Good take, Matrat.
A lot to unpack from this season, trying to stay positive, and I agree, lots of good people in the program. I had a big long "War and Peace" about ready to fire, and it seemed too negative. So here is the Reader's Digest version:
1. In-season tourneys: Regardless of the Iowa dual, we must go to CKLV and another tournament just to be more prepared for tournament competition.
2. X's & O's: We are not always very tactically prepared for guys with weird, folkstyle savvy styles. This is not Iowa City and the 80's anymore, we can't just impose our toughness & will on the opponent. We need to acknowledge this is an athletic chess game and have our thoroughbreds coached up with a game plan. Scout & develop strategy.
3. RTC and Partners in the Room: got to be upgraded...Ian Parker beat DeSanto 4 years ago in Dresser's first dual. Who did we bring in to push him and make him better? An aging Joe Colon stopped by for a cup of coffee, but we have got to do better than that. Guys like David, Marcus, and even Bastida need someone that can beat their ass on a regular basis, so they make gains.
4. Culture: Those 3 negatives above being said, I do think the "team" culture, unity and buy-in is better across the board than the KJ era. I think with some further commitment to the RTC we can have partners that best prepare the college guys for the season. The way the team rallied around each other after the dumpster fire that was Thursday was admirable.
5. Toughness: We are flat out a very tough group. There were guys in this lineup that were clearly injured and still found ways to grind, compete, and alter their style a bit to keep us competitive for at least the dual part of the season.
6. The Future: it looks bright, if we can develop some guys to compliment our current core group, we can be a threat to not only be a great dual team but an excellent tournament team. Looking forward to the post Dresser Metcalf era with some other, younger blood in there to get better at the X's and O's.
Ok, 'nuff said, this is turning back into my novel and I meant to keep it short.
Long story short, not giving up on these Clones, but there is some hay to put in the barn this summer.
