He was a freshman and it took time for him to get accustom to the speed of the game. This pretty typical for a freshman in college basketball. Plus, we had very little choice due to lack of depth.
Dont get him started. I had this conversation with him pages back. He thinks all freshman need 2 years to get acclimated to the speed of D1 BB. Even though I told him his international experience should resemble the speed. And even if he needed some time. I told him that by conference play he should've been acclimated. Then I asked him how it is that he got worse as the year went on and I got more freshman can't be expected to Blah blah blah.
A slashing/drive and dish 2 guard. Cause I don't see a good shooter. I think he could be a playmaker and a big guard to defend other big guards. I watched him in the worlds or whatever it was called. He doesn't have the makeup to me to be an alpha type on the court. On some of his outside shots I wonder if he needs glasses. I'm not ready to bury Tai, I hope he comes around. And I'll gladly eat it if he does. But I don't see it. I don't see anything in his body language that tells me he's a confident player. And this was on his national team. My criticism of him was at the end of conference play last year when he was losing minutes to Benny. He had a good 20-25 games in. He wasn't getting even minutely better. He was getting worse and he himself carried that in his body language.
I AGREE HERE. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT CAN'T GET MUCH WORSE FOR TAI THAN LAST YEAR. AND IF MILES IS CONFIDENT, I HAVE NO REASON TO ARGUE.
My issue isn't so much about some freshman being ready sooner than others or that some guys need a year to redshirt and learn. I get it. Some freshman are better prepared for the stage. My point was that we out of necessity had to start Tai. And rely on him heavily because of depth. And he was swimming in it at times. Growing pains understood. My problem was the lack of any tangible sign of improvement. After half way through conference play, he to me, was no longer a freshman. So judging his play after 20 games, he regressed from what I considered shaky play for the first 20 games. They he got worse.
I'm telling you now that Tai is a far better shooter than he showed last year. I was fortunate to spend a little time with the team this summer and Tai was shooting lights out. Athletically he is a much different person as well. I will be very surprised if the work he put in this off season doesnt translate.
I can't argue with that. However, my only counter point is that sometimes the some players find it hard to get out of a slump in the middle of a season. Their struggles get into their head and they just can't shake it. Sometimes they need an off season to take a deep breath, sit back and analyze what they need to work on. Work on that and gain confidence to come back the next year.