seattlecowboy said:
We ended up shooting 70% at the free throw line which isn't terrible considering how bad we started and then we only had 10 turnovers which is excellent.
Hankerson scored 14 points in very limited action. He must have only played no more than 15 minutes.
To me this team looks like it does have a decent amount of potential and we may not see if the first few games completely but once they have a few games under their belt and gel together I can see this team having a chance to have a very decent year.
Saw the Pokes in person for the first time this year. A couple of observations:
1. Holy Zone Batman! - I can't remember the last time I saw a Wyoming team play that much zone. Looked like the players were still adjusting to it too. Credit to UT-Martin for hitting some shots over the zone. The zone also led to some of our rebounding problems (we weren't technically outrebounded, but they had more 2nd chance opportunities than the Pokes did) as we aren't comfortable yet rebounding out of a zone, which is quite different when you have to find someone to put a body on.
2. Front court depth - we have none. Cooke and Nance started and they were the only frontcourt players that saw playing time until garbage time in the last few minutes when Haldorson saw the floor. Shyatt went with 4 guards (with either Hankerson or Granberry at the "4") rather than put in any of our frontcourt players. With Sellers injured, Herndon redshirting (which was an obvious call), we only really have two options with Haldorson and Vernon and Shyatt obviously doesn't trust either one.
3. New Rules (or the enforcement/emphasis of said rules) - They suck. It took like 45 minutes to get through the last 8 minutes and there was no flow to the game. Let them play basketball.
4. I saw Shyatt's postgame comments and they articulate what I noticed...this team doesn't have an identity yet. Who are they on either side of the ball?
5. I thought Grabau played well. Got in some foul trouble, but they were calling a foul if you even looked at the opposing player funny in the 2nd half. TW3 can certainly shoot. Looked like a freshman in other aspects (couple of bad turnovers, etc.), but is clearly a player. Key part of the team. Granberry again looked hesitant. We need to get him some perimeter looks as I believe he can help us. Hankerson has a unique game, doesn't look good shooting the ball but can get to the rim with his strength.
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