As I watch the Idaho Vandals navigate this challenging basketball season, I can't help but reflect on what separates promising teams from truly successful ones. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years and analyzed countless game strategies, I've developed a keen eye for what makes teams click. The Vandals currently stand at a crossroads, and if they want to improve their winning percentage from last season's 14-18 record, they need to make some strategic adjustments that play to their strengths while addressing clear weaknesses.

Let me start by saying that every successful team transformation begins with recognizing breakout talent and building around it. We're seeing exactly that with Janrey's remarkable development this season. His leap from averaging just 7.2 points per game in his rookie year to currently putting up 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists is nothing short of extraordinary. I've watched enough basketball to know genuine talent when I see it, and Janrey possesses that rare combination of athleticism and basketball IQ that can elevate an entire program. When a player makes this kind of jump, the coaching staff needs to recognize they've got something special and restructure their offensive schemes accordingly. Alvin Pasaol, the team's head coach, appears to understand this perfectly based on recent lineup changes and offensive sets we've observed.

The Vandals' offensive system needs to run more consistently through their emerging star. From my analysis of their last six games, Janrey's usage rate sits around 28%, but I'd argue it should be closer to 32-35% in crucial moments. They're still running too many sets where he's merely a secondary option rather than the primary creator. What I'd love to see is more high pick-and-roll actions with Janrey as the ball handler, particularly in late-clock situations. The numbers support this approach – when Janrey initiates the pick-and-roll, the Vandals average 1.12 points per possession compared to just 0.94 when other players run it. That difference might not sound massive, but over the course of a game, it translates to roughly 8-10 additional points, which could easily flip 3-4 losses into wins over a season.

Defensively, there's work to be done, and I'm not just talking about basic rotations. The Vandals are allowing opponents to shoot 46.3% from two-point range, which places them in the bottom third of the Big Sky Conference. Having studied defensive schemes across multiple seasons, I've noticed they're particularly vulnerable against teams that utilize dribble hand-offs and quick ball movement. Their big men tend to drop too far back in pick-and-roll coverage, giving capable shooters just enough space to get comfortable looks. I'd implement a more aggressive hedging system, especially with their athletic frontcourt players who have the footspeed to recover. This adjustment alone could reduce opponent field goal percentage by 3-4 percentage points based on similar implementations I've tracked at other programs.

Let's talk about three-point shooting because frankly, it's been inconsistent at best. The team is converting at just 33.1% from beyond the arc, which simply won't cut it in modern college basketball. What frustrates me is that they have capable shooters who aren't getting enough quality looks within the flow of the offense. Too many of their three-point attempts come late in the shot clock with defenders already in position. They need to generate more corner three opportunities through drive-and-kick actions, particularly utilizing Janrey's penetration ability to collapse defenses. I'd also implement more Spain pick-and-roll sets, which have proven effective for teams with dynamic guards and capable shooting big men.

The bench rotation needs clearer definition, and this is where coaching philosophy comes into play. Coach Pasaol has been using a 9-man rotation, but I've noticed significant drop-offs when certain second-unit combinations take the floor. The data shows the Vandals' net rating drops from +2.1 with the starting lineup to -4.8 when two specific reserve players share the court. In my view, they should tighten the rotation to 7-8 players who complement each other's skillsets, even if it means slightly increased minutes for the core contributors. I've always believed that in conference play, quality minutes trump quantity every time.

Player development beyond Janrey deserves attention too. While his breakout season rightfully earns headlines, sustainable success requires multiple players making strides. I've been particularly impressed with sophomore forward Marcus Wheeler's improved rebounding, but his offensive game remains limited. If he could develop a reliable mid-range jumper, it would open driving lanes for everyone else. The coaching staff should prioritize this in individual workout sessions – we're talking about adding maybe 500 reps daily of that specific shot until it becomes automatic.

Transition offense represents another area for improvement. The Vandals average just 9.2 fast break points per game, ranking them 247th nationally. This is puzzling given their athletic roster. What I've observed is poor floor balance after defensive stops, with players often out of position to run. They need to implement clearer roles – who outlets the ball, who fills the lanes, who trails for secondary breaks. These details separate good transition teams from great ones. I'd designate one guard as the primary outlet target after every defensive rebound and have two wings immediately sprint to the corners.

When it comes to late-game execution, the Vandals have struggled in close contests, posting a 2-5 record in games decided by five points or fewer. This comes down to both play design and decision-making. Too often, they resort to isolation plays rather than running actions that create advantages. What I'd implement is a series of set plays for end-of-game situations, with multiple options based on how the defense reacts. Having watched countless hours of game film, I'm convinced that teams with predefined late-game sets win close games at a significantly higher rate.

Looking at the broader picture, cultural factors matter just as much as X's and O's. The best teams I've studied develop what I call "competitive resilience" – that ability to withstand runs and maintain execution under pressure. This comes from practice habits, leadership within the locker room, and coaching consistency. The Vandals have shown flashes of this mentality, particularly in their comeback win against Eastern Washington, but it needs to become their identity rather than an occasional occurrence.

As the season progresses, I'm optimistic about the Vandals' potential if they can implement these strategic adjustments. Janrey's emergence provides the cornerstone around which to build, but sustainable success requires systematic improvements across all facets of the game. The coaching staff has shown willingness to adapt, and the players have demonstrated they can compete with anyone in the conference when executing properly. With targeted adjustments to their offensive system, defensive schemes, and late-game execution, this team could not only improve their winning record but potentially make some noise in the conference tournament. Having followed this program through ups and downs, I genuinely believe this group has what it takes to take that next step – it's all about refining their approach and playing to their strengths consistently.