Texas-North Florida Basketball Open Thread

Wikipedia says Todd Haley’s an alum. I think most high schools in Texas have more impressive alumni lists.

We’re running an offense…Yay! Now who’s going to be our next OC?

I am a believer. Thompson has unbelievably good body control for a big man. Then, there’s Joseph … the kid is a horse. Nothing to dislike about either one of ‘em … unless they’re “one ’n done” ….

North Florida is the worst part of the state.

I love that Barnes is leaving J’Covan in with 4 fouls. Basically telling him that he’s slitting his own throat and making him play through it.
 
Barnes has been trying to give Brown minutes since Lamar. Brown needs to show he can handle them.

At least he wasn’t feeling persecuted tonight.

Nope. He started to do some of his stuff on the 4th foul, but Dogus walked over and headed it off.

that pass from J’Covan is why I J’love him.

Cory Joseph is now feeling his sea legs.

Another sweet pass by J’Covan was J’wasted.

I think I’m getting J’addicted to J’prefacing.

Am I imagining it, or do our players look more ripped than in the past? Except for the 2 freshmen, the others look like they’ve got hardly any body fat.

sloppy game offensively, would have won by 40 except missed for layups than a West Austin Youth Association team.

The light has come on for Corey Joseph, he looks so much more confident in every aspect, but especially in shot selection. Gary Johnson spent a lot of time out on the wing, I think Rick likes the idea of Gary and Jordon on the wing — especially when we get into conference play.

@Texoz, you’re not imagining it. The job Todd Wright did for Dexter Pittman really won a lot of buy in on what he can do for you. It’s covered pretty nicely in a post called Todd Wright – Best in the business or somesuch. It’s also referenced in the team offensive transformation piece about Barnes and his own little come to Jesus moment this past offseason.

I’m gradually coming around to being a basketball fan. I’m sort of textbook bandwagon, but I’m starting to get a real appreciation for it, and seeing real motion in the offense helps a lot. It’s actually nice for a B-ball newb such as me to have the last few years of Texas to compare to this one, from a learning standpoint. The difference is noticeable to untrained eyes, and I’m gradually getting the idea of why certain things are done.

I thought Matt Hill’s minutes were odd (as in there were too many) , as were Hamilton’s (too few). I confess to disappointment in this easy win, although Joseph and Johnson looked good. Still, the Ospreys were a dreadful team. Maybe not even pre-season exhibition quality. I fear that any team that’s doing anything this season hangs 90 on them. He’ll, we had a TV timeout to TV timeout scoring drought against them in the second half. Maybe the boys were out of sync due to finals. But how competitive can a team be with Lucas and the Doge at guard?

I’m thankful to finally get through this dreadful part of the schedule. Outside of the SC games it was nothing but glorified scrimmages with distracted players and sloppy play. As it usually is this time of year. Definitely ready for the UNC and MSU games. And certainly ready to rid ourselves of the amateur night TV production and broadcast crew. One more comparison by Gettys/sidekick of Joseph to Bradley and I was going to hurl my remote through the TV. Regarding minutes I think Barnes was more concerned with getting Hamilton and Thompson fewer minutes in what was going to be a blowout. Cory simply continues to come on and play like I knew he could. J’Covan’s Jekyll and Hyde, plain and simple. Last night he was Hyde albeit one who exercised some self control of his emotions.

This looked like a scrimmage with finals over and students gone, no one in the stands, and following a week of Barnes working them to death. I admit to leaving early, because watching missed shots was just too boring. But the shots weren’t bad looks, and Barnes didn’t seem too bothered by them (which is how he looks when he thinks the looks are good). I didn’t see too many mental mistakes out there.

Juice, Texas played terrible offense last night, compared to UNF’s other opponents, but also had the best defensive results.

Matt Hill is going to continue to get minutes. Barnes really appreciates his contributions to the offense, which have basically nothing to do with getting his own shots. He’s a solid (not great) defensive player, and Barnes appreciates that, too.

He’s also going to play for the same reason that Jai Lucas will play — they only have nine guys to rotate. There may be matchups that will prevent them from playing much — particularly for Lucas — but Hill, on balance, is better than a placeholder.

Matt Hill sets the best picks on the team and we get better shots when he’s in the game. He has also learned how to block shots without fouling.
 
Matt Hill is an asset.
 
Jai Lucas really struggles out there physically. When he blew a barely challenged lay-up and bricked some open threes, I just sighed and thought,“Hoo-boy.”
 
He’s trying his hardest though and you need him when J’Covan goes J’Crazy.

Thank you so much for posting a lot of this good content! Looking forward to checking out more posts.

Great article, I just passed this onto a co-worker who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him. :). So let me rephrase that: Thanks for the treat! But yeah Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is very helpful for me. Two thumb up for this blog post!