In a word DIVERSITY. Seems like every night we have a different player Step up and play excellent. Sometimes it’s a big sometimes it’s a guard and occasionally it’s been one of the freshman. I think it’s our best asset going forward. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this club. I think the future now is bright.
I agree that the variable strengths/weapons are our greatest strength. And I know how wonderful our 2 portal guards are, but I love how 2 or 3 of our bigs work together and complement one another, both on offense and defense. Feel it’s something rare. Quite enjoyable.
It seems to me they have figured out who does what well and tries to work in the flow of the game. The freshmen bigs are working hard on defending and rebounding. If these two would pick their favorite spot to shoot threes from and work in a couple hundred of these in the practice routine. The teammates would gladly feed them the ball. Just one or two a game keeps the defense having to guard them out front, opens a lot of good shots and lanes to drive for others.
I also think this team, with perhaps a few instances, plays hard. Witness only a few games where we were out of it (Ole Miss, Tenn). Also, they do not quit; in games we were losing in the 2nd half, they keep battling to the end. Pretty admirable and can be attributable to coaching and our players DO NOT want to lose. This is a fun team to follow and is getting better each game.
I would also add it's pretty cool we are 20-8 and 10-5 and (almost) a lock for the tourney. We haven't seen that with 3 regular season games left to play - in awhile.
very true and you can see it in the Pick 'Em. Last year it was CC, CC, CC, RK, RK. This year the MVG could be any one of 8 guys.
Golden said Haugh hits threes with regularity in practice. I would order Haugh to take a three at the first open opportunity in every game! Call it a "free shot" that doesn't matter whether he makes or misses (i.e., he's still free to take them when good opportunities arise). If he makes that first "free shot", it could set the stage for more games like the one where he made three of them. (or was it more?)
What I like most is the guys seem to relish the challenge of sec hoops. Under white our team seemed so scripted that guys seemed subordinated to a vision of the coach that individuals got dulled. These guys play with passion, aggression, and less fear. Just way more fun to watch as a fan, even if the final record this year doesn’t top MW’s best.
He was really good from the start for us. He's even better now because his 3s really started to fall for him in SEC play.