Very impressed with how we played today. First-game we had such a huge talent and size advantage it was tough to take a ton away from the margin of victory. Today, we crushed a group of guys who can absolutely play basketball and are likely a tougher test than most/all of the teams we will see before SEC play. Talent wise, we were far superior, but in August with a rebuilt roster I would not have expected us to run a group of experienced pros out of the gym. This team is already showing it has a the potential to have few, if any, true weaknesses and a tremendously high ceiling. As a few pointed out in the game thread, I don't think it's unreasonable to our ceiling may may exceed last year's year group despite the departure of two of the greatest players in Auburn history. The 3 newcomers showed today why BRUCE is the master at reloading his roster.
Traore has been incredibly impressive as a true freshman in his first two games on a college roster. He looks as good as I think we could have reasonably hoped and he's doing it directly out of the gate today against guys who play basketball for a living. He had one move in the second half on a post feed where he was lighting quick catching the feed and taking it to the basket. He also knocked down a great contested 3 on a catch and shoot demonstrating he's a threat from all over the court. If he is already this good, I can't even imagine what he's going to be like by January. Definitely looks like he will be in the mix for All-SEC honors with All-American upside.
Chance is the single biggest reason we could be better this year. His size, athleticism and ability to run the point when needed is what we were missing last year. Add to that the fact he's also already showing a nice outside shot and he's a tremendous addition to the roster. He also already showing us he's not a guy who views himself as an offensive only player and was active on defense looking for steals with 7! on the day. (edit to add that stat from @BrianStultz's excellent write-up)
Broom is the perfect 5 for Bruce's system. Walker will always be one of my favorite players ever at Auburn, but if you asked Bruce to design a 5 for his system from scratch, the person he outlined would closely resemble Broome. He's an elite shot blocker just like Walker, but he can also run the floor like a 3. It's downright unfair that we have him and Traore the year after having Jabari and Walker. If there is a better front court in the country (especially after you factor in Dylan and Jaylin), I would love to see it.
Bruce did a fantastic job setting up the schedule for this trip with the competition increasing each game. Tomorrow is going to be an extremely good test. The Israeli National team is made up of pros and they are a real team. They will not want to lose to a college team on their summer trip. Our guys are going to need to play extremely well tomorrow to have a shot to come away with a 3-0 record on this trip. The guys are getting a life changing experience off the court on this trip which should help them develop the intangibles that a team great. Win or lose tomorrow, I think we have already seen enough to know Bruce has reloaded this roster and has a team that can compete to hang more banners in the rafters.
Traore has been incredibly impressive as a true freshman in his first two games on a college roster. He looks as good as I think we could have reasonably hoped and he's doing it directly out of the gate today against guys who play basketball for a living. He had one move in the second half on a post feed where he was lighting quick catching the feed and taking it to the basket. He also knocked down a great contested 3 on a catch and shoot demonstrating he's a threat from all over the court. If he is already this good, I can't even imagine what he's going to be like by January. Definitely looks like he will be in the mix for All-SEC honors with All-American upside.
Chance is the single biggest reason we could be better this year. His size, athleticism and ability to run the point when needed is what we were missing last year. Add to that the fact he's also already showing a nice outside shot and he's a tremendous addition to the roster. He also already showing us he's not a guy who views himself as an offensive only player and was active on defense looking for steals with 7! on the day. (edit to add that stat from @BrianStultz's excellent write-up)
Broom is the perfect 5 for Bruce's system. Walker will always be one of my favorite players ever at Auburn, but if you asked Bruce to design a 5 for his system from scratch, the person he outlined would closely resemble Broome. He's an elite shot blocker just like Walker, but he can also run the floor like a 3. It's downright unfair that we have him and Traore the year after having Jabari and Walker. If there is a better front court in the country (especially after you factor in Dylan and Jaylin), I would love to see it.
Bruce did a fantastic job setting up the schedule for this trip with the competition increasing each game. Tomorrow is going to be an extremely good test. The Israeli National team is made up of pros and they are a real team. They will not want to lose to a college team on their summer trip. Our guys are going to need to play extremely well tomorrow to have a shot to come away with a 3-0 record on this trip. The guys are getting a life changing experience off the court on this trip which should help them develop the intangibles that a team great. Win or lose tomorrow, I think we have already seen enough to know Bruce has reloaded this roster and has a team that can compete to hang more banners in the rafters.
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