First, the season has certainly been disappointing. However, if you told me after 14 games that Julian was shooting 27% from 3 in conference and Posh was shooting 14% from 3 and missed 2 games completely, I would have expected only a couple of wins.
The Bad:
Defense - We are a little better than our awful defense from last year (112 to 74 in Kenpom), but I was really hoping we would be at least top 50. I really wish we had the ability to switch from the high pressure, going for steals and blocks D (which I love) to a make them take a tough, contested shot D.
Stef Smith - has been the most disappointing of the Transfers. He has shot it poorly and has struggled defending Big East Guards.
Pinzon - only playing 8 games. There were flashes of real potential. I thought that by now he would be our most complete guard because he is fairly proficient in all aspects.
The Good:
Assists: We are 10th in the country with assists on 62.6 of our made baskets.
Wheeler: I had pretty high expectations, but he has exceed them in conference play. It is interesting that Purdue has been so much worse defensively (34 to 98 on Kenpom) and the only significant rotation change has been losing Wheeler.
Mathis: I had pretty low expectations, but we are generally getting the "Best" version of MM. His usage is down, shooting percentage up and taking many fewer 3's. He still back slides occasionally.
Energy: this team plays hard all the time. Even when results haven't been great they compete hard all the time.
The Ugly:
Shooting: It was my biggest concern entering the season. In conference play were are 9th in 3P%, 7th in 2p% and 11th in FT%. Hopefully JC will start to turn it around. Posh has been good everywhere except from 3. He has made a 3 in only 1 game (Depaul 1/5) since the Kansas game. Overall our Offensive efficiency has been better the past couple of weeks.
Wusu: I love his energy and hustle and he is being asked to fill a role that he is poorly suited (PG), but he has been really bad offensively in conference play. He is shooting 38% from 2. 53.8% from FT and has a 93.8 Offensive Rating. Against Xavier he had drive with a guard on his hip and no help D or shoot blocker and he missed the rim by a foot on an open layup. He looks like the struggles are getting to him. I would take the ball out of his hands and tell him focus all his energy on D.
I am hopeful for the rest of the season, especially if JC is back to normal.
The Bad:
Defense - We are a little better than our awful defense from last year (112 to 74 in Kenpom), but I was really hoping we would be at least top 50. I really wish we had the ability to switch from the high pressure, going for steals and blocks D (which I love) to a make them take a tough, contested shot D.
Stef Smith - has been the most disappointing of the Transfers. He has shot it poorly and has struggled defending Big East Guards.
Pinzon - only playing 8 games. There were flashes of real potential. I thought that by now he would be our most complete guard because he is fairly proficient in all aspects.
The Good:
Assists: We are 10th in the country with assists on 62.6 of our made baskets.
Wheeler: I had pretty high expectations, but he has exceed them in conference play. It is interesting that Purdue has been so much worse defensively (34 to 98 on Kenpom) and the only significant rotation change has been losing Wheeler.
Mathis: I had pretty low expectations, but we are generally getting the "Best" version of MM. His usage is down, shooting percentage up and taking many fewer 3's. He still back slides occasionally.
Energy: this team plays hard all the time. Even when results haven't been great they compete hard all the time.
The Ugly:
Shooting: It was my biggest concern entering the season. In conference play were are 9th in 3P%, 7th in 2p% and 11th in FT%. Hopefully JC will start to turn it around. Posh has been good everywhere except from 3. He has made a 3 in only 1 game (Depaul 1/5) since the Kansas game. Overall our Offensive efficiency has been better the past couple of weeks.
Wusu: I love his energy and hustle and he is being asked to fill a role that he is poorly suited (PG), but he has been really bad offensively in conference play. He is shooting 38% from 2. 53.8% from FT and has a 93.8 Offensive Rating. Against Xavier he had drive with a guard on his hip and no help D or shoot blocker and he missed the rim by a foot on an open layup. He looks like the struggles are getting to him. I would take the ball out of his hands and tell him focus all his energy on D.
I am hopeful for the rest of the season, especially if JC is back to normal.
