I don't think we have much of a choice. Our guards aren't really fast/powerful slashers or anything. Our only real slashers that can take it to the hoop are Keyontae and Scottie... occasionally Nembhard, and then we have one big man that can score down low. We have to get the points from somewhere. Our main problem is that once we start missing shots we start losing energy. We need to expect to miss 5 or so threes in a row every now and then, and know that it means we still need to play good defense and not get frustrated with refs. The bad calls always feel worse when the shots aren't falling. Play through Blackshear as much as possible and if you miss an open three don't let it change how you play on defense or on offense the next time you have the ball. I can not tell you how many times I have seen a player miss and open three and then pass up an open three next time down the court only for it to result in a worse shot or turnover.
I have to give credit where credit is due...we played a really good game last night. The ball movement along with pass/shot fakes made us look like we actually might have an elite offense if we can keep it up. I think A&M played about as good of a first half as they could play (lots of 3's going in from 20% 3-point shooters), but we were still winning at halftime. We didn't fold in the first half when we went down a couple of times. Very few bad shots were taken in that game. I love that Tre Mann is finally taking Ques Glover minutes. I like the energy we get from Ques but when you have a point guard who is always the shortest guy on the court (defensive liability), and can't shoot very well, and turns the ball over a lot...just no. He's not ready yet. Tre Mann's shot is going to start falling eventually (it would be nice if it were sometime this year), and that is going to make a huge difference. His defense and confidence has gotten a lot better and that is the hardest hump to get over.
I'm sure after our next game I will feel dejected again but that game gave us glimpses of what this team could be if they play like this through March. If we do continue to play like this, I pity the high seed that sees us in the 2nd round. Probably a pipe dream but I'll keep smoking that gator basketball crack until I see our name left off the board on selection Sunday.
