Freshman

Ya. Really. Of course they'll get better. Being freshman had zero bearing. They are playing D1 bball no one on the court cares if you're a freshman or a senior.

Mainly being realistic instead of thinking these guys are the 2nd coming, or we are now a tourney team. Of you each the Pac12 we are a very average team at this point in comparison. We are very weak/terrible rebounders (what 34 or so offensive given up the last two games), and the offense is very stagnant.

We are next year's recruits plus one more before we can seriously be considered a top 4 Pac12 team. While we'll improve, so will everyone else.

Enthused we have more talent? Absolutely. But, this group has a lot of growing to do for those thinking we're going dancing.

My opinion.

I don't have the issue with Tres. He has scored in deep quite a bit actually, and he has a knack for getting to the FT line when he is down there. I have been disappointed in his outside shooting, and had a reputation coming in of being a good shooter so I expect that will change. But I agree his D and rebounding needs work.

What disappoints me the most about this team is a big reversal from last year on the commitment to D and valuing every possession. We have guys leaking out for the break when we're not a strong defensive rebounding team, which isn't helping on the boards. And we rely way to much on GP II and Eubanks guarding the rim, rather than keeping in front of players.

Also, the book is out on our frosh on the offensive end. Keep Eubanks off the board and make him score with his back to the basket, and he struggles. Don't buy Tres pump-fakes down low and you can time his shot, as he can't go over bigs. Thompson still is finding his rhythm eventually, as he has more diversity to his game. Bruce was a non-factor, struggled to find any rhythm and ended up being abandoned for more Malcolm minutes.

I agree this is not an tourney team now, probably not even NIT. But I expect the frosh to adapt to the book that is on them now, and the pieces in general to start fitting together better soon. If we were getting the pick and pop open looks that Nevada was getting all day, we would have rolled them. The offense can and should be much better than it is now, and I expect it will be.

Also, Tinkle was badly out-coached this game. Not surprising, given he was matched up against a guy with a half-dozen NBA coaching stops, two of which were head coach positions. In really his first HC job of significance since the Kings canned him, I suspect he's got something to prove and leapfrom out of Reno.

 "...Tres. He has scored in deep quite a bit actually..."

Thru 6 games, as did not see today's stats posted he's at 28% from the floor... 58 total points... 31 (of 38... leads team) are from the ft line... 3 of 14 from three... leaves 9 hoops in 6 games that could be "inside".

But, besides having no lift what kills him on offense is he is more one handed than Collier.

I know he's the coach's kid, but of all the frosh he has not grown into his frame. Without Reid's injury, maybe even with and Stevie playing more, he could truly have used a RS year. IMHO

Virtually all of his FTs are from shots at the rim. I realize they aren't scored as shots in the paint, but they are effectively the same, with the added bonus of getting their bigs into foul trouble. 

I don’t think the opponent gets the credit some times for causing some of the problems a team has. It was a good learning opportunity for a young team as they learn how hard it is to beat good teams game in and game out. I think this team has the talent and depth to do so. Now they have to find the consistency to play to their potential most of the time.

Agreed.....Nevada and Loyola were solid teams....last year we would have lost at least one of those, if not both.

Our RPI is 36......that's pretty high.   The NCAA tourney should definitely be this year's goal.  Next year we lose Payton....and then more excuses.....THIS is the year.