Cal is pushing hard for a title this season, to make up for last year. His speciality is developing a team that is at their best entering the tournament. Last season we played our best ball in the Bahamas and Non Conference. I loved the platoons early last year, but it was a bit of a mistake looking back. I understand it had to be done because of recruiting and Im not saying a 38-1 Final 4 season is a failure by any stretch of the imagination.
It was an awkward situation where we had Freshman who were better than really good players we had returning from a Runner Up team. Booker and Ulis were clearly better than the Twins, no argument in my mind. Towns was better than Dakari. Lyles was better than Lee. Add in Poythress getting injured, that hurt us too. I really thought Ulis would be allowed to run the show once we got into the Final 4. He did it with Karl taking minutes from Johnson and Lee. I think Cal wanted to do it, but then your betraying Andrew Harrison, everyone would've seen that and he may not have been drafted if he played 15 minutes per game in the Final 4. That's why almost immediately after, you saw the tweet about this being Ulis' team and we are building around him. He and Murray will be out there in crunch time this season, they will at least get a good look and not crumble and let the shot clock expire. Its alot easier to stomach if the good look doesn't go in, over not getting any kind of look at all.
I believe in this team. With the late additions of Murray and Humphries and Wynyard by all accounts on track for the second semester, Cal has separated us from the pack and we are still just as deep as last year, but it will work alot better because there is alot less demand for minutes. Mulder, Matthews, Humphries and Wynyard are more established as backups. I see Lee as our 6th man, but if Matthews is the defensive dynamo I think he is, I like him starting and having Briscoe as a super sixth man, who is the microwave off the bench playing starter minutes. Similar to Doron Lamb's role his freshman year.Then you have an offensive spark in Willis, and an experienced defensive spark in Hawkins. I just foresee alot of competition in practice from our guys 6-11 for playing time. Wynyard may get left behind and just go ahead and redshirt, it would be tough to carve out a niche on this team midseason. If he is able to do that, then he must be damn good, but I'm sure Cal will give him his shot to prove he can contribute this season. There's really no pressure on Wynyard though. This team is certainly more traditional from a development standpoint, I really can't wait for it all to come together. I won't hesitate to say this is a Final 4 team, but all logic goes out the window when you make it that far, so I won't guarantee anything. I will say once again, if we are in the Final 4 and Murray and Ulis have the ball in their hands, I'm breathing easy. They will not get caught up in the moment.
By the way you all know my thoughts and feelings on ESPN rankings. They want that perception out there for the casual fan. If you follow recruiting, you know the truth, plain and simple.
