I hope Gabe has recovered fully from his hip pointer. Team needs his experience for something like his usual 30 minutes in these 3 games against high level programs in 4 days. Watson and Ward filled in nicely against Milwaukee, but to my eye D and ball security dropped some with their increased time in the rotation due to Kalscheur’s absence. (I predict both will be fine or better with more experience.) Milwaukee did us a big favor by pressing throughout the game. Gave these Cyclones a chance to hone their press-breaking skills, and they did great. But we’re still disturbingly thin at point even with true freshman Tamin Lipsey playing like a seasoned floor manager while working to find ways to score. Here too, 3 games against top programs in 4 days will test his youthful endurance and challenge Otz and the team to function for more minutes without their only true point guard.
I’m loving this iteration of Cyclone basketball. In this young season, with so many additions to the roster and the late pre-season loss of Jeremiah Williams, our projected starting point guard, they’re still finding out how to play together on the offensive end. But they’re building it right: usually good ball movement, usually good offensive rebounding, making free throws. Jaren Holmes is pushing to be this year’s Isiah Brockington. Osunniyi, Kunc, Jones and Ward have skills at both ends and toughness. Grill is showing 6th year toughness and leadership all over the floor. Otz is using a 9-man rotation effectively!
Two out of three from this tournament would suggest, barring more injury attrition, a top half finish in the Big 12 and Dancing.
Edit: Kunc has really developed into a key starter. I also love how Jones has improved from last year.
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