A&T from the MD Couch .....

[Taj79]

... game played out exactly as I expect this season to. What did you expect? A whole bunch of strangers thrown together on a basketball court and told to be a cohesive unit takes time. Someone said we can expect to lose some we expect to win and vice-a-versa. This was one of those until Miles caught fire. And we were rescued. There will be games like this and then there will be games where it's not enough. Get used to it. So far, my wife says I'm not yelling at the TV as much as I used. And I'm not because this season needs to stand on a whole different set of judgments.

In general, I am not inclined to proclaim Miles a star. He had one game and it was much needed. I am excited about his ongoing potential but that game's "hustle" can quickly turn into freshman "overexuberance" and rushing into mistakes in other situations. He plays like that against a veteran VCU team and it will be lights out.

Manning had his six minutes of success at the end. We needed it to win but once again, we see a scratch of potential and, if history holds, we won't see that again for another four or five games. And I am hoping I get proved wrong. But I'll say "chalk" and take the safe bet on that matter.

The rest of the bigs showed little if anything. But again, works all in progress. Whoever said Lancona was going to shine still has a wide open ocean to throw the ball in off the pier. I like that he seems very equipped on the defensive end but he still looks lacking in rebounding and shooting. Let's remember Ellis got off the fish trawler fresh from down under and was firing away. Tanner is a year past that. I also want to go back and determine not only who said Reggie was our most "college ready" performer but understand why. The guy can rebound for sure. The rest? Again, under construction. Somebody said we'd all be pleased with Jolly and thankful we got him. He shoots free throws pretty well. Gillmann? Not his game. Now you see him, now you don't. But all are okay and again all under construction. All thoughts of a Conklin summer should be placed in the data eraser right now. I doubt Grandy provides anything over and above his past contributions when he returns. The front line is a mess and needs to achieve clarity. That will take time.

The back court is promising with the frosh; not so much so with the juniors. Bartley threw up two back to back shots that never broke glass, let alone clanged iron. Ghost of Jake Barnett. Roby was out of control some times as was Reynolds but mistakes of commission I can handle. Maddening but again what did you expect? McBroom appears not to be a Point but rather a shooter as some have said but his made three was huge. Expecting him to perform like a traditional point is likely futile. And he might be best coming off the bench to provide offense but that might happen post OOC schedule. I alwys said Ash woudl be rusty and I am still content to let him ride that rust off. The overriding issue here tome is who on this team shoots? If it's not a drive, it's a three and we are shooting 21 for 55 from three and McB has almost half of the 21 made. Someone also said in the preseason we'd shoot better because we had definitely more talent. Maybe ... but they are all freshmen. Again, just sit back and ride it out.

What I don't like is the scheme we seem to want to run. No one is penetrating the middle with either the dribble or the pass for the kick out. We run that infernal ball/motion offense and with six seconds on the clock, last man standing has to drive. Or attempt a "Bartley." We didn't get a shot off at the half against AM/CC and McBust threw a prayer in on a clock violation that was amazing but symptomatic of what seems to be our norm. There is no interior game because, frankly, no one has demonstrated much ability to do one. As a matter of fact, we've put up 186 field goal attempts to date and the bigs have attempted 35. Jolly has attempted 4 .... ONE PER GAME WILL NOT CUT IT. I'm not advocating a drastic increase but our bigs have to at least create the illusion of being an option. Again, time will tell.

I expected to be here at this juncture but can say I did not expect to win at Terre Haute or lose to an Alphabet U. But this is stillone great viewing season. Can't wait for the next game.

Finally, until Wiz admits to adjusting his numbers, take the points.

[slu72]

A bit harsh on this day of Thanks, Taj Mahal 79, but can't argue much. Our work in the paint is killing me to watch it, or not watch it as it's pretty much vanished. Ooooh, how you miss a Conklin, a DE and, on occasion an RL and CE. Hell, I'd take a CR. Was kind of hoping that MY might be that guy. He's bigger than DE and almost as big as Conk, but I get the idea he wants to play the 3 where he can do some slashing and dashing or take the open 3. Well, DE played there up until last season and flourished. I'd like to see MY given the chance. God knows we need some kind of inside threat. And then of course we need the guards to use it. But as you say it's all Work in Progress right now. Can't wait to see the finished product, but that's down the road. How far is the question.

The starting lineup I'd like to see would be MR at point, AY at 2, MY at 3, RA at 4 (rebounds are important says RM, and the more time he gets who knows maybe some points), and JM (until he goes on another hiatus). I think that might produce better starts, all though some would argue, and I can't deny them, that our leading scorer would be on the bench at the start. I don't think we need to go to an 8-9 man rotation as some have argued because 11-12 or 13 will work in our favor as the season progresses. Also, everyone must be giving their all in practices as JC has not shortened the bench to teach a player or two that practices are where games are won and lost. Yes, some may get only 5 mpg one game and 15 the next, but that's just how the cookie crumbles or the game is going. To have pulled MR just to give minutes to MB or DR is not the way to go, you play the hot hand and that kid was flat out hustling all the time he was in there. He appears to be a true warrior, which is a very good omen of things to come.

Happy Txgiving all, and let's hope to see further improvement tomorrow night in the Body of Christ, Texas Classic. A W would be nice, but so would a well played competitive game against an SEC team.