(01-11-2019 05:15 PM)LeadBolt Wrote:  I was privileged to be at the game last night. It was certainly a Charles Dickens type of game ("It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'). There was a lot to be encouraged by in the game as well as a lot that was discouraging.

After reflection, I am more encouraged than discouraged. The team played 9 players last night, including 4 freshmen and 1 sophomore, who hasn't played much more than some redshirt freshmen elsewhere have played. At times their relative inexperience showed and hurt the team and at other times their energy, determination and talent led us to a higher plain.

For the last few years I have been critical of our defensive play. Imho that has not been the case since the Peace game. The defense seems to be solid and improving. That is hugely encouraging. How many Tribe games vs. quality opponents have you seen recently where the Tribe tallied 9 blocked shots, out rebounded their opponents and held a player of JWF's caliber to 2-14 from 3?

I was spoiled by last year's offensive execution. After our season was over I had a hard time watching the NCAA tournament and watching the offensive execution on display there after having watched the 2017-18 Tribe play. This year, not so much. There are way too many lazy, telegraphed or just incomprehensible passes leading to unforced turn over's. At times the offense is a thing of beauty and as it is drawn up by Tony and the coaches, at others the team seems to be looking lost. Guard penetration is missing from last year, but when it shows up like last night when Loewe penetrated and dished to Pierce, it adds so much. Unfortunately there were far more times when Loewe and the other guards had the angle to penetrate and instead they opted to pass the ball around the perimeter instead.

I'm concerned about the heads of the upper classmen and what is going on in there. I will venture a few opinions that may be all wrong: 1). JP's demeanor is reminding me more of 2016-17 Omar Prewitt than I care to think about. 2). Milon's psyche seems fragile (first half shooting was an o'fer when he didn't start vs. a good second half shooting when he did as an example) and 3). Knight's on-court drive and maturity not having yet quite having caught up with his considerable talents.

I have to believe that with the talent that is on this team, both in players and coaches and the youth of the team, it will continue to improve. If we just took the best team in the league to triple overtime and had the lapses that were mixed in last night along with the terrific play that was exhibited, the ceiling for this team is very high.

There is work to be done for sure, but the positives far outweigh the negatives for this team. I hope that the potential that exists with them continues to develop. I for one am keeping my dancing shoes polished, and not yet giving up on that Star Trek moment of going where no Tribe has ever gone before.

Go Tribe!

Very well said. I am also very high on the team. I know JP.was frustrated but I also noted, especially in the 3rd overtime the he was hurting and favoring his left leg a lot. It is hard to shoot with consistently when your legs are bothering you!!