1. Depth/Experience at guard - Last year we only had wenny, KD and zep. They were run down by the end of the season and became less effective, some of the poor play was due to decision making but I think another component was just the grind of the season with no depth. We now add Westry, Tre all season and will play Lior for some non conference minutes. 5 > 3 for March, especially when the two added are super talented in Westry and Tre (do not sleep on donaldson).
2. Production at the 3/SF position - This was non existent last year for the entire season. Once teams realized they didnt have to guard a position on the court, IMO this was our biggest downfall as a team last year. They were then free to crowd our guards and jabari and left Cambridge or Flan wide open. This year between a healthy Flanigan (jury is still out on him but i remain optimistic based on recent practice reports), a Chris Moore who finally understands his role and creates chaos under the rim, and Westry who will be our versatile swiss army knife, I see this group as most improved on the team. Moore impressed me versus the Israeli national team and I think he really gets it now + he is a great glue guy and he isnt going to keep forcing up bricks like cambridge.
3. Offensive low post game - When we need an easy bucket last year, the move was jabari on the wing or elbow. It was ok but not as easy as getting a layup or a look near the rim. This became even tougher when defenders tried to force him to dribble. For the first time in a looooong time at Auburn we have a player who brings an extremely polished low post game. Broome is a walking bucket down low. Expect him to be the best player on the team, and a kid that shines in the biggest moments (see his time at morehead st, he loves the big games). Loved Kessler but he was a rim runner and a rim protector. I think Broome fits this current group better for a deep run. When the shots go cold from the outside, we have an answer that we can keep feeding to keep the machine going. Yohan also is going to continue to grow, and will be very hard to handle. Love his offensive game already, and from practice reports he is picking up the defensive side of the ball fast.
4. Defense, Defense, Defense - all of the above points, add up into what I think will be continued great defense for the program. Not having jabari's length and versatility on the defensive end will be the biggest hole to fill on this team, but with added depth at every position and fresher legs, I think we have a formula to keep up more pressure for all 40 minutes. Broome and Cardwell will be more than serviceable as rim protectors and I think Jwill and Yohan can provide bothersome length as well. We are going to blitz early opponents out of the gym and wear down our fellow SEC foes in the middle of a grinding season.
5. Overhyped Inexperienced teams vs Our perfect mix of Vets and Young Talent - The love for arky, and even alabama is a little absurd for a team that is relying on it's best players to be freshman. There's a lot of love going around in the SEC for these teams and Kentucky and Tenn. But this group of Auburn vets has good chemistry and relying on proven commodities in key roles. Get ready for at least a sweet 16 run this year and don't be surprised if it's deeper than that.
2. Production at the 3/SF position - This was non existent last year for the entire season. Once teams realized they didnt have to guard a position on the court, IMO this was our biggest downfall as a team last year. They were then free to crowd our guards and jabari and left Cambridge or Flan wide open. This year between a healthy Flanigan (jury is still out on him but i remain optimistic based on recent practice reports), a Chris Moore who finally understands his role and creates chaos under the rim, and Westry who will be our versatile swiss army knife, I see this group as most improved on the team. Moore impressed me versus the Israeli national team and I think he really gets it now + he is a great glue guy and he isnt going to keep forcing up bricks like cambridge.
3. Offensive low post game - When we need an easy bucket last year, the move was jabari on the wing or elbow. It was ok but not as easy as getting a layup or a look near the rim. This became even tougher when defenders tried to force him to dribble. For the first time in a looooong time at Auburn we have a player who brings an extremely polished low post game. Broome is a walking bucket down low. Expect him to be the best player on the team, and a kid that shines in the biggest moments (see his time at morehead st, he loves the big games). Loved Kessler but he was a rim runner and a rim protector. I think Broome fits this current group better for a deep run. When the shots go cold from the outside, we have an answer that we can keep feeding to keep the machine going. Yohan also is going to continue to grow, and will be very hard to handle. Love his offensive game already, and from practice reports he is picking up the defensive side of the ball fast.
4. Defense, Defense, Defense - all of the above points, add up into what I think will be continued great defense for the program. Not having jabari's length and versatility on the defensive end will be the biggest hole to fill on this team, but with added depth at every position and fresher legs, I think we have a formula to keep up more pressure for all 40 minutes. Broome and Cardwell will be more than serviceable as rim protectors and I think Jwill and Yohan can provide bothersome length as well. We are going to blitz early opponents out of the gym and wear down our fellow SEC foes in the middle of a grinding season.
5. Overhyped Inexperienced teams vs Our perfect mix of Vets and Young Talent - The love for arky, and even alabama is a little absurd for a team that is relying on it's best players to be freshman. There's a lot of love going around in the SEC for these teams and Kentucky and Tenn. But this group of Auburn vets has good chemistry and relying on proven commodities in key roles. Get ready for at least a sweet 16 run this year and don't be surprised if it's deeper than that.
