As usual, Cal looks overmatched and quickly wilts when an athletic opponent ratchets up the D. Cal actually has the horses to play a somewhat similar style, absent the athletic bigs, but it is beyond Mark Fox’s capabilities…that much is sure, as Cal looks unprepared.
the hints of a functional team are there at the edges. ND Okafor and Newell look pretty good for freshmen. Maybe balance out Lars and Okafor's minutes and use Okafor as the screener, I don't know - maybe install a half court trap? Try to be disruptive?
I think Fox has no clue how to coach an uptempo style. It’s one explanation for why his teams are awful against athletic teams and the press. It’s so far out of his comfort zone that he’s lost, and he certainly doesn’t know how to simulate it in practice because it’s not a scheme he is at all comfortable with.
Hell, you've already got someone on the damn roster...his name is Kuany Kuany. From day one, I've thought Fox has completely wasted Kuany...the kid was raw upon arrival, and a better offensive staff makes him into something more than a SG that can't guard opposing 2's.
Honestly, a more innovative and dynamic head coach than Mark Fox takes a raw but athletic and long, 6'10" KK and grooms him as a stretch-4...you immediately start him on a weight training, bulk him up to 215-220, teach him some basic low post moves and play him in the high post...THAT'S who you run the O through, not Lars.
That could help the offense, but I'm having trouble envisioning him as a rim protector. Defense would probably be a trade-off, and probably not one a defensive coach would want to make. It's often the conundrum of the stretch-4 when not dealing with a perimeter offense opponent.
But I do see your point about whether KK is or will be optimized.
I mean, he's never going to be a big banger. Again, it's a matter of having a coach that can think outside the box, which clearly is not a strength of Mark Fox's. I appreciate it when coaches adapt to their personnel...when they don't, you get awful results, like Musgrave, like Fox.
But Shaka Smart could do wonders with an athlete like Kuany, both offensively and defensively...I'll die on this hill.
Don McLean also said "Cal is having good possessions, they're just missing shots" which was patently untrue. The offense is complete garbage - every single possession, ESPECIALLY with Lars - was like pulling teeth. Grind and grind for 28 seconds to create a contested shot.
This is the quick recap. I'll have a longer breakdown most likely by Friday morning.
I heard MacLean was making excuses. I won't for a 30 point blowout. I need to watch the replay, but in real-time it felt like Cal was playing tentatively and without energy.
Mozilla...
Thanks BP.
As usual, Cal looks overmatched and quickly wilts when an athletic opponent ratchets up the D. Cal actually has the horses to play a somewhat similar style, absent the athletic bigs, but it is beyond Mark Fox’s capabilities…that much is sure, as Cal looks unprepared.
the hints of a functional team are there at the edges. ND Okafor and Newell look pretty good for freshmen. Maybe balance out Lars and Okafor's minutes and use Okafor as the screener, I don't know - maybe install a half court trap? Try to be disruptive?
Absolutely.
I think Fox has no clue how to coach an uptempo style. It’s one explanation for why his teams are awful against athletic teams and the press. It’s so far out of his comfort zone that he’s lost, and he certainly doesn’t know how to simulate it in practice because it’s not a scheme he is at all comfortable with.
How would you simulate N'fale Dante with anyone currently present on the Berkeley campus?
Hell, you've already got someone on the damn roster...his name is Kuany Kuany. From day one, I've thought Fox has completely wasted Kuany...the kid was raw upon arrival, and a better offensive staff makes him into something more than a SG that can't guard opposing 2's.
Honestly, a more innovative and dynamic head coach than Mark Fox takes a raw but athletic and long, 6'10" KK and grooms him as a stretch-4...you immediately start him on a weight training, bulk him up to 215-220, teach him some basic low post moves and play him in the high post...THAT'S who you run the O through, not Lars.
A colossal wasted opportunity, IMO.
That could help the offense, but I'm having trouble envisioning him as a rim protector. Defense would probably be a trade-off, and probably not one a defensive coach would want to make. It's often the conundrum of the stretch-4 when not dealing with a perimeter offense opponent.
But I do see your point about whether KK is or will be optimized.
I mean, he's never going to be a big banger. Again, it's a matter of having a coach that can think outside the box, which clearly is not a strength of Mark Fox's. I appreciate it when coaches adapt to their personnel...when they don't, you get awful results, like Musgrave, like Fox.
But Shaka Smart could do wonders with an athlete like Kuany, both offensively and defensively...I'll die on this hill.
Don MacLean's game analysis was...a little more detailed.
How detailed? "We suck" is about all the analysis that you need.
Don McLean also said "Cal is having good possessions, they're just missing shots" which was patently untrue. The offense is complete garbage - every single possession, ESPECIALLY with Lars - was like pulling teeth. Grind and grind for 28 seconds to create a contested shot.
I did notice a few makeable shots no HS or college team would turn down not go down.
This is the quick recap. I'll have a longer breakdown most likely by Friday morning.
I heard MacLean was making excuses. I won't for a 30 point blowout. I need to watch the replay, but in real-time it felt like Cal was playing tentatively and without energy.