You've seen the team practice more than we have. Do we have legitimate reason to hope this year? I remember how excited my Dad was (as I'm sure you were) to watch us beat Clemson last year on the road, and then the season essentially went awry. Would love to get your thoughts . . I do think Jordan is the right guy to succeed here, as opposed to certain coaches of the football program. :)
BKin118 - Question
- Thread starter RUinSC
- Start date
Wow...that is one big fat can of worms right there!
Look, nobody around here will ever take me for anything but a homer...nor should they. It's not something I am ashamed of. So take my opinions for what that may make them worth to you...
I don't really know Coach Flood or his staff...but I do know EJ and his. I'll be honest about it, I was worried about Eddie and his approach initially. But damn, the guy gets it now from a basketball standpoint at the college level...I've been very impressed by the changes I've seen around the program this offseason and into the preseason.
Of course there is always reason for hope. If you watched the press conference from media day yesterday...I believe it would be impossible to not take away the fact that we are YOUNG as a team. Athletic, talented, but YOUNG. And with that comes certain reservations. The key will be how big the steps back will be during the learning curve before the steps forward happen as games get going.
I see senior leadership in Daniels and Lewis...not the loud mouthed in your face kind...but calm cool confident stuff..essentially taking after Eddie in that regard. I see a drastic uptick in overall athleticism and basketball IQ. I see a team where all 11 guys can give you a high level of effort and have a strength to their game that maybe isn't fully realized, but worth exploring. I don't see a COMPLETE player yet...but that really isn't fair to any of them. But I also see, to the man, a bench that brings SOMETHING from EVERYONE, a "luxury" that hasn't been seen around here in a good long time.
Who starts isn't really important...it's who finishes that is. On this team, that could be a totally different 5 guys from night to night, at least until someone truly emerges. I'll leave it to you to toss around the starting 5 thing...but the only position up for debate in my mind is the 3 spot...and DJ Foreman may have a leg up there to start the year.
We will run, press, hustle, and play free. My only concern with this bunch is whether or not we can make enough shots to make it all pay in the end. When my feet are to the coals here...I say absolutely yes, we can.
Look...I'd like to see some post season basketball here...and while some think that might be VERY wishful thinking...I do not. Getting to 500 and earning the right to play somebody somewhere in late March will be extremely important, and is definitely an achievable goal with this group...but things would have to go very well.
I am extremely grateful that I will once again be able to witness all of this live and in person...this is one of the best group of kids I have seen wear a RU uniform in quite some time. I hope the hard work they are putting in now pays it forward to the fans, and themselves, in the end.
Look, nobody around here will ever take me for anything but a homer...nor should they. It's not something I am ashamed of. So take my opinions for what that may make them worth to you...
I don't really know Coach Flood or his staff...but I do know EJ and his. I'll be honest about it, I was worried about Eddie and his approach initially. But damn, the guy gets it now from a basketball standpoint at the college level...I've been very impressed by the changes I've seen around the program this offseason and into the preseason.
Of course there is always reason for hope. If you watched the press conference from media day yesterday...I believe it would be impossible to not take away the fact that we are YOUNG as a team. Athletic, talented, but YOUNG. And with that comes certain reservations. The key will be how big the steps back will be during the learning curve before the steps forward happen as games get going.
I see senior leadership in Daniels and Lewis...not the loud mouthed in your face kind...but calm cool confident stuff..essentially taking after Eddie in that regard. I see a drastic uptick in overall athleticism and basketball IQ. I see a team where all 11 guys can give you a high level of effort and have a strength to their game that maybe isn't fully realized, but worth exploring. I don't see a COMPLETE player yet...but that really isn't fair to any of them. But I also see, to the man, a bench that brings SOMETHING from EVERYONE, a "luxury" that hasn't been seen around here in a good long time.
Who starts isn't really important...it's who finishes that is. On this team, that could be a totally different 5 guys from night to night, at least until someone truly emerges. I'll leave it to you to toss around the starting 5 thing...but the only position up for debate in my mind is the 3 spot...and DJ Foreman may have a leg up there to start the year.
We will run, press, hustle, and play free. My only concern with this bunch is whether or not we can make enough shots to make it all pay in the end. When my feet are to the coals here...I say absolutely yes, we can.
Look...I'd like to see some post season basketball here...and while some think that might be VERY wishful thinking...I do not. Getting to 500 and earning the right to play somebody somewhere in late March will be extremely important, and is definitely an achievable goal with this group...but things would have to go very well.
I am extremely grateful that I will once again be able to witness all of this live and in person...this is one of the best group of kids I have seen wear a RU uniform in quite some time. I hope the hard work they are putting in now pays it forward to the fans, and themselves, in the end.
BK- from one fellow homer to another, great post!
This season really feels like we have something to get excited about. I expect growing pains for sure but it certainly seems like the players are in place to start moving in the right direction, and as a lifelong fan/season ticket holder, that is all I ask for.
This season really feels like we have something to get excited about. I expect growing pains for sure but it certainly seems like the players are in place to start moving in the right direction, and as a lifelong fan/season ticket holder, that is all I ask for.
What are some of the differences you see (not personnel)?
More emotion (positive and negative)?
More conditioning?
Is there more an emphasis on defense?
Not sure how often you observe practice and how much you can comment. Reading between the lines I think I like what you are saying.
More emotion (positive and negative)?
More conditioning?
Is there more an emphasis on defense?
Not sure how often you observe practice and how much you can comment. Reading between the lines I think I like what you are saying.
Younger equals more emotional...more love for the game, and teammates. Of course, when things go wrong, there will be a learning curve there as well.
Conditioning...the young kids come in having played game after game after game on the AAU circuit for years. So they can ball. It will be physical strength that will need to be earned in the weight room. Our returning players have worked hard to become bigger stronger and better in that regard. Guys like Sanders and Laurent don't have as far to go as you might think though
And yes...DEFENSE will be this team's calling card
Conditioning...the young kids come in having played game after game after game on the AAU circuit for years. So they can ball. It will be physical strength that will need to be earned in the weight room. Our returning players have worked hard to become bigger stronger and better in that regard. Guys like Sanders and Laurent don't have as far to go as you might think though
And yes...DEFENSE will be this team's calling card
Thanks so much, BK. As always, my Dad and I have lots of hope at the beginning of each basketball season. Following RU bball was a big bonding activity for both of us growing up and remains so.
FIG is a big fan of defense. When you have more athletes, your defense is better when they work hard and listen.
On the offensive end, athletes are more likely to get to the basket where shots in the lane are easier OR you are more likely to draw fouls.
