So many positives to take away from this one. Obviously we had the Israel U20 team outmanned, but our guys look like a very talented, veteran group already. One of the biggest takeaways was how hard we played the whole way on D. In an exhibition blowout like this one, it would have been easy for our guys to let up and start giving up easy buckets, but that wasn't the case. We were still blocking shots and getting steals very late in the 4th quarter. Offense was also very strong to score 117 on any team.
Flanny appears to be back to 100% after being slowed all of last year with his achilles injury. If that was the only positive from today, it would be a huge win for us. He was explosive driving the basketball and made some nice decisions to pick up assists. This version of Flan drastically increases our ceiling as a team. Also hit some very nice shots that he didn't have the confidence or timing to knock down last year. With this version of Flanny, we likely win 3-4 of the close regular season games we dropped last year. He's also the kind of junk yard dog when he's on his A game that could have found a way to grind out a W over Miami.
I realize it's only one game, but I think Westry is the X factor on this team that could give us a chance to be even better than last year. Jabari and Walker will be impossible to completely replace, but Westry could take our backcourt from being a weakness at times to being one of the best in the country. An elite guard with size can make everyone else on the roster better around him by eliminating our achilles heal from last year where teams with bigger guards managed to frustrate Wen, KD and Zep. Bruce has proven he is a wizard at winning championships with smaller guards, but just imagine what he can do with a 6-6 future lotto pick to work with. Wen and KD will both be much better playing with a bigger guard who can take the defensive pressure off them and allow them to use their speed and get open looks outside.
As mentioned, Jabari and Walker are impossible to replace. They were unquestionably the greatest front court in Auburn history. Thanks to the magic of BRUCE's recruiting though, we have 2 new starts in Traore and Broome who can definitely be one of the best front courts in the country this year. Loved what we saw from both guys today as their skill sets really compliment one another. Traore is the total package with the ability to score from the perimeter to the low post. Broome, as the 2nd best shot blocker in the country last year, is the only guy in the country we could have hoped to land that would be able to step into Walker's shoes on defense. The fact he's a better version of Walker on offense is another way this team could end up having a higher ceiling. Add in the fact we've got Dylan and Jaylin in the rotation at the 4 and 5 and this is a team with incredible size and the depth to to keep them fresh for 40 minutes.
Love the way this trip sets up with the competition level increasing after today. Bruce did an incredible job creating a life changing experience for our guys that will also be a huge boost towards getting better this off season. A trip like this will bring the team together and prove to be invaluable in their development as people, not just basketball players. If this ends up being another championship contender, I think we will look back on this trip as a significant reason for their success.
Flanny appears to be back to 100% after being slowed all of last year with his achilles injury. If that was the only positive from today, it would be a huge win for us. He was explosive driving the basketball and made some nice decisions to pick up assists. This version of Flan drastically increases our ceiling as a team. Also hit some very nice shots that he didn't have the confidence or timing to knock down last year. With this version of Flanny, we likely win 3-4 of the close regular season games we dropped last year. He's also the kind of junk yard dog when he's on his A game that could have found a way to grind out a W over Miami.
I realize it's only one game, but I think Westry is the X factor on this team that could give us a chance to be even better than last year. Jabari and Walker will be impossible to completely replace, but Westry could take our backcourt from being a weakness at times to being one of the best in the country. An elite guard with size can make everyone else on the roster better around him by eliminating our achilles heal from last year where teams with bigger guards managed to frustrate Wen, KD and Zep. Bruce has proven he is a wizard at winning championships with smaller guards, but just imagine what he can do with a 6-6 future lotto pick to work with. Wen and KD will both be much better playing with a bigger guard who can take the defensive pressure off them and allow them to use their speed and get open looks outside.
As mentioned, Jabari and Walker are impossible to replace. They were unquestionably the greatest front court in Auburn history. Thanks to the magic of BRUCE's recruiting though, we have 2 new starts in Traore and Broome who can definitely be one of the best front courts in the country this year. Loved what we saw from both guys today as their skill sets really compliment one another. Traore is the total package with the ability to score from the perimeter to the low post. Broome, as the 2nd best shot blocker in the country last year, is the only guy in the country we could have hoped to land that would be able to step into Walker's shoes on defense. The fact he's a better version of Walker on offense is another way this team could end up having a higher ceiling. Add in the fact we've got Dylan and Jaylin in the rotation at the 4 and 5 and this is a team with incredible size and the depth to to keep them fresh for 40 minutes.
Love the way this trip sets up with the competition level increasing after today. Bruce did an incredible job creating a life changing experience for our guys that will also be a huge boost towards getting better this off season. A trip like this will bring the team together and prove to be invaluable in their development as people, not just basketball players. If this ends up being another championship contender, I think we will look back on this trip as a significant reason for their success.
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