Three things jumped out today: 1) bench production, specifically Kugel and Jones. 2) pace. Today we pushed the ball much more so than games past. I have looked at transition scoring, but I suspect we had a better number than usual. And even the times we didn’t score in transition, we put much more pressure on the defense. 3) emotion: after a very lethargic.start… this team finally seemed excited to play. There was some fire.
Guard play was key. Lofton, Richard, & Jones were very good. Not sure what happened to Bonham, but really glad to see Kugel make some key contributions. And in the Debbie Downer dept, what didn't look different today - Felder. Dude needs to get something going.
Felder is really frustrated, and was very down on himself on the bench. I feel badly for him. We ran a couple sets that got a good look from arc for fudge. I’d like to see those sets for CJ. He was our top percentage three-point shooter a season ago.
More movement. It wasn't perfect, but there was a lot more cutting action toward the basket. And intensity, but not just intensity - sustained intensity. A bit more toughness, too.
AKA, you predicted a Florida victory, I give you props. I couldn’t pick us due to nothing seems to connect as a team. I am ecstatic over the victory. I, like you have been waiting for Riley to turn it on, well today, at the end, he was feeling it. maybe a turning point. Either way, CMW in the building with a 11-3 team, now that is a good feeling. With Lon in the house and SS, if we had lost, the embarrassment would have been unbearable. Go Gators
The difference offensively beyond the transition points, energy etc…eas we actually had threats from the guards which opened the floor. MJ hit his shots and Loftin was more assertive and successful. And then of course we were gifted the obligatory “MW 20 minutes of clock time brain fart” which is almost a given.
The Gators were fun to watch, engaged and working hard on both ends of the court, far from perfect but a lot to build on going forward. Coaches getting more settled on play calls and which guys need to be on the court at crunch time CC looked better with the ball in his hand, until he got his lip split
Sweet shots from Jones today. Some of Lofton's junk shots fell in. Hopefully this is just a start. CC can be a terror when he isn't crushed inside by size and double teams. Good to see some situations where he can do his thing. Enjoy for the moment.
was really impressed with Kugel on the defensive end. His speed and athleticism really paid off, provided he doesn't try to do too much one-on-one
I think we may see a new starting 5 in the next game. I was at the game and can agree with all you say. There were points, particularly during the ugly start, when we got the ball and opportunity presented itself and we were all saying "push it, push it!" That got the guys into aggressive mode and then the scoring just started happening organically.
Kugel needs to consistently be a part of the rotation, and we’ll just have to work through some of his play. Guard play, bench, a determined CC, and passionate play was key. Really hope the team saw how they need to play to win.
Kowacie missed some threes, but he followed the ball, fought for rebounds and got a couple, then went hard to the hoop. He has made a jump in that, he is going hard to the hoop, recognizing that everyone we play is trying to stop his outside shooting. With CMW in the house, team Georgia in the house, maybe a few players he knew, even a full house, his intensity was there. As a fan, that is all I ask!
That he went to Georgia or that he left at all? There was a VERY VOCAL portion of our fanbase that wanted him out and laughed at Georgia for taking him off of our hands. He got an opportunity to bail and he jumped at it. I don't think our AD made much of an effort to retain him either. I don't hold any grudges against him as a man. Even our favorite coach of all time went to a division rival and coached against us for years. He's a mutt now and shall be treated as such, but I don't have any ill will towards him simply for leaving here to go there.
