Paradise Jam Thoughts

Posted on: November 20, 2018 at 15:43:34 CT

Overall, it was a success. After the Kennesaw State game and our two games prior, I don’t think many anticipated us besting Oregon State the way we did. And the Beavers’ subsequent thumping of a solid Penn team proved they were no slouch. If you would’ve told me we’d lose Tilmon and Mark Smith to early foul trouble in both halves, I would’ve assumed we lost by 10 or more.

For the second year in a row, Cuonzo coached his team to the Championship game of a pre season tournament. That’s pretty damn impressive.

The K-State game was disappointing but then again, they will probably be a top 10 team this week and they played like one. We missed a lot of defensive assignments - unlike the Beaver game - and they shot the ball incredibly well, but you have to give them the credit for making that happen. They’re a very good ball club.

Players that impressed me most were Geist, Nikko, and Pinson.

Pinson grew a million miles in this tournament - he’s lightning quick, sees the floor well, and he has a nice stroke. This is our Point Guard - not in the future, but now.

Geist really played well. Virtually mistake free. He has a motor that won’t quit and the dude is never out of breath. Pretty fun to watch. I’m happy he made the all tournament team - we may have gone 0-3 in this deal if he played the way he started off the season.

Nikko was solid too. He is not the fastest or most athletic, but he uses his size to his advantage, few mistakes and he is always in the right place. Someone mentioned below he should start ahead of Tilmon - I think that’s a great idea. Not because Nikko is better but it would allow Tilmon to come into the game fresh with zero fouls and we don’t really give up much with Nikko in that spot.

Speaking of Tilmon, he does make silly fouls but he also gets a couple terrible calls against him - or st least he did in every game this tournament. In each game, there was one ref (not the same ref per game) that seemed to zero in on him and watch him like a hawk. I don’t get it, but that’s what happened. The only thing I can assume is it’s his attitude. He does carrry a chip on his shoulder and I think that rubs some officials the wrong way. We need him on the floor, obviously, if this is going to be a 20-win team.

Finally, I know there are some here that think this team will be lucky to win 15 games or whatever. NIT at best. Time will tell, but I can assure you this team is thinking nothing short of an NCAA bid. They play hard and they play together, to win. The Oregon State game is a good example of what I think we can do this season against the lower half of the SEC. And I think we will also surprise a team or two in the upper half.

My prediction is we finish the season with 20 wins and make the NIT. Mayyyyyybe if we see everyone get better and this team gel - Santos return and be valuable - we can be a last 4 in.

Either way, this team is fun to watch imo because of how hard they play for one another. We don’t score a lot of points but I find my heart pumping every game. They play with passion and even last night, down 20 with 5 minutes to play or whatever, they never quit. I’m excited for Temple.

GO TIGERS!!!