What a difference a week can make.

The Men's Basketball team played the Southern Oregon Raiders tonight in their second and final exhibition game.  I didn't know what to think coming in to this game, and had a fair amount of apprehension, one, after the scary performance last week, and, 2, that we were set to play a school that has had "University" status for almost a whole decade, and not just one measly term like NCU.  My fears were completely dashed though, when the score was 23-3 about five minutes in to the game.  The game never really got closer than that.

The Good

Once again, it was the Freshman who really inspired this week; it could be because our team is predominately made up of Freshman, or it could be that we had some pretty huge gaps in our recruiting classes the past few years.  Probably both.  Either way, there is going to be a lot of minutes played by the yungins this year, so pray for them. Overall this was a much better week than last; the final score is probably a fairly accurate reflection of the overall tone of the game.  

Offensively, the boys seemed way more in rhythm this week.  Their plays seemed well orchestrated and competently executed.  Our point guard rotation was more effective this week.  Players moved off of the ball well for the most part, and were much more often in useful places as opposed to in the way of play development.  Screens were getting set at the top of the key, and plays were developing well from there.  It almost looked like they had done it before.  

Defensively, the Ducks were able to contain much better than last week.  SOU was having trouble making anything work (at least in the first half), and their frustration was apparent.  more great blocks this week; at one point Catron and Crittle teamed up to send a ball into the crowd: half a block each I suppose.  

The Bad   

Not  a whole lot bad to say about today.  Coach Kent is obviously using these exhibition games to test out different player combos and see what is going to work and what is not once we start playing for money, so I wouldn't put too much stock in this stuff.  Just some observations: 

On offense, player control is probably going to be an issue all season; with the exceptions of TP and Drew Wiley (surprising to me on the latter) no one looked in control the majority of the night.  Nearly everyone looked surprised to have the ball in their hands at some point of the game.

On D Oregon looked really bad at times in the second half. Granted, they were up by a fair margin, but still...  They didn't execute on several turnover opportunities, which always really burns my cookies.  SOU put up a lot of uncontested pull up jumpers, which would be expected if they were a NCAA D1 team, but alas they are an NAIA D2 team.  So, not so great here, but it was way better than last week.  

Notes

• Dorsainvil was suited up, but sat out most of warmups and never moved off of the pine.  Injured?  Benched?
• TP started at the point this week, and was fairly effective there.  His downcourt vision appears to be improving, as he played very well in the transition; getting the ball up the court and into open players hands.  Additionally he penetrated really well, and was able to keep defenders several feet back.  Defensively, I can't help but think that we are in for a long season if Porter can't figure out a way too stick with these scrappy PGs.  
• Garret Sim was my major positive of the night, as he played a lot of minutes, and passed and shot the ball well.  Coach Kent gave him quite a few minutes at the 1, but he really played much more effectively at the 2.  Running the Ball, Sim just never showed any quickness or explosiveness, which even my wife noticed.  
• Voogd, on the other hand, had a really great game at the Point.  I am excited about Ben; he moved the ball well, directed plays confidently, and seems really quick.  If he can dial his shot in, he is going to be very effective.
• With no Dorsainvil, Dunnigan and Crittle got all the Center minutes, and both looked really good this week.  Dunnigan got the start, and the majority of the minutes, which was deserved as his play was a lot more polished this week.  He lead the team with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks.  Crittle had a good game as well, playing tough down low.  He has a knack for playing the post, and uses his body well to make points for himself.
• Takimoto said last week that Drew Wiley was Luke Jackson 2.0.  He really looked it tonight.  Drew hit some really composed looking threes, and played excellent both on and off the ball.  He's backing up Catron for now, but no reason he can't play the three as well.
• Longmire and Dunnigan have been practicing.  These two guys had awesome chemistry tonight each hitting the other with no-look passes for momentum points at different times. Longmire was another player that looked transformed on the floor tonight; he played aggressively and smart most of the night. 
• Humphrey: the only part of tonight's game that was not an improvement over last week's was Humphrey's play.  He hit two big threes, but he also missed two lay-ups (one of which was followed by a HUGE dunk by Drew Wiley that garnered the biggest applause of the night).  Humphrey probably just had an off-night, but he really looked like he was trying to force things.  Until he gets settled he may have a tough time.
• Starters: Porter, Humphrey, Longmire, Catron, and Dunnigan