It is what it is. The structural problems this team has will not go away. There is hope that things can get better though.
This team is not great defensively and yet that is a Dan Hurley calling card. You have to believe that by February we will be a dramatically better defensive team. All the new pieces being in the Hurley system longer certainly makes it likely that they will look dramatically better on defense. That's a huge first step.
The point guard position is a problem, but we've seen hints of promise in Nowell. As he gets healthier and gets more experience, I think we're going to be a lot stronger at the point.
Mahaney Does not look comfortable in a playmaking role, nor particularly on defense. I wonder if time will change that. It's not a knock against the kid so much as a recognition of his struggles with the physicality of high major basketball. I wonder if he would be better used in a John Gwynn like role. Just have him come in and run plays for him from outside. I think that may be his best use on this team.
Reed seems to be our best center right now. I actually liked the quick hook on Johnson against Dayton. Let him continue to start, but if he gets in foul trouble, switch him out for Reed, I do feel like Reed, has a ton of upside.
Keep in mind to that both McNeeley and Karaban seem to be taking turns being our big scorer. Sooner or later, they both are going to go off at the same time, and that would make us an exceptionally difficult matchup. It's coming.
Going 0 for Maui was pretty disappointing, But we were 5 points away from going 2-1. With a few tweaks, we can be a much better team. To quote Dan Hurley, "It's coming."