Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Mar 21, 2011 14:26:34 GMT -6
Well, it looked like it could be a struggle to finish .500 for a while, but USD did pull through at the end for an 18-15 record and almost won the GWC tournament title. Sorry if this gets long winded, but I am a writer haha.
It was an up-and-down season for USD that was hinged on whether the Yotes seemed motivated to play defense and to make the extra pass instead of settling for 3-pointers.
One of the games that showed the problems USD had on defense was the 109-92 win over Doane College, an NAIA school that finished 7-11 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference and 13-15 overall. Division I teams are suppose to score 92 points against NAIA team, not give up 92 points. Some of the players just seem disinterested in playing defense, but I guess we were a bit spoiled with Tyler Cain and Roman Gentry graduating, which were USD's top two defensive players.
From what I know, Kendall Cutler was USD's best defensive player and he is also graduating. The guards - Louie Krogman, Jake Thomas, Jordan Boots, Charlie Westbrook - have to learn how to guard the perimeter more and cut off dribble drive penetration. This was especially evident when teams got too many last second shots that were wide open at the end of games. The last couple of years, USD didn't have to worry about the dribble drive penetration because Cain was there to alter the shots. Hence more easy layups.
While I do feel Tyler Gruis can do this, he was just a freshman this year who I though performed better than I expected. Jared Bartling might also be that guy with his size, but thanks tot he "excellent" coaching at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, he came to USD pretty raw unfortunately.
I don't know how much match-up zone was played, since I was unable to attend many games this year, but I don't know if either man-to-man or the zone works well for this USD team since only about two or three players are ready to play defense on a consistent basis, and three may be too man. A defensive passion needs to be put in these players and more emphasis needs to be put on it in recruiting.
USD scored 79.8 ppg but gave up 76 ppg, which is too much I think.
In terms of the guards, Louie Krogman bounced back from a knee injury the year before and found his shot again. He is already over 1,000 points after his junior year and averaged 14 a game this year. Krogman shot 36 percent from the beyond the arc, but over half of his shots were from that range. I would like to see him drive a bit more, but that's all with him offensively.
Jake Thomas struggled from 3-point range for much of the season but picked it up toward the end of the season. He shot 34.7 percent and 3/4 of his shots were from 3-point range. That needs to change and he needs to drive more to open up Gruis inside more.
Westbrook is a dynamic player who sometimes had droughts. Led the team in scoring and he is a player that drives to the hoop on a consistent basis. Hopefully his hand heels as people said it was broken in practice I guess.
Gruis is a guy who I see taking big offensive and defensive strides in the offseason. From what I heard, there was more than a bit to be concerned about, but Gruis played hard and well and needs to see the ball more down-low. Gruis has an offensive game that can be developed into 16 ppg and 10-12 rpg. He just needs to work on getting into foul trouble less and that will come with more seasoning. He is the biggest prospect on the team I feel, but I LOVE a great down-low game.
Rico is exactly what he is this year. A forward who has his share of up and down games. Sometimes he picks up early fouls and such, and is a inconsistent offensively, but he plays the game hard and with a passion, and with a lack of forwards, that's something that can't be underestimated.
I am a big fan of Steve Tecker's game. he is a bit undersized but plays bigger and is all over the court. Hopefully his hip issues aren't a big problem because he can shoot, drive, play defense, pass and rebound. he does whatever needs to be done.
I think the team has a forward coming it from what was said before? I am guessing they won't be able to redshirt him since they need the depth? I am just spitballing there.
In terms of PG, Cutler graduated and he was a good player and ball distributor for USD. Nimrod could some in and play the PG right away, but I am guessing Louie will see a lot of the time at the PG next year. He isn't a true PG so that is a bit concerning, but there have been a lot worse players to run the point.
Next year USD will have to up the defensive pressure and be more consistent offensively if the Yotes are going to finish in the top five and even have a shot at making a run at the Summit League title. Granted they can't make the NCAA or Summit tourney (I think), but it would be nice to see USD have a good showing.
