I would agree with the exception of this past year. Our ball movement was excellent and while I'm not comparing us to them, our offense was very similar to that of Golden State Warriors. We had early ball movement with cross cuts and lateral cuts by our guards and lots of off ball screens set to free up playmakers. I thought we actually ran good sets this year. In years prior? Yeah, I would definitely share in your frustration. The only time the ball stopped moving this year is when it got in Miller's hands.
You're right, I totally undervalued the three P5 players. Stroman, Gant, and Marquetti. Give me the replacements for Washington, Stove, and Barkley. I'm expecting some marginal improvement from Davis, and Miller. Maybe vast improvement from Russell. That's not replacing those three. The rest are unproven Div I players and slightly used subscription players.
Regardless we're in a totally different situation.
Under Marlin coaching we lost to the last place team destroying a perfect conference season losing only Stove, arguably one of the best players in SBC. but just one of9 deeply talented group.
I have no expectations one way or the other. I have no clue what to expect. I see reasons to be optimistic and I see reasons to be pessimistic.
But I’m going to need someone to explain to me how and why I should expect next year’s team to win a regular season or tournament title. I need to be explained how or why we will compete with the top 100 RPI schools on our schedule. Use current roster, SOS, travel, coaching, strength of league, etc etc etc in your explanation please.
Not saying it will happen and it probably won’t based on what we lost. The way for us to have a similar season is for the returning guys to make 100 percent of the improvement they are capable of. That is especially true for Russell and Davis as they were highly regarded coming out of HS. I have heard Davis is the most improved guy in the early summer work. We will also some of the freshman to contribute immediately. Unlikely all that happens so it is reasonable to not expect another championship season. I do think we are capable of finishing in Top 3.
Who are we planning to replace with McCoy leaving?
well, i am expecting Georgia State to be the clear Favorite, and i think we are the clear #2. now the fan in me wants to believe between these 2 schools we both can win some game against p5 and high rpi's and run through the conference, then both go dancing. p.s. its a long way till the season, let me dream a little. lol
Our spacing was still awful. We tended to bunch up in the lane which allowed our opponents back side help to be much more effective than it could have been with wider spacing. When we got the ball to Washinton in the high block, we immediately drug two defenders into the lane, which imo greatly reduced his effectiveness from that position.
So other than Mike, no one willing to explain why expectations should be high?
Disagree. When we were playing well, Stroman was able to get into the lane anytime he wanted and kick out to open shooters or dish to Gant and Washington. You can't have Bartley and Marquetti and even Stroman making the cuts they made and getting almost open midrange shots and layups with poor spacing. I'm sure you could point to a spot here or there where you are correct but I think the bulk of the time we had much better spacing than in the past.
Expectations should be high at least to a degree. We still have the best PG in the conference coming back. If Stroman can work a perimeter shot into his arsenal this year, he could have a great year. Marquetti needs to be more consistent and will have to be a playmaker for us all the time and Gant will need to be that rim protector this year. Biggest question is how do you replace Bartley. If Russell can step his game up this year, we may be a very similar team to last year. We will also need new guys to step up and lead. Not sure we really have that at this point. I expect us to be fun to watch again but don't know if we have the depth and talent at guard as well as leadership to replicate last year.
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