Maybe he meant “returning starters” from last season?
I think it was clear from the interview that Tony was referring to returning players who had played significant minutes, which Taine did not. He made sure to mention Taine less than a minute later.
Two things stuck out to me from the Rothstein interview. First, Tony said Dante and Reece “can co-exist,” but didn’t sound like they were going to co-exist often. Certainly not as much as Kihei/Reece or Ty/Kihei. Tony also said Dante needed to shake off some rust after two years off.
Tony also said “we’re going to have to be” a good defensive team – implying that the offense is still an unknown and a work in progress. The bright side is that he certainly thinks this team is capable of that.
LMAO.
This is the most excited Ive been for a season. It just hit me last night… we literally only have Reece as our proven player. 2 step ups (Dunn McKneely) 4 first years and 4 transfers (and taine). Even having been to the blue-white scrimmage I still have no real read on this team.
This first week could be ugly with a grind out game tonight and getting blasted by Florida but man I am so excited for this team come February/March
Just to add to your observations:
He said different guys will have to step up different nights. There are no Deandre Hunters. Reading between lines from this and the other statements, he definitely thinks this team is a work in progress.
I always marvel about how many “one pass away” steals Reece gets. Usually we don’t get those because guys are supposed to sit in the gaps, but Reece has freedom to do what he wants defensively (and he’s usually right).
I was probably most excited for 18-19 because I knew we had a good chance to win it all. But I wasn’t particularly excited for the first games of that season because (1) the tourney was going to be the obvious test that year, and (2) there wasn’t much intrigue (possible exception of key) on new faces or guys in expanded roles.
This year is probably the most intriguing season I can remember for a while. Maybe ever.
Lol, indeed. My rationale brain is freaking out.
That said, the B&W, the info from the scrimmages and the way CTB has talked most of the offseason give me a great deal of confidence on how this team will do. Made not tonight or by Thanksgiving, but certainly by the first of the year.
I do think we will need to be very patient with the offense (see 19-20). I suspect most of our points early in the season will come from 3, turnovers and garbage points, I would not be surprised in we don’t break 70 this week (can totally see a 68-52 type game tonight and a slugfest in the 60s against UF). It’ll take time for all the new parts in the offense to get comfortable and find their spots. That said I am cool if Reece and Dunn say F that and totally take over…
Listened to it. I love CTB! Love! I don’t think he gives interesting interviews. I get it, most coaches don’t.
A Jacquie and Isaac Trotter discussion:
He said “we have three players returning from last years team” verbatim. I’m not trying to nitpick or anything here, but in my opinion it’s clear that Taine was an afterthought at best. He even had the minutes breakdown for Isaac and Dunn last year, said “everyone is brand new for us” after mentioning them, and then finally proceeded to throw Taine in there while acknowledging he didn’t play many minutes. All this said, I’d be shocked if Taine saw anything other than mop up minutes this year
I thought of him as being at Sunderland somewhat recently. Checked the web and see he hasn’t been there since 2006 (yikes). Time getting away from me…
Hoping more 11/12 or 21/22 than 19/20 lmao I can’t handle another 19/20. About the only thing that could make me tune out is an offense afraid to shoot the ball again
I’ve said it before, but I enjoyed 19/20, haha. It was a gross slog in many ways, but that defense was so disgustingly good it was fun to watch in a sicko type of way. Plus they just clawed out some victories and refused to die late in the season. I still think Mamadi would have pulled something out of nowhere in the NCAAs and we would have won at least one game.
All that said, I would feel extremely different about it if that were to happen again this season. Very different contexts!
Again … why Eli has to play
Florida has been on a couple of Final 4 lists that I’ve seen - they got some dudes.
Certainly would sign up for a 19/20 level defense
- Today
- Is
- Taking
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Did Tony really say Dante was off for two years? He had one healthy redshirt year, which isn’t anywhere near the adjustment and rust that Gertrude has. Dante’s rust is no worse than any other sit-out transfer, and at least Dante is coming from another power conference instead of leveling up.
Maybe he meant the two years playing for Ewing