Four games, 2 cupcakes (although East Tennessee State may make a run in their league), 1 team from a Power conference, 1 team that could be in the 12-13 seed come tourney time.
All wins by 20 plus at the Pavillion, so life is good, right?
1. Guard play. We knew this was the stregnth going in, to be honest it's surpassed my expectations. Phil Booth,has gotten better, especially defensively. Last night when we needed someone to come in and lock up their guard Jackson, he was up for the task. When you can bring a guy off the bench who can score in multiple ways and play great D you are dangerous. If you look around the NCAA there are not many if any teams that can do that. The best part of having Booth and Arc is Brunson can get his feet wet. I love how he can control the tempo of the game, he can penetrate and has the strength to finish and is a very good passer. His shot is not falling but its just a matter of time, its great form, very good looks just not going down, offensively there are no worries. Defensively, he is a work in progress. He has issues closing out on shooters, trouble finding his many on the break and has a few mental lapses on switches, which is all something that gets better with experience and practice. Now for Ryan Arch, for a guy who we all thought "peaked" and "was who he was". Let me tell you the Co Big East player when back to the locker room but it up on his wall along with all the crap about him being Co Big East player of the year and not deserving and worked his ass off this offseason. Kid is strong, quicker than he has ever been. Some of the rebounds he has grabbed this season just show that. His IQ is off the charts and is the leader for this team. Plus, there is a SWAG about him this year that I have noticed. My wife even said the same thing. It's almost as if he is in this zone where he is going to win, win, win and do whatever it damn takes. Now he had this but this year this SWAG is times 10. Overall, we have 3 guards who can take their man off the bounce, if they are long we can get by them, if the are quick we can shoot over them. Reminds me alot of 2006 the way they play. Not to mention right now Arc and Booth's defense is not a drop off from last year with Ennis/Hillard.
2. Josh Hart. Man gets a category by himself. Another kid who didnt like how last year ended and put his time in the gym. His shot looks good, his ability to penetrate has gotten alot better, his ability to finish is better, his defense is better. Dont get me wrong, I love Darrun Hillard, great player. Josh Hart is better, has more tools and more weapons. Josh Hart can take over a game not by just draining threes but driving, playing tough d and getting to the line. Kind or reminds me of a hybrid of Kittles and Curtis. Fun to watch, sleeper pick for Big East player of the year in my eyes, and dont be surprised if there are whispers of the NBA.
3. Ochefu. I like Ochefu alot, guy is very talented. Has some great post moves, can rebound, I think his defense is much improved from last year. Offensively to me though if he misses those first one or two bunnies it gets in his head. He becomes more and more tentative, calls for the ball less, spends more time on the perimeter and isnt as aggressive. I dont think it has anything to do with taller, bigger guys, Ochefu has had some great games against Opeka and Delgado, it is all mental. You could even tell Jay last night took him sat him down and try to talk to him about. Saying all that is stamina is much improved on the court. I think defensively he has gotten alot better at staying at home and waiting to slide over at the right time to make the block. I almost wish Ochefu would adopt Arc is attitude, which is screw it, I missed a shot or two, I am going to take it strong next time. He is just tentative once the first few shots dont drop.
4. Kris Jenkins. People are writing him off and I dont agree with that one big. Jenkins has gotten much better defensively at staying in front of his man. I think he has also gotten better at not just shooting threes and moving without the ball and pump faking and taking his man off the dribble. Let's not forget of all the players coming back Jenkins probably needed to change his game the most (better defensively, take his man off the dribble). He is still getting use to his new role and I have seen improvement, not to mention he has the sweetest stroke in the game right now. As he gets more confidence an use to this role, I see some big games for Jenkins.
5. Bench: If Mikal Bridges can be an offensive presence like he was ls last night, this team is very very dangerous 1-7. Bridges can shoot, love his pump fake and taking off the bounce as well, and his ability to get out on the break (Gave Ryan Arch and Oh Shit moment when he didnt realize how open he was). Defensively, his length changes the game, Jay puts him in we get a turn over. Jay puts him in he bothers a shooter and gets a run, Jay puts him in last night and he doesnt back down to the 300 pound monster on Akron. Kid is tough, Nova player, reminds me of Shane Clark/Dwayne Anderson hyprid, tough can shoot. Also grabbed some key rebounds the other night. Simply put love his game. Donte D, may only play 5-7minutes a game this year and maybe less, but let me tell you, he is going to give 250% for those 5-7 minutes. He may not score the ball but man does he put on effort show. Type of kid you can put in when the starters look blah and he makes something happen that turns a head or two. Its a long season you need a guy like this. As far as Reynolds, thus far I am bit blah on him. He is not bad for back up, can give you 5-10 minutes to spell Ochefu but is really limited in what he can do, also I am not sold on him being a great rebounder as he seems to lose the ball an awful lot. Maybe he needs minutes to improve maybe this is just what he is a guy who can give us 5-10 minutes a game. Kid has a great attitude but Im not sure if he is a difference maker on this team. Also makes me think that Delaney may have been able to get some minutes.
Coaching: Jay Wright and the staff get an A plus. Guys really worked this off season and put in the time. I think Jay knows this is a team that could make a run and until March he is holding off on all the praise which is why he may seem a little blah in his interviews. I agree with Beef, Shackelton must be the best in the business, the muscle mass these guys put on is amazing, even a guy like Bridges is stronger that meets the eye.
Overall, love this team, have a tough 6 game stretch coming up, would love to go 5-1 in that stretch, interested to see how we react on the road at St. Joes and UVA, should be good atmospheres.
At this stage this team is just as good on offense and defense as last year with a higher ceiling. Think about that. Have fun, enjoy the ride, and put your Vs up.
