Men vs. Baylor Thoughts, Predictions, & What You Want To See

[JwgreDeux 1,279]

2 hours ago, KansasTiger said:

Yeah I've noticed it, too. I wish more Auburn fans got excited about basketball like we do football, but I get it. So I'll do my part in trying to gen up some discussions when I can 😆

Some post more over here than on the football forum.

1 hour ago, KillenTime said:

We are a basketball school!  Can't be a football school when you can't field a team that loses 3 games or less in a season.  We were a football school, but Gus took that from us.  May be one sometime in the future but not now.

 

I love this team.  I definitely don't think this is a rebuild at all.  

We have veteran returners in Broome, Williams, KD, Cardwell and even Moore.  The new comers are mostly experienced players (Chaney, Denver and Chad). 

We should have a matchup advantage on the inside with Broome and an experienced 4 in Williams should offset their talented youth at the 4.  The 4 matchup should be interesting and fun to watch.   Hoping Williams maturity and added size pays dividends.  Love to see him be aggressive and play with a chip on his shoulder.   His defense will be important tonight.  He understands the expectation.  

They may have a slight advantage at guard, but KD plays physical and Tre is a physical PG.  I expect Tre to be much improved after dedicating an offseason to basketball only.  I expect these two to play well on defense.  Aden is talented but unknown.  I expect him to be very very good, but I don't know when.  Tonight?  Maybe.  I expect his role to steadily increase if not tonight.  He will be key in March. 

Of course the unknowns will be exciting to see in action.  How does Denver and Chaney play at a higher level.  I would think better than most true freshman would.  Excited to have some length at the 2.  And he can shoot it - make no mistake about that. Chaney is explosive and should be a treat to watch in transition.    Can he play with his back to the goal.  Does he have a drop step move?  Can he consistently stretch the defense from the 4.  

The key could very well be the 3.  Can Chad Baker bring it at the 3.  If he can stretch the court and knock down some 3's this team will make a lot of noise.  I expect him to do just that.  I think he will fine on the defensive end.  He may struggle against heavy and physical 3s, but how many of those will we face.  

Don't underestimate the value Cardwell brings to the team.  He brings physicality, energy and extra fouls in the post.  He defends, block shots and most importantly boxes out.  He will be overlooked by many and criticized by the uneducated fans, but he will be a critical piece of the puzzle and play a very important role this season.  

Let's get it started.  WDE!

 

Good observation about Tre. Interested to see if he can play more like he did at the end of the season last year. He was really coming on. Also, can Chad rebound is something to watch. WIth our history of small guards when we lost rebounding battles badly, it was usually due to weak rebounding from the wings. Moore is tough and will do it, but if Chad can rebound he will get more minutes. 

[WillMunny 1,384]

I want to see some sort of investment in a low post game instead of just wire-to-wire 3-point shots.  But I imagine I will be disappointed in that regard.

Beyond that, I want to see passing and a win.  Let's make a small statement with this big road opportunity.

[JwgreDeux 1,279]

1 minute ago, WillMunny said:

I want to see some sort of investment in a low post game instead of just wire-to-wire 3-point shots.  But I imagine I will be disappointed in that regard.

Beyond that, I want to see passing and a win.  Let's make a small statement with this big road opportunity.

The modern game doesn't really value that. Coaches want layups or threes. Few coaches will green light guys to shoot a lot of mid-range shots. Broome came back to expand his game outside for the draft. It is what it is. Also, I would look for more dribble drives this season with the change to the way they are calling block/charge calls giving the tie to the offensive player this season. 

[Maverick.AU 13,281]

20 minutes ago, KansasTiger said:

Someone else might tag him since there's a decent chance he blocked me, but here's to hoping @Maverick.AU does a game thread tonight. We may have had our disagreements last year, but I respect you and love your enthusiasm and optimism. 

You're not blocked, never were. All is good my friend, War Eagle!

[Auburn93 563]

On 11/6/2023 at 10:00 AM, KansasTiger said:

I know, Auburn is a football school. But we've seen unprecedented success on our basketball court the last 4-5 years, and we're looking at what could be another great year. We're living on what many might say is the hey-dey of Auburn Basketball. And we don't even have a topic on this board talking about the season opening game against a top 20 opponent (not counting @aubiefifty and his valued article threads). Meanwhile in the football board, I have to endure 4 threads about VANDY.

