there's a lot of similarities to last year's team (frustratingly slow start, strong finish, plays best with a chip on their shoulder) but I actually feel a little bit better about this line up then I do with AB. Bassett was so dominant that it felt like everyone around him waited for him to lead, and if he had a bad night the whole team had a bad night. But now I feel like this team has more confidence in each other to make plays based on what the defense gives them, we have 5 starters capable of carrying the team and/or making the game winning shot, with some decent help off the bench.

winning out always takes a little luck, but I like our chances.

I was just looking around here for some clips and stumbled across this video. Interesting takeaway was as I was watching, particularly the 2nd half highlights how well Freeman boxes out consistently. Looks like that player had at least 55 lbs on him also.

Does not surprise me that he had 9, surprises me more that the other fellow had the nuts to question his boxing out by putting up rebounding numbers that those who don't get the nuances can't fully appreciate.