a couple thoughts I had.
Last year, CWood and Goodluck tried to block every shot that was hoisted, which lead to a ton of blocked shots and excitement, but it also yielded A TON of second chance points via offensive rebounds. If the shot wasn't blocked, at least one of our two biggest players, if not both, were routinely out of position.
This year, Goodluck can still go hog wild with trying to block everything, IMO. Stephen is going to block shots, he's tall and long, but I know he's going to be more discerning with that sort of thing. And Ben isn't a naturally good shot blocker, but he is a good rebounder. And we know DJ gobbles up rebounds, too. With everyone else boarding, Goodluck will be free to roam and block at will almost like Ackles was able to do in 91 because he had LJ and Augmon able to secure a lot of boards.
Secondly, I know a lot of people are in wait and see mode and rightfully so. With last year's team, I expected the November team to start slow and hoped they'd pick it up and be much different by season's end. Well, due to a variety of reasons, that never happened.
Still a lot of new faces this year and again, I expect the November team to look much different than the February team, but I think we will have a much better idea of that almost immediately. In other words, I think this team will look ALOT different early - a lot more aggressive, better defensively, more exciting style of play. I really do think that part of it will be night and day. Because of the early schedule, I'm not so sure it'll look incredible with the wins and losses. This team will drop some games. But even in those games, I expect UNLV to be ultra competitive and it's gonna feel like they have a legitimate shot even in the games they drop.
I'm ecstatic like the rest of you that the vast majority of time has been spent on the defensive end and that it's been based on heavier pressure and intensity than what we've seen.
But, for better or worse, a huge part of the season's success or lack thereof is going to come down to role acceptance. So many capable players, so few minutes. This isn't going to be about favorites or promises or any other nonsense, it's going to be about who can help the team the most. How that is received by the others is pretty big.
Another thing I'd like to see - blow out some of these damn teams you are supposed to blowout. If it ends up by 50 points, so be it. Having a large lead allows everyone else to play and gain some confidence and hopefully expand upon a lead. No last second wins at home against lower level WCC teams and things of that nature.
Last year, CWood and Goodluck tried to block every shot that was hoisted, which lead to a ton of blocked shots and excitement, but it also yielded A TON of second chance points via offensive rebounds. If the shot wasn't blocked, at least one of our two biggest players, if not both, were routinely out of position.
This year, Goodluck can still go hog wild with trying to block everything, IMO. Stephen is going to block shots, he's tall and long, but I know he's going to be more discerning with that sort of thing. And Ben isn't a naturally good shot blocker, but he is a good rebounder. And we know DJ gobbles up rebounds, too. With everyone else boarding, Goodluck will be free to roam and block at will almost like Ackles was able to do in 91 because he had LJ and Augmon able to secure a lot of boards.
Secondly, I know a lot of people are in wait and see mode and rightfully so. With last year's team, I expected the November team to start slow and hoped they'd pick it up and be much different by season's end. Well, due to a variety of reasons, that never happened.
Still a lot of new faces this year and again, I expect the November team to look much different than the February team, but I think we will have a much better idea of that almost immediately. In other words, I think this team will look ALOT different early - a lot more aggressive, better defensively, more exciting style of play. I really do think that part of it will be night and day. Because of the early schedule, I'm not so sure it'll look incredible with the wins and losses. This team will drop some games. But even in those games, I expect UNLV to be ultra competitive and it's gonna feel like they have a legitimate shot even in the games they drop.
I'm ecstatic like the rest of you that the vast majority of time has been spent on the defensive end and that it's been based on heavier pressure and intensity than what we've seen.
But, for better or worse, a huge part of the season's success or lack thereof is going to come down to role acceptance. So many capable players, so few minutes. This isn't going to be about favorites or promises or any other nonsense, it's going to be about who can help the team the most. How that is received by the others is pretty big.
Another thing I'd like to see - blow out some of these damn teams you are supposed to blowout. If it ends up by 50 points, so be it. Having a large lead allows everyone else to play and gain some confidence and hopefully expand upon a lead. No last second wins at home against lower level WCC teams and things of that nature.
