Obvious: Biggest difference from Last Year

RedlessWardrobe

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7:46a, 11/18/24

Last year's team primarily depended on two players, had limited depth, and featured a rotation that was out of sorts when it came to position/ player attributes.

Watching last night, a lot of things are so much better. At any given time we have players throughout the lineup who can carry us for a few minutes. I think that disecting individual players weaknesses this year just leads to going around in circles. For instance, DJ was already getting some static here, but I feel he's a valuable asset to this team, brings some much needed physical strength to the backcourt.

Really happy with our two headed center. Neither are perfect, but they both seem to possess the right approach to the game as far as their role. I'm hoping they will get better as the season continues. The fact that there's less pressure on them because they split minutes is a good thing.

And it isn't too far fetched to conclude that we got the W last night because of our depth. This is my favorite aspect of this year's team. Some late energy from JOJ was really a game changer.

Moving forward, just want to see these guys keep competing. Hopefully it will lead to a fair share of W's along the way.

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Gunga la Gunga

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1:35p, 11/18/24

To me it seems like the most properly constructed basketball team I can remember. Front court, back court, wings, depth. Wow! Even when Cal had more talented teams they had roster construction issues.

Will be interesting to see what this looks like as roles gel and players get more comfortable with each other.

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HongKong_Bear

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5:25p, 11/18/24

Cannot remember a game against SC where we actually seemed to have the advantage in players. However playing man defense in the 2nd half, they took some of our smaller guards into the paint for relatively easy baskets, would have liked to see more help defense. Hopefully Madsen & staff can coach them up through the remainder of the non-conference schedule, after watching the Vandy game I was not so optimistic about ACC games...

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concernedparent

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In reply to HongKong_Bear • 8:51a, 11/19/24

HongKong_Bear said:
Cannot remember a game against SC where we actually seemed to have the advantage in players. However playing man defense in the 2nd half, they took some of our smaller guards into the paint for relatively easy baskets, would have liked to see more help defense. Hopefully Madsen & staff can coach them up through the remainder of the non-conference schedule, after watching the Vandy game I was not so optimistic about ACC games...

The staff played it correctly by putting in a bigger lineup in crunchtime. The defensive rotations are not there yet, help defense would've led to a bunch of open looks.

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RedlessWardrobe

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In reply to HongKong_Bear • 9:00a, 11/19/24

HongKong_Bear said:
Cannot remember a game against SC where we actually seemed to have the advantage in players. However playing man defense in the 2nd half, they took some of our smaller guards into the paint for relatively easy baskets, would have liked to see more help defense. Hopefully Madsen & staff can coach them up through the remainder of the non-conference schedule, after watching the Vandy game I was not so optimistic about ACC games...

While I agree, in the case of the USC game, their 6-7 guard Thomas has a skill set that few teams have playing at the 2. He's a beast for his position. Honestly, that guy will be a problem for a lot of teams this year. I'm glad we don't face him again.

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HoopDreams

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2:22p, 11/19/24

Respectfully we relied on more than two players last year

Tyson, Aimaq, Celestine (who's now starting for Baylor), Cone, Kennedy

It was our bench that was the problem especially the bigs

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BeachedBear

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In reply to HoopDreams • 3:10p, 11/19/24

HoopDreams said:
Respectfully we relied on more than two players last year

Tyson, Aimaq, Celestine (who's now starting for Baylor), Cone, Kennedy

It was our bench that was the problem especially the bigs

I think there may have also been some locker room issues as well.

RedlessWardrobe

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In reply to HoopDreams • 3:27p, 11/19/24

HoopDreams said:
Respectfully we relied on more than two players last year

Tyson, Aimaq, Celestine (who's now starting for Baylor), Cone, Kennedy

It was our bench that was the problem especially the bigs

You're correct. When I stated that we relied on two players it wasn't the right way to phrase it. What I really meant was that result-wise it was usually Tyson and Aimaq that usually carried us the majority of the time. Again, with this year's team I get the feeling that on any night the circumstances of the game can lead any of these guys to carry us. And that doesn't even exclude Tucker and Wilkinson. It's just that our style of play is so much more balanced that I can see this happening down the road.

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HoopDreams

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In reply to RedlessWardrobe • 9:50p, 11/19/24

RedlessWardrobe said:
HoopDreams said:
Respectfully we relied on more than two players last year

Tyson, Aimaq, Celestine (who's now starting for Baylor), Cone, Kennedy

It was our bench that was the problem especially the bigs
You're correct. When I stated that we relied on two players it wasn't the right way to phrase it. What I really meant was that result-wise it was usually Tyson and Aimaq that usually carried us the majority of the time. Again, with this year's team I get the feeling that on any night the circumstances of the game can lead any of these guys to carry us. And that doesn't even exclude Tucker and Wilkinson. It's just that our style of play is so much more balanced that I can see this happening down the road.

got it