I'd still say I'm cautiously optimistic, but after seeing this tournament, I'm less-cautious and more optimistic.
Are we cautiously optimistic or all in?
- Thread starter cyclones12321
- Start date
I remember last July and August. I will strap on the cup and be all in.
Well since I’ve personally been wanting TJ back for 2-3 years now. I’m all in, but also know some bumps along the way will happen. What I do know is him and his staff are all good coaches. The coaching staffs energy and attitude is obviously infectious.
The only good thing about hiring Prohm is that now we appreciate TJ. We would be winless under Prohm.
If Conditt could not foul every 10 seconds we wouldn’t have to depend on him so much.
TJ has brought the wrinkle that always seemed to hold Fred's teams back. Feel the same way. Those teams were insanely fun, but fundamentally frustrating, and never seemed to turn that corner on being better than Fiesty underdog.
I was thinking about those losses last night as the last 2 minutes ran out. Then I thought about the difference in the product on the floor. I can’t remember a time a Prohm coach player took a charge.
Id go all in on her for free. Even though it looks like she’s packed on some pounds and would likely request moving up a couple sizes afterward.
The extremely positive signs we’ve seen so far:
#1 This team does not violate the number one rule of winning: Don’t beat yourself. (Those free throws will eventually bite ya tho.)
#2 Any couch sitting dope who watches college hoops with some regularity has observed if you move ball, defend and rebound your odds of success get dramatically higher. There is precious little hero ball here. We can tell that’s a point of emphasis in recruiting and in playing.
#3 We’re starting to see some serious “refuse ta lose” here in the attitude on the court. These guys don’t back down and stand their ground. Recall that 90% of the game is half mental.
Now, put those 3 things together and wutdaya got???
#1 This team does not violate the number one rule of winning: Don’t beat yourself. (Those free throws will eventually bite ya tho.)
#2 Any couch sitting dope who watches college hoops with some regularity has observed if you move ball, defend and rebound your odds of success get dramatically higher. There is precious little hero ball here. We can tell that’s a point of emphasis in recruiting and in playing.
#3 We’re starting to see some serious “refuse ta lose” here in the attitude on the court. These guys don’t back down and stand their ground. Recall that 90% of the game is half mental.
Now, put those 3 things together and wutdaya got???
We are a good defensive team. But generally that goes hand in hand with a plodding offense. The first few games the defense was there but the offense seemed to be in the plodding mode. I thought it was because we just didn't have the talent offensively but it turns out it takes time for the team to gel and the players to get comfortable in their roles.
This team isn't intentionally going to grind it out on offense for sake to cover up "lack of talent". They have shown they are willing to crank it up but they also have shown they have the intelligence to know when to slow it down and to work the ball around for a good shot.
People will talk about effort and defense but this team is smart and knows how to attack a defense.
That's because it was probably Prentiss Nixon and I think we have all tried to permanently delete those memories!
I’ll add something, the players are buying into each other.
No they did not but the point is the point. This season has just started and so much can happen. It’s not dogging the team, as I would say that about any team right now. Every year we have several teams that light it up in November and December then enough tape gets out on them, an injury happens, team peaks too early, etc.
The flip side is also true too though, and hopefully we fall into this bucket. There are teams that improve drastically in the areas that they are weak come March and be a solid to very good tournament team. We could absolutely be that team too, and I sure as heck hope we are.
