This team is clearly better than last year's team, and the numbers bear that out. In our eight wins last year, we won by an average of 17 points. This year, our margin of victory is 39 points. Last year's team didn't blow out any low-quality opponents, except for a 33-point win against Central Arkansas. And, of course, last year's team famously lost to Jackson State, which I think is an even worse loss than Kim's UMKC debacle.
We had an Eastern Washington game this year which was closer than it should have been to be sure, but I *think* you can chalk that up to early season sloppiness which plagues a lot of teams. Last years team played this same Arkansas Pine Bluff team and won, but the second half APB made a run and threated before we pulled it out. This years version never had a chance. It looks as if this team is going to be better at closing.
This team also gets to the line WAY more than last years team. We shot 41 free throws last night, cant remember the last time that happened. And it would have been many more except on 6 occasions we finished through contact and they were awarded and 1 free throws. Last year we never finished at the rim most times with no contact (Noah Carter, Im looking at you)
Most improved player has to be Ant Robinson 2 - he is proving to be a stat sheet stuffer and has added a nice midrange game. His defense presence on the perimeter is a joy to watch. Closely followed by Trent Pierce. With Jordan Butler struggling at USC you can see why of the freshmen last year Gates and the staff prioritized keeping these two locked in.
Marcus Allen looks like he has already played 30 games as a freshman. Great footwork and high hoops IQ is always on display. You can tell the coaches trust him.
Mark Mitchell is such a complete player on both ends of the floor you have to just smile thinking how much fun he and his boy Tamar are having playing college ball together.
Speaking of Tamar - 13 points in 18 minutes yesterday and has been perfect from the FT line all season. It was a very efficient night for him.
We had 112 points but with only 4 players in double figures. And only one over 20. Talk about sharing the ball and having depth all around. Impressive.
Things I am not clear on - still have questions around closing out on threes and defensive rebounding. I am also not sure if this swooning on deep balls is legit or not. I just do not trust that we are that good from the outside. It could be fool's gold. Time will tell. One thing is clear we are incredibly disruptive in the passing lanes. A Gates trademark to be sure.
Crew still looks like he is getting comfortable with the pace of D1 ball. Boateng has the frame of a college player, but I think he is pressing a little. You can't help but root for Aiden Shaw. Great kid, great attitude high defensive ceiling. Warrick has been as good as advertised and Tony Perkins starting to come into his own post injury. I feel like Peyton Marshall will be a fan favorite in the years to come. Josh Gray is doing what was expected and perhaps maybe more. Welcome back Caleb Grill. You were missed last year.
By the way Memphis currently beating UConn in Hawaii, although Tarris Reed is bully these Memphis boys. Would have been a really nice add.
We had an Eastern Washington game this year which was closer than it should have been to be sure, but I *think* you can chalk that up to early season sloppiness which plagues a lot of teams. Last years team played this same Arkansas Pine Bluff team and won, but the second half APB made a run and threated before we pulled it out. This years version never had a chance. It looks as if this team is going to be better at closing.
This team also gets to the line WAY more than last years team. We shot 41 free throws last night, cant remember the last time that happened. And it would have been many more except on 6 occasions we finished through contact and they were awarded and 1 free throws. Last year we never finished at the rim most times with no contact (Noah Carter, Im looking at you)
Most improved player has to be Ant Robinson 2 - he is proving to be a stat sheet stuffer and has added a nice midrange game. His defense presence on the perimeter is a joy to watch. Closely followed by Trent Pierce. With Jordan Butler struggling at USC you can see why of the freshmen last year Gates and the staff prioritized keeping these two locked in.
Marcus Allen looks like he has already played 30 games as a freshman. Great footwork and high hoops IQ is always on display. You can tell the coaches trust him.
Mark Mitchell is such a complete player on both ends of the floor you have to just smile thinking how much fun he and his boy Tamar are having playing college ball together.
Speaking of Tamar - 13 points in 18 minutes yesterday and has been perfect from the FT line all season. It was a very efficient night for him.
We had 112 points but with only 4 players in double figures. And only one over 20. Talk about sharing the ball and having depth all around. Impressive.
Things I am not clear on - still have questions around closing out on threes and defensive rebounding. I am also not sure if this swooning on deep balls is legit or not. I just do not trust that we are that good from the outside. It could be fool's gold. Time will tell. One thing is clear we are incredibly disruptive in the passing lanes. A Gates trademark to be sure.
Crew still looks like he is getting comfortable with the pace of D1 ball. Boateng has the frame of a college player, but I think he is pressing a little. You can't help but root for Aiden Shaw. Great kid, great attitude high defensive ceiling. Warrick has been as good as advertised and Tony Perkins starting to come into his own post injury. I feel like Peyton Marshall will be a fan favorite in the years to come. Josh Gray is doing what was expected and perhaps maybe more. Welcome back Caleb Grill. You were missed last year.
By the way Memphis currently beating UConn in Hawaii, although Tarris Reed is bully these Memphis boys. Would have been a really nice add.
