the way the season has played out so far, do you still think the difficult pre season schedule was a benefit or not ?
Honest ?
- Thread starter PaBoiler78
- Start date
Yes absolutely it was a benefit as it helped Painter find a starting 5 that worked... until the past 4 games. The issue now is we have a tired team. This can be fixed by giving the bench big minutes heading into the tournament.
And then “subbing liberally” in the first round of the B1G tournament…
Interesting. I haven't considered this to be a reasonable possibility. I hope it's the case. Personally, I thought the Penn State, Marquette, A&M and Auburn losses showed we had some major issues that would get exploited at some point this year. Feels like B1G play has mimicked the OOC schedule. We had some good W's up front with Bama, NC State (assumed at the time) and Ole Miss. Similiarily, we jumped out to a Big Ten lead. Now, reality has set in the past few weeks much like reality smacked us in the face against Marquette, A&M and Auburn.
Personally, I just don't think we're a good team and Smith has resorted to playing hero ball (increased TO's). I hope I'm wrong and we're just tired.
Yes. I don't think it's what has contributed to this recent slide at all. The sheer volume of games in basketball makes a tough preseason a good idea. You'll still have plenty of easier and winnable games to make the postseason and SOS is a significant factor in doing so.
The scarcity of games in football makes a tough preseason a bad idea, particularly since SOS is not nearly as much a factor in making the postseason and bc each game is worth so much more towards that goal.
I'm in favor of playing top competition any time we can. I do think the coaching staff has to manage minutes and load and that's not always easy. Braden in particular has a very tough job and a lot is expected of him. He brings the ball up the court almost every time under pressure. That alone, over a season, is taxing. He needs help and I am not sure if Painter doesn't trust Cox and Harris enough or they just aren't good enough yet.
The problem with the preseason and painter is he plays every game with the intention of winning. Even in that first scrimmage with Creighton, painter played to win, look at the minutes distribution!
On the plus side, we need those tough games for quad custody wins and a higher seeding in the dance.
On the down side we do not use the preseason to develop the skills of our younger players or bench players. When Smith plays 40 minutes a game it’s very hard for anybody else to develop their point guard skills.
And this is part of the reason this team always starts out strong and then seems to peek in January where other teams. Have losses in the preseason and then. Grow as the season continues.
On the plus side, we need those tough games for quad custody wins and a higher seeding in the dance.
On the down side we do not use the preseason to develop the skills of our younger players or bench players. When Smith plays 40 minutes a game it’s very hard for anybody else to develop their point guard skills.
And this is part of the reason this team always starts out strong and then seems to peek in January where other teams. Have losses in the preseason and then. Grow as the season continues.
With the lack of depth for this team, I think it will help the team more for next year. It will help players like Burgess, Cox, Colvin, etc. on what they really need to work on their game in the off season, if they want to play major minutes and contribute to next year's team.
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