Liking What Oats Is Showing

[imauafan]

One thing that has really stood out to me that is different this year than in past years is our ability to successfully run a fast break. We could not execute a 2 on 1, or 3 on 2 to save our life in the past but now the players are doing it a lot.

Inbound plays doesn't seem to be as much of an issue. We did have a problem late in the game when Kira froze and had to call a timeout. But other than that we don't seem to struggle to get the ball inbounds like we used to.

Free throw shooting? Improved.

Rebounding? Improved, even with a smaller, quicker lineup.

Confidence? Much improved.

Substitution patterns? Much improved.

 

[BamaMoon]

One thing that has really stood out to me that is different this year than in past years is our ability to successfully run a fast break. We could not execute a 2 on 1, or 3 on 2 to save our life in the past but now the players are doing it a lot.

Inbound plays doesn't seem to be as much of an issue. We did have a problem late in the game when Kira froze and had to call a timeout. But other than that we don't seem to struggle to get the ball inbounds like we used to.

Free throw shooting? Improved.

Rebounding? Improved, even with a smaller, quicker lineup.

Confidence? Much improved.

Substitution patterns? Much improved.

I agree! So much improvement.

However, although improved, I still think we've got some work to do on the fast break. Specifically, Kira has struggled with this some by just flat out dribbling way too deep before trying to pass. Even in transition he does this way too much.

Don't get me wrong, he's one of the best players on the court but I think even he'd admit he can make a ton of improvement in this area.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

I hope you're right. We've already slain some of our internal dragons this year. Understanding that Vandy is really struggling, we haven't played well on the road in the SEC for several years now. And the weird court setup in Nashville has given us fits forever.

It would be great to win at Vandy, struggling though they may be, and beat a good Big 12 team at home. We'd be rolling into Baton Rouge with some real momentum and confidence.

IMHO Vanderbilt is not the same since Kevin Stallings left.

 

[12Namath12]

Yes, I think we finally hired our first competent head coach since Wimp.

Not sure if Godfrey ever was...

 

[teamplayer]

My only issue with not taking 5-10 footers in the lane is that people are starting to clog the low post which is putting our guards flat on the floor too much. Stop and pop has a place. And would keep Bolden and Kira out of foul trouble.

I have to say that there were several times yesterday when I thought Kira could have pulled up for a 10 or 15 footer instead of driving into traffic and getting a charge. He could be deadly with that, and that third option will only make him more difficult to defend- shoot the three, drive to the rim, drive-stop and pop a jumper. It's a beautiful thing.

 

[rgw]

Yes, I think we finally hired our first competent head coach since Wimp.

Not sure if Godfrey ever was...

Mark Gottfried was a pretty good recruiter who didn’t seem able to maintain a program. Alabama and North Carolina State both had their best years early in his tenure at each school but the production tailed off quickly. Unlike Alabama, NCST admin saw the writing on the wall and cut him loose instead of giving him about 2-3 more years than he deserved.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

I have to say that there were several times yesterday when I thought Kira could have pulled up for a 10 or 15 footer instead of driving into traffic and getting a charge. He could be deadly with that, and that third option will only make him more difficult to defend- shoot the three, drive to the rim, drive-stop and pop a jumper. It's a beautiful thing.

The best game hes had as far as driving to the basket successfully was the AU game. If he can bottle that and use that successfully during the season I can see this team being very dangerous

 

[Tide Rev]

I admit I have been critical of our returning players basketball IQ. The idea of being smarter with the ball, pulling up for a mid range jumper instead of getting a charge, using fundamentals, etc...with that said, you have to be blind not to see this team has improved. Oats is who we need. When he gets a full compliment of players, we will be dangerous. Just look at the shot chart above and you can see if we had an inside presence, we would be more effective on offense. Yet we lead the SEC in scoring. Defense is already light years ahead of the past years. Oats has this program headed in the right direction.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Mark Gottfried was a pretty good recruiter who didn’t seem able to maintain a program. Alabama and North Carolina State both had their best years early in his tenure at each school but the production tailed off quickly. Unlike Alabama, NCST admin saw the writing on the wall and cut him loose instead of giving him about 2-3 more years than he deserved.

