@wissoxfan83
Same m2m defense with guys that get it now and play it well. Everyone knows how to help but the frosh.
Bad Ball only one game, when they couldn't hit and then only for a quarter.
Lots of Spread out high low offense with Perry floating to 4 out frequently.
Posts running longer diagonal rotations because of wider lane.
Not much third side passing on perimeter.
Mostly two passes and shoot, or drive.
Chop and pick and roll used infrequently, but shown.
Nic Moore a helluva player, despite short, stocky size. Long strong legs and cuts off opponents.
Frank and Nic play super together in tandem and solo.
Selden much better at 3.
Selden has been super with maybe only one minute of the old Wayne in all games combined.
Perry struggling some.
Landen in a weird place and not fitting into flow well but every other game putting up big rebound numbers. Still no b2b game. Still too weak to go up in a crowd and dunk.
Hunter fits international ball well running tirelessly, keeping ball alive with tipping, and picking up lots of put backs. Still struggles with post defense on ball. Seems to fit well with these perimeter players. Not much b2b presence. But a hyper active horizontal player that makes the team play better when in.
Traylor incrementally better, but still no b2b game. Guarding post well. Shoots FGs and FTs better. But no offensive feel yet.
Bragg = sushi, but looks like a player downstream, probably next year. Moxie playing with broken nose. Lots to learn. But a shooting touch.
Julian Debose a defensive specialist who doesn't stand out by improves team defense when in.
Vick = big potential and able to contribute in short spurts. Just needs footwork and speed adjustment. Playing very well for a high school senior that jumped a year early.
Experienced team that fits together freakishly well and has good chemistry.
Everyone plays every game because of daily games.
Self doesn't get to coach much in games, which seems to frustrate him and liberate his players. Everyone is playing and only a few look over at the bench warily.
Sad part is that Nic will go back to SMU and Debose back to FIU and this fine chemistry will be no more. Talent will improve, but you can't improve on this chemistry. Nick and Frank and Wayne are one of those rare perfect fits, like Chalmers, Sherron and Rush, or Chalmers, RR and Rush. Frank and Nic let Wayne be Wayne. It is amazing to watch.
We are witnessing magic.
Self is doing a brilliant job of enabling the magic.
But you can see that he is very pent up and wanting to fix all the flaws rather than let them play.
But to his great credit, he is stifling and letting the team can be what it can be, which is quite good for this unusual circumstance.
All in all an unexpected delight.
But unlike others here I don't see a carry over to the D1 season.
This is a unique team Self has created by adding Nic and Debose.
We are watching "the miracle on wood" on a much smaller stage.
Herb Brooks, meet Bill Self.
Shit happens.
But so does magic.
Savor this moment.
Our D1 team will have more talent, but not the savvy and experience and amazing dwarf tandem of Frank and Nic. It's a one off deal that doesn't duplicate with Devonte and Svi and Green. And Debose's defensive glue will not duplicate either.
The D1 team can be better or worse, but it can't play the same.
And the 30 second clock may be just enough longer to prevent this quick, go get a basket kind of play.
Everyone has learned how to take a step back and shoot it.
It is so beautiful after Bad Ball I almost cried in the Lithuania game.
Once again a small group of young men have saved the game and knocked the callous off my heart.
I am ready for a 24 second clock and full embrace of international rules. It's a better game.
Rock Chalk!
