Tiger Time Burrito

Denver getting 2 rotations at PG last night shows (I feel) that BP thinks like he needs to get someone else ready there for the March tournament. Auburn switches a lot on defense, so it's unavoidable that Aden will get matched up (even by design of the other team) against stronger players, as was on display in that one play last night. A problem for all undersized guards. But, you trade that off when your 5* undersized guard makes up for it in other areas. This is the current problem though, as Aden is also getting bullied on offense. (1) He is getting ball pressure and not getting the team into the offense early enough, running too late into the shot clock. (2) He's not shooting well in SEC play. (3) He has not been effective attacking, driving with the ball. However, he was not a 5* rated player for no reason. The kid has the skillz. He's quick, with great handle, and CAN shoot. Up to last night, I felt that BP was sticking with him and willing to let him try to work through it and shoot his way out of a slump. Now, I'm not so sure with Denver getting trial minutes at PG. I'm afraid the toughness of SEC conference basketball is proving too much for him at this stage (as a freshman). Or it could be a confidence issue and that he just needs his mojo back, Austin Powers style. But, I'm thinking he will not be a major contributor this year moving forward.

(1) I don't see how the offense improves without better O-line play, and I don't see what is happening for that to be a reality. There was some success at times in the running game, but pass protection was almost always bad. And (2) I do not think Thorne is the solution at QB. I watched games from Section 42 this year (north end zone). The WR core was 'ahem' not elite. But I saw open receivers in the middle of the field that did not get balls. Usually Thorne waited, then flushed to the right and forced a throw to a covered receiver on the sideline. The thing is, it appeared like his head scanned over the middle and he just didn't cut the ball loose. Mind you these were on some plays where there was actually some protection, but I don't blame Thorne for being rattled back there in general. He holds the ball. When protected, he will scramble out of the pocket. I'm not sure what he does well. (3) The passing offense looks like it is out of high school. In the bowl game, Maryland's QB2 is throwing 20 yard passes to a receiver who has caught 3 balls this season. AU is struggling to complete a pass, forcing it through traffic on a 6 yard curl to a stationary target. Or maybe every now and then chunk it deep and hope for the best. This bowl season was full of backups getting reps, but looking competent. Then we had AU. I started this post intending to just make a comment about the O-Line prospects for next year. Sorry for the rant. I just don't see how a few talented freshman wide receivers are going to improve this situation much.

Did Auburn get 'big boyed' by Ole Miss? Regardless of how things turned out. I think it is fair to ask this question. Did we want Lane? Was he coming to Auburn until Ole Miss outspent us?

I love KD, but he's not helping our offense right now. He's no longer getting 'seeking contact' fouls when driving out of control to the rim and his 3% is too low. Wen dropped a decent ball to him in transition that actually was a good scoring or foul opportunity but instead of just taking the ball straight to the basket, he jacked up some crazy double clutch shot/windmill looking thing that had no chance and did not get fouled. He needs to take what the play gives him sometimes. Other teams have caught up to his game and are not going to bail him out as often when driving in like a crazy person looking for contact

I showed my teenage son the opening 7 minutes of this game recently to let him know that AU occasionally fielded a basketball squad before Bruce Pearl arrived. I love this team and Bryant Smith was the glue guy that took a talented team to another level. The following year's team missed him big time, having the talent but missing the key role players.