The Island of Misfit Toys...

Great analysis, Sailor.

What is your take on Gary Johnson and J’Covan? Should J’Covan be the point?

Ha. I just finished a beer and realized I hadn’t talked about those two guys, who are in many ways the most incomplete. I’ll edit.

SR —

I really think all of our hopes this season come down to the development of Brown, Bradley, and Hamilton. If those dudes grow up — which means Brown trims the turnovers, Bradley gets way more aggressive and confident, and Hamilton learns his role (I worry most about him because he has the highest ceiling and the least chance of getting where he needs to get without the other guys developing first). If we get on of those guys to come around, we make the sweet sixteen. Two and we make the elite eight. All three and we’re in the conversation. None and we lose to some shitty SEC team in our second game.

You had me at “Pyrrhic”.

Basically, this team is much less than the sum of its parts.

Watching a Big East team ignore—even thrive on—a hostile crowd is very instructive; we clearly aren’t used to the pressure.

Dexter should only leave the floor on offense. He needs to worry about positioning his body not blocking shots. Unfortunately, I think contesting shots is being pushed onto him.

The lack of development and even regression of some of our players is disturbing. James Thomas was a monster his junior year (led nation in rebounding), as a senior he was a shell of his former self. Atchley? Shows NBA longshot potential as Jr. then is a well below average college player as a senior. Poor Mason, his scoring average has gone down every year in the program. How is that even possible? I honestly wonder if ever in the history of college basketball that has happened. He was nails as a freshman and sophomore. He has been horrible as a jr. and sr. Buckman? Same thing, his sr. year was arguably his worst. There is at least one more I’m missing.

Now Dex. The foul trouble is an excuse. Outside of one or two games this year, he has been a non-factor. He looked to be the best big man in the country this year based on the way he finished last year. Now? Based on history, I fear what we have seen lately is what we are going to get. About 6 and 4. Woofuckinghoo.

It is time to wake up and realize that we have a problem. I wouldn’t blame Hamilton for leaving even though he is clearly not ready. Hell, if I’m Bradley, I tell Barnes to play me at the point or I’m gone too.

I know we are 17-2. But, we are at a tipping point. Either Barnes turns em loose or we are done. There is only so much Damion can do as Sailor mentioned. I am not into overreacting over a loss in basketball. Face it, they don’t really matter. But, I see some major concerns and it makes me sick. This team should be so much better. At the start of the season, I thought anything less than a Final Four was a failure. I stil believe that and unless something changes this will be a failure of a season and an indictment of Barnes ability to coach.

Basically, this team is much less than the sum of its parts.

This.

I’m thinking both Avery and Jordan will be around next year. I actually am not seeing Jordan being an early entry candidate unless he just wants to leave college. I’ve been surprised at his lack of ability within the 3pt arc. It might just all be part of his mental shortcomings.

That game sucked.

Watching Whiteout with Kate Beckinsale because tonites tv lineup is horrid and I can’t fathom watching basketball right now

“or a team of incomplete players, struggling in an undefined rotation, in an ill-defined system.”

Man, does that have a familiar ring to it.

Sounds like a certain OL that we’re all acquainted with…

Sometimes one just needs to get drunk for no reason. I guess I could go over to HYC for the Commodore’s Ball but even that blows

I had to miss the game live. Should I watch it?

Worst game we’ve played in two or three years.

“…or a team of incomplete players, struggling in an undefined rotation, in an ill-defined system.”

… but enough about last year’s team.

I’ve been joking that Rick is attempting to create last year’s team all over again by contstantly playing (and starting!) Balbay and Mason together. Well it’s not so fucking funny anymore, because we now ARE last year’s team again.

Bradley’s problems run far far deeper than not being a leader. He is completely lost on the offensive end right now. Afraid to get to the hoop because he doesn’t want to be on the line. And struggling to finish in traffic besides. And struggling to get a clean look with the jumper. Looks completely lost.

Bob in Houston,
I actually think we were pretty good in the first half. Second half? Well…not so much.

Yeah, that was ugly. I can’t believe Barnes had 5 days to prepare for this and got this result. Yuk.

As a team, I refuse to back down from my view that this team has a very low basketball IQ. Those of you listening to Craig Way yesterday may have heard him say the same thing, over and over. So there—I’m validated.

Brown: either really good or really bad.

Hamilton: For the people who said he was one and done and to the NBA: what on EARTH were you seeing? Good grief.

Dex: back to munching on a chocolate chip cookie, listening to Enya on his Ipod, and reading his December reviews about how good he is.

Bradley: a head case looking for a place to happen.

Johnson: easily the most improved player on the team, now that Dex has regressed.

Lucas: seriously. What does he bring to the table? He cannot defend. He cannot get off a shot. He’s an average handler and distributor.

The Whirling Dervish: if you are a PG and you cannot shoot or make free throws, you’re like a woman with 3 boobs—interesting to look at but virtually useless

Mason:

Lexi: this is as good as he will ever be. All of the talk about his athleticism is just so much noise when you see what real athletes look like [i.e. U Conn].

This team has been exposed. The question is now whether the staff can retool and find something that works.