How would you have responded?
It seems like we've exceeded expectations so far. Currently we sit with a Net rating of 21, which would get us in the dance as an at large if the tournament started today.
I'm really happy with certain things we're doing:
1. We're rebounding. This is a team effort but I've been really impressed with Drake Jeffries. He might be the best rebounding 6'5" guy to wear brown and gold since Reggie Slater or Fennis Dembo. He's keeping some crazy good company to be mentioned with those 2 guys.
2. I have to say it, but Ike is a damn beast. He does everything I thought he would and he continues to improve every day. Those early morning work-outs are going to make him a lot of money one day. You can see his improvement since the start of the season. He started the season shooting free throws at a Shaq-like clip. That's jumped up dramatically in the last 4 games. He was taking too long to pass out of the double team against Arizona. One game later, he was making quick passes or moves as soon as he sensed the double was coming. The kids a sponge and the way he's improving every day, it would be a travesty if he doesn't end up on the first team all-conference team.
3. We're winning games in different ways. We're winning games while getting dominated in certain aspects of the game. One night we'll get crushed on the boards: still a win. Another night we'll shoot terrible from deep: still a win. One night we'll have an abnormally large amount of turnovers: we win anyways. We've blown leads and came back consistently. We've won games on the road. This team is mature beyond their years. We sure don't look like the tenth youngest team in the country but we are.
4. Our ability to win road games will keep us in the hunt for the conference title and a dance bid. We desperately need to protect the home court and our fans aren't exactly jumping on board. We really need to turn the AA into the Dome of Doom again because if we do, we can cut down nets this year and go dancing.
5. J.O. could win MWC most improved player this season. He reminds me of another Chicago guy: Scottie Pippen. His length makes him a very good defender. He's not been trying to do too much. He's a great cutter, very good rebounder, and I'm pretty sure he leads the team in blocks. His outside shooting has improved a ton since last year. J.O. will only continue to improve.
6. Brendan Wenzel is our 6th man. He's making winning plays like the charge he drew last night to start our run. He's a good rebounder, a great shooter, he has a quick first step to the rim, and his defense gets better every game. If he keeps his attitude right, it won't be long until he's challenging for starts against some opponents.
My concerns:
1. Our depth hasn't really developed yet. Thankfully the ten day break came when it did. We needed it. Wenzel has a solid grasp on the 6th man spot. Thompson looks much better this year playing mostly at the four. We need Kenny Foster to knock the rust off and play his way back into shape. We really need another ball handler to step up. That brings me to my next point.
2. Quick guards are our weakness. Aside from Dusell we don't have many guys that can cover a small guard with quick moves. That Utah Valley guy was getting to the rack at will when Xavier was on the bench. That isn't the first time that's happened this season. I don't think we currently have the answer on the roster right now. Maybe Reynolds can grow into that guy, but I don't think this will get fixed this year. We miss Marcus Williams.
3. Ike has been pretty good at staying out of foul trouble with the usage he gets. We saw what happens when he's on the bench for long periods of time. We get exposed in the post. Thompson is playing better at the four. We're in trouble if he has to defend athletic bigs at the five(although he's improved that too). I don't think the Big Shamrock is the answer or he would be playing more. Caden Powell can't get here soon enough. We need another athletic post defender to give Ike breaks.
Sorry for the long post but this ten day break is going to feel like an eternity for basketball junkies. I just thought I would try and start a conversation to keep us all from going Holiday crazy with the break. For me, if you would have told me we would be 9-1 right now with a Net ranking of 21, I would have bit your hand off for that opportunity. Linder and company is a year ahead of where I thought we would be at. This team has a few weaknesses due to the fact that our staff has only been on the job for 21 months, but it's crazy to think that one year and a half after the Edwards disaster we're in the hunt for the title and an NCAA bid.
What do you think Cowboy fans? What have you been pleased with? What are your concerns? Are they exceeding your expectations? What do we need to do to turn the AA into the Dome of Doom again? Am I crazy to think we have a chance to cut down nets this year and go dancing?
