...and we'll just use this last tune-up for a checklist.
After some initial lethargic effort on our end coupled with the predictable pumped-up opponent, this was just gonna be a chance to check ourselves, so let's run thru it quickly:
- we started Small this time with Tyson at the 4 and at Seth at the 3. Dunno if that will be the same going forward --- could change as to matchups
- Speaking of Cade, his stroke didn't look rushed this time --- that's more like it.
- Seth continued his newly proactive slasher game
- Lotta chances to mix-and-match lineups, from very Big to Small
- Good showcase op for the Frosh. Jackson got to show out some without rushing himself so much --- Powell keeps flashing that freaky athleticism (that 2-handed snatch-block was nasty) --- Brown again gave solid minutes. On the negative side, Ian still needs to realize that he doesn't have to force everytime he gets the ball in transition --- make the extra pass when in doubt. And Drake needs to grasp that he's not a Guard in our system --- get the rock to your PG instead pf pulling an Ingram in transition.
- Speaking of transition, there were two concerns: 1) after doing a concerted job at OUTLET passes at Memphis, there were too many times in which we eschewed it in favor of dribbling, and 2) we need to re-emphasize the trail DIVE to the block --- not doing that clogs the Secondary and/or ends it too soon.
- I was hoping to see a few more minutes of EC and RJ together just to evaluate how we were gonna move the rock. We need at all costs to avoid RJ becoming a
de facto ball-stopper as happened too often last season. The Memphis game was a clinic in ball-movement and that needs to be the template now with RJ back on the floor. We avoided the old habit for the most part.
- Our Bigs all gave good accounts of themselves, with the obvious
caveat that we had JCS overmatched physically. And I TOLD y'all you were gonna see more lobs this season.
- I would love to see our utilization of depth and balanced scoring from the exhibitions continue into the actual season. We shall see...
- FT pct was encouraging
- Mostly avoided self-inflicted TOs
- Been watching EC on the defensive end and really liking what I'm seeing --- he's meshing into our 21.5 seamlessly and has learned to be a pesky defender w/out the give-away fouls. Got his hands on several balls as well. Also, our savant PG was the driver of the Ferrari, getting just about what I figured his season averages will be (12 and 8) with no TOs in somewhat fewer minutes than we'll see in real games (and that dime to JWash to end the first half was just sick). Next step in the young fellas development is getting that FT pct closer to 80...
Finally, nice tuneup and a nice coda with a Blue Steel dunk in the Dome. Good chance to clean some stuff up and we mostly did. Moving forward I still maintain that it is ESSENTIAL that we work half-court offense thru JWash --- and not just the PnR stuff, but inside-out as well.
Anyway, sh** gets real quick with our schedule with only one "tune-up" type game at the outset, so here we go Heels --- there'll be some growing pains but it should be fun to watch!...
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