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[Charlie]

I agree. How many of the top teams last year could win 8 games without their starting QB? As an example, where would Washington finish with our injuries? Whitt could have had a better option for QB2, of course a mistake, however it is difficult to have all contingencies covered every year. My expectation allows for a great coach to get caught by a similar issue in a season with so many things going wrong. Outside of Rising a normal year with injuries across the team would have produced better results. As I look forward to a better year, my hope is the injury bug is gone, I don’t at all wish for a better HC.

[Charlie]

For me a couple of points. Who starts doesn’t matter, who is in for crunch times and ends close games matter. Next matchups matter, each game does not at all need to be the same. Tighten rotation in the most competitive games. Loosen rotation in games with big leads because tight rotations lead to a grind by the end of the year. Players sometimes have off nights, some opponents are better guarded by rotation players. Different defenses can increase or decrease the effectiveness of some players. Even something like how teams double team the post or not makes a difference. One team’s double team strategy may call for more time for a certain big than the next night another teams double team strategy might eliminate the same big’s minutes. Coach will be thinking of a dozen things not apparent to fans so throw out the cookie cutter routine rotations.

So the mostly 8 man rotation with differences each game varied by what coaches see works for me. The ninth guy, Erickson, is also fine when ball handling isn’t killing us because in some matchups he is very good feeding Kata in the paint. Tarlac helps when there are injuries. Games in hand like UCLA, get the bench in earlier to have fresh legs in March.

[Charlie]

Inside the next 24.

[Charlie]

I don’t expect an issue at all. Whitt has been clear that he wants to stick around the program in an admin capacity when he steps down from HC, and the U agreed. With Scalley to move up that is about as soft a change possible. Scalley’s’ issue, I believe was over dramatized and is now a nonissue. Ludwig may go with Whitt but he likely would be willing to stay a year if Scalley needed it in transition. Lud would also be willing to help with his own replacement. The offense will likely see some change but without great risk to the tenants that Whitt has built. Scalley will introduce something that is new school tailored to young athletes. I would expect players would follow the normal year to year turnover we now see with the portal, I think. Nothing to benefit the CougarBoard.

[Charlie]

Thanks for the detail on the why that we have been watching. But that leaves me to wonder about the why for the why. Why did that all happen? I suspect the changes in the lineup may play a part. Bajema started the season much better than currently. Madsen has clearly taken steps back. The shift from Worster to Smith has been good but is a big change. This change began before Worster was injured but then picked up. Likely, if Smith was eligible from the start this significant mid season change could have been worked out long ago. The style difference on offense can ripple thru everyone.

Next, the loss of Lovering has impact. Again, a change for the better creates midseason change. Lovering’s passing is much different inside to out. Then, of course, out goes the big changeup that Keita brought to the game.

Last, all the changes to defense. Smith plays great defense but different defense. Lovering out means a third fewer fouls from the bigs and pressure on Keita not to foul. He added greatly to rebounding, second chance put backs and rim protection. Two guys out, two new guy minutes.

There may be other factors but I think the mid season changes just seem to have players thinking too much and don’t seem to be in rhythm. Goodness, Madsen threw the ball away more in the last two than all last year it seems. Loved adding Smith but didn’t like losing Worster and Lovering. If this is the case, hopefully we get everyone back in time to get settled into a rhythm before the conference tournament. Whatever it is it is maddening.

[Charlie]

Is this on your phone or can you get it to the TV?

[Charlie]

Either way. I remember waiting for the shuttle to far away parking lots in the cold or hard to find tickets below the concourse. Even years parking deep in Ft Douglas or lines for the restrooms. After Majerus we moved up 20something rows and there is reasonable parking. The coach’s show would end before you could get out of the U. The big crowds are great but it comes with some disadvantages. Every game on TV, Jazz in town, and the national trend has cut the crowd down. UofA is one of the few teams that draw a crowd like 20+ years ago. Next, I think only UCLA consistently out draws Utah each year.

[Charlie]

You made me laugh talking about inches relative to another man. Myself, I would not confuse him as 6 foot 6.

[Charlie]

I agree. A sixth man that changes the game the way Keba does is quite rare and he is more valuable there than as a starter. Of great value for Keba is to see how the game is getting called before he steps in. Let others play to define the preferences of the ref squad. I like how Smith was bringing him in very early which provides an opportunity for him to play the same minutes as the starters. I would much rather see him miss the first 4 minutes of the first half than the last 4 minutes. It is not hard to recognize the spots in the game as well as the closing run where Smith wants his best combination.

I could also see where Rollie is needed to help with ball handling. Smith needs more help there to be there for us at the end with energy. This will be more apparent as we face very good backcourt defenders. Oregon will be all over us the whole game and ball handling against them is never a 1 man job. Rollie is our next best option.

[Charlie]

Oil has done a great deal for humanity.