In Reply to: Re: Bottom line Daily 10 min; UCLA loss posted by TheHappyBurgermeister on December 22, 2024 at 10:02:13
your observation about Kyle certainly rings true. The one problem is that he's not a viable rim protector. Bilodeau is not a center at least not a center against legitimate opposing centers. And we pay a price playing him at center with rebounding, fouls, and the effort he has to put out playing center on defense which leads to a diminution of his contributions on both ends and, as was pointed out during the UNC game, to his not moving his feet enough and picking up fouls.
Mara is the one guy we have this season who would qualify as a rim protector as well as a game changer on the offensive end. Problem there is he's not ready. He's much much improved, stronger, closer. imo he's viable to play more and more every game. But he's yet to master the habit of not doing his little travel dance in the paint (may be less called in Europe so a developmental habit that isn't easy to erase).
Bottom line is it takes more than half a season (even better, more than just one season) to fully train and gel a team. And Mick recruited guys with multiple years of eligibility remaining - other than Johnson and Bilodeau - no doubt fully aware of that.
Perhaps the price was just too high for a really top flight proven post and one interested in actually coming out to play for UCLA, given how many other needs we had to fill. But the reality is we have the basis for a very good team ... next season. We should do pretty well this year given having Bilodeau and Johnson (really wish they'd come last year) but the puzzle at the post is complicated and maybe not resolvable in the short run.
As to Andrews, that's truly the #1 mystery on this team. It looked to me as though he came out to start the game fully focused and activated on the offensive end. But soon as Mack showed he had the hot hand, Dylan appeared to back off and just take a supporting role. That's a really tough one. It's up to Cronin to try to solve it and who knows - it isn't a matter of skill, but one of confidence and aggressiveness.
Last year DA knew he was his team's primary hope on offense and he adapted and responded appropriately. Situation is the same this year - not that he carry the team but his aggressive play and dominance are still essential. Remains to be seen if he will be able to respond the same way. So different from the picture at Center.