So do we know enough about Baylor or our team to predict what's going to happen? The fact they even have preseason rankings in this day and age of transfers in college basketball kind of blows my mind in itself. So maybe the better question is, what is it that you want to see out of Auburn in this game? What do you have questions about that you're curious to see answered? How good or bad is our defense going to be with a shift to an offensive roster/mindset? Are there any shooting concerns with the poor % shown in the last scrimmage, or was that just a bad night?

I want the game to at least be close if we lose. I want to see this great scoring that has been talked about. I want to see Holloway play well; I don't want to see another Westry. Thanks for the thread! 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Auburn93

[Auburn93 563]

On 11/6/2023 at 10:44 AM, TigerPAC said:

^^^what he said

TEAM concept gets lost on the basketball court, faster than any other "team" sport.  i do not like to see 5 guys out there essentially playing pick-up ball.

 

You know Bruce's teams look like that. 

[Auburn93 563]

On 11/6/2023 at 10:18 AM, KansasTiger said:

I miss the chemistry and ball movement the 2018-2019 team showed. I went back and watched our tourney games on our way to that final four, and I know that was a special team, but the ball movement, finding the open man, extra pass, combined with our great chemistry and shooting % as a team, was just lethal. Compare that to what we had seen the last two years, and it's night and day. I always made the argument that BP didn't have the right personnel to run the system that he likes to run.

I don't expect this team to magically be that yet, but I hope to see some glimpses that this team can turn into that fun run n' gun style team again. I think they have the right people to do that.

The fun and gun came when they made steals. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Auburn93

[Auburn93 563]

7 hours ago, bigbird said:

That would be news to the AUs half.  They think they upgraded and reloaded. 

Last year was a rebuild from Kessler and Jabari. 

[Auburn93 563]

3 hours ago, KillenTime said:

We are a basketball school!  Can't be a football school when you can't field a team that loses 3 games or less in a season.  We were a football school, but Gus took that from us.  May be one sometime in the future but not now.

 

I love this team.  I definitely don't think this is a rebuild at all.  

We have veteran returners in Broome, Williams, KD, Cardwell and even Moore.  The new comers are mostly experienced players (Chaney, Denver and Chad). 

We should have a matchup advantage on the inside with Broome and an experienced 4 in Williams should offset their talented youth at the 4.  The 4 matchup should be interesting and fun to watch.   Hoping Williams maturity and added size pays dividends.  Love to see him be aggressive and play with a chip on his shoulder.   His defense will be important tonight.  He understands the expectation.  

They may have a slight advantage at guard, but KD plays physical and Tre is a physical PG.  I expect Tre to be much improved after dedicating an offseason to basketball only.  I expect these two to play well on defense.  Aden is talented but unknown.  I expect him to be very very good, but I don't know when.  Tonight?  Maybe.  I expect his role to steadily increase if not tonight.  He will be key in March. 

Of course the unknowns will be exciting to see in action.  How does Denver and Chaney play at a higher level.  I would think better than most true freshman would.  Excited to have some length at the 2.  And he can shoot it - make no mistake about that. Chaney is explosive and should be a treat to watch in transition.    Can he play with his back to the goal.  Does he have a drop step move?  Can he consistently stretch the defense from the 4.  

The key could very well be the 3.  Can Chad Baker bring it at the 3.  If he can stretch the court and knock down some 3's this team will make a lot of noise.  I expect him to do just that.  I think he will fine on the defensive end.  He may struggle against heavy and physical 3s, but how many of those will we face.  

Don't underestimate the value Cardwell brings to the team.  He brings physicality, energy and extra fouls in the post.  He defends, block shots and most importantly boxes out.  He will be overlooked by many and criticized by the uneducated fans, but he will be a critical piece of the puzzle and play a very important role this season.  

Let's get it started.  WDE!

 

And we have not mentioned HOW WILL THE REFS CALL THE GAME? How will we adjust? Denver has already shown he is the dude on this team. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Auburn93

[KansasTiger 3,256]

Am I seeing right, that we're a 1.5 point favorite?

