Tipoff tipoffs?

So what did you see at the Cougar Tipoff that tipped you off to what we might see from the men’s basketball team this season? Myself, I think Jonathan Tavernari and Lee Cummard are both going to have a monster year. I doubt we’ll see a time this season in which both are on the bench at the same time. Both are going to be workhorses and it’s already obvious that both recognize their roles as leaders and scorers, and both are already displaying a ton of confidence.
But is that enough having those two guys carry the load? Not hardly. That’s why I liked what I saw from center Chris Miles. He has plenty of bulk and strength to handle the paint and if he can score around 14 points per game like he did last night, coach Dave Rose would be elated and the Cougars would have the post scoring they desperately need to be balanced.
So who else will step up? I still believe Jackson Emery and Jimmer Fredette will be the two others who will contribute big minutes and key points, even though both started slow last night. Lamont Morgan showed he can be a point guard who can get other guys shots.
For most of these guys, who came from a setting in which they were the star players and main scorers, it’s a matter of finding their niche on a college team and learning to be confident as a scorer or a role player. At some point each finds that confidence. For some it comes early and some it takes a while. From what I saw last night, those who appear to be gaining confidence in what they can contribute to this team – other than Tavernari and Cummard, who reached that point last year – are Miles, Emery, Fredette and Morgan. Even freshmen Charles Abouo and Matt Pinegar showed no fear and that they deserve and can handle some minutes. Rose is also probably going to find some time for Michael Loyd at one of the guard spots. Gavin McGregor is exactly the kind of back-up center that this team needs. He’s a solid defender and rebounder, and runs the court very well as his fast-break dunk showed.
Those who need to show more? Freshman Noah Hartsock looked rusty on his shot and a little slow footed, but we know that’s going to change with time. James Anderson and Michael Boswell are probably the two guys right now who find themselves in that third spot on the depth chart. With two exhibition games ahead in the next 10 days, they’ll get a chance to change that status.