Omot seems like more of a 3/4 who leans more wing. Ola-Joseph seems more like 4/3 who appears stronger inside.
If anyone could take on Keonte Kennedy’s defensive role seems like best candidate is Omot. Like Campbell too, but will be interesting to see how he does with bigger wings.
Buzz on Wilkinson has been steady. Expecting he’ll get early opportunity to play.
Blacksher Jr seems to be earning starting pg spot and playing very close to pre injury form. Experienced leader.
Bring on Hoops! I really appreciate the focus on Ola-Joseph as I hadn't read much on him. I agree he moves really well to the rim and has nice touch off the glass. I would like to know more about the rather large wave of departures from otherwise eligible players after last year, but I don't doubt Coach Madsen did right by them and they did for themselves.
Chemistry will be everything. I hear we have more talent but will have to see it on the court to know for sure. One thing I know for sure is that I believe this staff will get the best from the boys.
Good question. I'm kinda fuzzy on what folks mean by "glue guys". I tend to think of people who aren't stand out scorers but who make life hard for other teams through defense or rebounding or such, and who are super teammates. Hard to not think of Jorge as a glue guy even though he matured into the Pac 12 player of the Year.
I think of glue guys as those that are complementary in very indispensable ways. Last year, JT was the team MVP and glue guy to some extent. He often was doing the complementary things too in addition to being the main scorer and distributor. If it weren’t for the team’s losing ways, there was a strong argument for JT being the Pac-12 POY.
Spot on that we need a core group of players for 2-3 years and then add / subtract around them.
Last year it took some time to gel together and I honestly think if we had that core of returners, it would have made a difference in those close games.
That said, so glad BB is just around the corner as I’m peaking from my annual frustration with Wilcox.
Omot seems like more of a 3/4 who leans more wing. Ola-Joseph seems more like 4/3 who appears stronger inside.
If anyone could take on Keonte Kennedy’s defensive role seems like best candidate is Omot. Like Campbell too, but will be interesting to see how he does with bigger wings.
Buzz on Wilkinson has been steady. Expecting he’ll get early opportunity to play.
Blacksher Jr seems to be earning starting pg spot and playing very close to pre injury form. Experienced leader.
20 wins, NIT berth at minimum. Count it.
I'm aiming for 18 wins and NIT berth as the floor.
Best rundown of players I’ve seen and agree with all of it (although my only view is from the open scrimmage)
My concerns are perimeter shooting and defense, although having a rim protector helps in many ways
Thanks
Thanks BP.
This is outstanding! We can hope that the optimism in the article is realized on the court! We are now in good hands!
Bring on Hoops! I really appreciate the focus on Ola-Joseph as I hadn't read much on him. I agree he moves really well to the rim and has nice touch off the glass. I would like to know more about the rather large wave of departures from otherwise eligible players after last year, but I don't doubt Coach Madsen did right by them and they did for themselves.
Chemistry will be everything. I hear we have more talent but will have to see it on the court to know for sure. One thing I know for sure is that I believe this staff will get the best from the boys.
Go Bears!
Who will be the glue guys? Last year, we had one stud but were lacking glue guys and depth.
Petraitis is the obvious answer in the preseason. He can get points, get rebounds, get assists and contribute in multiple ways.
My other answer would be Omot. A Stretch F/C who likes to finish near the rim. He plays like a cross between Kuany and Newell (in all the good ways).
Petraitis does seem to be a Swiss Army knife.
Good question. I'm kinda fuzzy on what folks mean by "glue guys". I tend to think of people who aren't stand out scorers but who make life hard for other teams through defense or rebounding or such, and who are super teammates. Hard to not think of Jorge as a glue guy even though he matured into the Pac 12 player of the Year.
I think of glue guys as those that are complementary in very indispensable ways. Last year, JT was the team MVP and glue guy to some extent. He often was doing the complementary things too in addition to being the main scorer and distributor. If it weren’t for the team’s losing ways, there was a strong argument for JT being the Pac-12 POY.
Awesome article!
Spot on that we need a core group of players for 2-3 years and then add / subtract around them.
Last year it took some time to gel together and I honestly think if we had that core of returners, it would have made a difference in those close games.
That said, so glad BB is just around the corner as I’m peaking from my annual frustration with Wilcox.
This is an excellent breakdown. I’m hoping to see the Bears at the Galen Center this season.