[Dunndone414 469]

2 minutes ago, KansasTiger said:

Am I seeing right, that we're a 1.5 point favorite?

Yup, line moved from +2 to -1.5.

[bigbird 60,580]

48 minutes ago, Auburn93 said:

Last year was a rebuild from Kessler and Jabari. 

Last year we were handcuffed . 

[BornAU76 398]

4 hours ago, KillenTime said:

We are a basketball school!  Can't be a football school when you can't field a team that loses 3 games or less in a season.  We were a football school, but Gus took that from us.  May be one sometime in the future but not now.

 

I love this team.  I definitely don't think this is a rebuild at all.  

We have veteran returners in Broome, Williams, KD, Cardwell and even Moore.  The new comers are mostly experienced players (Chaney, Denver and Chad). 

We should have a matchup advantage on the inside with Broome and an experienced 4 in Williams should offset their talented youth at the 4.  The 4 matchup should be interesting and fun to watch.   Hoping Williams maturity and added size pays dividends.  Love to see him be aggressive and play with a chip on his shoulder.   His defense will be important tonight.  He understands the expectation.  

They may have a slight advantage at guard, but KD plays physical and Tre is a physical PG.  I expect Tre to be much improved after dedicating an offseason to basketball only.  I expect these two to play well on defense.  Aden is talented but unknown.  I expect him to be very very good, but I don't know when.  Tonight?  Maybe.  I expect his role to steadily increase if not tonight.  He will be key in March. 

Of course the unknowns will be exciting to see in action.  How does Denver and Chaney play at a higher level.  I would think better than most true freshman would.  Excited to have some length at the 2.  And he can shoot it - make no mistake about that. Chaney is explosive and should be a treat to watch in transition.    Can he play with his back to the goal.  Does he have a drop step move?  Can he consistently stretch the defense from the 4.  

The key could very well be the 3.  Can Chad Baker bring it at the 3.  If he can stretch the court and knock down some 3's this team will make a lot of noise.  I expect him to do just that.  I think he will fine on the defensive end.  He may struggle against heavy and physical 3s, but how many of those will we face.  

Don't underestimate the value Cardwell brings to the team.  He brings physicality, energy and extra fouls in the post.  He defends, block shots and most importantly boxes out.  He will be overlooked by many and criticized by the uneducated fans, but he will be a critical piece of the puzzle and play a very important role this season.  

Let's get it started.  WDE!

 

I agree with all of this (as someone who knows nothing really about bball).

Thanks for the solid write-up!

[einatlanta 502]

I think that enthusiasm that fell off a bit is going to be at a muuuuch higher level this season. We have the shooters that might keep us from living and dying by the 3pter but I have a feeling that we will have that ace in the hole when we need it.  

[KillenTime 127]

1 hour ago, Auburn93 said:

And we have not mentioned HOW WILL THE REFS CALL THE GAME? How will we adjust? Denver has already shown he is the dude on this team. 

How the game is called is always a factor.  I like our depth if we get into foul trouble.  

[Dwayne Pride 379]

1 hour ago, Dunndone414 said:

Yup, line moved from +2 to -1.5.

That is a pretty big swing, no?   I don’t gamble anymore but I would think that means the smart money is favoring Auburn.  The casual bettor block doesn’t swing a line that much. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Dwayne Pride

[Grumps 3,704]

 

[auburnatl1 5,102]

On 11/6/2023 at 11:18 AM, KansasTiger said:

I miss the chemistry and ball movement the 2018-2019 team showed. I went back and watched our tourney games on our way to that final four, and I know that was a special team, but the ball movement, finding the open man, extra pass, combined with our great chemistry and shooting % as a team, was just lethal. Compare that to what we had seen the last two years, and it's night and day. I always made the argument that BP didn't have the right personnel to run the system that he likes to run.

I don't expect this team to magically be that yet, but I hope to see some glimpses that this team can turn into that fun run n' gun style team again. I think they have the right people to do that.

Totally agree. When we lost to Miami in 21 I was jealous on how they played. We were loaded with nba talent but good lord we plodded around and were slow - Miami played like we did in 2 years earlier  - fast, movement, integrated.  Killed us. I’m hoping for that movement again. Damn its fun to watch.