* Poor performance by the Cats tonight in getting spanked by an average UCLA team. An all around bad game for the Cats. Likely won't be the last time this year the Cats take a loss like this given the smaller margin this team has to work with. We played like a very inexperienced and not very smart team tonight. Cats didn't seem like they wanted to be there tonight. We are a still a top 10 team, which is good, but not a top 3-5 team ... a team that can potentially get beat by a number of teams.
* Cats are going to see just about everybody play the Cats like UCLA did defensively. Sag in the paint and dare the Cats to hit the outside shot. I didn't like at all the way Cal had the Cats attack that defense. Cats have to be able to hit the outside shot and force UCLA away from the basket and you can't drive one on three or four ... just doesn't work. If they give the open jumper, have to confidently take it and make it and then make 'em chase you like Duke tried to mistakenly defend the Cats.
* Murray can shoot the ball when he goes straight up with his jumper, which we saw some of tonight. However, he also shoots way too many jump shots as he glides sideways making the shot much harder than it needs to be. He needs catch and shoot or dribble and go straight up.
* Skal has a long ways to go. He has skills but has almost no lower body strength. That has to change or his effectiveness will continue to be minimized. At this point we may be be better off playing him at the 4 on both the ends of the floor.
* We have to find a way to get some post up threat around the paint ... we are a Dakari Johnson away from being a top team. Poythress has never developed a shot unfortunately. We really missed Lee, hopefully he is okay. We need Humphries to develop. Willis shoots the shot too quick at times from outside... when he takes his time he can make it. We need to get Ulis healthy.
* Up Next: Cats vs. EKU next Wednesday night after which the schedule gets a lot tougher .... Cats have to show some significant development and improvement over the next couple of weeks.
* Cats are going to see just about everybody play the Cats like UCLA did defensively. Sag in the paint and dare the Cats to hit the outside shot. I didn't like at all the way Cal had the Cats attack that defense. Cats have to be able to hit the outside shot and force UCLA away from the basket and you can't drive one on three or four ... just doesn't work. If they give the open jumper, have to confidently take it and make it and then make 'em chase you like Duke tried to mistakenly defend the Cats.
* Murray can shoot the ball when he goes straight up with his jumper, which we saw some of tonight. However, he also shoots way too many jump shots as he glides sideways making the shot much harder than it needs to be. He needs catch and shoot or dribble and go straight up.
* Skal has a long ways to go. He has skills but has almost no lower body strength. That has to change or his effectiveness will continue to be minimized. At this point we may be be better off playing him at the 4 on both the ends of the floor.
* We have to find a way to get some post up threat around the paint ... we are a Dakari Johnson away from being a top team. Poythress has never developed a shot unfortunately. We really missed Lee, hopefully he is okay. We need Humphries to develop. Willis shoots the shot too quick at times from outside... when he takes his time he can make it. We need to get Ulis healthy.
* Up Next: Cats vs. EKU next Wednesday night after which the schedule gets a lot tougher .... Cats have to show some significant development and improvement over the next couple of weeks.
