Potential Upside

If you are saying that pretty much "what you see is what you get", then yep, I'm with you. Are there a few areas that can and need improvement? Absolutely. Will freshman look different in March than they do today? Of course. But for the most part, the heart of this team, Frank, Devonte, Svi and Lucas are what they are. Let me be the clear also in saying I am 100% F-I-N-E with that. If those guys don't improve a lick (and they will) we look to be able to compete a pretty freakin high level. Not much more we can ask as fans.

Disagree. I see a lot of upside. Almost certainly Bragg can show us more than he has so far, and I think both SVI and Vick will get more consistent in their contribution as the year goes on. Finally the freshmen. Dok may be even more valuable than Lucas by the end of the year and if the experts are close to right about Jackson and the second half of last night becomes the norm, Jackson may be as much of a star by the end of the year as Mason is now. Overall, I can't remember a team with more upside over a season as this one. Given that we're good enough to take out a #1 team (even if they're short some of their potential) now, we'll be scary good come tournament time baring injuries.

I am a little more in the middle. I do feel that this team is more advanced toward their ultimate potential than other teams in recent memory. I attribute this to 2 factors. One, upper classmen leadership- starting Sr/Jr guard combo and Lucas in center. Solid Jr in Svi off bench and 2 sophomores in Bragg and Vick who are on the verge of really blossoming. Second, we have 2 frosh that have shown great talent and, possibly more importantly, that the college game is not to fast for them. They also seem very engaged and passionate (a bit of which may need to be tempered). I don't think Alexander or Diallo ever got comfortable with the college pace and Andrew, well it was hard to tell if he had just won the lottery or returned from a funeral! With more playing time as a unit I think the sky's the limit.
Note on Svi- somehow he needs to get his mind off of his shooting. He has a complete game- good handle, good passer, decent defender, really good court sense- all of which looks natural and instinctual. BUT when he shoots you can almost SEE HIM THINK- see a hypnotist already- don't THINK, SHOOT!!!!
JoJoHawk (M '82)