...in response to #1, opponents are scoring the same per game as they did last year but we're holding them to lower shooting percentages by a large margin from last year. Previous seasons opposing teams shot close to 43% FG and close to 33% from 3, last season opposing FG% dipped to .415 and this year dipped again to .398 FG and .303 3pt while scoring is about the same. I'm wondering if we'll see opponent scoring drop a little too through conference play once we hit games with some of the weaker teams.

#2. I think shot selection is improving too with the influence of LJ Rose and Haws on getting the ball to Mika. Emery was pretty much a hot-dogger at the beginning of the season but he's quickly realized that this is Mika's team and his role is to support him. Whether coaches helped him realize this or he did it on his own I don't know but I have to think coaches did some leaning on him. He's playing a lot more composed on offense and has been much more focused on the defensive end as well.

Bryant was a little too desperate to reprise his role at Elon to open the season but his last game against Pacific seemed much more within the offense and composed. I hope that trend continues. Haws is also playing much more under control and is taking better shots. I think we're moving into a pretty good area here.

#3. Substitutions. I've been pleased with the willingness of Rose to open up his bench more than I remember him doing the last several years. He's been committing good minutes to Beo who is growing in confidence and Rose is spreading the wealth out each game giving time to role players like Aytes, Shaw, Guinn, etc looking for guys who will bring something to the flow. I would like to see him give more time to Dastrup though. All in all, he doesn't seem to be giving up on guys as quickly as he did in the past.

I get the comparison with Bronco although I'm not sure I agree with it. Rose certainly isn't as moody, easily offended or weird as Bronco was and when he's interviewed he says coherent things instead of rambling on but leaving the audience scratching their heads wondering what he just said.

Is it harder to be really good in basketball than it is in football? That's another debate I guess.