ICYMI, the first week of the Broncos 2021-2022 was very interesting. After a whipsaw Covid last season, fans were wondering what to expect from this team back at home in Leavey with people in the stands. After week one, maybe we should expect more.
It was a "Full" week that finished with victories over the Fullerton Titans and doing some major "tree" trimming with a convincing win over Stanford. I have to say, after opening night against Fullerton with a small crowd and a butterflies performance, season ticket holders walked away thinking - I don't know what to think?
Friday versus Stanford provided some clues. The crowd was there and into it. Yes, a local team matchup, but there was a big contingent of Broncos on hand to muffle the Stanford fans. It was a scene usually reserved for home games against the Zags or St. Mary's.
Yes, it was Friday, but the SCU Student turnout, loud cheers and taunts was SO great. Whether six-pack fueled or not, it got our team pumped. We'll take that anytime! But you know, the team earned it.
Other than the Covid season, our team FG % for the past three years is around 45%. With a small, two game sample size, we are shooting it at 58%. Our points per game average is 86 versus 67 - huge. The ball has been moving with 27 assists per game versus 15 in prior seasons. It's early, but good to see. Some perspective: the Zags averaged nearly 56% FG shooting the entire last season!
We'd take that!
If we are to continue to build on this early success, we need a major rebound in our rebounding. We have been very poor rebounding the ball, giving up too many second chance points in the paint. We've put up a pretty solid exterior D, forcing opponents deep into the shot clock in their possessions; only to have them grab an offensive rebound resulting in easy put backs wasting that effort. Our roster doesn't have a plethora of bigs, so it will need to be a season long effort of five bodies blocking and crashing.
Tonight, against Nevada will be a stern test. They are 63 in the Kenpom rankings. They bring size and speed along with two 7' foot inside scorers, and a good complement of forwards and guards that can dish and score. They lost to USD last week at home, but were without two top scorers who may be back in the lineup tonight. SCU is ranked 106 in Kenpom, but that all goes out the window at tipoff.
Friday against Cal Poly should be a more manageable matchup. Similar in size, but they are always feisty against SCU and we can't have a let down. Sort of a trap game...
Keys will be to rebound, push the ball up the court and keep the ball moving for good shots. If we can put up the same effort near our first two starts, I like our chances for the week.
Hopefully, we can get a crowd there to ignite more energy for our team. So far they do seem more self motivated than in the past and trust their mates to pass it and make it.
Goal tonight is to send the Wolfpack away howling in the wind after a Bronco takedown.
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