Big Clyde52 said:
@ I just do not believe this team is as good as last years. We lost three terrific shooters, two of which were senior leaders. We have none of that kind of fire power now, except for Vick going off occasionally. DLawson is trying to fill the gap lately. Just my opinion.
I feel the urge to agree. However, I have to catch myself and try to consider how to make a fair assessment. Here are some things I think are influencing my evaluation:
1) Last year's team had Silvio and Doke. They are still on this team, but neither is playing. If they play, the team would be better. If/when they do, both have a year more experience than last year.
2) I am using current data against the team that finished strong with a conference and regional final championship. It's still just December. Trying to remember how the team was last year about this time. We were relying pretty heavily on Graham and Svi. Newman was a non-factor until conference, IIRC.
3) The vacancies were filled by less experienced players, but with ceilings as high or possibly higher. Dotson is not Graham, but seems to have found a groove already. His performance as a freshmen has been impressive, but no where near as potent offensively as Graham.
4) Vick is much more lethal than last year, shooting better than anyone I can recall since Terry Brown and Ron Kellogg. Not sure if he completely fill's Svi's shoes as a slasher, and certainly not as a defender, but there is room for improvement. Vick's athleticism continues to amaze. That bodes well for some moment in the future when he decides to play lock-down defense.
5) DLawson is unlike anyone we had last year.
6) Garrett and Lightfoot are a year older and both seem improved.
This team is less experienced as a group, less consistent and not as strong defensively as the team last year. And it's short-handed.
But the deficiencies are things that could be resolved through the season and, in almost every category, we could be better.
So we're not yet better, but this team could be better than a final four team, and that's encouraging to me.
Short version: glass is half full.
