I projected after the 1st 15 games we would end the season @ 15-15, best case.
I was wrong.

The team did improve in many areas of the game and ended @ 23-12.
A great accomplishment.

What improvements were worked on to make this year yield 13 more wins than LY?
1) Turnovers were dramatically reduced as the season progressed.
2) Treg Setty made a major jump in his performance
3) Jordan Dartis emerged as a quality freshman and earned a spot on the all MAC freshman team.
4) Jaaron Simmons proved to be everything we expected and was selected second team all MAC.
5) Tony Campbell elevated is game this year to become MAC player of the year.

There was only 1 glaring weakness, from my perspective, THE BENCH.
The bench did not support the starters with quality minutes and needed scoring. I think all our opponents bench's outscored ours all season long. Because of this our started needed to play more minutes and this probably contributed to added fatigue late in games near the end of the season.

IN CONCLUSION:
If there is 1 KEY for the program to continue to more forward, for next year, it would be BENCH IMPROVEMENT.



GO BOBCATS

We allowed an average of 84.7ppg in our 12 losses. Last night was actually one of only two sub-80ppg losses we had all year. Offense typically hasn't been much of an issue this season. Stopping people has been. Improve on the defensive end and I think this team can take a major leap next season.

Having the right coaches plus investing $3 million a year pays off.

Defense and quality depth the priorities, which will be achieved through improvements in current personnel and by additions


of new personnel. #CoachPhillipscreatesmonster

Improvement won't come from newbies given we only have 1-2 scholarships (unless things change). My only concern is that the improvement will have to come from the faces we have. Hope it does.

As I said somewhere else, VALUING POSSESSIONS and DEFENSE are where I want to see changes. We can't just outscore every opponent every night when we basically live or die by the "3"!

He did have a good year but at 17 points a game, he's not even in the top 20 all time at OU. We've talked about this before but totals can be a tad misleading based on number of games played. I hope to see Tony and Doug Taylor on the floor together at least 15 minutes a game next year. That combo would drive other teams nuts.

Doug Taylor and Gavin Block seem like the two obvious choice to see a big jump next year. Freshman to Sophomore year is usually when we see a player make the biggest jump.

Guys like Jerome Tillman, Devaughn Washington, Tommy Freeman, Reggie Keely, Ivo Baltic, and Antonio Campbell all made big leaps in year two.

Team needs/areas of improvement for next year?

1) Overall team defense - Fundamentals and scheme
2) Individual perimeter defense - Have to limit constant dribble penetration
3) Campbell interior defense WITHOUT fouling - Early in the year we were lucky to get 25 minutes a night from AC due to fouls, he stayed on the court more later in the year by mostly just NOT playing D so he wouldn't foul
4) Overall team quickness - A big part of our defensive shortcomings IMO
5) Rebounding - Outside of Campbell and Setty (who is gone) we need to find some help
6) Backup defensive-minded guard - Could be a PG or combo-guard
7) Find/establish a reliable 2nd & 3rd ball-handler - Could be Dartis/Gollon or new guy
8) Overall bench depth - We don't need 12 guys but a solid 8/9 who can give you at least 5-10 minutes a night
9) Figure out a role for KK - Either get healthy/learn to play D/rediscover his shooting stroke/Find a more limited roll as an instant offense only player
10) Growth from this years freshmen - Block/Dartis/Taylor/Gollon would be nice to see 3 if not all 4 take big steps forward next year

I predicted at the beginning of the year that I would make no predictions and enjoy the year as it unfolded. I must pat myself on the back, as my prediction was right on the money. Next year I see the same thing. I will not make a prediction.

Your definition of "enjoy" seems a little warped.

Agree #1, #2, #4, #8.
---How much of defensive concerns are Scheme, how much is lacking lateral quickness?

No's 6 & 7, I would say are essentially the same thing. IMO, Saul needs to find a guard with the last scholly, or he needs Gollon/Laster/Harley to emerge, or both, to fit these two needs you mention.

#3, I flat out disagree with, because I think Tony improved quite a bit throughout this past season.

#10, I think you're going to see growth without question. You left out Dozier, who in the long run, along with Carter, will be a huge part of the puzzle. they're just unknowns right now.

No's 5 & 9, I'll lump together for this reason: KK is an outstanding talent, who can change games, and did so this year for OUr team. That said, for whatever reason, he was very often one dimensional. If I were on the coaching staff, I'd pull him aside for the end of season conversation, and say simply "If we're gonna go to the NCAA Tournament, we need you to add dimensions to your game", either on the defensive end, or on the boards.