Maybe I'm the only one, but really, I'm not all that unhappy about this game. When you're a young team with a lot of new faces, sometimes you're going to have games where you don't do what you need to to win a game. Personally, I thought the effort was there, but the recognition of what was going on and the individual responsibilities to the team defensive assignments wasn't. And that's compounded when you go up against a team of veterans who are draining the ball. I thought we played a lot better overall in the 2nd half, but a few bad decisions/sloppy plays, a couple missed open shots, and PSU making some low percentage shots, and the hole we dug ourselves was just too much.
In a game like this, I'd prefer to focus on what we did right. Ty Rodgers had a good game, his best of the season. He showed a lot of effort, was tough on the glass, and played much better defense today than he has previously. Sincere Harris is another one who had a good game, though defensively, Pickett took him to school. This is the first time Sincere's defense has been tested all season and it comes down to strength and conditioning, and I think this game will be a great learning experience for him in making sure he doesn't allow string veteran opponents to get good position on him when they receive the ball because he won't be able to defend that. The Sincere Harris in a year won't be bullied like he was today. Skyy Clark also had a good day offensively and was especially responsible on the boards. He was also bullied by Pickett today, and he still has quite a ways to go on defense, but he had an overall decent day.
And finally, a game like today allows a coach to hold his players responsible and get them to recommit to the team philosophy. While you never want to have these types of games, practices, or pressers, having one early in the season with a young team is a good time to have it as it helps them understand what the expectation is to step on the court.
Overall, I wouldn't take too much from this game or blow it out of proportion. Now if we come out our next few games similarly, then I'd say it's time for concern, but when you're a young team, you're going to struggle early against teams with veteran experience. That's how you learn and that's how you grow. And to be honest, a game like this could be the type of learning experience necessary to have a special season. I'm not overly concerned.
