If Hutch would let someone get a word in otherwise...hmph!
Ok, here goes.
Biggest surprise: Thomas Bryant. He started off as a frosh and is put on his big-boy pants. The guards are looking to get him the ball now which i can't remember the last time that happened. I can't even remember that consistency (post feeding) when CZ was here. He fights and fights and fights underneath for positioning and his post moves are strong! I believe there are even plays for him now, specifically. That wasn't the case with that guy noel back in the day. And CZ, the only plays (I remember) that were drawn up for him were the run the court, and feed off the hedge. correct me if i'm wrong, it has been a long time since we have seen the big man fed.
Biggest let-down: TW. He has a nitch of driving that is incredible! however, when he dribbles down the court......no comment. That is when he usually throws a pass to the stands or into the hands of the other team.
I think Z3 needs to play. He stretches the court and is in a shooter's slump. He was in one for a very short stint last year but once he hit net, it was boom-shak-alaka! His defensive presence has been like a spidermonkey! I too, watched him on the guards and i was friggin' excited! yeah, he will get beat by the more athletic dudes, but the way he was keeping the balls out of their hands by being on them like a rat on a cheeto was awesome.
JBJ: We are a different, but better Defensive team without him. We are forced to bring in OG and JM who are very good defensive guys. yeah, we lose some 3% but who cares when our defense is shutting down their 3%, right? we score, what? 10-16 points less a game now but limit them by 20. seems like a better stat.
The substitution pattern is still weird. I noticed TB smoked big time on Saturday after fighting with the bigs for possession and he wasn't subbed out for Max or Hartman or somebody! He couldn't even get his feet off the ground towards the end. We were up 25 and the subbies weren't even brought in. Put friggin' Priller in! Give the guy some reps so if needed later on, he can do something. He's friggin' 7 foot and we are going to need that size in some game down the road. Perhaps against Purspoooooo, just to give TB some breathing / water time. Hell, Priller just stands down low and puts those big mits in the air, he is accomplishing something.
and then there is OG........................nuff said