Mark Gottfried was a arrogant human being.

 

[Crimson1967]

I do think we made an upgrade with Oats. That being said, I am not passing judgement either way at this point. I recall people proclaiming Avery Johnson the savior of Alabama basketball his first couple seasons.

Not being a hater, just being a realist after a parade of mediocre coaches we expected to do great things.

However, the team does seem to have improved since the start of the season. I am optimistic and expect better than a one and done in the NIT. I believe we will be on the bubble for March Madness.

 

[Ldlane]

My realist observation is that we don't have the horses available at the moment to beat upper-level teams. The thinness showed off against UF (Game we should have won, but ran out of gas.) But, we are starting to show some "heart" and that will go a long way making those teams nervous.

 

[12Namath12]

Mark Gottfried was a pretty good recruiter who didn’t seem able to maintain a program.

Thanks for spelling his last name correctly. LOL! As you can see, I forgot.

 

[rgw]

My realist observation is that we don't have the horses available at the moment to beat upper-level teams. The thinness showed off against UF (Game we should have won, but ran out of gas.) But, we are starting to show some "heart" and that will go a long way making those teams nervous.

Hoping we can steal a few games and get one or two byes in the SEC tourney...the more the better. Just need to get hot in that tourney from behind the arc and maybe something magical or at least NCAA Tourney sealing happens.

 

[TideEngineer08]

My realist observation is that we don't have the horses available at the moment to beat upper-level teams. The thinness showed off against UF (Game we should have won, but ran out of gas.) But, we are starting to show some "heart" and that will go a long way making those teams nervous.

And I think that's just fine. Our preseason injuries rivaled that of the football team and this is year 1 of a total rebuild by a new coach, not year 13 for the greatest coach of all time.

 

[imauafan]

I agree! So much improvement.

However, although improved, I still think we've got some work to do on the fast break. Specifically, Kira has struggled with this some by just flat out dribbling way too deep before trying to pass. Even in transition he does this way too much.

Don't get me wrong, he's one of the best players on the court but I think even he'd admit he can make a ton of improvement in this area.

Agreed! Kira is still a work-in-progress. His talent level is off the chart and he does some incredible things but he still has plenty to improve on as well.

 

[BamaMoon]

My realist observation is that we don't have the horses available at the moment to beat upper-level teams. The thinness showed off against UF (Game we should have won, but ran out of gas.) But, we are starting to show some "heart" and that will go a long way making those teams nervous.

I think that is realistic, as you say. I also think that's what so amazing about the job CNO has done. I watched the first few games this year and could see his style but my thoughts then were "we basically have the same players as last year who can't do this" but what he's doing with overall "average" talent is pretty impressive.

The biggest difference is CNO has instilled the "confidence" in the same players who last year looked like they had none, at all!

To speak to your concerns, I think the overall talent level is probably not there especially with the players who play the 4 and 5.

 

[BamaMoon]

Agreed! Kira is still a work-in-progress. His talent level is off the chart and he does some incredible things but he still has plenty to improve on as well.

I haven't checked his stats, but it seems he's taking less 3's this year and last year he was our best 3 point threat other than possibly Petty.

I think the "play fast" motto has caused him to go "too fast" at times and he's been guilty of trying to create something that isn't there.

Once he figures out when to drive and when to pull or pass (and if he adds his 3 point threat again) he'd basically be the perfect point guard for CNO.

 

[ReturnToGlory]

Well, I am really enjoying this team; so CNO must be doing something right. Watching in past years was like pulling teeth.

 

[day-day]

And I think that's just fine. Our preseason injuries rivaled that of the football team and this is year 1 of a total rebuild by a new coach, not year 13 for the greatest coach of all time.

I see what you're saying; I think Coach Bryant went 6-5-1 in his 13th year as coach at Alabama.

 

[gamersfuel]

he certainly is getting every possible ounce of productivity out of what he has. that alone is very impressive.