1.) Pat's teams always improve during the year, so I'm not worried about a perceived slow start.
2.) I'm not sure we've ever had a team with this much athleticism. We've had talent, and smart players and discipline on some past teams that made the post season, but not this much athleticism. Maybe it's the opponents but I don't think I've ever seen us move the ball in towards the basket with such ease. In the past, it always looked like a Herculean effort to get the ball inside, aside from having one player like Newbill or Frazier who would attack the rim. They should do it more often instead of all these outside shots that aren't falling.
3.) The shots will start falling. We may not have a sharp shooter, but they will eventually start to fall. I think they're rushing some of the shots early in the game until they calm down in the second half.
4.) I don't think I've ever seen so much depth. I think Pat may be subbing too much, but he could be trying different combinations in game scenarios. They don't get into a rhythm. HOWEVER, unlike past years when subs came in and we held on for dear life until the starters went back in (sometime even one starter out would throw us off), we don't see much drop off in overall team performance in those stretches. This is good because in the past, we would play some really good teams close for most of the game, and lose in the final 5 minutes as you could see the players literally running out of gas due to a lack of quality depth during the game. That probably won't be a problem. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a difference between the top 6-7 or so players and the rest, but not anywhere near as much as in the past.
5.) Team is showing its youth, lacks some discipline at times, play is erratic. Fortunately youth has a cure. When they find the right balance of ability, intensity, discipline and comfort knowing exactly what each player will be doing, this team is going to be scary good. I don't think Penn State has ever seen anything like it, and that includes the Joe Crispin and Calvin Booth years. I just don't know how long it will take. 1 or 2 seasons?
6.) Flashes of brilliance and the future can be seen. It just isn't consistent yet.
7.) I think some tough games now are better for the team than some early season sisters of the poor blowouts. The fans may not like it, but I think Pat has to strike a balance between a.) getting the young players confidence, b.) getting used to playing good, not great, teams to acclimate the young players, c.) keeping the young players from believing their press clippings too much and not working hard enough/improving.
8.) The absence of Josh Reeves is bigger than people realize. In the long run this will help the team, but having watched him last year, there is no doubt the first two games would have been very different with him on the floor. He brings with him a defensive intensity and spark that is contagious.
9.) I sense a lack of leadership. Shep needs to be more vocal on the floor, although I understand that's not his style. Banks is probably getting lots of minutes just due to his experience and leadership. I don't feel like there is one guy on the floor that everyone rallies behind/follows. Some of that may be because we have much better talent across the board, and in the past our vocal leader was our best player. But even great, balanced teams often have a leader or two. Will be interesting to see who steps up... maybe Reeves is that person and we're missing him.
Despite the poor play overall for much of the first two games, you can see the future. And it's very bright.
2.) I'm not sure we've ever had a team with this much athleticism. We've had talent, and smart players and discipline on some past teams that made the post season, but not this much athleticism. Maybe it's the opponents but I don't think I've ever seen us move the ball in towards the basket with such ease. In the past, it always looked like a Herculean effort to get the ball inside, aside from having one player like Newbill or Frazier who would attack the rim. They should do it more often instead of all these outside shots that aren't falling.
3.) The shots will start falling. We may not have a sharp shooter, but they will eventually start to fall. I think they're rushing some of the shots early in the game until they calm down in the second half.
4.) I don't think I've ever seen so much depth. I think Pat may be subbing too much, but he could be trying different combinations in game scenarios. They don't get into a rhythm. HOWEVER, unlike past years when subs came in and we held on for dear life until the starters went back in (sometime even one starter out would throw us off), we don't see much drop off in overall team performance in those stretches. This is good because in the past, we would play some really good teams close for most of the game, and lose in the final 5 minutes as you could see the players literally running out of gas due to a lack of quality depth during the game. That probably won't be a problem. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely a difference between the top 6-7 or so players and the rest, but not anywhere near as much as in the past.
5.) Team is showing its youth, lacks some discipline at times, play is erratic. Fortunately youth has a cure. When they find the right balance of ability, intensity, discipline and comfort knowing exactly what each player will be doing, this team is going to be scary good. I don't think Penn State has ever seen anything like it, and that includes the Joe Crispin and Calvin Booth years. I just don't know how long it will take. 1 or 2 seasons?
6.) Flashes of brilliance and the future can be seen. It just isn't consistent yet.
7.) I think some tough games now are better for the team than some early season sisters of the poor blowouts. The fans may not like it, but I think Pat has to strike a balance between a.) getting the young players confidence, b.) getting used to playing good, not great, teams to acclimate the young players, c.) keeping the young players from believing their press clippings too much and not working hard enough/improving.
8.) The absence of Josh Reeves is bigger than people realize. In the long run this will help the team, but having watched him last year, there is no doubt the first two games would have been very different with him on the floor. He brings with him a defensive intensity and spark that is contagious.
9.) I sense a lack of leadership. Shep needs to be more vocal on the floor, although I understand that's not his style. Banks is probably getting lots of minutes just due to his experience and leadership. I don't feel like there is one guy on the floor that everyone rallies behind/follows. Some of that may be because we have much better talent across the board, and in the past our vocal leader was our best player. But even great, balanced teams often have a leader or two. Will be interesting to see who steps up... maybe Reeves is that person and we're missing him.
Despite the poor play overall for much of the first two games, you can see the future. And it's very bright.
