Man, we are quick and athletic. Our guys can close space QUICK.
This team could have easily scored 100 points tonight. We left some easy points on floor. Free throw shooting was terrible (17-27), Miles/Abrams/Reeves/Claude all missed easy layups in the 1st half...
...then we just poured on it on GSU. I mean, we just got a glimpse of how explosive this team can be. Grant it, it's GSU, but you have to like how this team looks in the first game.
A few of us touched on it, but this team has multiple guys who can score in double figures. Tonight, it was Kelly (25 pts), Reeves (15 pts), Claude (10 pts), Coleman (17 pts). Sturdivant was close with 8pts...IMO, Sturdivant played a heck of a game. He settled us down, moved the ball to the right guys, and facilitated the offense. 6 assists versus 1 TO. Picked his spots to shoot. He's a calming presence, and we're seeing the maturation of pure PG. He doesn't need to score to make an impact, but he can definitely score if he needs to. At the end of the day, this team has a REALLY high ceiling in terms of scoring potential. Oh, and Lance Terry was left on the bench tonight from a lingering injury.
Kelly had a horrible first half (as did most of the team), but that second half is the Kelly we saw last season. I kinda forgot how explosive he can be in terms of getting buckets in a hurry.
I think we saw the "freedom" aspect of Stoudamire's system. All throughout the game we saw guys breaking down the defender off the dribble. Kelly and Abrams did it early in the first half, but couldn't finish.
Obviously we need to temper our enthusiasm because we just don't know how good GA Southern is, but the early returns on this team is we have parts to be a VERY dangerous team...oh, and it was pretty fun to watch once everyone started to settle down and the shots started to fall in.
I think our first test won't come until 11/22 against Cincy. Hopefully, once that game rolls around, GT will have gelled and the team will feel more comfortable playing with each other. Lots of new faces and in a new system. That said...heck of way to start the season!