Tempo. Tempo. Tempo.
Tommy Lloyd talked repeatedly about how this team is going to run and make plays in the open court. He also promised that the Red-Blue Game would be a replica of a real game environment. This won’t be an NBA All Star Game type situation.
Now, to the key point to watch.
What kind of presence does point guard Kerry Kriisa possess? Sometimes coaches own a quiet confidence in a player. It’s hard to say for sure but we might be looking at an all conference player.
Speaking of all conference players, Lloyd threw down the gauntlet on big man Christian Koloko by saying he can be an all conference player.
For Koloko it’s simple, if he can catch the ball now, he’s going to be a problem. Generally, hands are something a player is born with. Here’s to hoping the big man bucks the trend.
I don’t have many concerns about Azuolas Tubelis. I expect the big man to average around 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, but does he have another gear? Are we looking at a guy who can flirt with 20 and 10?
Benn Mathurin is the most talented player on the team and will walk into 14 points per game. But, what do his handles look like? Has he developed the wiggle necessary to beat his man off the dribble in an isolation setting or is he still a straight line driver?
Nobody doubts Dalen Terry’s athleticism, passing or ballhandling, but will his new shooting form and strength pay extra dividends? If so, we’re looking at an NBA prospect.
Georgia transfer guard Justin Kier averaged nearly ten points per game last season for the Bulldogs. Is he capable of bumping that up or will he slide into more of a specialist role?
Shane Nowell and Adama Bal are the two perimeter newcomers that are hard to pigeonhole. They both look the part but are they ready for the transition to Division 1 hoops?
What kind of role will Gonzaga transfer big man Oumar Ballo fall into? He’s one of the biggest people you will ever see but is he just a big body or does he have enough skill to contribute?
Tommy Lloyd expects this team to be good. Saturday is the first chance to see what he is working with.
