WuDrWu wrote:I will give you your "due" respect......
I am not saying Moran isn't a good defender. I am saying the success of the team defense is as much (I am saying more) a factor of the size, strength, experience and width of (especially) the 2 bigs that graduated.
Do you not understand that Moran can play "up" and Kujo can take more chances when there is a 7' beast waiting in the lane and without that deterrent they might find the same defense not as successful?
Where as the guards didn't have to help much on D with the bigs, they are going to have a lot more this year. A LOT more. That can affect the quality of shots the other team takes. More open shots, more makes. More makes, more points. More points, more losses.
As I said, if the new guys are as good as the 3 that left, then UNI is in fine shape. That would be unusual to see youngsters that strong but perhaps you guys are just that good.
I think you are missing a big part of UNI. It's not just the Johnny's and the Joe's, it's not just the X's and O's, it's more. UNI succeeds because the coaches foster a team attitude, where confidence breeds confidence and unselfish perseverence trumps individual valor. It is a system that has been installed systematically to nurture each individual on the team and have them raise their level of play with a can do attitude, all for the betterment of the program. WHen the program wins, the players win. From the athletic director, to the coach, to the players and all the way to the student trainer, everyone is on the same page ensuring excellent results. Going forward, UNI will be inpactful and impressive on the court. While it is not about individuals, it is all about individuals coming together breeding synergy and results.
Now do you understand?