It seems like we've exceeded expectations so far. Currently we sit with a Net rating of 21, which would get us in the dance as an at large if the tournament started today.
I'm really happy with certain things we're doing:
1. We're rebounding. This is a team effort but I've been really impressed with Drake Jeffries. He might be the best rebounding 6'5" guy to wear brown and gold since Reggie Slater or Fennis Dembo. He's keeping some crazy good company to be mentioned with those 2 guys.
2. I have to say it, but Ike is a damn beast. He does everything I thought he would and he continues to improve every day. Those early morning work-outs are going to make him a lot of money one day. You can see his improvement since the start of the season. He started the season shooting free throws at a Shaq-like clip. That's jumped up dramatically in the last 4 games. He was taking too long to pass out of the double team against Arizona. One game later, he was making quick passes or moves as soon as he sensed the double was coming. The kids a sponge and the way he's improving every day, it would be a travesty if he doesn't end up on the first team all-conference team.
3. We're winning games in different ways. We're winning games while getting dominated in certain aspects of the game. One night we'll get crushed on the boards: still a win. Another night we'll shoot terrible from deep: still a win. One night we'll have an abnormally large amount of turnovers: we win anyways. We've blown leads and came back consistently. We've won games on the road. This team is mature beyond their years. We sure don't look like the tenth youngest team in the country but we are.
4. Our ability to win road games will keep us in the hunt for the conference title and a dance bid. We desperately need to protect the home court and our fans aren't exactly jumping on board. We really need to turn the AA into the Dome of Doom again because if we do, we can cut down nets this year and go dancing.
5. J.O. could win MWC most improved player this season. He reminds me of another Chicago guy: Scottie Pippen. His length makes him a very good defender. He's not been trying to do too much. He's a great cutter, very good rebounder, and I'm pretty sure he leads the team in blocks. His outside shooting has improved a ton since last year. J.O. will only continue to improve.
6. Brendan Wenzel is our 6th man. He's making winning plays like the charge he drew last night to start our run. He's a good rebounder, a great shooter, he has a quick first step to the rim, and his defense gets better every game. If he keeps his attitude right, it won't be long until he's challenging for starts against some opponents.
My concerns:
1. Our depth hasn't really developed yet. Thankfully the ten day break came when it did. We needed it. Wenzel has a solid grasp on the 6th man spot. Thompson looks much better this year playing mostly at the four. We need Kenny Foster to knock the rust off and play his way back into shape. We really need another ball handler to step up. That brings me to my next point.
2. Quick guards are our weakness. Aside from Dusell we don't have many guys that can cover a small guard with quick moves. That Utah Valley guy was getting to the rack at will when Xavier was on the bench. That isn't the first time that's happened this season. I don't think we currently have the answer on the roster right now. Maybe Reynolds can grow into that guy, but I don't think this will get fixed this year. We miss Marcus Williams.
3. Ike has been pretty good at staying out of foul trouble with the usage he gets. We saw what happens when he's on the bench for long periods of time. We get exposed in the post. Thompson is playing better at the four. We're in trouble if he has to defend athletic bigs at the five(although he's improved that too). I don't think the Big Shamrock is the answer or he would be playing more. Caden Powell can't get here soon enough. We need another athletic post defender to give Ike breaks.
Sorry for the long post but this ten day break is going to feel like an eternity for basketball junkies. I just thought I would try and start a conversation to keep us all from going Holiday crazy with the break. For me, if you would have told me we would be 9-1 right now with a Net ranking of 21, I would have bit your hand off for that opportunity. Linder and company is a year ahead of where I thought we would be at. This team has a few weaknesses due to the fact that our staff has only been on the job for 21 months, but it's crazy to think that one year and a half after the Edwards disaster we're in the hunt for the title and an NCAA bid.
What do you think Cowboy fans? What have you been pleased with? What are your concerns? Are they exceeding your expectations? What do we need to do to turn the AA into the Dome of Doom again? Am I crazy to think we have a chance to cut down nets this year and go dancing?
