Santa Clara Men's Basketball - The Panic Button

 

                                                                                                                         

The promise of the most experienced roster in eight years under Coach Sendek was expected to make a lot of noise this season.  So far the noise they've made is a loud crash.  A 1-3 start is the reverse of what Bronco fans and, I think, Coaches planned on.  The season started with a good road win vs St. Louis and then devolved into chaos with bad losses to ASU, North Dakota State, and a drubbing by a good Nevada team. 

Is it time to push the panic button?   Maybe.

The players seems as confused as the fans.  On offense, there doesn't appear to be a set of "go to" plays when one is needed.  This team wants to score early in transition, a good thing, but not by solely jacking up 3's from long distance early in the clock.  Our core lineup is shooting 10.6% from three on an average of 31 threes per game.  Our second unit is much better; shooting 45% from three on 50 fewer attempts.  Our defense is allowing opponents to enjoy a 42% clip from deep.  Not a great combination.  

Curiously, our Achilles Heel from last season, turnovers are 25% less at under 10 per game.  Our assists are down 30% from our average last season.  Tough to get assists when you are struggling to make shots.

In game adjustments are hard to notice, as it seems we are desperately hoping for a "reversion to the mean" by playing the same way.   The problem so far is what is the new mean?   One bright spot is from one of our players new to the system, Elijah Mahi, a JC transfer who is leading the team in scoring at 17 ppg while shooting over 60%.  Clearly, something different is needed to get this talented roster on track.  

Time for the panic button?  Not quite yet.  However, it would be a big boost to win six of the next seven games against teams we would expect to beat, with perhaps a loss against either the Colorado State/ Washington game.  Emerging at 7-4 from the next three weeks would restore some confidence and momentum to finish the pre-season and head into the WCC schedule.  

Certainly, the season expectations of a post season berth will be in play over the next three weeks.  We'll know if we're on track or will need a WCC tournament championship upset to meet the expectations this roster and Bronco fans expect.