Galway boys basketball picked up their second win of the season with a 63-36 win over Wells. It's easy to see this is the earliest any Galway boys team has picked up 2 W's since 2008, save maybe the 2011-12 team. But, at 2-4, it's easily the nicest record the Golden Eagles have had in awhile. So, what's Coach Steven's group need in order to stockpile a few more wins? Better defense.
Four-year starter Dan Diaz is a prime example of how defense should be played. While Dylan Klock did go for 21 against Galway, Diaz played Klock tight, and had good spells of suffocating the WAC MVP candidate. Transfer Diaz's defensive mentality to the four other guys on the court, and the results should show more W's than losses, if not, at least closer games.
The guards need to do a better job of denying the ball to their man. Not asking them to be Richard Sherman, but a mentality of shutting down your man night-in and night-out will go a long ways in terms of defense and confidence.
Underneath, the forwards need to look to Diaz for aggression and physicality. Games aren't won by playing soft. The Golden Eagles big men need to become a little more physical and grind it out for boards, and inside layups. If they can pick up ten more rebounds per game, they'll come out on top. I guarantee it.
It's no secret that Galway can't play up tempo games and expect to win. They need possession games in which they control the clock with a minimal amount of transition opportunities. The Golden Eagles will not win a track meet-style game.
The offensive side of the ball has had it's trouble with pressure and turning the ball over. If Hunter Roy and Thor White can limit turnovers, the offensive output will come. White and Roy can easily got for 10+ per night. Diaz can flash 10+ on any given night, and Taylor Hartman just needs one explosive game, to get out of his scoring slump. If George Flint can add six or eight inside, the Golden Eagles will have a well-balance offensive attack to match anyone in the WAC.
It's a long ways from over, and the schedule certainly doesn't get easier, but if Galway develops the correct defensive mentality, and controls the clock, they could find themselves in an unprecedented playoff spot.
If they want it.
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