I may have missed more than a couple things, so chime in on your thoughts.
It was an up-and-down season for USD that was hinged on whether the Yotes seemed motivated to play defense and to make the extra pass instead of settling for 3-pointers.
One of the games that showed the problems USD had on defense was the 109-92 win over Doane College, an NAIA school that finished 7-11 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference and 13-15 overall. Division I teams are suppose to score 92 points against NAIA team, not give up 92 points. Some of the players just seem disinterested in playing defense, but I guess we were a bit spoiled with Tyler Cain and Roman Gentry graduating, which were USD's top two defensive players.
From what I know, Kendall Cutler was USD's best defensive player and he is also graduating. The guards - Louie Krogman, Jake Thomas, Jordan Boots, Charlie Westbrook - have to learn how to guard the perimeter more and cut off dribble drive penetration. This was especially evident when teams got too many last second shots that were wide open at the end of games. The last couple of years, USD didn't have to worry about the dribble drive penetration because Cain was there to alter the shots. Hence more easy layups.
While I do feel Tyler Gruis can do this, he was just a freshman this year who I though performed better than I expected. Jared Bartling might also be that guy with his size, but thanks tot he "excellent" coaching at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, he came to USD pretty raw unfortunately.
I don't know how much match-up zone was played, since I was unable to attend many games this year, but I don't know if either man-to-man or the zone works well for this USD team since only about two or three players are ready to play defense on a consistent basis, and three may be too man. A defensive passion needs to be put in these players and more emphasis needs to be put on it in recruiting.
USD scored 79.8 ppg but gave up 76 ppg, which is too much I think.
In terms of the guards, Louie Krogman bounced back from a knee injury the year before and found his shot again. He is already over 1,000 points after his junior year and averaged 14 a game this year. Krogman shot 36 percent from the beyond the arc, but over half of his shots were from that range. I would like to see him drive a bit more, but that's all with him offensively.
Jake Thomas struggled from 3-point range for much of the season but picked it up toward the end of the season. He shot 34.7 percent and 3/4 of his shots were from 3-point range. That needs to change and he needs to drive more to open up Gruis inside more.
Westbrook is a dynamic player who sometimes had droughts. Led the team in scoring and he is a player that drives to the hoop on a consistent basis. Hopefully his hand heels as people said it was broken in practice I guess.
Gruis is a guy who I see taking big offensive and defensive strides in the offseason. From what I heard, there was more than a bit to be concerned about, but Gruis played hard and well and needs to see the ball more down-low. Gruis has an offensive game that can be developed into 16 ppg and 10-12 rpg. He just needs to work on getting into foul trouble less and that will come with more seasoning. He is the biggest prospect on the team I feel, but I LOVE a great down-low game.
Rico is exactly what he is this year. A forward who has his share of up and down games. Sometimes he picks up early fouls and such, and is a inconsistent offensively, but he plays the game hard and with a passion, and with a lack of forwards, that's something that can't be underestimated.
I am a big fan of Steve Tecker's game. he is a bit undersized but plays bigger and is all over the court. Hopefully his hip issues aren't a big problem because he can shoot, drive, play defense, pass and rebound. he does whatever needs to be done.
I think the team has a forward coming it from what was said before? I am guessing they won't be able to redshirt him since they need the depth? I am just spitballing there.
In terms of PG, Cutler graduated and he was a good player and ball distributor for USD. Nimrod could some in and play the PG right away, but I am guessing Louie will see a lot of the time at the PG next year. He isn't a true PG so that is a bit concerning, but there have been a lot worse players to run the point.
Next year USD will have to up the defensive pressure and be more consistent offensively if the Yotes are going to finish in the top five and even have a shot at making a run at the Summit League title. Granted they can't make the NCAA or Summit tourney (I think), but it would be nice to see USD have a good showing.
I may have missed more than a couple things, so chime in on your thoughts.