Four games into the season the 2014-15 Broncos need "seasoning".
I love the early, more difficult schedule with roadies at Michigan State (#20), Tennessee, and then, maybe Kansas (#11) at the Orlando Classic. It must be exciting and a little daunting to walk into 10,000 - 14,000 seat arenas and "game up".
It never feels great to get whipped at Michigan State - but you are playing Michigan State. It's where we want to be - the competitive company we need to keep playing. An important "ingredient" of the seasoning and recruiting.
As fans and season ticket holders, we whine about playing a St. Katherine's...even the elite teams play some patsies. Duke plays Presbyterian and Fairfield. Louisville plays Savannah State. You want to see some ugly box scores? These I call "rhythm" games. You know you'll win, but the players get reps and some tempo for where it counts - league.
What should we expect of the Broncos?
Media prognosticators rank us as high as 6th and as low as 8th in the WCC. No NCAA tourney, again, unless we pull a "Nash" like upset in the WCC tourney final. Follow the link below for one version of the 2014-15 WCC outlook.
WCC Predictions
Unfortunately, at the moment, it seems that "gulf" between the top 3 teams and the others may be getting wider. The ability of Gonzaga, St. Mary's, BYU, and now, USF (NIT last Year) to attract impact transfers shortens their "time to competitiveness" vs trying to grow new freshman or incubating redshirts.
I do like our true freshman class. All will have an impact this year. I just worry that the learning curve for our offensive and defensive schemes is too steep for 1st year players. It's not a lack of athleticism. They have plenty of talent. It might just be "too many reads" or decisions to process that creates inconsistencies - i.e. turnovers and defensive coverage errors.
As fans, we wonder why late in a close game we tend to turn the ball over (Utah State). Frustrating. As the intensity rises, the game "speeds" up and decisions have to be made much faster. Hard enough for veterans; let alone 1st and 2nd year players.
SO, here we go. The Bucking Bronco outlook has us at 13-16 overall and 8-10 in WCC. Upside 16-13 overall.
Tougher schedule (a good thing) and stronger WCC. In addition to the big 3, San Diego, USF, and Portland have more senior leadership and scoring for us to deal with as well. Pretty much all the top 6 teams have "inside/out" threats.
We will try to go low, but most of the time will settle for a longer perimeter shot OR, on occasion, a Hubbard elbow turnaround that looks good and we haven't had since Trasolini. We will also try to use our guard speed to penetrate, shoot, or dish to a waiting 3 point shooter. That can be an Achilles heel given our decision making learning curve.
Opponents will make someone other than J. Brownridge or B. Clark beat us.
The good news is that we are getting a heavy dose of "seasoning" early...playing NCAA tourney teams and at bigger exposure venues.
As season ticket holders and fans we just hope the marinating doesn't take too long...
We're "starving" for another post season gig!
Also, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary for more Bronco updates.
What should we expect of the Broncos?
Media prognosticators rank us as high as 6th and as low as 8th in the WCC. No NCAA tourney, again, unless we pull a "Nash" like upset in the WCC tourney final. Follow the link below for one version of the 2014-15 WCC outlook.
WCC Predictions
Unfortunately, at the moment, it seems that "gulf" between the top 3 teams and the others may be getting wider. The ability of Gonzaga, St. Mary's, BYU, and now, USF (NIT last Year) to attract impact transfers shortens their "time to competitiveness" vs trying to grow new freshman or incubating redshirts.
I do like our true freshman class. All will have an impact this year. I just worry that the learning curve for our offensive and defensive schemes is too steep for 1st year players. It's not a lack of athleticism. They have plenty of talent. It might just be "too many reads" or decisions to process that creates inconsistencies - i.e. turnovers and defensive coverage errors.
As fans, we wonder why late in a close game we tend to turn the ball over (Utah State). Frustrating. As the intensity rises, the game "speeds" up and decisions have to be made much faster. Hard enough for veterans; let alone 1st and 2nd year players.
SO, here we go. The Bucking Bronco outlook has us at 13-16 overall and 8-10 in WCC. Upside 16-13 overall.
Tougher schedule (a good thing) and stronger WCC. In addition to the big 3, San Diego, USF, and Portland have more senior leadership and scoring for us to deal with as well. Pretty much all the top 6 teams have "inside/out" threats.
We will try to go low, but most of the time will settle for a longer perimeter shot OR, on occasion, a Hubbard elbow turnaround that looks good and we haven't had since Trasolini. We will also try to use our guard speed to penetrate, shoot, or dish to a waiting 3 point shooter. That can be an Achilles heel given our decision making learning curve.
Opponents will make someone other than J. Brownridge or B. Clark beat us.
The good news is that we are getting a heavy dose of "seasoning" early...playing NCAA tourney teams and at bigger exposure venues.
As season ticket holders and fans we just hope the marinating doesn't take too long...
We're "starving" for another post season gig!
Also, follow me on Twitter @Fcrary for more Bronco updates.
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