Team Identity?

It seems to me we have a lot of talent on the court, but haven't figured out how to utilize that talent. I would have expected the upper classmen to come in this year and set the tone to create an identity for this team. Unfortunately, both KC and Fisher have tried to be the go to guys in the offense and have failed so far. Fisher can't find his shot and has poor shot selection and KC was trying to become a jump shooter, but couldn't make shots. Austin is just a role player and Kaufusi is still learning the game, but definitely makin progress.



In order for us to have success we need to do one of two things with this team:



1) KC needs to exert himself as a leader. He needs to get back to doing what he does well and work his jump shooting in as he goes and get the young guys to play to his strengths. Only problem here is that he doesn't seem to be a vocal leader and just likes to quietly go about his business.



2) we need to hand off the torch to the young guys, specifically Emery. He is obviously the transition to the future teams we are looking forward to and has shown early on that he has a very well rounded game. I'm sure the coaches are hoping for the older guys to lead this team, but time is running out on them and this team needs an identity fast.



Is there another option that will bring us success this year? I worry that if we don't find a team identity fast we will lose a lot of games this year. Someone needs to take charge on the court and make sure everyone is following along.



P.s. And let's start making some free throws! Is there anyone worse than BYU at the line? Totally unacceptable.

Great post. It's still early, and I think The guys aren't getting geared up with their A game. But these problems along with the selfish and sloppy play that was going on were headed for a train wreck. Rose will get some of these problems fixed. Starting with benching Toolson for Emery. I hope Toolson can find his game. We need him off the bench.

It's not about having the five best players out on the floor, it's about having the five players who play best together, and sometimes that just takes time to figure it out. Rose will find that out soon enough.



Like was said on BYU SportsNation today, b-ball is often a game of momentum. We had the momentum big time early, but Rose threw in second string early and we lost the momentum and MVSU found it. Rose threw the first stringers back in too late and MVSU refused to give the momentum back.



Lesson learnt again.



Also, some of those struggling with their outside shots sometimes just need to shoot their way out of those misses. Hopefully they only have so many missed shots inside of them and they all get used up soon.

I did talk to one of the players yesterday. He said they had a hard two hour practice yesterday, on thanksgiving, because of the last game. I'm glad coach rose isn't pleased with their current effort. He also said coach rose has told them they look better in practice than just about any team he has had, they just haven't been able to convert that to live games yet.



I think KC needs to push this team and Fisher and toolson need to find their games quickly, we need them now. That alone should spark the team enough to get us on the right track. If KC doesn't lead out then hopefully Emery has it in him to take charge on the floor.

KC isn't going to get drafted if the team doesn't make it to the tourney. The team's performance will have a lot larger bearing on his professional prospects than on his jumper. Ditch the jumper, KC. You should of added it to your game last season.



If Fischer isn't hitting his shots within the first 5 min of being on court, Rose should pull him. Unless he's dangerous from deep he's too much of a liability on the court.



The team looks lost out there.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Gunk wrote:
KC isn't going to get drafted if the team doesn't make it to the tourney. The team's performance will have a lot larger bearing on his professional prospects than on his jumper. Ditch the jumper, KC. You should of added it to your game last season.



If Fischer isn't hitting his shots within the first 5 min of being on court, Rose should pull him. Unless he's dangerous from deep he's too much of a liability on the court.



The team looks lost out there.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Totally agree

I think we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We don't defend well enough to grind out game and throw the ball in the post.



Nor are a we a great offensive team who can beat teams with offensive efficiency.



So we are trying for a balanced approach. Which would work fine if we stopped taking bad shots, defensive mental lapses and limit our turnovers.



The problem is one our seniors is bad shot/turnover prone and the backups aren't ready.

Qman wrote:
I think we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We don't defend well enough to grind out game and throw the ball in the post.



Nor are a we a great offensive team who can beat teams with offensive efficiency.



So we are trying for a balanced approach. Which would work fine if we stopped taking bad shots, defensive mental lapses and limit our turnovers.



The problem is one our seniors is bad shot/turnover prone and the backups aren't ready.

I think the backups are ready and capable, just for whatever reason they haven't been living up to their capabilities. Fisher is better than he's playing, Collinsworth is obviously better, toolson is definitely better than he's played. Idk about Davis or Aytes if they're capable of more or not. Emery and kaufusi have been good, but can still continue to improve. Austin is probably giving us his best. Rest of the guys are still unknowns

Zach Seljas is going to take some of Fishers minutes. He's more active defensively. And he's shooting the three at least as well as Fisher.

Glad to see Fisher found his shot!! I hope it stays and doesnt disappear for two or three games! As it was, Zeljas didn't even get in.

And the team identity is coming around. And a big chunck of it is KCs game, nice pick up with Nick and Fisher, AND more importantly, better DEFENSE. In fact, in almost seemed like Fishers O came out of his improved D--imagine that. I think he said as much in the post game interveiw. Davis managed to not turn the ball over, so that helped, but it was sketchy a few times. And rebounding was solid.

Cougs_Rule wrote:
Glad to see Fisher found his shot!! I hope it stays and doesnt disappear for two or three games! As it was, Zeljas didn't even get in.

And the team identity is coming around. And a big chunck of it is KCs game, nice pick up with Nick and Fisher, AND more importantly, better DEFENSE. In fact, in almost seemed like Fishers O came out of his improved D--imagine that. I think he said as much in the post game interveiw. Davis managed to not turn the ball over, so that helped, but it was sketchy a few times. And rebounding was solid.

Yes. KC went back to playing his game and fisher started making shots - it made all the difference in the world. I don't know why KC can't make jump shots, but glad he realized how he plays best.