It appears we are pretty much done putting our team together. May be another piece or two, but probably not anything that will change much.
Last year in the SEC- except for one 20 point loss and a couple more double digit losses we were in every game we played. Imo, we had a very good chance to win at least five of the games we lost. Three of the games we lost I believe were due to poor coaching decisions by CMW. I've discussed why previously so I'll just leave it at that. Two or three others we just didn't have the talent, or just made poor decisions that cost us. I am convinced that with better game strategy, improved talent and decision making we are easily in the tourney. Should, coulda, woulda as my old radio co-host Terrence Moore would say and we are what our record showed. But, that doesn't mean one can't break down the games and see where the outcomes certainly could have been different. Some games we shot poorly, others we turned it over way too much, or on critical possessions and sometimes both. But the overwhelming reason for most of our losses was rebounding. Sometimes defensive, other times offensive and many time both. When a team has a small margin for error, as we did, because of limited offensive talent and a lack of experience, it is imperative that they find a way to score some easier buckets and stop the other team from getting easy shots and more opportunities.
A stout, smart defense is one way. Rebounding is the the other. And a lesser way is getting to the line a lot. Most of the time we shot more fts than our opponents and it helped us stay in some games, when we were making them. Our defense was adequate much of the time, but that is not good enough when the other team is getting multiple shot attempts on a high % possessions. And as we know many made threes are a result of an offensive rebound. Putbacks and fouls on our opponents offensive glass were the biggest reasons for many losses.
If you combine that with the fact we were among the worst offensive rebounding teams in our league, or nationally and you have your recipe for not being able to win some games you could have with just better rebounding. That is why I am extremely optimistic about our team next year. I predict that the turnaround and improvement in our rebounding is going to be unlike any improvement for a Dog team we have seen in a very long time. Along with the easier buckets for us and less for our opponents, the drastic improvement in shotblocking and the overall stronger defense due to increased length and athletic ability across the board I believe we will be at least 7-9 ppg better and maybe more, next year. And considering we were terrible at finishing around the rim, which will be a strength this year, you can toss in a few more buckets.
Taking into account our much improved, on both sides of the ball, and deeper backcourt I can see us adding another couple buckets better.
I read about all the rating services, advanced stats etc. and know there is something to what they have to say. And as usual, at this point, I have no firm grasp on the strength of the SEC, except to agree it will be a damn tough league as always. But I also know what my instincts, experience and gut tell me after sixty years of being involved in this game. And that is that we are going to be involved in even more games than we were last season with a solid chance to win. And that this time we will prevail more often than not.
I'll forego getting into the topic of who starts, because it doesn't mean much, especially considering CMW's history, and we have no idea how our team's talents will shake out.
Last year in the SEC- except for one 20 point loss and a couple more double digit losses we were in every game we played. Imo, we had a very good chance to win at least five of the games we lost. Three of the games we lost I believe were due to poor coaching decisions by CMW. I've discussed why previously so I'll just leave it at that. Two or three others we just didn't have the talent, or just made poor decisions that cost us. I am convinced that with better game strategy, improved talent and decision making we are easily in the tourney. Should, coulda, woulda as my old radio co-host Terrence Moore would say and we are what our record showed. But, that doesn't mean one can't break down the games and see where the outcomes certainly could have been different. Some games we shot poorly, others we turned it over way too much, or on critical possessions and sometimes both. But the overwhelming reason for most of our losses was rebounding. Sometimes defensive, other times offensive and many time both. When a team has a small margin for error, as we did, because of limited offensive talent and a lack of experience, it is imperative that they find a way to score some easier buckets and stop the other team from getting easy shots and more opportunities.
A stout, smart defense is one way. Rebounding is the the other. And a lesser way is getting to the line a lot. Most of the time we shot more fts than our opponents and it helped us stay in some games, when we were making them. Our defense was adequate much of the time, but that is not good enough when the other team is getting multiple shot attempts on a high % possessions. And as we know many made threes are a result of an offensive rebound. Putbacks and fouls on our opponents offensive glass were the biggest reasons for many losses.
If you combine that with the fact we were among the worst offensive rebounding teams in our league, or nationally and you have your recipe for not being able to win some games you could have with just better rebounding. That is why I am extremely optimistic about our team next year. I predict that the turnaround and improvement in our rebounding is going to be unlike any improvement for a Dog team we have seen in a very long time. Along with the easier buckets for us and less for our opponents, the drastic improvement in shotblocking and the overall stronger defense due to increased length and athletic ability across the board I believe we will be at least 7-9 ppg better and maybe more, next year. And considering we were terrible at finishing around the rim, which will be a strength this year, you can toss in a few more buckets.
Taking into account our much improved, on both sides of the ball, and deeper backcourt I can see us adding another couple buckets better.
I read about all the rating services, advanced stats etc. and know there is something to what they have to say. And as usual, at this point, I have no firm grasp on the strength of the SEC, except to agree it will be a damn tough league as always. But I also know what my instincts, experience and gut tell me after sixty years of being involved in this game. And that is that we are going to be involved in even more games than we were last season with a solid chance to win. And that this time we will prevail more often than not.
I'll forego getting into the topic of who starts, because it doesn't mean much, especially considering CMW's history, and we have no idea how our team's talents will shake out.
Last edited:
