The Gordon/Rhodes years were the start of our decline. There were some real attitudes back then. The culture of the program steadily got worse after that bunch. Maybe we have finally exorcised those demons.
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Wasn't gonna really say anything but yea ... what I saw today was night and day chemistry between this club and that one. 2 huge primas on the Gordon/Rhodes team.
Last really good chemistry was the 2004 team Bowers/Frazier/Roberts. 2005 started out great until Frazier got hurt.
I'd have to go back and look at roster but Gordon and Rhodes for sure. Rhodes needed coddled by Stans and Gordon is my most disliked player for us ever I think. In last 2 or 3 minutes of many, many close games (there were a lot of them) in his career, he'd dribble around and never pass at all. Always take the game winning shot and only ever made one I can remember against Ky. As much as I was not a fan of Peters last year, he pales in comparison to Gordon. That team with Gordon could've been pretty darn good ... he was talented.
The biggest thing I'm worried about right now is our lack of ball handling, we have Carter and Molinar who both handle pretty well but that's it until we get Nick back. Our bigs are handling the ball way too much right now and that's a big reason we turn it over so much. Feazell had 6 turnovers just by himself today, but that's not his fault, he is being asked to do something out of his comfort zone. I wonder if DJ can help out more there or someone off the bench? We have to protect the ball more because 25 turnovers against Villanova or any other talented team will get us beat on most nights
a) I think we might have a lot of trouble tomorrow with that. Nova plays some stifling D from what I saw tonight.
b) I think everyone is counting a little too much on Nick being the the ball handling/defensive savior. He can be a prima too somewhat. Some of that may have just been between him and Peters tho ... so we'll see. Hope he learned some lessons from suspension and blends in and performs as everyone expects him to.
That's possible, but I don't personally expect him to be the savior, I do expect he will give us a 3rd ball handler that we need badly right now. Molinar is holding his own right now though, I like his poise and he plays under control, but we still need more ball handling and to take care of the ball, and it's tough when our bigs are out there handling like guards.
I kinda think today they were coasting somewhat and got sloppy. Vic would be all over them for coasting ... Howland probably not so much. Another ball handler would be a plus tho.
But tomorrow ... they won't get to coast and still might lose by 20. The intensity level between Nova and us today was quite different ... not that we were bad but they played some intense ball today. I hope we keep it close and maybe we can.
ETA: And Nova can really, really shoot it. Our D is gonna have to extend a good bit.
I agree completely, Villanova will be a totally different animal, but I'm really confident in our defense right now so I am cautiously hanging my hat on that and hoping that and rebounding can at least keep us in the game and give us a shot. I like this team, I know its early but I have a good feeling about us this year
After watching just one game ... I like them too. They exceeded my expectations some today. Still very early. As you say ... Nova is a whole different animal tho. I liked our D today too but ... Nova can really extend you. Like no one I've seen us play since Howland has been here. And they're exceptional at moving the ball around too. I figure we'll find out how much harder we need to work coming out of tomorrow most likely.
ETA: But I do think we have the potential to be pretty darn good. Nova may be a Final 4 team.
Yea they just won the National championship a couple years ago so there is definitely a winning culture in that program. They will be very tough
Nova will be a great test , esp without Nick
Win or lose this is a really good game for Us going forward..
it could be a huge resume builder if we can pull an upset.
Nova will have a possible final four team when the tourney rolls around
Tulane will win some games in that conference ..
This team is going to get better and better. Could be a fun special year
Just win every damn game. Lets go.
Ever had a half full drink or have they all been half empty?
I would be shocked if Villanova is a Final 4 team. They're talented and will continue to get better, but they are pretty darn young. They've played one team with a pulse and they got blitzed from the opening tip. Sure, it was a top 10 team, but regardless, they got blown out. I'm telling you, MTSU is garbage. They beat Mars Hill (?) by 11, Lipscomb by 3, and got destroyed by Coastal Carolina.
Villanova is good, but if you're judging them on yesterday's game, then you might as well use the New Orleans game to judge us.
Nova is very very good. Regardless of the fact that their roster is a good mix of McDonald's AA and other highly ranked players, they're coached by one of the top coaches in the game in Jay Wright. Jay will press us early to try and force Molinar and Carter into some TO's. We also can't let Cole Swider get going like he did yesterday. MTSU let him have open 3's all game.
I really like this team. It's amazing how much team attitude can carry over to the enjoyability factor in fan viewership. I don't mind the turnovers, shooting pct right now. They'll improve on those things.
Bottom line, this team is going to be tough later on (and might be now) and I hope the fans show up for them.