If this stays consistent, we'll be better than last year, I predict. Woody talked a lot about transition offense in a recent interview, I think we need to get stops and get out in transition a lot this year, to maximize this group. Kind of play like Kansas and Michigan State normally do.
There's enough personnel to sit Ware if the light doesn't turn on and honestly I'm ok with that. I like Walker's versatility and a front court of MM, Walker, and Sparks/Reneau doesn't bother me. Gunn came in and immediately sparked some offense scoring 7 1H points in a 3-4 minute stretch but didn't do much after that. He moved a lot better without the ball in my opinion which has always been a concern of mine and was active on D.
I thought Walker was just really good all the way around. We discussed a 2nd platoon approach and on paper it would seem to me that Ware/Reanu and Sparks/Walker are the more complimentary posts because it gives you one true low post defender (Reanu and Sparks) and one who's maybe more comfortable guarding out on the floor (Ware and Walker), but I thought we just looked better with Ware and Walker playing together. Reanu had an OK game stat wise 12/6, but looked a bit slow and lost I thought. If that is a problem, or with fouls, won't surprise me to see him try Walker in the starting lineup. Walker, Gunn and Cupps to me were the most pleasant surprises.
I thought Gunn was really good. The only thing I'd ding him for was FTs. The 3 pt shooting is either gonna come or not, but what I've been saying is I see a player who can contribute in a lot of other ways and I thought he showed that Sunday where he didn't as much last year. He can be much more than a 3&D guy, and in fact, he's never shown the 3 part of 3 and D.
He's definitely a player who thrives on confidence. I still think we're a year away from seeing him consistently contribute night in and night out but he can definitely fill it up in a hurry if he gets going, especially if the first couple go down.
I like our depth, and while not something I would expect every game, I'd be intrigued to see a second group of Sparks, Walker, Banks, Cupps and Gunn get to play together. Wonder if they've been scrimmaging that way?
This is year 3....
I've seen multiple post across multiple boards about CJ and not hitting trey's. I anyone watched the pregame shoot around, like I did. The kid almost never missed. It was automatic.
Hope so.
shoot arounds and practice don't necessarily translate. A great shooter is going to shoot unbelievably in practice, but there are plenty of great practice shooters who aren't good game shooters. I think the less CJ hears about being a good 3 pt shooter and just focuses on being the best bball player he can be, will do better for him. I hope he continues to take good, open 3 pt looks that he's confident in, but something's obviously in his head at this point. Just like FT shooting for our recent teams.
