I recall a thread I posted last Sunday entitled we will know a lot about our team soon... Looking back, I realize that I posted my thoughts prematurely; however, I believe my comments are more relevant now, especially after our dominating performance against Marquette. My prior posting follows:
Upcoming tough stretch of games; the results will obviously tell us a lot about this team:
at Villanova (#17)- Jan.6th
Creighton - Jan.9th
at Providence (#10) - Jan. 16th
Villanova (#17) - Jan. 20th
at Xavier (#8) - Jan.23rd
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Could we go 4-1? I think we can.
Most likely 3-2? Looking at the teams this scenario has good chance.
Worst? 1-4 I certainly hope not.
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I see room for optimization because of improvements (some subtle) that I notice with this team, including:
- designed play from out-of-bounds resulting in a (sometimes) easy baskets;
- improved team defense, especially pressuring the ball
- improved passing from all players (sometimes, one too many and player should have shot the ball);
- Delgado showing his last season’s ROY form with multiple double-doubles in recent games;
- emergence of Desi (my MVP so far) as a force at the 3;
- increased assists leading to better results; in fact, at times too much passing when an open shot should have been taken instead of that extra pass;
- improved shot selection from most players;
- better rebounding both ends resulting in more put-backs and fast-break points;
- Willard more authoritative with players; improved “in-game” strategies; change game plan as on-court type of play dictates; he’s simply projects a better coaching presence on the court, etc.
Thoughts or comments
I don't think we need to 4-1 or even 3-2 to maintain good position for a bid
if we beat Depaul tomorrow. I think going 2-3 if we fight hard gives a signature win over a top 25 team, and keeps it so that we beat every team that the committee will say we "should beat", namely Marquette, Depaul, and Creighton. These are not "good" teams. So if we are a "good" team, we will find a way to win these games. That also puts us at 4-3 with a bunch of the harder games behind us. Going 3-2 would be amazing, and two top 25 wins would put is great standing half way through the schedule. It would also mean we have half of the wins needed in conference for a bid.
I don't know if I agree about all the "corner turning" you are pointing to though:
- designed play from out-of-bounds resulting in a (sometimes) easy baskets;
Agreed
- improved team defense, especially pressuring the ball
We got lazy for 10 minutes in the first half against Marquette, and I want to see this defense on display against good teams. If we put on a defensive clinic for Villanova, Xavier, Providence or Butler, than I'll be convinced.
- improved passing from all players (sometimes, one too many and player should have shot the ball);
Eh. I think this is not on point. The team has a long way to go in this respect. Our assist to turnover ratios for the last 4 games: 17/20, 21/8, 11/17, 14/13. We are in the bottom quarter of all teams for turnovers (I believe from last Kenpom check). That isn't a team with good passing fundamentals and who takes care of the ball.
- Delgado showing his last season’s ROY form with multiple double-doubles in recent games;
Double-edged sword. I'm glad he is doing better. His shooting and rebounding is about the same. Turnover percentage slightly higher. It would have been nicer if he got back in ROY form in the non-conference when we needed some better big play for our resume.
- emergence of Desi (my MVP so far) as a force at the 3;
No doubt. He's posterized players. Plays hard on both ends. Gets the team and crowd into it. The kind of player that can put other teams on suicide watch.
- increased assists leading to better results; in fact, at times too much passing when an open shot should have been taken instead of that extra pass;
Increased assists yes, but also increased turnovers. One step forward. One step back. The team as a whole has more turnovers this season than assists.
- improved shot selection from most players;
A qualified statement. Makes it hard to agree or disagree. I really hope IW can develop a little more into a distributor. When DR, AD, and one other player start killing other teams, IW gets the chance to put on an NBA clinic, but I still see too many isolation drives into three men in the paint for a turnover. That isn't just IW either. KC and IW are equally to blame on that one. IW can be a beast on D, so this isn't meant to knock him.
- better rebounding both ends resulting in more put-backs and fast-break points;
- Willard more authoritative with players; improved “in-game” strategies; change game plan as on-court type of play dictates; he’s simply projects a better coaching presence on the court, etc.
Not sold yet. Every year we hear about "this year" being the year Willard develops. Way too early to say this has happened. You see this when we beat top 50 teams. That's where your coaching can make it a chess match. Let's go through the stretch above and then come back to it.
