DT55Forever1

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My biggest gripe is our opening defensive series to start almost every game has been abysmal.

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I may be wrong but I have a feeling that due to planning and scripting of plays to start a game, more points are scored on the games opening drive than the first possession of the 2nd half.

Due to this, I'd prefer we take the ball to start the game if we win the toss and hopefully play with a lead than have to come back. Put pressure on the other team to match your score.

I know there's a big benefit if you can get the last possession of the 1st and first possession of the 2nd, but you aren't guaranteed that just because you defer.

Bama. 45
UT. 27

90. Yards

You can include the Murphy debacle and letting Max go.

He lied to everyone and said money was not an obstacle and we'd be as aggressive as necessary to bring in the talent we needed. Instead, we've let guys go we should have kept and not paid for guys that could have really helped us.

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Philon back completely changes the roster IMHO. Guys who could be very good in roles were going to be forced to be something they hadn't been before. Philon lowers that expectation level for all of them and allows them to play very specific roles. Huge.

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Agree and like you said guys can relax about their role now and play the position they should play. Thinking we were gonna move a wing to lead guard and compete consistently against the top level teams was ridiculous.
Turning a catch and shoot guy into a lead guard in one summer just doesn't happen. Hell, we tried it with Sears for multiple years and he's still a catch and shoot as the NBA mocks show. He's not projected to get drafted because he's not a lead guard. He can shoot as he showed at the combine but he's not going to break his guy down at the next level which you need at the position he's trying to play.

Maybe Biz and Bethea could have been serviceable but neither have consistently been the lead guard. We desperately needed this.

When you said he was as good out of high school that pretty much says you think he'll be as good or better than them this season.

You mentioned Fland and I've been talking about Lee. That was the first time I've ever said anything about wanting Fland. Saying Im infatuated is bullshite.

I said they could make us better because we need a lead guard and if you think that's Wrightsell, you're delusional. It's not like Lee transferred to USF. The best team in the country wanted him.

These freshmen or transfers haven't proven anything against the SEC either but you keep singing their praises.

I know. He can't get out of that?

Not ignoring anyone but we haven't seen any of these transfers or freshmen play under Oats or against SEC competition. Regarding Bethea, he averaged 19 minutes a game, 7pts, 1 assist, and 1 TO a game; so, until he shows he can handle the lead guard position in our conference, there's going to be questions.

Several people thought Youngblood was gonna be the guy that made the difference for us this season but that wasn't the case. He turned out to be slower, not very athletic, and wasn't a strong ball handler.

For this coming season, I would have preferred bringing in a guy that at least had the numbers and body of work running the lead guard where he played. We held out for Philon instead.

Like I said, I believe Oats can work it out but obviously a true experienced PG is better than a PG by committee. And saying it doesn't matter because anyone can initiate Oats offense is sugar coating the issue. Did our offense run as well when Aden ran point this past season compared to Philon? No. So, obviously it does matter who is bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense.

We'll see how it goes. For his offense, you need at least one guy who can beat his guy off the dribble consistently to drive and kick and to keep the tempo up.

If our guy is having trouble with being pressured up the court, it slows everything down. I think Oats can work it out, but would prefer a guy with good handles and vision.

I do feel we could do more on the international side of recruiting.

You are correct. It's why I hoping Lee could have been an option. I don't think we'll see Philon back but I hope I'm wrong.

I think we can still be good but to progress beyond where we've been, we need Philon or similar and another frontcourt guy. IMO