That team ended up being pretty damn good! That is exactly our point. We may very well lose to Florida but I’m pretty confident that this will be a damn good team at the end of the year, based on the roster construction, talent, and what we saw on the court on Monday.
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I used the word “we” did I not?
So, yes, I had forgotten that team was pretty good. It was also very flawed. I think my point stands.
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There were some of us who never really bought into that 20-22 team fully. Their record was good but the ACC was way down that year. With the limited schedule there were limited opportunities, but we also beat nobody any good in the non-con either. Plus we got blown out multiple times, the defense was never all that convincing, and we didn’t seem to have anybody who could reliably take over the game when things weren’t working.
I’m still thrilled with that regular season championship, but the early tournament exit didn’t shock me. That said, if any of our shooters just shoot at even close to their normal percentage in that Ohio game (and some would say if we got to practice), we win. But sadly they did not.
Anyway, all of that is to say, at this moment in time I actually have more hope for what this team will look like at the end of the year relative to that one if we’re comparing them, although we may not win as many games early while we’re figuring things out. But that’s just me.
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“Super reliant on guards and 3pt shooting” that’s literally the blueprint for success in modern CBB.
How much post scoring did we get in 2019? How about 2018? Those two teams were comfortable 1 seeds that won a bunch of hardware with not a single post player sniffing double figures scoring.
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Ok man, you win. You have all collectively shouted my opinions down to the point where it feels safer for me to conform. We are going to be fucking awesome.
Just ordered these:
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I mean you sorta backed yourself into that point
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Just to clarify for myself at least, I think you have some totally fair points and a fair perspective. I was just engaging with them. I’m probably more optimistic at this stage of the season about what we could be at the end of the season, but it’s so early. Who knows!
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I just don’t understand the connection between “we are going to be terrible” and “this team is similar to our team that was a four seed”
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To me - post scoring is not concerning. As was pointed out - it’s really just not necessary to have a big guy as a scoring threat in modern college basketball.
What we do need though, is competent low post defense and rebounding - that’ll be the difference in this team reaching its potential or not.
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We have Reece as our only point guard in the alpha role and McKneely driving a 1999 Ford Taurus with the parking breaks fully cut out.
The 96 bulls wouldnt stand a chance cone March
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@Serum114 please do your magic on Imac racing around in his Ford F150
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Yep. this is the correct point. We can still be very good w/o sustained post scoring as long as post D and rebounding are ok. If we have neither it is going to be a problem and likely force the staff to play small (ie more Groves and Bond, less BB and Minor)
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I think that’s fair. Florida will be a great test for how big of a deal that ends up being. I don’t the we really saw Dunn or even Blake’s defensive potential against Tarleton since they played a small lineup. Will certainly learn a lot more Friday.
Also, just to clarify, we probably shouldn’t be comping this team to 2019. That team was absolutely loaded. This team can be good but a 1 seed (while I think it’s possible) would still be surprising to me.
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Everyone is missing @WFS_HOO s sneaky genius rederence on the relevance of playing Florida after our dominant Towson then Tarleton wins with these two comprable teams… there is an obvious link
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Not taking sides in this argument, but sincerely curious: When was the last time we had reliable post scoring? Anthony Gill?
Mamadi could score in the paint, but I didn’t consider him consistent with his back to the basket. Didn’t have a ton of post moves. Maybe you’d count Dre. Or Jayden.
Honestly, more than a post-up game, what I’d like to have is a big man who can catch the ball and go strong to the basket off a pick-and-roll or a drive-and-dish. Jay could do that, but only on lobs. Our last few big men – whatever their other skills – didn’t have great hands.
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Junior Burrough is the right answer
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Oh, man, Junior was sooooo good.
I’ll dive into this because why not.
My very slight trend toward more pessimistic is simply from late summer to now.
Late summer we heard Rohde was awesome and Minor was serviceable but solid. Plus Blake coming on.
Now, Rohde is still getting his feet under him and Minor is way more TBD than expected. Blake is good and will be great but makes sense that he will take time. Fwiw I think these things will work out as season goes but i thought they’d be more worked out, sooner.
That’s pretty much it. Excited to see these tests over next few weeks and hopefully eat crow
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The Cavs Corner (Brad Franklin, and crew) podcast is having this same exact optimism v. pessimism conversation on their podcast this week! (In my opinion, always worth a listen)
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Rohde is critical to this team’s success this year and next imo. The value of a 6’6 wing with his handles and vision can’t be overstated. Questions are will he develop enough of an ability to score given his lack of athleticism and can he shoot high 30’s % from 3?
Jury will be out for a while until we play more games. Did like that he made 2 threes in game one and another that went in an out but that was just because he wanted to see Bond make a ridiculous put back dunk. Team player
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