Before I start gushing, I'm compelled to point out that within the last two games, we saw this team give up a 17-0 run in three minutes of clock-time against a not very good team. It's a glaring example of how quickly things can go off the rails when we combine all our susceptibilities: a flurry of turnovers, a cold streak shooting, an absence of offensive boards, and a sometimes stubborn refusal to guard the three line.
The good news is we see a lot less of these stretches through the start of this season than last. While the run we gave up to ku included some of these elements, it was a different thing against a much better opponent getting some referee assistance. While we battled back from the Cal run, we battled though the ku run.
On the frustration with Gate's substitution patterns, I get it, but I also get Gates' thinking. First off, he has a lot of talent on this roster, and he's got to see what these guys can do. Beyond that, he wants to learn what a player will do thrown into different line-ups, specifically when it's not predictable. Late in the season in a big game, we're not going to choose when a player twists his ankle and someone has to be thrown into the fray. Also note that the substitution settles down in these big games down the stretch. He's not crazy.
The message I hope the team gets out of Sunday is just how great a defensive team they can be. I'd put the first half of ku right up there with the best efforts of any Norm Stewart, Quin Snyder, or Mike Anderson team. This is a ball-hawking group, and the steals leading to transition feeding the crowd energy (which was amazing!) has me feeling this team shouldn't lose any home games this year.
It's not all defense, and it was a thrill to see Bates' go off in such a big game. He's a joy to watch play. Also great to see Ant go off against Cal and Grill go off earlier in the year. We've seen a couple 20-point nights from Mitchell and pretty much everyone else going for 10 in a given game. This team is developing a number of weapons.
Aside from the ascension of Ant, the most pleasant surprise of the year for me is Josh Gray. He is a damn solid, complete center, a good guy in the locker room, and a fine player for Marshall to emulate in year one. I wasn't expecting such a contributor, probably have a bit of a Vanover hangover. Gray along with Grill are examples of players who really thrive under Gates.
Speaking of, I hope there's an on-going dialogue with Aidan Shaw: “I know you're one of my best seven players, and I know how well you'll play when I put you in, which I'll do a lot when the games are more meaningful. But for now, I've got to see what these other guys can do and get the younger dudes ready to be contributors for your senior year.” I was hoping for a lot from Shaw this season, and he's delivered and then some, especially on defense.
My favorite play on Sunday was Perkins going up with Adams, knocking him out of an alley-oop play that often seems automatic for ku, and snagging the ball out of the air. Only a handful of PG's in college hoop could do that, and when you have one, it's about as “multiple” as your team can be. He's a solid defender and rebounder, and I think his scoring is going to come along as he re-acclimates after injury. He does need to edit out those two terrible turnovers he seems to have every game (so does Bates—he should have nightmares about 1st half against Cal), but he usually offsets them with steals.
Have thoughts on other guys too, but as tired of typing as you are reading. M-I-Z!!
The good news is we see a lot less of these stretches through the start of this season than last. While the run we gave up to ku included some of these elements, it was a different thing against a much better opponent getting some referee assistance. While we battled back from the Cal run, we battled though the ku run.
On the frustration with Gate's substitution patterns, I get it, but I also get Gates' thinking. First off, he has a lot of talent on this roster, and he's got to see what these guys can do. Beyond that, he wants to learn what a player will do thrown into different line-ups, specifically when it's not predictable. Late in the season in a big game, we're not going to choose when a player twists his ankle and someone has to be thrown into the fray. Also note that the substitution settles down in these big games down the stretch. He's not crazy.
The message I hope the team gets out of Sunday is just how great a defensive team they can be. I'd put the first half of ku right up there with the best efforts of any Norm Stewart, Quin Snyder, or Mike Anderson team. This is a ball-hawking group, and the steals leading to transition feeding the crowd energy (which was amazing!) has me feeling this team shouldn't lose any home games this year.
It's not all defense, and it was a thrill to see Bates' go off in such a big game. He's a joy to watch play. Also great to see Ant go off against Cal and Grill go off earlier in the year. We've seen a couple 20-point nights from Mitchell and pretty much everyone else going for 10 in a given game. This team is developing a number of weapons.
Aside from the ascension of Ant, the most pleasant surprise of the year for me is Josh Gray. He is a damn solid, complete center, a good guy in the locker room, and a fine player for Marshall to emulate in year one. I wasn't expecting such a contributor, probably have a bit of a Vanover hangover. Gray along with Grill are examples of players who really thrive under Gates.
Speaking of, I hope there's an on-going dialogue with Aidan Shaw: “I know you're one of my best seven players, and I know how well you'll play when I put you in, which I'll do a lot when the games are more meaningful. But for now, I've got to see what these other guys can do and get the younger dudes ready to be contributors for your senior year.” I was hoping for a lot from Shaw this season, and he's delivered and then some, especially on defense.
My favorite play on Sunday was Perkins going up with Adams, knocking him out of an alley-oop play that often seems automatic for ku, and snagging the ball out of the air. Only a handful of PG's in college hoop could do that, and when you have one, it's about as “multiple” as your team can be. He's a solid defender and rebounder, and I think his scoring is going to come along as he re-acclimates after injury. He does need to edit out those two terrible turnovers he seems to have every game (so does Bates—he should have nightmares about 1st half against Cal), but he usually offsets them with steals.
Have thoughts on other guys too, but as tired of typing as you are reading. M-I-Z!!
