So this the first time I have seen this team and really do not know much about the freshman. And one game does not a season make, but having played and coached bball, this is what is different about this year's team. This team has NBA athleticism. That is not to say that any of them will play in the NBA (have no idea), but seeing guys like Hudson and Allen the past few years who were not great players nor overly athletic, you can easily see the difference.
Here is what has not changed. Mike White and off the ball player movement in the half court offense go together like oil and water. Why is Mike so adamant about running no motion in the halfcourt? Any movement is a designed one pass and shoot play. There is no continuity. For as long as Mike has been here we have said the same thing, regardless of team makeup. One guy pounding a hole in the floor while 4 guys stand around watching and picking their nose. I just watched a 25 second sequence where Locke stood in the corner the entire time and never moved. Remember this. The easiest guy of the floor to guard is the guy that is standing still.