Thoughts through three?

zebnatto

All-Conference
May 7, 2008
5,071
3,818
0
Given that we're 3-0 without Caleb with two blowouts and one grind (without Caleb and w/o Paul for 3/4s), we're performing above my expectations as a team and on an individual level. We owned the two schools we should have and, though we struggled against UML, we came out with a win against an experienced and pretty solid-seeming team without two of our starting five, our two most experienced players.

Given what I expected from each player, we're also doing well in those terms, No one is operating below what I'd expected. (I think the shoulder's really been bothering Paul.) Cam, Antoine, and Derek are all playing at a level above what I'd expected by a significant chunk.

Cam looks like a star. Antoine is anything but a project and look forward to his growth. Derek, as long as he's not expected to be perfect, provides solid depth, near starter minutes, and an added dimension.

So, on a "Below Expectations," "At Expectations," "Above Expectations" scale, I'm definitely on the "above" end.

Others?
 

RUPete

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
26,841
16,113
0
Given that we're 3-0 without Caleb with two blowouts and one grind (without Caleb and w/o Paul for 3/4s), we're performing above my expectations as a team and on an individual level. We owned the two schools we should have and, though we struggled against UML, we came out with a win against an experienced and pretty solid-seeming team without two of our starting five, our two most experienced players.

Given what I expected from each player, we're also doing well in those terms, No one is operating below what I'd expected. (I think the shoulder's really been bothering Paul.) Cam, Antoine, and Derek are all playing at a level above what I'd expected by a significant chunk.

Cam looks like a star. Antoine is anything but a project and look forward to his growth. Derek, as long as he's not expected to be perfect, provides solid depth, near starter minutes, and an added dimension.

So, on a "Below Expectations," "At Expectations," "Above Expectations" scale, I'm definitely on the "above" end.

Others?
Pretty much agree with all of it. To me, the most pleasant surprise is that the three newcomers you mention have exceeded expectations.
 

Rhuarc

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
6,470
7,007
113
Above expectations - no doubt about it.

- Pike proving he can still find diamonds in the rough and we should put our faith in him.

- Coaching has been mostly good so far. Not thrilled that they let some of the starters play so late into the games, but winning comes first.

- Cam Spencer has been a gift form above. Reminds me of Geoff Billet in his ability to shoot both off the dribble and from a set position.

- Cliff has been great. They need to feed him more in the high post.

- Free throw shooting has been fantastic.

- Aundre Hyatt has been great as well.

- Paul a steady presence despite being hurt. Doesn't have to be a shooter, just a passer and play D.

- Team defense has been very good. Yesterday I would imagine was due to fatigue, but it still wasn't that bad.

- Crowd needs to pick up the noise a bit but I'm sure that will come with bigger name opponents.

- As mentioned before, the Popcorn is excellent and the pretzels blow.
 

RU MAN

Heisman
Oct 29, 2001
23,629
10,220
113
Given that we're 3-0 without Caleb with two blowouts and one grind (without Caleb and w/o Paul for 3/4s), we're performing above my expectations as a team and on an individual level. We owned the two schools we should have and, though we struggled against UML, we came out with a win against an experienced and pretty solid-seeming team without two of our starting five, our two most experienced players.

Given what I expected from each player, we're also doing well in those terms, No one is operating below what I'd expected. (I think the shoulder's really been bothering Paul.) Cam, Antoine, and Derek are all playing at a level above what I'd expected by a significant chunk.

Cam looks like a star. Antoine is anything but a project and look forward to his growth. Derek, as long as he's not expected to be perfect, provides solid depth, near starter minutes, and an added dimension.

So, on a "Below Expectations," "At Expectations," "Above Expectations" scale, I'm definitely on the "above" end.

Others?
Really good post. Annnnnnnnnd, we're shooting lights out from the charity stripe. This to me is huge and we can only hope that they continue to shoot in the upper 70's to low 80's, because we will win a few of those games we lost in the past.
 

YoucancallmeRay

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2015
1,790
1,905
113
Above expectations for me. Very impressed with Cam, Derek, and Wool. Hyatt has been very good too and should be the starting 4 when Caleb returns, with Mag off the bench. Mag has been a little disappointing regarding his shooting and I'm not sure what's going on with Dean insofar as the way Pike has been using him.
Team defense has been very good as well.
However, it's only been three games against teams who we should have beaten. Let's see how it goes over the next four games.
 

Eagleton95.99

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
7,552
6,473
113
Slightly above, but only because they did it while McConnell has been out. Cam was rated the 8th best guy in the portal at one point. Simpson is playing how he looked in his tape. Woolfolk is the only real surprise. That offsets Mag underperforming preseason hype.
 
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motel00

Junior
Mar 8, 2007
1,001
370
0
Not sure what people are expecting from Mag. He is not a great shooter. If fans are expecting him to light it up from three point range and score 15 a game it’s not going to happen. He brings other things to the table.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
It's essentially impossible to answer anything but above given the 3-0 start without Caleb and Paul for 1

The new comers are all out performing expectations even for someone like me who really liked all 3
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,304
12,623
78
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LOU-RU85

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2001
4,679
4,413
113
Not really. He sees us without the defensive player of the year and the player who led the B1G last year in assists. That does not project well in the future unless they come back full force. That’s why he dropped us.