A big game Cameron Indoor exceeded all expectations. Auburn fans showed up and showed out. We didn't win the game, but everyone in the building won with that experience. On to our team...
Unless changes are made, we will consistently play with a FT deficit. Nobody on our team is a physical driver so we're just not going to draw a lot of fouls at the rim. Conversely, we have willing, and even enthusiastic, defenders, but too many of them are hackers and slappers. Chaney and Tahaad jump out here. Lots of you didn't like the officiating and you may be right on some of that, but they're a variable that is out of our hands. We must attack more and defend smarter.
Our guards must create better for each other. Lots of pull-ups and step backs, but not nearly enough kickouts. It really is okay if JP and Denver don't always score a bunch, but they have to at least draw some help and move the ball. Tahaad is the long term solution because he is the only break you down guard we have. Unfortunately, he sometimes kills the flow of the offense. He will get better here.
Duke's offense was centered around screening until we got switched into a bad matchup...usually involving Flagg. This led to fouls, forced help drives, and a lot of offensive rebounds. Right now we are switching EVERYTHING on ball and off the ball. That's pretty easy to do and coach, but hoping with some practice time and softer games we can add a more opponent specific handling of screens.
We played average for us in an incredibly hostile environment and lost by two possessions to a Duke team that played out of their minds in some aspects. We'll be better for this and I am excited to watch this team progress.
Unless changes are made, we will consistently play with a FT deficit. Nobody on our team is a physical driver so we're just not going to draw a lot of fouls at the rim. Conversely, we have willing, and even enthusiastic, defenders, but too many of them are hackers and slappers. Chaney and Tahaad jump out here. Lots of you didn't like the officiating and you may be right on some of that, but they're a variable that is out of our hands. We must attack more and defend smarter.
Our guards must create better for each other. Lots of pull-ups and step backs, but not nearly enough kickouts. It really is okay if JP and Denver don't always score a bunch, but they have to at least draw some help and move the ball. Tahaad is the long term solution because he is the only break you down guard we have. Unfortunately, he sometimes kills the flow of the offense. He will get better here.
Duke's offense was centered around screening until we got switched into a bad matchup...usually involving Flagg. This led to fouls, forced help drives, and a lot of offensive rebounds. Right now we are switching EVERYTHING on ball and off the ball. That's pretty easy to do and coach, but hoping with some practice time and softer games we can add a more opponent specific handling of screens.
We played average for us in an incredibly hostile environment and lost by two possessions to a Duke team that played out of their minds in some aspects. We'll be better for this and I am excited to watch this team progress.
