By OrangeBandit.
OrangeBandit is a former college basketball player and has been involved with coaching on the high school level for year.
Offseason Predictions:
A couple things I stated that I thought would occur this offseason.
* Devin Booker would likely be a 12 ppg and rpg.
* Demontez Stitt is our best all around player
* Kids who would benefit the most out of Brownell's hiring are guys like AY, Tanner Smith, Noel Johnson, and Milton Jennings because of the styles of game they played in during HS. Not as much Noel in that but I'll expound upon that later time.
* Our 1/2 court defense was going to be improved and in my opinion could conceivably be on of the best defenses in the ACC from a numbers perspective as long as we didn't turn the ball over too much. The athletes and the hustle is there. Our kids only needed better direction.
* Better 1/2 court offense would be the biggest upgrade Brownell would bring. (Don't make a mistake and think that I mean average PPG in this comment)
* Player development would arguably be the biggest single component Brownell and his staff would do better than the previous regime.
* There would actually be coaching going on during the game, which will allow for adjustments when we're not playing well. This gives you a chance to win sometimes on nights when you're not playing your best.
Thoughs on Western Carolina Game:
* I think you saw a glimpse of what I'm talking about Devin Booker and why I've been raving about him since he stepped on the court last year. If Booker wants to work hard, and wants to be great, he could be a top 15 NBA pick without question in my opinion. He has a LONG way to go before he gets there, but he showed you big time athleticism last night tip dunking 2-3 times, showed you a back to the basket game with a drop step middle and finished a nice LEFT-handed baby hook shot, he showed you the ability to board, and he has the "Booker Family" ability to time blocks and dunks that you just can't coach. You either have it or you don't and Booker definitely has it. He's also physically a legit Werewolf. Strong as an oxen, runs as fast as an ostrich, and is agile like a mongoose. Kid has it all. Not only that, but he's competent from outside shooting the rock and solid from the line.
* Good God where has Milton Jennings been. If you can't see the 100% turnaround in Milton Jennings then you simply don't know shit about basketball. The previous staff couldn't get crap out of him and this staff spends only a partial offseason with him and he's all the sudden playing like the kid we all hoped we were signing. Granted, it's only Western Carolina and I'm not at all expecting the kid to average 14 ppg, but the point is he flashed every skill you wanted him to show last night except he didn't knock down a 3 pointer. He rebounded tough, he backside sealed(post up) tough and finished, he took one ball coast to coast and finished in transition over 2 chihuahuas nipping at his ankles, he picked and popped/ ripped through and attacked baseline and then found the open man and delivered it smoothly, and was an overall nightmare for WC to defend as he should be. Kid shot 4-5 from inside the arc, 0-2 outside the arc, had 4 rebounds (2 offensive), showed some handles, showed some defense (2 blocks), showed the ability to distribute the basketball (4 assists), and was a team best 6-6 from the line. Anything else you need with that order their captain? Brownell's staff developing kids >>> OP's staff
* Tanner Smith being the glue player he can be. What I liked about Tanner last night is he didn't try to do too much. Bronwell clearly loves what the guy brings to the table because how else do you explain the fact he led ALL players last night with 34 minutes? Wanna know why? Because the kid does everything you ask him to do. He played defense like a wild Banchee (2 steals that led to 2 run outs and 4 points), kid was tied with Booker for most rebounds (7 reb from your SF, um hell yeah!), knocked down and outside tre', created opportunities for others (4 assists), and overall was nothing but E.F.F.E.C.T.I.V.E. His only knock was he was 1-6 from the FT line. Kid shot 74% last year. Don't think we have anything to worry about. He also was second on the team last year to only T.Book to the most trips to the FT line. A VERY underrated stat I assure you.
* AY was just AY. Totally in control and uber solid.
* Brownell's staff has actually found a way to make use of their 7'2'' jolly Euro Giant. Brownell's X's and O's >>>>> OP's JV scheme. Bobo was actually competent last night and I now at least have hope that he can secure some light backup minutes and not totally suck which is a huge improvement.
Summation:
We have no idea how good we are yet but I still contend this team is going to challenge probably for a 9-7 ACC record which would be good enough for them to get into the NCAA's.
Things are VASTLY improved from a fundamentals standpoint though Brownell hasn't shown 1/2 of what he will show by the completion of next year.
We'll know more after we play Wofford who legitimately is a quality team and will test our guys for 2 complete halves so more analysis can be done after that game but you've got to like what you see so far.
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