Chieftain Chatter and the Redhawk Report: The Redhawks need some "gel"

University of San Francisco 69 Seattle University Redhawks 63

I really was not looking forward to having to be 0-2 starting off the season, but reading the Seattle Times Sports section this morning I was glad that the players understand the same things us Basketball High IQ people see after two games. Now remember I am the "Hunter S. Thompson" of the Redhawk Nation. So as much as I want to be critical, I also want to be positive and then throw you all a curve ball here and there - kind of like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" - to be aligned with "Fear and Loathing the Redhawks."

Saturday's home opener which was surrounded by so many great events such as the Alumni reception, a double header with the women's team tipping off and the Puget Sound areas Catholic schools participation was not a disappointment in the SU loss - The Portland State game was - just remember my early season words, "Win the games we are supposed to win and pull off a couple upsets." OK, lets move on people.

This was a very good USF team with returning players and SU hung in there with 6 lead changes and a 1 point game differential at the half. Here is what I saw and my season ticket holder to my left and the hoop analyzer to my right - USF is a very patient team waiting for the right pass at the right time. The Redhawks are a very athletic team with size, but are playing without 'gel' because they have only 1 returning starter in Senior Aaron Broussard and Clarence Trent practiced with the team last year but had to sit out live action as a UW transfer so things seem to be in a growing pain period. Don't panic was the message from Broussard and the message here. But we need to get the "Gel On" Redhawks or I for one am going have a heart attack in my courtside seats.

Now what's not working. How the hell to you expect to win games when your starting back court shoots 2 for crying out loud 14, not to boot 0-for 9 behind the arc and as a team SU shot 7 for 25 total three pointers - Uh Coach, you are going to see a lot more zone defense if the trend continues. USF was in man to man for three possessions.

We shot 39.3% from the field

It's the little wins game to game that matter and I don't know if any of the team or staff read my last blog but SU shot 80% from the Free Throw line Saturday- insert small applause - because it was only 8 of 10. Thanks refs.

Now let us speak of one more observation. With such an athletic team why is it that we only pressed down by nine with with a few minutes to play and out of four full court trap presses we forced three turnovers. A pretty positive trend we might like to look into for the future. It was a frustrating loss to witness and I had to relive it again on tape delay at Buckley's, yet it allowed me to re think the future 2011 season which is like that basil seed you plant and coddle, water, talk too and it eventually turns into a gigantic plant full of fantastic smells! (insert not so Hunter S Thompson like)

Peace Out Redhawk Nation from the Chieftain Chatter & Redhawk Report and by the way it would be great if you would always forward this to Redhawk fans and subscribe.