Before everyone throws in the towel on this team I would like to point out a few things:
1. We have played 5 out of 9 games on the road. 4 against quality opponents.
2. Of our 4 home games, 3 were quality opponents.
3. And it doesn't get any easier.
With a schedule like that there are going to be some losses. We are playing 4 guards a lot of the time. Yes, our defense last night was not very good, but Garrison and Foster, and sometimes Bothwell are usually guarding much bigger players, some as agile as they are. Teams that can drive it to the hoop are starting to have some success.
That game last night could have gone the other way, too. Winthrop hit more 3's last night than they usually do and that was the difference. We were sloughing off on the drivers and leaving the 3 point shooters open. And yes, gave up too many lay-ups.
The zone idea could be good. The 1-3-1 that we do occasionally seems to be fairly effective. But zones are vulnerable to 3 point shots and poor rebounding.
I think the development of either Hien, Williams, and/or Repass as a low post defender is going to be the key to success the rest of the season.
I still think we are a good team and will do well in the SoCon, but we will not win every game. We are 1 player away from a really good team.
The team that can improve the most from now till March will be the NCAA Rep. And I think the SoCon should be a 2 bid league, but that's a discussion that deserves it's own thread.