Opener vs Seattle U- Predictions
- Thread starter COUGinNCW
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SU beat us by about 10 points last year. They return their top four scorers. The Cougs shot the ball poorly and Robert Franks didn't play in that game - he missed about 6 games last year and I believe the Cougs lost all of them.
I suspect Elleby will be better than 3 for 16 against them this year. At that point in the season it looked like he wouldn't hit a jumper the entire year.
I suspect Elleby will be better than 3 for 16 against them this year. At that point in the season it looked like he wouldn't hit a jumper the entire year.
Definitely shot poorly last year. Under 30% from the field and 25% from 3. I hope to see better shot selection out of the gate. Elleby, Robninson, Cannon, and Kunc are the only players still on the roster that saw minutes last year against SU.
No idea what to expect though. I wonder if we see a lineup of returners or they go full on data for starters and minutes from game 1. I would expect the latter. I'm interested to see if Shead can make a quick impact over the first few games. He looks like a really good late addition assuming he picks things up quickly.
No idea what to expect though. I wonder if we see a lineup of returners or they go full on data for starters and minutes from game 1. I would expect the latter. I'm interested to see if Shead can make a quick impact over the first few games. He looks like a really good late addition assuming he picks things up quickly.
Last years game was so frustrating.
I often hear about how we only have 5 returning players on this years team, but last year was about the same. The only returning player with much game experience were Franks, Daniels, Skaggs, Pollard and Chidom and when Franks went down we were left with a starting line up of Daniels, Ali, Elleby, Chidom and Pollard. NO ONE knew what to do if they couldn't run the offense through Franks and the game was a sheep show filled with individual performances, primarily by Wade with Elleby and Skaggs trying to do way to much. We shot less the 30% from the field and 25% from 3, the only thing we could hit was our free throws.
Seattle U is a very experienced team with some talent, but not a lot of depth in the front court. Carter is a stud, but after that they don't have much. It will be interesting to see who match up with him and f he is able to get our "bigs" into foul trouble or vise versa. They have good guard play though last years team had a ton of turnovers.
I'm guessing playing at home, especially if we get a ok crowd, will give us the win.
I often hear about how we only have 5 returning players on this years team, but last year was about the same. The only returning player with much game experience were Franks, Daniels, Skaggs, Pollard and Chidom and when Franks went down we were left with a starting line up of Daniels, Ali, Elleby, Chidom and Pollard. NO ONE knew what to do if they couldn't run the offense through Franks and the game was a sheep show filled with individual performances, primarily by Wade with Elleby and Skaggs trying to do way to much. We shot less the 30% from the field and 25% from 3, the only thing we could hit was our free throws.
Seattle U is a very experienced team with some talent, but not a lot of depth in the front court. Carter is a stud, but after that they don't have much. It will be interesting to see who match up with him and f he is able to get our "bigs" into foul trouble or vise versa. They have good guard play though last years team had a ton of turnovers.
I'm guessing playing at home, especially if we get a ok crowd, will give us the win.
My prediction: we come away feeling good about Smith. We couldn't buy a bucket against Seattle U last year, even 40% shooting from the team would have resulted in an easy win last year. On our home court I think those shots fall and we get a W.
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It will be interesting to see if they get a decent crowd. I’m hoping to get down for a few games later in the year, for sure for the Klay Thompson jersey retirement.
Living in the Midwest now, I won't get to see many games this year unless I stop being so cheap and pay for streaming the Pac-12 network (which I might do). So I'll be interested in reading everyone's assessment and observations. In particular, I'm anxious to see if the defense is noticeably better and which of the new players emerge as Pac-12 players.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
In Smith's presser today he indicated Elleby, Pollard, and Bonton all expected to start game 1. Markovetskyy was pushing to start but has an ankle and sounds like he might not play. Praised what Shead brings to the table. Smart, good defense, distributor, pure point guard. Said Elleby could play some 4 when Cannon or Williams is on the floor with him. Also had James and Kunc at the 4. Sounds like those 4 end up rotation players to start the season although I could see Cannon and James ultimately starters.
Markovetskyy was most interesting to me game 1. They really like length at the 5 so not exactly a surprise. I also think Shead will take the point sooner than later which probably wouldn't surprise to many.
Markovetskyy was most interesting to me game 1. They really like length at the 5 so not exactly a surprise. I also think Shead will take the point sooner than later which probably wouldn't surprise to many.
Predictions are hard with this game, but there are a number of things I'm excited to see.
1. Do we see the effects of the "data raid system" (dive balls, boxing out, extra passes).
2. What kind of offense and defense will we run.
3. Who starts, gets minutes and what positions do they play.
4. The growth or Elleby and Kunc, especially Kunc.
5. I am fairly comfortable with our backcourt, but how will the front court look.
1. Do we see the effects of the "data raid system" (dive balls, boxing out, extra passes).
2. What kind of offense and defense will we run.
3. Who starts, gets minutes and what positions do they play.
4. The growth or Elleby and Kunc, especially Kunc.
5. I am fairly comfortable with our backcourt, but how will the front court look.
I have an uneasy feeling about this one. Seattle U, is a solid mid-major program and well coached. Listening to Smith and reading between the lines of his comments, I get the impression that fundamentals are being stressed in practice but putting them all together into teamwork is not yet a major focus or accomplishment. Hope that my impression is wrong about team cohesion but if I am correct then we may well get embarrassed and blown out by a more solid and experienced group of players. Seattle U. is well established while Smith's kids are a work in progress.
Just for kicks I looked back at Dick's first season.
Game 1: 66-46 win against VMI
Game 2: 57-51 win against Alaska Fairbanks
Game 3: 49-64 loss to Rice
Game 4: 36-55 loss to Southern Utah
I'm sure there were a few questioning the hire after the first few games even when we all know it's going to take time.
Game 1: 66-46 win against VMI
Game 2: 57-51 win against Alaska Fairbanks
Game 3: 49-64 loss to Rice
Game 4: 36-55 loss to Southern Utah
I'm sure there were a few questioning the hire after the first few games even when we all know it's going to take time.
So far the team looks great. Not a fan of all the 3s, but the "D", rebounds, hustle, etc is much better the i imagined.
Defense and rebounding look good. My worries about teamwork appears to have been overdone. They have played well together despite numerous replacements during the flow of the game.
There is a lot that can be criticized and a lot of work to be done, but this was a damn impressive start.
