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A few thoughts after 6 games (20% of season). I'll take 5-1 even though i'm comcerned about multiple areas. Given that 6 of the 8 regular players didn't play for GT last year the overall chemistry is better than i expected. I'm also trying not to overreact - at 3-0 I never even entertained the idea the FB team could win 10 games - they simply did not look good enough to do that. But they improved remarkably (especially on defense) and got there. I'm not expecting that to happen to this program, but i'll try not to completely rule it out either.
It seems like you can expect at least one of Demarco or Chuck to play well offensively on any given night. On nights when both play well GT will be a tough out.
Cox is what he is. A bull that will get some buckets through strength and likely be .500 or a little worse at the FT line. Mitchell has more offensive potential but I don't think we can count on 12 every night. Great rebounder. On the plus side Chuck's FT's look much better. A career 43% FT shooter he is shooting 67% so far this year. I'll take that all year.
Sampson hasn't been what I expected. He's been more of a utility guy. I like Lammers long term potential - I think he was a very good signee.
Hunt would make the perfect #2 option. That is where the loss of Carter does hurt. He was a gifted natural scorer and would have been the #1.
Stephens is a pleasant surprise. He will be inconsistent and can't really create his own shot, but I love his long range potential. Could be a very good starter as a JR and SR. 44% 3-pters so far.
Despite the poor game last night Heath is a pleasant surprise. Have to hit your FT's.
Jorgenson has been a disappointment due to injury. I just hope he truly gets back to 100% and we don't have another Jeremis Smith situation (who I thought would be an ALL-ACC guy until injuries forced him to retool his game).
Bolden has actually been solid in a more limited role. He's hitting a solid 3-pt % (35%) and not making too many glaring mistakes.
I could see Jackson developing into a #1 offensive threat by his SO year. Right now he is playing too fast (both mentally and physically) and needs to slow down and let the game come to him more. On the other side he is aggresive, and i think the staff likes that, an he does one thing better than anyone else on the team - get to the FT line where he is hitting 85%. He also takes care of the ball pretty well for a 2G.
The offense looks better than the last couple of years, even without Carter or a true #1 scorer. it's hardly world beater but it's respectable. Need to cut down on the TO - mainly the frontline.
The defense is not as good as Gregory's previous defenses. He doesn't really have a shut down defender right now (Hunt is probably closest) so the team defense really has to get alot better - especially without a big rim protector. That requires alot of communication and with alot of new players that may take a little while to develop.
The guards have to play better - but its a better group offensively than the last couple of year - not as good defensively.
Going to be an interesting year to see how this team evolves. Frankly they are slightly ahead of what i expected. A mixed bag of good and bad, but not the train wreck I feared going into the season.
What in the back of my mind truly makes for an interesting theoretical discussion is that I see an NCAA caliber team here - next season. Heath and Jorgenson return (hopefully with Travis finally 100%). Tadric has a year under his belt. Q has a year as a starter under his belt. Mitchell will be a SR. You add in an upgrade in the frontcourt with Jacobs (who in Gregory's system should be a 12-14 ppg scorer). Will Gregory win enough to get to coach next year or will the AD make a move to whoever he wants. If you look at the roster and scholarship situation GT would have some attractive qualities for an incoming coach. An experienced core that you can win right away and get some good will and a 5 scholarship recruiting cycle that allows you to quickly bring in the players you want.
It seems like you can expect at least one of Demarco or Chuck to play well offensively on any given night. On nights when both play well GT will be a tough out.
Cox is what he is. A bull that will get some buckets through strength and likely be .500 or a little worse at the FT line. Mitchell has more offensive potential but I don't think we can count on 12 every night. Great rebounder. On the plus side Chuck's FT's look much better. A career 43% FT shooter he is shooting 67% so far this year. I'll take that all year.
Sampson hasn't been what I expected. He's been more of a utility guy. I like Lammers long term potential - I think he was a very good signee.
Hunt would make the perfect #2 option. That is where the loss of Carter does hurt. He was a gifted natural scorer and would have been the #1.
Stephens is a pleasant surprise. He will be inconsistent and can't really create his own shot, but I love his long range potential. Could be a very good starter as a JR and SR. 44% 3-pters so far.
Despite the poor game last night Heath is a pleasant surprise. Have to hit your FT's.
Jorgenson has been a disappointment due to injury. I just hope he truly gets back to 100% and we don't have another Jeremis Smith situation (who I thought would be an ALL-ACC guy until injuries forced him to retool his game).
Bolden has actually been solid in a more limited role. He's hitting a solid 3-pt % (35%) and not making too many glaring mistakes.
I could see Jackson developing into a #1 offensive threat by his SO year. Right now he is playing too fast (both mentally and physically) and needs to slow down and let the game come to him more. On the other side he is aggresive, and i think the staff likes that, an he does one thing better than anyone else on the team - get to the FT line where he is hitting 85%. He also takes care of the ball pretty well for a 2G.
The offense looks better than the last couple of years, even without Carter or a true #1 scorer. it's hardly world beater but it's respectable. Need to cut down on the TO - mainly the frontline.
The defense is not as good as Gregory's previous defenses. He doesn't really have a shut down defender right now (Hunt is probably closest) so the team defense really has to get alot better - especially without a big rim protector. That requires alot of communication and with alot of new players that may take a little while to develop.
The guards have to play better - but its a better group offensively than the last couple of year - not as good defensively.
Going to be an interesting year to see how this team evolves. Frankly they are slightly ahead of what i expected. A mixed bag of good and bad, but not the train wreck I feared going into the season.
What in the back of my mind truly makes for an interesting theoretical discussion is that I see an NCAA caliber team here - next season. Heath and Jorgenson return (hopefully with Travis finally 100%). Tadric has a year under his belt. Q has a year as a starter under his belt. Mitchell will be a SR. You add in an upgrade in the frontcourt with Jacobs (who in Gregory's system should be a 12-14 ppg scorer). Will Gregory win enough to get to coach next year or will the AD make a move to whoever he wants. If you look at the roster and scholarship situation GT would have some attractive qualities for an incoming coach. An experienced core that you can win right away and get some good will and a 5 scholarship recruiting cycle that allows you to quickly bring in the players you want.
