** It’s fair to wonder why we schedule opponents such as VMI. Should we proclaim that the best outcome is to drive up the score enough to drive up our NET?
** Fortunately, in the long run the Panthers were up to that task. But it didn’t necessarily start out the way, and when VMI cut our lead to cut three with just under 6 minutes remaining in the first 20, many of the few thousand fans at the Pete were likely thinking WTF?
** During VMI’s 10-2 run of that moment, there were at least three trips where they just drove by our defense. TBH, I found this a little troubling. And knowing that VMI played zone, there is still the wonder if that’s going to be something that gives us struggles throughout the course of the campaign.
** IDK what Capel told the troops in the huddle when he called timeout. Whatever it was, it worked. And in the game’s final 25+ minutes, the Panthers outscored VMI 72-30. This includes only surrendering 10 field goals in that time.
** IDC how bad the opponent is. That’s impressive.
** Despite this tremendous advantage on this night, IMO we still haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be. Sure, we finally started hitting shots, and Ish’s three out of the timeout was actually our first of the game, which we followed with 11 more.
** Perhaps the biggest reason we can suggest that we haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be is because it still seems TBD how good Jaland can be. This is a bit of an odd assertion about the guy who just notched a triple double. But he looks to be forcing a little bit on the offensive end, even compared to how he played down the stretch last year.
** I assume that it’s Jaland’s POV that he needs to be the prime catalyst of the offense, and last year Bub and Blake carried that mantle. Hopefully we’ll enjoy him growing and getting better, and I do think he’ll eventually be fully up to the task.
** And keep in mind that my expectation for Jaland is to be named All-ACC.
** Beyond giving Jaland the opportunity to work himself out and gamer his 11-10-10, I suppose the next best value of a game against VMI is to drive up the MPG of our team members beyond our first six.
** I was glad to watch Amsal and Brandin, AKA Beebah, combine for 34 minutes. I expect both players to have critical roles once games really start to matter in January, even if both are being brought along a little more slowly than some of our pre-season hype for them would have wanted. Amsal certainly has a great looking shot from deep, but it’s going to take him some time and confidence to learn more about when and how to let it fly. And I like how Beebah isn’t forcing things thus far. But there may be times when we might need him to offer a bit more. He seems to have it in him.
** It was such a blast to watch JGD drain four of four threes, especially since the last three threes were the buckets to earn Lowe his 8th, 9th and 10th assists. Both guys seemed so absolutely thrilled for each other for these accomplishments.
** I should also say that I really like the decision of our CEO to bring Jaland back in the game down the stretch to pursue those last two caroms and three dimes. Some from the older school types might think this is rubbing it in a bit against a substandard opponent. But the kids certainly find it to be plenty of fun, and having fun is what this is supposed to be about isn't it?
** I also enjoyed watching Papa’s 6 minutes which probably drove up is ORTg and DRTg a little higher. But he’s still a large step away from playing important minutes.
** As for our top six, Zach was Zach, and GDG had another strong game. But I will once again offer my assertion that it’s likely not best for our team when he leads us in FGA. Perhaps this is something Capel wants to see when the Panthers are facing zones, and there’s no reason to forget that he drilled threes at a 40% clip last year. This year he’s gone 7-22 which isn’t bad, but it feels to me like he’s rushing them a bit. Or perhaps it’s just another chance to GDG to prove me wrong just as he has for most of his first two years.
** Cam and Damian continue to be tremendous additions and FYI, neither was ranked among ESPN’s top 200 College Basketball’s transfers for this year. Meanwhile, #1 ranked Kadary Richmond is averaging 8.8 PPG at St. John’s and #4 ranked AJ Storr is averaging 10 PPG for Kansas. And we already saw what #7 Tucker DeVries looked like, SMH!
** We’ll end this edition with a nod to another transfer who wasn’t ranked among ESPN’s Top 100 the year prior. After all, in the early going ISH has certainly looked like our MVP. What’s best about ISH isn’t just what he’s doing on the offensive end with both production and efficiency, he’s also been our best defender and our overall leader actually. And after VMI cut the lead to three, he sparked the 16-1 run with his three, then a steal. So if he wasn’t a Top 100 (or 200) transfer, then Ish, just like Blake, Jamarius, Damian and Cam, were certainly steals for Capel.
** Despite this wonderful 5-0 start that has the Panthers now at #16 in Kenpom, things get a little more interesting on Friday against LSU, They come in at #41 in Kenpom, about 300 spots better than VMI. So it’s a perfect test to learn where our Panthers really stand in this early season. I can’t wait!
