CS was not very good so we did what you want to do vs a team not at your level, we took them apart. I absolutely loved that Hubert went so hard to his bench, he went what, 11-12 deep. RJ played the most minutes and he only played 26 and next to him was Ryan at 23mins. Anyone recall me saying so many times that this team I would like to see no one playing over 30 and if up to me I would cap it at 25mins because I wanted guys out there with the fresher legs, this game is an example of why I have been saying that. Loved that guys were having fun for a change out there, basketball should be fun for players, coaches, and fans and this one was.
Best over all game I have seen RJ play period, kid had a double double in points and assists and added 5 steals to it, just out standing, playing his way not just on to NBA draft boards but making his case to be a first rounder even with his small stature. 7 of 13 from the field, 3-6 from three, love the efficiency. Ingram did what Ingram does, rock steady, rock solid, just hits big shots at key moments, plays hard on the boards and is under rated when it comes to being a defender. Bacot was solid, wish they had left him in for that one more board so he would have yet another to add to his high stack of career double doubles. Bacot was 5-6, hit both his free throws and had 9 boards, love the efficiency with him as well but I didn't think he played like he could dominate his opponent, I would really like to see more edge from him. Ryan yet again, not sharp shooting the ball but still was very active and played well in every other aspect.
Our bench, nice to see Konkwo get some run, nice to see him give out biscuits, he is about as deep as I consider our bench and not be Blue Steel (thou he is Blue Steel). Paxon, hate that he took yet another blow to the head, this kid is nearing the stage of maybe needing a helmet. But could have done without those 3 heat checks, his playing time may be about to totally disappear. High is future, High is not present, love his motor and I was not upset with his show of passion in the heat of battle that drew the tech, he was not going to back down, love that actually. But he is so raw offensively and so thin, kid needs 20lbs yesterday, really hope he comes back from the next off season with no less than 15lbs added and some offensive scoring moves.
I love Seth Trimble's game, I screamed for him to play more last season, great to see his PT climbing now. Seth is more a scorer than a jump shooter, that was actually true coming out of high school, we still have not seen his ability to finish way over the rim as much as he can give us. Love to see us work him for ooopps ops he is an un-worldly like above the rim guy, love to see that gone to 2-3 times a game. Withers, been critical of him a lot this season but he has deserved the critical looks, last night for me he played by far his best game for us. I didn't see but for a couple things of him making those bone headed rushing his game mistakes that have plagued him, I was no no great shot on that trey! LOL Let the game come to him a little more than trying to force it and folks we will have a player.
Did I leave anyone out? Oh, Mr he can't shoot cause he got sample size disease? LOL Jalen Washington, I can hear jung now, darn, I knew he would go there! LOL Well I am not, at least not looking for a I told ya so moment, it is not about I told ya so for me, it has only ever been about the fact I truly believe Jalen playing can help us be a more potent team. It is not some agenda with me, it is just the fact no matter what sample size you want to use, Jalen is a killer jump shooter, his shooting efficiency is off the charts and so much of it is jump shooting. Those treys last night but his treys all season have been great looking strokes that don't even touch the rim, he just sizzles the nets. But he is and has been not just jump shooting, he has been getting boards at a very high clip for minutes played. 7 boards in his 16mins, 7-9 from the field, 2-3 from trey for 17pts in 16mins. Up till last night folks were busy telling me how playing Jalen at the 4 was a bad idea, do you still feel that way or do you maybe now see what I have been saying a bit more clearly? No, not I told ya so, all I ask is do you see more of what I have been screaming all season? Kid is a major weapon we have not been using and I hope last night showed Hubert that we need this kid playing solid minutes, not just the few left overs when Bacot sits!
Really looking forward to playing Clemson, they are really good so far so it is going to take a big game from us and it is a true road test vs a quad 1 team, big game. 3 true road games in a row and none of them easy but last night was a great warm up for that!