Thanks, Ashley. Your summary is both interesting and accurately drawn.
I was much encouraged by Tristan Clark's game. He moved more confidently and did not avoid contact. If he continues in this vein, he will be back to his old self by mid-conference, if not sooner, and that makes a very good team an outstanding one.
Without singling anyone out, the tendency of this group to lose focus and become sloppy in handling the ball and particularly in their judgment passing it is a little troubling. They can go significant stretches without making silly turnovers, then suddenly they will make three or four within a fairly short period of time. Today was not much of a test, as Baylor clearly outclassed the opponent and the outcome was never in doubt. Turnovers against some of the teams we will face in conference play will be enough to swing the game away from us. We need to play smarter, and it is my hope that we will do so. Again, I will not be specific here, but anyone watching that game today can circle their own names.
Thamba desperately needed a red shirt year. He still does. I like the defensive intensity and the scoring potential that this squad shows. They will be fun to watch. Mitchell is a fine defender, and his offensive game is steadily climbing. Butler is so good that he tries to do things that even the best of players would likely forgo, and he is not a bad bet to succeed. The problem is that when he tries to dribble the ball in crowded quarters in games that matter, ones that hang on every possession, it is going to cost us more often than not.
But he is fun to watch; just a terrific player.
I was much encouraged by Tristan Clark's game. He moved more confidently and did not avoid contact. If he continues in this vein, he will be back to his old self by mid-conference, if not sooner, and that makes a very good team an outstanding one.
Without singling anyone out, the tendency of this group to lose focus and become sloppy in handling the ball and particularly in their judgment passing it is a little troubling. They can go significant stretches without making silly turnovers, then suddenly they will make three or four within a fairly short period of time. Today was not much of a test, as Baylor clearly outclassed the opponent and the outcome was never in doubt. Turnovers against some of the teams we will face in conference play will be enough to swing the game away from us. We need to play smarter, and it is my hope that we will do so. Again, I will not be specific here, but anyone watching that game today can circle their own names.
Thamba desperately needed a red shirt year. He still does. I like the defensive intensity and the scoring potential that this squad shows. They will be fun to watch. Mitchell is a fine defender, and his offensive game is steadily climbing. Butler is so good that he tries to do things that even the best of players would likely forgo, and he is not a bad bet to succeed. The problem is that when he tries to dribble the ball in crowded quarters in games that matter, ones that hang on every possession, it is going to cost us more often than not.
But he is fun to watch; just a terrific player.