1. The coaching staff has made recruiting mistakes - the four freshmen and the non-starting sophs are either not as talented as thought or are incapable of being coached up. Not likely.
2. The coaching staff has done a poor job in coaching. Not likely.
3. Part of the plan. A long bench is not required this year as long as none is injured. This team has played many top 20 teams with very limited foul problems (no need to think the NCAAs will be different). Make basketball life challenging for newbies with high expectations, limited playing time, brutal practices and sometimes harsh criticism. Those that survive have a good chance to be the next stars or superstars and form the base for the next run at a national title. Those who don't either transfer or hang in and play limited minutes in blow-outs.
2. The coaching staff has done a poor job in coaching. Not likely.
3. Part of the plan. A long bench is not required this year as long as none is injured. This team has played many top 20 teams with very limited foul problems (no need to think the NCAAs will be different). Make basketball life challenging for newbies with high expectations, limited playing time, brutal practices and sometimes harsh criticism. Those that survive have a good chance to be the next stars or superstars and form the base for the next run at a national title. Those who don't either transfer or hang in and play limited minutes in blow-outs.
