First of all, we are still extremely good. So good that I think we will make a deep run. Not sure that we will win the Natty because so much has to break your way for that to happen but hopefully we end up cutting the nets down.
That said, there are a number of issues I see with the team:
Hopefully we get things moving back in the right direction when we aren't playing SEC teams every night.
That said, there are a number of issues I see with the team:
- While Bruce and Co. have really developed the players we have, we often have inferior athletes to those we are facing. Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky come to mind. Our general body of work has shown that superior offensive strategy and chemistry helped us win 27 games this year (often in dominant fashion). When you look at how Alabama beat us yesterday, it was a lot of really good individual effort by their players. We don't have a roster full of guys that can truly just consistently man up and make winning individual plays.
- The offense works much better when Denver is at the point vs. Tahaad. I love Tahaad but the ball gets really stagnant with him in the game. He's a small guard that often gets overwhelmed by the size of the guy guarding him. I will say, I did like the action Bruce was running for him to get open looks from the perimeter. Denver's size, physicality, and ability to run the offense really makes our first unit really effective.
- Johni tends to settle when he goes up against guys that can match his physicality. That said, I thought I saw him take a step forward in that regard yesterday. He settled a few time but generally speaking, he was using his athleticism and quickness much more effectively than he had been previously. That also may be a function of him being healthier.
- Maybe the biggest issue we are facing is the inability box out and grab defensive rebounds. Doing this only marginally better the last two games and we probably win them. Perhaps it's our commitment to rim protection that leaves us vulnerable but at this point in the season, I don't know how you significantly improve that. You kind of are who are at this point.
Hopefully we get things moving back in the right direction when we aren't playing SEC teams every night.
