This was a great game for our team. Showed they can still win without hitting 3's. I hope it is a sign we can do that more often and not something that we were able to do against SJSU because of their lack of inside presence. Thought we moved the ball extremely well, especially in the first half. We let up a bit in the second half but I wasn't ever really worried about them getting back into the game. Maybe for a minute when they pulled into single digits with around 10 mins left but I never felt worried. Hope this win turns into more confidence on the road.
Should probably discuss starting linups/minutes discussion in another thread but it seems like every thread has become that topic so I don't know where to go so I will just post my thoughts here. I had these thoughts prior to the game last night but last night helped solidfy my thoughts.
I am fine with the starting lineups. You can see what the staff wants out of it.
Lieberman-want to start a true PG(can go stretches with Al or JJ running the point but they don't want to start this way) and last night showed how good he can be on the defensive end disrupting the other teams guards.
Aka- LAst night wasn't stellar for him but in conference he has been one of our best players, has the size, smarts and shooting that the staff wants-think he needs to start.
Mcm-Team leader, great shooter(careerwise) has been struggling this year but the staff is sticking with the senior leader and I'm ok with that
Herndon-Deserves to start, a stretch 4 who does have some inside presence(defensivly at least)
Naughton-a true center who at times can dominate a game down low and other times disappear should most definitely start.
I don't have a problem with the starting line-up. If McM keeps struggling and the staff wants to replace him in the starting 5 with JJ or Dalton I would be ok with that. I would also be ok with a lineup putting Dalton and Herndon down low without Naughton if they saw the matchups working better that way.
I also don't have too much of a problem with the minutes people are seeing. Each game is its own thing and based on matchups, how individuals are playing, foul trouble, etc. different people end up seeing different amount of minutes so I have a had time looking at average minutes and deciding someone wasn't played enough so overall I'm happy with how they are handling it but that doesn't mean I never have any issues or questions. I thought last night in the first half they kept Kelley in the game too long. He wasn't bring much while Liebs was playing great(other games I've had no problem with Kelley getting lots of minutes)
With Louis back I think this team is more dangerous. Hope he can stay healthy. He scored his 14 points last night real quick.