Some observations & thoughts on early returns from this year:
- May give Holland over Kossaras the early favorite to start at 2. Based on: Holland was in at 3 over Kossaras in the final minutes of game over Boomers.
- Johnson may make it hard for Tad to redshirt him this year, as looking like better back-up point over Sanders or Crawford (Drew did get recruited, with understanding from Tad that he would have chance to earn minutes at 1). I wrote earlier post here about strong a year Isiah J had, already had advanced O-bag, but took it to another level in multiple 30+ point games versus elite competition at camps. NBA trainer dad, including Isiah practicing against NBA guys, has probably improved his toughness more than anyone could have guessed. But he also knows that getting stronger is his main path to the next level. If Tad lets him have final say on redshirt or not, like Tad usually does, I may have given him 50/50 odds to redshirt anyways. But he likely chooses to play now, after he sees he's already 1 of leaders on team?
-Sanders outside shot & creation-ability may not be showing up right out of the gate, but his bully-ball/mid-range games could be primary scoring option off the bench?
-I've said since they've been recruiting Inman that he may be best perimeter wing defender from jump, which seems to be the case. He's also only player on roster that listed as G/F - which also seems to confirm he may get most of his minutes at 3? His outside shooting has really improved the last 1-2 years in HS, so that maybe second skill that keeps him in rotation. He also loves opencourt play, so see him helping pace of second unit alot!
- Sanders played mostly point (based on who took ball out after made hoops versus Boomers), with Kossaras taking the ball up at Pt a few times also. Assuming Johnson played point during times we didn't see highlights of him as much. Though in final minutes it was: Hargress at 1; Johnson at 2; and Holland at 3.
-Got to believe Kossaras wil have big role, probably at all of 1-3 spots, but it seems that he may mostly get minutes at 2, assuming he shoots better than frosh? Good rebounding from guards so far also, with Sanders and Holland both have 7 board games. Kossaras & Inman both showed maybe even more consistency on boards?
-Since Tad says he's always looking at how best to create mismatches with his rotations, but he also consistently: likes to go big at times, like's to go small at times (usually at least 5 minutes of small-ball from bench in both halfs, with best mis-matches playing the final 5 minutes of both halfs), and loves to have his second team push pace even more than paced starters. So Big frontcourt to start with Rancik/Dak/Malone? Then Tacko & 4 guards for much of bench time? Probably rotates Rancik and Dak back in at 4 & 5 plenty too, Rancik's recent increase to 6'11 on roster may boost his confidence to play at 5, including he played at 5 in Australia. Thought probably can't read into that too much, with lack of size in Australia. A couple years ago, Tad said he was returning to practice of letting his players choose to wear shoes/socks- multiple pairs of socks?- so they essentially have final say on their heights. So not surprised with a lot of guys changes on roster Including ex-runner up for Colorado play of year/ CU's sole Walk-on/Randal going from 6'8 last year to 6'6 briefly, then back to being listed at 6'8? Heights may reflect more how player wants others to see him for future roles/next level? Ie: Drew Crawford going up to 6'8 may reflect that he's more open to be seen as wing than PtG/W?
-Tad seemed mildly surprised that Van Elswik seemed able to show his good mobility on perimeter, shooting, and over-all fluidity against good competition, maybe earlier than Tad expected? Final game, versus Sydney Kings that were missing their 2 best guys to Boomers at Asian Cup, were still team full of grown men, including a lot of high-level ex-US college guys. Tad said most "physical D-1 game" he's been involved with, in all of his years. Said that game may be preview of Big12 referees allowing serious contact, and we seemed to have hung with them for most of game- until collapse at end of game (see Kings web site). So it seems that thing we lacked most Down Under was size on front-line and over-all toughness and physicality. Gotta think Tad used final roster spot to shore that up? Or maybe Tad keeps that spot open, for any late signees that become available after season starts? He's mentioned it also saves money to not use all 15 spots.
- Beyond how Tad manages lack of true forwards on roster, I'm most curious to see how 4 guards 6'6-6'8 (Inman, Kossaras, Crawford, Mani) find role or may be most likely to move on? First 3 may not only play as 3rd guard, but may even have to defend 4-spot in occasional 4 guard line-ups? Mani not scrub: 3pt & tough?
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