On paper, we're the better team, the more balanced teams, can win in more ways, BUT, its away and Oats has played Bruce well the last couple years. The hype is real with Bama's guard play, especially if they get a "good Davidson" night and Quinnerly breaks out of his shooting slump. Ellis has really come along and gives them a third pretty legit starting guard. He scares me as much as any of their guys. They're at their best in transition and when Q can break guys down in the half-court. Don't think we want to get in a running game with them. They have the advantage there.
However, as many have pointed out, they're post-play is meh, really meh if they get in foul trouble and they've done that a lot when playing good teams. Walker and Jaylin should have a field day inside if we can get them the ball. Get a couple fouls early on their Bigs, and we could really take it to them inside. We are the deeper team.
What should worry us is not so much their hot shooting as it is their ability to score in transition and off-turnovers and our propensity to turn it over. That's a dangerous recipe on the road and can lead to a 10-0 run like that. What would worry them is that we have the best player on the court and he's due for a big game, not to mention that fact that they have no one inside who can stop Walker.
In years past, even for the homers, this game would have felt like an L, but (1) defense travels and (2) we have two guys who simply refuse to lose in KD and Jabari. This team is just built different than previous Bruce teams and frankly, appears more mentally tough. As long as we don't turn it over 15+ times, we'll win. Refs will be bad and inconsistent (what's new in college bball?) but we're deep enough to survive that.
Good guys by 5. Mid 2nd half run gives us the lead after trailing all game long.
However, as many have pointed out, they're post-play is meh, really meh if they get in foul trouble and they've done that a lot when playing good teams. Walker and Jaylin should have a field day inside if we can get them the ball. Get a couple fouls early on their Bigs, and we could really take it to them inside. We are the deeper team.
What should worry us is not so much their hot shooting as it is their ability to score in transition and off-turnovers and our propensity to turn it over. That's a dangerous recipe on the road and can lead to a 10-0 run like that. What would worry them is that we have the best player on the court and he's due for a big game, not to mention that fact that they have no one inside who can stop Walker.
In years past, even for the homers, this game would have felt like an L, but (1) defense travels and (2) we have two guys who simply refuse to lose in KD and Jabari. This team is just built different than previous Bruce teams and frankly, appears more mentally tough. As long as we don't turn it over 15+ times, we'll win. Refs will be bad and inconsistent (what's new in college bball?) but we're deep enough to survive that.
Good guys by 5. Mid 2nd half run gives us the lead after trailing all game long.
