though this year. He really looks good. This might have been his best overall game.

 

VCU was Jones’ career high in points and seasons best 3PT%. He looked more poised than I’ve seen him.

 

You want some optimism...I will give you some optimism...I believe the Football team can make it to the playoffs next season. But I can't wait to see the Horns BBall team finish a game against a decent opponent. Bring on Bama!