** But in the meantime, HTP!
** Fortunately, in the long run the Panthers were up to that task. But it didn’t necessarily start out the way, and when VMI cut our lead to cut three with just under 6 minutes remaining in the first 20, many of the few thousand fans at the Pete were likely thinking WTF?
** During VMI’s 10-2 run of that moment, there were at least three trips where they just drove by our defense. TBH, I found this a little troubling. And knowing that VMI played zone, there is still the wonder if that’s going to be something that gives us struggles throughout the course of the campaign.
** IDK what Capel told the troops in the huddle when he called timeout. Whatever it was, it worked. And in the game’s final 25+ minutes, the Panthers outscored VMI 72-30. This includes only surrendering 10 field goals in that time.
** IDC how bad the opponent is. That’s impressive.
** Despite this tremendous advantage on this night, IMO we still haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be. Sure, we finally started hitting shots, and Ish’s three out of the timeout was actually our first of the game, which we followed with 11 more.
** Perhaps the biggest reason we can suggest that we haven’t really yet seen how good this team can be is because it still seems TBD how good Jaland can be. This is a bit of an odd assertion about the guy who just notched a triple double. But he looks to be forcing a little bit on the offensive end, even compared to how he played down the stretch last year.
** I assume that it’s Jaland’s POV that he needs to be the prime catalyst of the offense, and last year Bub and Blake carried that mantle. Hopefully we’ll enjoy him growing and getting better, and I do think he’ll eventually be fully up to the task.
** And keep in mind that my expectation for Jaland is to be named All-ACC.
** Beyond giving Jaland the opportunity to work himself out and gamer his 11-10-10, I suppose the next best value of a game against VMI is to drive up the MPG of our team members beyond our first six.
** I was glad to watch Amsal and Brandin, AKA Beebah, combine for 34 minutes. I expect both players to have critical roles once games really start to matter in January, even if both are being brought along a little more slowly than some of our pre-season hype for them would have wanted. Amsal certainly has a great looking shot from deep, but it’s going to take him some time and confidence to learn more about when and how to let it fly. And I like how Beebah isn’t forcing things thus far. But there may be times when we might need him to offer a bit more. He seems to have it in him.
** It was such a blast to watch JGD drain four of four threes, especially since the last three threes were the buckets to earn Lowe his 8th, 9th and 10th assists. Both guys seemed so absolutely thrilled for each other for these accomplishments.
** I should also say that I really like the decision of our CEO to bring Jaland back in the game down the stretch to pursue those last two caroms and three dimes. Some from the older school types might think this is rubbing it in a bit against a substandard opponent. But the kids certainly find it to be plenty of fun, and having fun is what this is supposed to be about isn't it?
** I also enjoyed watching Papa’s 6 minutes which probably drove up is ORTg and DRTg a little higher. But he’s still a large step away from playing important minutes.
** As for our top six, Zach was Zach, and GDG had another strong game. But I will once again offer my assertion that it’s likely not best for our team when he leads us in FGA. Perhaps this is something Capel wants to see when the Panthers are facing zones, and there’s no reason to forget that he drilled threes at a 40% clip last year. This year he’s gone 7-22 which isn’t bad, but it feels to me like he’s rushing them a bit. Or perhaps it’s just another chance to GDG to prove me wrong just as he has for most of his first two years.
** Cam and Damian continue to be tremendous additions and FYI, neither was ranked among ESPN’s top 200 College Basketball’s transfers for this year. Meanwhile, #1 ranked Kadary Richmond is averaging 8.8 PPG at St. John’s and #4 ranked AJ Storr is averaging 10 PPG for Kansas. And we already saw what #7 Tucker DeVries looked like, SMH!
** We’ll end this edition with a nod to another transfer who wasn’t ranked among ESPN’s Top 100 the year prior. After all, in the early going ISH has certainly looked like our MVP. What’s best about ISH isn’t just what he’s doing on the offensive end with both production and efficiency, he’s also been our best defender and our overall leader actually. And after VMI cut the lead to three, he sparked the 16-1 run with his three, then a steal. So if he wasn’t a Top 100 (or 200) transfer, then Ish, just like Blake, Jamarius, Damian and Cam, were certainly steals for Capel.
** Despite this wonderful 5-0 start that has the Panthers now at #16 in Kenpom, things get a little more interesting on Friday against LSU, They come in at #41 in Kenpom, about 300 spots better than VMI. So it’s a perfect test to learn where our Panthers really stand in this early season. I can’t wait!
** But in the meantime, HTP!
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