Why we will be improved from last season

Oct 27, 2022, 12:13 PM

Last year sucked. Between the late game collapses, and PJ and Tyson getting injured, we left a lot on the table. Last year could have been a 20 win season. The games I feel like we could have easily won are St. Bonny, WVU, BC, and VT. If we won 3 of those, we would have won 20 games. We also went on a 6 game skid when PJ Hall and Hunter Tyson were out. If we stayed healthy, I think we win at least 1 of those games. People forget that our offense was actually pretty good last year when healthy. Last years team was Brownell's third highest scoring team. Our defense was our downfall.

Here is why I think we will have a better record this year

1. Our defense should be much improved. Last year was Brownell's second worst defense since he's been here in terms of points given up. When healthy, we were undersized at almost every position. Honor was 5'10, Dawes 6'1, Collins 6'4, Tyson 6'8, and Hall at 6'10. This year we are much bigger in the back court, an Tyson and Hall should be bigger and stronger (maybe not hall since he's been rehabbing). Our depth is much bigger as well. Last years team lacked experience. Tyson and Hall were first time starters, and Collins was a first year player for us. Collins was good at D, but sometimes tried to go for the steal and would get burnt. Our Defense should be much improved this year

2. Our ACC schedule is easy comparatively. We only play the top 3 preseason ranked teams once. We play most of the bottom ranked teams twice.

3. We actually have leadership on this team, and it seems this team has a great culture. We didn't have a leader to start the year. Dawes didn't seem interested in being a leader. Our seniors 2 transfers, and a first time starter. Tyson wasn't very vocal at the beginning of the year, but it was noticeable how much he stepped up after injury.

Looking forward to Rock the John tonight and kicking off the season next week w/ an exhibition game.