Night and day

[TheRealVille]

The difference in this team than the last two is night and day. It's unbelievable just how much smarter basketball players these guys are over the last two seasons.

They may not win 25 games or anything like that, but they know where to be, where to go on a basketball court. They all seem to know their strengths and play accordingly instead of what we saw the past two seasons where guys were trying to do things they were not all that good at doing.

They're also much better shooters and finishers around the basket. The only thing they're not better at so far is free throw shooting.

 

[Realville502]

Spalding would have beat us last year. But hell that ain’t saying much because I could of put together a team from the ymca and beat kp and last years team

 

[Cardiac Red]

I can see a team with physical fowards and guards that like to drive to the basket causing us big problems. But we'll see..

 

[shadow force]

Seeing this team in comparison to the last few seasons almost brings a tear to my eyes. They actually look like they know what they're doing as well as basic fundamentals.

 

[vivid_red]

Great coaching brings out the best in the players

 

[the artist FKA zipp]

Last year's about as low of a bar as I can imagine. Let's see what this team looks like a month from now....

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

You're witnessing a much more experienced group of less heralded but more accomplished players in a system with a HC that has won some games as opposed to a group of much higher rated but far less experienced players with limited to no coaching.

Basically, last year it was a bunch of young talented kids that didn't know how to play, they were probably all only built to play as an alpha, and they had little to no experienced players or coaches to mold them to put together a competitive product.

So, this is an improvement, and I think we should expect to win those low hanging fruit games. In the new landscape a new HC that loses his entire team doesn't have to lose 20 games.

But as for how they do against real teams with much more size and better players, not sure. Teams with size are going to be a problem. The frontline here is lacking size for sure. Rebounding and interior play is a real concern. So is the schedule, they just walk into the season against what could end up being a T5-T10 schedule. So I'll hold off expectations because it's a real task and who knows how they'll do.

 

[beantowncard]

Let’s just see guys compete and play as a team. That’s a step in the right direction and already an improvement.

 

[shadow force]

When the Cards go up against IU and Oumar Ballo we'll see how they do against a 7ft 265lb double-double post player. Will be interested to see what Kelsey's strategy is and how the team executes it.

The good news is the Ballo also has to guard our bigs which could provide advantages for UofL on offense. Run Ballo ragged and make him defend the perimeter too. Try to get him in foul trouble early and throw big bodies at him- Scott, Pryor, and Frank.

 

[PushupMan]

The difference in this team than the last two is night and day. It's unbelievable just how much smarter basketball players these guys are over the last two seasons.

They may not win 25 games or anything like that, but they know where to be, where to go on a basketball court. They all seem to know their strengths and play accordingly instead of what we saw the past two seasons where guys were trying to do things they were not all that good at doing.

They're also much better shooters and finishers around the basket. The only thing they're not better at so far is free throw shooting.

Defense was a lot better this week - forced 28 turnovers, but we were sloppy ourselves with 16 TO’s. I think on offense we are much better at passing than driving, based on the large increase in turnovers against Spalding over Young Harris. Koren Johnson and Chucky Hepburn are the two exceptions to that observation - they are excellent at driving.

Hepburn needs to shoot it more often when he drives - teams are already laying back and playing the passing lanes and daring him to take that open layup, runner or short jumper.

 

[jmac1029]

I can see us wearing down some teams with our depth and style of play.