I am going to try and look at the entire 3 games vs isolating tonight's Wisconsin game. We have brought along some newcomers, seen some flashes of good play and some gaps.
A) Defense and hedges on screens by our bigs is going to get better with more reps. This is something you can't simulate against a Mid Major with our bigs, but overall in the 3 games, it was spotty.
B) The team didnt unravel....and in all 3 games they had chances to and stuck together.
C) Jay Young is a magician. I will only say this so many times. We are not "plus athletes" all over the place but seemingly aware of what's happening. We scout very well and it's paying off despite being so young.
D) Other than about 5 or 6 possessions in each game, we got into our sets and made some plays requiring trust. Execution may not be perfect but intent is....that will payoff in January and beyond.
Overall, I would give the gauntlet a B grade....I take into account the 2 road games and being -2 on total scoring. I also believe MSU, if not for some spotty dubious calls, would have been around a 6 or 7 point game vs 11 or so.
I have my own ideas on what the tapes will show the coaches but my own opinions on where players are probably saved for a separate threads. I would grade the overall team effort and being "connected", as an A-.....you dont win at Miami as double digit underdogs and maintain contact with Wisconsin on the road without being able to stick together.
Only red flag are matchups across all of the B1G....some teams are not as good at Wisconsin at home, but provide difficult individual problems. Can RU dictate tempo vs teams like Michigan Illinois, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio State vs being more in tune with Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota.
Very encouraged by what I'm seeing...overall gauntlet grade for coaches, players and program is a B.
A) Defense and hedges on screens by our bigs is going to get better with more reps. This is something you can't simulate against a Mid Major with our bigs, but overall in the 3 games, it was spotty.
B) The team didnt unravel....and in all 3 games they had chances to and stuck together.
C) Jay Young is a magician. I will only say this so many times. We are not "plus athletes" all over the place but seemingly aware of what's happening. We scout very well and it's paying off despite being so young.
D) Other than about 5 or 6 possessions in each game, we got into our sets and made some plays requiring trust. Execution may not be perfect but intent is....that will payoff in January and beyond.
Overall, I would give the gauntlet a B grade....I take into account the 2 road games and being -2 on total scoring. I also believe MSU, if not for some spotty dubious calls, would have been around a 6 or 7 point game vs 11 or so.
I have my own ideas on what the tapes will show the coaches but my own opinions on where players are probably saved for a separate threads. I would grade the overall team effort and being "connected", as an A-.....you dont win at Miami as double digit underdogs and maintain contact with Wisconsin on the road without being able to stick together.
Only red flag are matchups across all of the B1G....some teams are not as good at Wisconsin at home, but provide difficult individual problems. Can RU dictate tempo vs teams like Michigan Illinois, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio State vs being more in tune with Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska and Minnesota.
Very encouraged by what I'm seeing...overall gauntlet grade for coaches, players and program is a B.
