The 2018-19 season for the Broncos started and ended the same way. We came up "short" against Prairie View A&M and then San Diego in the WCC tournament. All things considered, a 16-15 record wasn't bad, but short of some expectations.
Not only did we come up short against some beatable teams, we had a roster that was the "shortest" in the WCC. For most games there were only 7-8 scholarship players and our two "longest" players were oft injured and one lost for the entire season.
Well, in 2019-20 we won't be "short", we'll be L-O-N-G.
We have a full scholarship roster with every player recruited by Coach Sendek and his staff. We will be both deep and long. Five players listed at 6' 9" or better. Three more players 6' 6" to 6' 8." Six who can play guard and some that have actual point experience.
There are no seniors on the roster and six newcomers to Coach Sendek's system. Four true freshmen - Tomley, Bediako, J. Williams, G. Williams. Two transfers - D.J. Mitchell and David Thompson. Add Juan Ducasse, who is listed as a sophomore, but is really a freshman since he was injured and hasn't played or practiced until this summer.
The players arrived on campus and immediately started summer school both in the classroom and on the court. Summer school on the court is limited to skill/strength development and some game situation time. Did they pass Coach Sendek's summer school?
Convos with the Coaches say - yes. No one likes getting a "C", but the coaches love this groups "C" for competitive. Last season, practices at times were sort of walk throughs; harder to develop players, who were competing against walk-ons vs this year, when the guy you're going against in practice wants YOUR minutes and is determined to get them. In Coach's system, practice and game performances earns court time.
There's a lot of "A" for attitude as well. They show up, ready to go and devote lots of study hours in their Library (Gym) to get better. It looks and feels different. Even Coach Sendek, usually understated and matter of fact, was excited about this roster at the Coffee with Coach series.
Predicted game style will be up tempo all the way. Push the ball on makes and misses and beat opponents up and down the court. Not as much set offense, but more opportunistic. We have 11 three ball shooters on this team; not like last year when you had a few. We can go-go-go because we actually have legit depth. No more wearing out Trey and Tahj every game. Bring on Thompson, Williams, Williams, Tomley etc, etc.
Same on defense - more fresh bodies and more size to deny the freeway to the bucket that happened at times last season. Less worry over a foul here or there. Get after it.
Season practices have started and include two closed scrimmages versus other teams. Summer school is nice, but the real team G.P. A.* will start being measured on November 5th.
In non-conference, we will play 13 of 15 games at Leavey. The WCC schedule will be once again school or "be schooled" with Gonzaga again the top dog.
With 21 games at Leavey, it's time for us to show up as well. We need to get our "C" on and cheer this young team on to new heights. The new Athletic Excellence Center raises the stakes on our quest to be National. We'll find out if this team and us, as season ticket holders and fans, can rise to the occasion!
* G.P.A. = Game Performance Average
Not only did we come up short against some beatable teams, we had a roster that was the "shortest" in the WCC. For most games there were only 7-8 scholarship players and our two "longest" players were oft injured and one lost for the entire season.
Well, in 2019-20 we won't be "short", we'll be L-O-N-G.
We have a full scholarship roster with every player recruited by Coach Sendek and his staff. We will be both deep and long. Five players listed at 6' 9" or better. Three more players 6' 6" to 6' 8." Six who can play guard and some that have actual point experience.
There are no seniors on the roster and six newcomers to Coach Sendek's system. Four true freshmen - Tomley, Bediako, J. Williams, G. Williams. Two transfers - D.J. Mitchell and David Thompson. Add Juan Ducasse, who is listed as a sophomore, but is really a freshman since he was injured and hasn't played or practiced until this summer.
The players arrived on campus and immediately started summer school both in the classroom and on the court. Summer school on the court is limited to skill/strength development and some game situation time. Did they pass Coach Sendek's summer school?
Convos with the Coaches say - yes. No one likes getting a "C", but the coaches love this groups "C" for competitive. Last season, practices at times were sort of walk throughs; harder to develop players, who were competing against walk-ons vs this year, when the guy you're going against in practice wants YOUR minutes and is determined to get them. In Coach's system, practice and game performances earns court time.
There's a lot of "A" for attitude as well. They show up, ready to go and devote lots of study hours in their Library (Gym) to get better. It looks and feels different. Even Coach Sendek, usually understated and matter of fact, was excited about this roster at the Coffee with Coach series.
Predicted game style will be up tempo all the way. Push the ball on makes and misses and beat opponents up and down the court. Not as much set offense, but more opportunistic. We have 11 three ball shooters on this team; not like last year when you had a few. We can go-go-go because we actually have legit depth. No more wearing out Trey and Tahj every game. Bring on Thompson, Williams, Williams, Tomley etc, etc.
Same on defense - more fresh bodies and more size to deny the freeway to the bucket that happened at times last season. Less worry over a foul here or there. Get after it.
Season practices have started and include two closed scrimmages versus other teams. Summer school is nice, but the real team G.P. A.* will start being measured on November 5th.
In non-conference, we will play 13 of 15 games at Leavey. The WCC schedule will be once again school or "be schooled" with Gonzaga again the top dog.
With 21 games at Leavey, it's time for us to show up as well. We need to get our "C" on and cheer this young team on to new heights. The new Athletic Excellence Center raises the stakes on our quest to be National. We'll find out if this team and us, as season ticket holders and fans, can rise to the occasion!
* G.P.A. = Game Performance Average
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments and ideas welcome