This was a better performance, but I don't know what you can really take from it. East Texas isn't good and A&M just overwhelmed them.
One thing that does translate is athleticism, and Zhuric Phelps has it in spades. He's an attacker, and he's going to get to the basket a lot. He's got to shoot his free throws better, though, and he was a 74% shooter from the stripe last year. But he may be the Boots on this team. They've got some similarities in their game.
Wade Taylor's passing is much improved. He had 6 assists last night and 7 against UCF. He's got 13 assists and just 3 turnovers. His court vision is a whole lot better and they'll probably be able to move at a quicker pace as a result.
I had suspected the problems in Manny Obaseki's game were more mental than anything, and he confirmed that last night. He's just got a lack of confidence and, when things go bad, they spiral for him. But he was able to break out of this funk after just one game and looked a ton better last night. He was right when he said he's put in the work to improve, and hopefully he'll trust himself. Because, if he does, he and Phelps are two very strong attackers of the rim and they can cause big problems for opponents when they're on the court together.
You always want instant offense off the bench, but I didn't think Henry Coleman would be that guy. But he had 14 points and 8 boards (6 offensive) last night. If he keeps going to the rim he has the first two games, he's going to have some shots blocked but he's also going to get to the line and get a lot of close-in shots. He's not messing around with the back to the basket dribble stuff; he's getting the ball, facing up and attacking the basket.
Pharrel Payne is a physical freak. Just wait and see.
I'd like to say Hayden Hefner has turned a corner after his performance last night (13 points, 3-5 from 3) but he had 19 last year against then-A&M-Commerce. But if he keeps playing like that, then he's an asset.
One thing that does translate is athleticism, and Zhuric Phelps has it in spades. He's an attacker, and he's going to get to the basket a lot. He's got to shoot his free throws better, though, and he was a 74% shooter from the stripe last year. But he may be the Boots on this team. They've got some similarities in their game.
Wade Taylor's passing is much improved. He had 6 assists last night and 7 against UCF. He's got 13 assists and just 3 turnovers. His court vision is a whole lot better and they'll probably be able to move at a quicker pace as a result.
I had suspected the problems in Manny Obaseki's game were more mental than anything, and he confirmed that last night. He's just got a lack of confidence and, when things go bad, they spiral for him. But he was able to break out of this funk after just one game and looked a ton better last night. He was right when he said he's put in the work to improve, and hopefully he'll trust himself. Because, if he does, he and Phelps are two very strong attackers of the rim and they can cause big problems for opponents when they're on the court together.
You always want instant offense off the bench, but I didn't think Henry Coleman would be that guy. But he had 14 points and 8 boards (6 offensive) last night. If he keeps going to the rim he has the first two games, he's going to have some shots blocked but he's also going to get to the line and get a lot of close-in shots. He's not messing around with the back to the basket dribble stuff; he's getting the ball, facing up and attacking the basket.
Pharrel Payne is a physical freak. Just wait and see.
I'd like to say Hayden Hefner has turned a corner after his performance last night (13 points, 3-5 from 3) but he had 19 last year against then-A&M-Commerce. But if he keeps playing like that, then he's an asset.
