stu said:
Big C said:
Plenty of backcourt minutes to be had for Clayton, Askew (expected to be eligible) and Brown. Whoever can play, will play. That goes for all the positions.
I'm going to go way out on a limb and predict that we will be somewhat better than the most cynical of cynics predict. That's not to say that it will be "good enough" or that it should save Fox's job, just that we will win double digit games and compete.
I'll say the range of possible outcomes is pretty wide. We have holes to fill at guard but Clayton and Askew are unknowns. Then maybe a summer of practice will help.
Given our overall talent level and past lack of imagination on offense I'll be amazed if we escape the bottom half of the Pac. If everything goes right I think our record could be a little better than last season, if not a lot worse.
I understand the discussion focusing on guard play, but the front-line is a huge question mark to me. I think teams with quick front-lines will kill us. Since Cal doesn't shoot worth a lick, it would be nice if we tried to get some offensive rebounds - Alajiki is my hope for that but he needs coaching to make it a priority. Fox has recruited for length and athleticism, so why not take advantage of that? Maybe develop an EFFECTIVE zone defense to use as a change-of-pace. One of the problems with being a defense-first coach is that Pac-12 refs call too many ticky-tack fouls so your team gets in foul trouble.
Aside from skill, Kelly and Shepard stood out because they had some basketball acumen. If the incoming transfers don't bring that, I don't see where it will come from. I'd like to be optimistic but honestly, I think the range of possible outcomes for this team is from so-so to god-awful.