Offense: I love how clutch Barcello and Harding have been. I love how well our bigs are cleaning up on the offensive glass. It's clear that we aren't always on the same page yet, and the new guys don't always know where open guys are going to be, which has hindered us. We aren't going to be as good offensively as we were last year, but if we could get to a step below last year, we would still be very good, because last year was elite with an all-time great trio in Yoeli, TJ, and Toolson. Our bigs need to finish better down low, and we need to feed them better.

Defense: Our length has been really hard for our opponents to deal with, and I think that will be the case against every opponent that doesn't end in "Zaga." Team defense still needs work; rotations are often slow or non-existent, with guards often pushing guys to areas where they expect help that doesn't come or comes way too late. But really, our defense has been very good and will be what the team hangs its hat on this season.

A couple of player-specific comments: I think we all agree that Lohner has been the breakout player so far. If Harward and Haarms can finish at an above-average rate down low, and hit their FT (Harward's stroke looked way better last night), then we will be able to play through the post really effectively. I like how they both pass. As has been said elsewhere, Knell is really emerging as this year's Seljaas, which we needed. We need to get some of our one-way beasts (Lohner, George, and Johnson, I'm thinking) to become at least competent, if not good, at the other end of the court. Averette is who he is; he is going to play reckless and turn the ball over some, but if he can shoot 40-45% from 3 and play more disciplined defense, he will be invaluable.

I'm excited about this team, though I think we will lose some games that we really have no business losing.