A good game for the backcourt to get successful reps from several sets and gain some confidence.
Playing against weaker and smaller opponents is not always a waste of time. I thought we moved the ball very quickly and created many wide-open looks that we just flat missed.
Defensively, we forgot how hard it is to defend excellent three-point shooters. We probably didn't have the legs for it. Traveling that far and playing back to back to back is hard, even on young guys. Ask Shine. We certainly didn't have the mindset to stop the outside shots.
Some of those mental lapses have to be on the coaches, but during the game I wondered if HCBU let things go on purpose so he can really rattle their cages in practice before this upcoming set of better opponents.
Solomon was much better about setting screens and holding them instead of moving to make the screen "better" at the last second and having a foul called. Also, he actually drew a couple of fouls down low instead of committing them. Posted good numbers in split minutes.
N'Guessan has to move to the top of the "most surprising freshman" list. He was the least-known commodity of the group and is becoming a force (albeit a slim and light-weight one) inside. I really like his nose for the rim.
Here, Solomon has been a pass first post and doesn't seem to look to score unless the path is wide open although he's looking to the basket more under the new coaches. Lukas' attitude is more along the lines of, "My ball. I'm taking this SOB to the hole!" I know he'll rack up some turn overs, but I also like N'Guessan's willingness to take a dribble if he needs to get closer for a dunk.
He has that European wide-ranging skill set that needs a lot of repetitions to get up to speed against American college talent. Tonight was a good chance to that and he did.
Btw, watch for more European talent headed to Stillwater from now on.
Playing against weaker and smaller opponents is not always a waste of time. I thought we moved the ball very quickly and created many wide-open looks that we just flat missed.
Defensively, we forgot how hard it is to defend excellent three-point shooters. We probably didn't have the legs for it. Traveling that far and playing back to back to back is hard, even on young guys. Ask Shine. We certainly didn't have the mindset to stop the outside shots.
Some of those mental lapses have to be on the coaches, but during the game I wondered if HCBU let things go on purpose so he can really rattle their cages in practice before this upcoming set of better opponents.
Solomon was much better about setting screens and holding them instead of moving to make the screen "better" at the last second and having a foul called. Also, he actually drew a couple of fouls down low instead of committing them. Posted good numbers in split minutes.
N'Guessan has to move to the top of the "most surprising freshman" list. He was the least-known commodity of the group and is becoming a force (albeit a slim and light-weight one) inside. I really like his nose for the rim.
Here, Solomon has been a pass first post and doesn't seem to look to score unless the path is wide open although he's looking to the basket more under the new coaches. Lukas' attitude is more along the lines of, "My ball. I'm taking this SOB to the hole!" I know he'll rack up some turn overs, but I also like N'Guessan's willingness to take a dribble if he needs to get closer for a dunk.
He has that European wide-ranging skill set that needs a lot of repetitions to get up to speed against American college talent. Tonight was a good chance to that and he did.
Btw, watch for more European talent headed to Stillwater from now on.
