11 Comments

My home-thought-up solution for the point guard issue is that Matt Bradley gets like 10 minutes as the primary ball handler. He's the focal point of the offense anyways - could he be a version of James Harden?

Expand full comment

I like this...he’s definitely the guy you’re going to want with the ball whilst clinging to a 2 point lead down the stretch, as is Foreman, who shot 84% from the line. Betley figures to be in there as well...it should be interesting. If Joel Brown remains a liability from the line, you may have to sub Offense/defense down the stretch with him...

Initially, I’m not expecting impact play on the offensive end from Sha Na Na (Bowser) at the wing, though he may surprise. Celestine is an X-factor - nobody seems to know much about him. Is Dimmy the Greek going to play valuable minutes after really not showing much last year?

Expand full comment

YESSSSS thanks for answering my question! I'd also like to point out that Write for California's very own fearsome Kodiak, or Dr. Periodic Table if you will, is in fighting shape these days, and there is video evidence.

Expand full comment
author

About half a paragraph on the PG depth chart got accidentally eaten in my editing process - just got added back in. Apologies!

Expand full comment

It's Makale *Foreman*, right? Not Coleman?

Expand full comment
author

Yes, just fixed it. Thanks!

Expand full comment

Things don't look good for basketball.

Expand full comment

Respectfully, it's all about perspective. When compared with a 4 seed in '16 that boasted 4 NBA players, then of course not. Compared with the ensuing carnage that followed, where the Bears were statistically one of the most historically inept teams in the entire land and were helmed by a clueless HC that liked to trade punches with his fan-favorite-asst-coach, then the program is looking effing great.

There's no mystery...Fox is what we thought he is, as 15 years of metrics bear that out. Undoubtedly everyone on this board would love to see a higher ceiling, but year 1 went better than could be reasonably expected, and year 2's pieces are at least intriguing enough to pay attention.

Agree with goldenone tho that Brown is hopefully working on his FT's, bc barring a Hyder transfer-waiver, he's likely going to be counted on to salt away leads late, and a PG shooting 50% from the stripe is trouble.

Expand full comment

Yeah, agreed.

Expand full comment

I do hope we shoot more threes and give Bradley some room. Last season he often had two defenders in his face daring him to shoot. If we can develop another 3-pt shooter or two this will reduce the pressure on him, actually freeing him up to be even more effective than he already is. Also, I hope Joel Brown is working on his free throws right now.

Expand full comment

Thanks for the article, Nick. Compiling a roster full of shooters & then basically not allowing them to shoot is tantamount to coaching malpractice...hopefully we had enough of this in the MBB’s corner of Haas with the previous incompetent regime. Unfortunately, as you pointed out, from a “3-point shooting attempt” perspective, Fox’s track record is like the Mitchell family name in TOP-GUN’s Navy (I.e. not the best). We shall see...

Expand full comment