Don’t forget about incoming frosh Te’Jon Lucas
So you got ocean front property there in AZ????The Mississippi empties into the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
It's where I built my beach house.So you got ocean front property there in AZ????
Even in that 4-14 year we were mostly competitive. My observation is that in the 4-5 years preceding the last 3 we could not win the close games. We would often play teams even or have a small lead and give it away in the end. We found ways to loose when it didn't seem possible. This even continued into Brad's first couple of years. I remember when Finke hit what looked like a game winner only to have the other team hit one at the buzzer. The last three years we have turned this around. I remember thinking to myself these are the games we usually found a way to lose and now we are pulling them out. We still lose some close ones for sure but we are way better in those situations than we were before Brad. I give him the the credit for that, he changed our culture. Oh and Ayo had a lot to do with that and it is carrying on.
They were in what felt like so many close games when Hill was a Jr and Sr. That's the worst for a fan. (not worse than being a player). Just be bad and lose by 15. But man, when you hang in nearly every game and then lose...
There were certainly plenty of those games - Finke's missed put back dunk for the win over Providence, DMW's length of the court out of bounds inbound pass, etc. BU has overseen the change in culture and imposed the drive to win the close ones. But I think the extra effort to close out games took their toll on the team this year with the injuries, sicknesses, etc. We looked worn down by the end of the season, especially Frazier and Kofi.
They were not worn down. If so then how in the hell are you going to play in the NBA or anywhere professionally. They are young and fit. There is some truth that Trent couldn't see but he was fit. We didn't have enough length or consistent shooting outside of Plummer and Jake and we lacked length, size and strength from our guards that has nothing to do with our teams fitness. BUs team was as fit as any. They didn't lose from being tired. Our wings were relatively small and with Jake out and TF half blind the others could hit outside and Kofi was tripled. We didn't lose for being tired or not hustling.
But the coaching he's facing in the A10 is a notch below the B12. He's playing power conference players against mid major talent most nights. Talent will win out.
I'd agree on depth. You bet certain players won't come b/c they "need" their minutes. But look at this past year with the Illini. Kofi suspended 3 games, misses 2 games with concussion. Curbello misses half the season. RJ emergency surgery. Illnesses for Damonte, Trent, etc. Pink Eye for Trent, ColeHawk. If guys don't want to play for us b/c they are concerned about their minutes, so be it. I want guys who want to be here to win and sacrifice a few minutes, or better yet, earn those minutes with your effort so you don't have to necessarily sacrifice.
We were 102 in KenPom the year before Ayo arrived on campus.
Nebraska was one of the best bad teams in history
Yep and that was without Nunn one of what would be two future now NBA players who was dismissed prior to that season. Nunn was a great player and a difference maker on the court. Hopefully he learned from what was the right decision in his dismissal. He certainly was a vastly underated player by many. I hope Sincere Harris can develop into basketball player like him one day.
Top 15-20 is generous in my opinion. I could see top 40, maybe in & out of the top 25.
Trent was on fire and carrying the team in the middle of the season. He was a shell of that guy late. Was more than just his eye the last couple of games. Think his shoulder never fully recovered because he got no rest - playing 35 minutes average and all 40 in a few of the games. Kofi was not running the court but slowly jogging most of the time in the latter part of the year - the limited rest and constant beating took its toll. And being worn down makes you more susceptible to getting sick - I believe that Frazier might not have had such a problem with pink eye if he had it at the beginning of the year. Didn't seem to bother Coleman or anyone else as much.
Illinois looked tired and beat up. Being fit is one thing and being tired from a long season is another. Players pace themselves based on the length of their season.
Losing Nunn was a blessing in disguise. With him they probably would have won enough games to make the NCAA as a low seed that year and Whitman would have kept Gross who on paper had a decent recruiting class coming in had. (Tillman, Williams Frazier, Picket and probably would have gotten Smith) and we probably would not have gotten Underwood.
