Not sure where it was in his first 9 seasons, but high 5’s, bits of intensity, and even that running chest bump (as awkward as it was). I like seeing a coach that not only wants his players to buy in, but has also bought in to his guys.
10 Likes
With Graves out for who knows how long, other guys like Darlan are going to have to step up.
Aside from the no turnovers and 15pts on very efficient shooting for Darlan, don’t overlook the 4 steals including several key ones…..a back court steal and layup in the 1st half. 2nd half used his Inspector Gadget crazy long arms to deflect and steal on a long lead pass that would have surely been an easy USF breakaway layup and 2pts. Those little sequences are key and can swing momentum or pad precarious leads.
8 Likes
The Graves injury comes at a rough time heading into to the SMC game. SMC has two huge, over 7foot centers; McKeever especially is dominate on the glass. Plus a 1st team WCC guy at the 4 in Murauskas. Our thin depth at the 5 and 4 will be tested.
Bukky is going to have to play smart and avoid the silly, pointless fouls so he can stay on the court for 25+ mins. Probably going to need at least 10-12 mins from Chuk. You can go small against some teams with Jake at the 5 for 5-10mins a game but seems unwise to do it any more than you have to vs. SMC. Asking a lot of Jake at 220lbs to keep two over 7footers who both weigh 260lbs+ off the boards.
Rebounding is going to be key, everyone is going to have to help on the defensive boards. Wings and guards are going to have to clear some boards while Bukky, Jake and Chuk are wrestling with their bigs to lock them up.
2 Likes
I hate to say it, but I think the Broncos are going to have to go bombs away and take 30+ 3-pt shots (and hit 40+% of them to win this game). At least with 3-pt shots, we’d see long rebounds where we have a better chance of securing them instead of trying to get short-shot rebounds against excellent 7-footers.
I expect the Gaels to blanket Hammond (he lit them up for 25 in the earlier game). In addition to Mahi carrying the squad, Knapper is going to have to be ON, along with Sash. Probably a good amount of KJ also. I think Chuk is too raw and inexperienced to lean on.
3 Likes
Agree you can’t lean on Chuk but I think he’s going to have to play at least 10mins (he played 11 last night) just to have someone with decent size to guard and block out Wessels and McKeever. Whether due to foul trouble or fatigue from wrestling guys 50lbs heavier, it’s hard to see Bukky playing much more than 25mins. Bukky is averaging 19mins/game, he’s played 25 or more mins just 6 times and only once over 26mins. Frankly it doesn’t matter if Chuk scores a point, just needs to keep SMC’s humongous centers off the offensive glass and chip in with a rebound or two….everything else is gravy.
Agree that we’re going to have to be better in other areas, whether that’s supporting players stepping up (Knapper, Sash, Cochran or Darlan). Or simply being a little better than usual in several areas….could be any combination of 3pt shooting, not fouling and sending SMC to the FT line, making our FT’s at 75-80%+ or TO or Offensive rebounding margin. Going to have to play a clean game…..can’t afford excessive turnovers, missed layups, etc.
Broken record warning!!!
The SMC game will be yet another game where a zone D would be of value, at least as an option for 5-15 mins. In this case it would help our bigs in the paint, make it easier to block out McKeever w/ 2 guys if needed. It also helps defend Murauskas….he likes to iso then bully his defender in to midrange and layups at the rim….hard for him to do that vs. a zone.
I’m more worried about SMC killing us on the offensive glass interior scoring than with 3pointers. SMC is efficient from 3 but they don’t attempt them at a high rate.
2 Likes