A few thoughts thus far:
1. This team plays hard, very hard, maybe harder than anyone in the country. They play some of the toughest defense, they can get multiple stops, when DO is in its even better as we have a legit shot blocker. Diving for loose balls, valuing each rebound, getting in the lanes. This team is very good defensively but it plays at high intensity. This type of defense is very very hard when your playing 7 guys like we have been lately. We really need DO and Donte back. Yeah I know we dont usually do 9 but with foul trouble and the intensity we play with on defense we need that 9th man to play spot minutes. I really think the defensive intensity we have played with has affected down the stretch in game, we become a bit lazy on O, shots are short, etc. And I know someone is going to say "well Bentil and Dunn play 40 mins". I get that Providence is depended on 2 guys to win them a game, this team has multiple weapons, I like this in March better than what Providence has.
2. I think everyone is looking way too much into team chemistry issues. The issue is confidence. Right now offensively we have little to no swagger for a few reasons. First we cant get on the break, we are sending 4 guys to the boards, which is creating one on threes for Booth and Brunson. They have been getting their shots blocked, swatted and redirected. Right off that bad that seems to set the tone with these guys. This is where we need DO back, he needs to grab boards and send some outlets down the court, get a few easy buckets for Booth and Brunson. Right now the only guys with confidence in the open floor are Hart and Bridges. Second we just need a hot shooting game, I know it doesnt sound like much but we really do. Think we have one this week against Creighton and gets the engine going.
3. Mikal Bridges is my favorite player to watch since senior year Dwayne Anderson. Love that we have three more years of him. Really like the idea of him starting next year with Hart, Jenkins, Spellman and a guard, that line up looks alot like the team that made the final four.
4. Really wish we had Delaney, he would have gotten some really good minutes this year with the injuries and DO foul trouble. Reynolds tries very hard but he has no confidence going up with the ball, he reminds me of Antonio Pena in alot of ways.
5. Something tells me Arci has a hot streak coming up. I think that propels this team a bit. It really is amazing we are 8-1 with such poor shooting from our guards. Its a true testament to how hard our guys play.
6. Inbound plays, love the play where Jenkins flashes BUT we need to do that with DO on the court. DO is a great passing senior, who has the height to see over the defender. This may have to be our go to play since I dont think our guards are quick enough to come off the screen. I am fine with that.
7. Was at MSG live, to get a true appreciation for Josh Hart you just have to watch him live, the guy just does it all. He really frustrated Durand Johnson and Ron M for St. Johns.
Lots of talk of going into a slump, every team goes through it, as I said there are no power houses this year. Still like this team and think we make a nice run this year. We put this team under the microscope and rightfully so, we are die hard fans who live with each pass, shot, and play. I have had many non Nova friends text me and say the think this is the best defensive Nova team they have seen, and they would not want to face us in the tourney.
Enjoy the ride, Go Cats.
1. This team plays hard, very hard, maybe harder than anyone in the country. They play some of the toughest defense, they can get multiple stops, when DO is in its even better as we have a legit shot blocker. Diving for loose balls, valuing each rebound, getting in the lanes. This team is very good defensively but it plays at high intensity. This type of defense is very very hard when your playing 7 guys like we have been lately. We really need DO and Donte back. Yeah I know we dont usually do 9 but with foul trouble and the intensity we play with on defense we need that 9th man to play spot minutes. I really think the defensive intensity we have played with has affected down the stretch in game, we become a bit lazy on O, shots are short, etc. And I know someone is going to say "well Bentil and Dunn play 40 mins". I get that Providence is depended on 2 guys to win them a game, this team has multiple weapons, I like this in March better than what Providence has.
2. I think everyone is looking way too much into team chemistry issues. The issue is confidence. Right now offensively we have little to no swagger for a few reasons. First we cant get on the break, we are sending 4 guys to the boards, which is creating one on threes for Booth and Brunson. They have been getting their shots blocked, swatted and redirected. Right off that bad that seems to set the tone with these guys. This is where we need DO back, he needs to grab boards and send some outlets down the court, get a few easy buckets for Booth and Brunson. Right now the only guys with confidence in the open floor are Hart and Bridges. Second we just need a hot shooting game, I know it doesnt sound like much but we really do. Think we have one this week against Creighton and gets the engine going.
3. Mikal Bridges is my favorite player to watch since senior year Dwayne Anderson. Love that we have three more years of him. Really like the idea of him starting next year with Hart, Jenkins, Spellman and a guard, that line up looks alot like the team that made the final four.
4. Really wish we had Delaney, he would have gotten some really good minutes this year with the injuries and DO foul trouble. Reynolds tries very hard but he has no confidence going up with the ball, he reminds me of Antonio Pena in alot of ways.
5. Something tells me Arci has a hot streak coming up. I think that propels this team a bit. It really is amazing we are 8-1 with such poor shooting from our guards. Its a true testament to how hard our guys play.
6. Inbound plays, love the play where Jenkins flashes BUT we need to do that with DO on the court. DO is a great passing senior, who has the height to see over the defender. This may have to be our go to play since I dont think our guards are quick enough to come off the screen. I am fine with that.
7. Was at MSG live, to get a true appreciation for Josh Hart you just have to watch him live, the guy just does it all. He really frustrated Durand Johnson and Ron M for St. Johns.
Lots of talk of going into a slump, every team goes through it, as I said there are no power houses this year. Still like this team and think we make a nice run this year. We put this team under the microscope and rightfully so, we are die hard fans who live with each pass, shot, and play. I have had many non Nova friends text me and say the think this is the best defensive Nova team they have seen, and they would not want to face us in the tourney.
Enjoy the ride, Go Cats.
