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I was Wrong Thread; Now I'm a Believer
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<blockquote data-quote="hoopsfan47" data-source="post: 1452561" data-attributes="member: 4716"><p>For the most part this season is going pretty much as I expected. Too many freshman and newcomers (one coming off major injury would have to contribute by Jan.). I expected between 10-14 wins and no postseason but a team with youngsters improving.</p><p></p><p>What has surprised me from a negative side:</p><p></p><p>1. That with the team playing hard and working their tails off at both ends they were not able to win 3 or 4 more games prior to conference play. That said, the non-conf schedule may have been the toughest ever for the Illini. Still, they were fun to watch because of how hard they played and the newcomers growth at both ends.</p><p>2. Biggest surprise for me is how Damonte had struggled with making shots...especially after watching his video of Spring and Summer workouts making shot after shot. He has as high a hoops IQ as any player on the team and does much very well....but must find a way to get the ball in the net. Love DW...but he simply has to get better at scoring.</p><p></p><p>Positive surprises:</p><p>1. Truly, I was hoping that GB would translate his hand and ball skills into court success....moderate at best but good omen for the future. However, I must admit, though surprised he is not a better shooter, his ambidexterity, footwork, ball handling, and quickness have all been above a level anyone could expect. We needed this...and he delivered. </p><p>2. Giving BU credit, he has tempered his public rage lately, embarrassing at times, and shown some control and restraint when young kids make blunders. If kids are going to lay it on the line for you, you have to give them some degree of respect. There is a huge difference between uncontrollable rage and an attention demanding point made. Kids actually hear to latter.</p><p></p><p>Other than that, nothing has been surprising but all games have been enjoyable....some more than others. I love watching kids play hard and looking to do the extraordinary...win or lose. These kids all have talent, B1G talent, but it takes some time for the pot to boil. Still, a lot of mountain to climb but they can climb it...likely more slowly than we want them to...but you have to appreciate the process. This team could be special in a couple of years.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="hoopsfan47, post: 1452561, member: 4716"] For the most part this season is going pretty much as I expected. Too many freshman and newcomers (one coming off major injury would have to contribute by Jan.). I expected between 10-14 wins and no postseason but a team with youngsters improving. What has surprised me from a negative side: 1. That with the team playing hard and working their tails off at both ends they were not able to win 3 or 4 more games prior to conference play. That said, the non-conf schedule may have been the toughest ever for the Illini. Still, they were fun to watch because of how hard they played and the newcomers growth at both ends. 2. Biggest surprise for me is how Damonte had struggled with making shots...especially after watching his video of Spring and Summer workouts making shot after shot. He has as high a hoops IQ as any player on the team and does much very well....but must find a way to get the ball in the net. Love DW...but he simply has to get better at scoring. Positive surprises: 1. Truly, I was hoping that GB would translate his hand and ball skills into court success....moderate at best but good omen for the future. However, I must admit, though surprised he is not a better shooter, his ambidexterity, footwork, ball handling, and quickness have all been above a level anyone could expect. We needed this...and he delivered. 2. Giving BU credit, he has tempered his public rage lately, embarrassing at times, and shown some control and restraint when young kids make blunders. If kids are going to lay it on the line for you, you have to give them some degree of respect. There is a huge difference between uncontrollable rage and an attention demanding point made. Kids actually hear to latter. Other than that, nothing has been surprising but all games have been enjoyable....some more than others. I love watching kids play hard and looking to do the extraordinary...win or lose. These kids all have talent, B1G talent, but it takes some time for the pot to boil. Still, a lot of mountain to climb but they can climb it...likely more slowly than we want them to...but you have to appreciate the process. This team could be special in a couple of years. [/QUOTE]
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I was Wrong Thread; Now I'm a Believer
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