[NU Sports] hoops redux

[sjtruog at jorsm.com]

> is WORSE than Princeton (though his best Tiger teams
> would have mopped the floor with this sorry bunch of
> Wildcats). So what's up?

In fairness, his best Princeton teams would have beaten last year's NU
team as well. I guess I don't see a big difference between last year and
this year, yet they seem to be viewed on the list as a huge success (coach
of the year) and a huge failure. Maybe it's the expectations we had coming
in, but remember that we did have to replace Jitim and then the Mike
Thompson addition turned into a distraction.

> or some such thing in 2004. Well, just why is having
> everybody back from a bad team is a reason for
> optimism? It didn't work for the Nits and won't for

I don't think it's a bad team. They had a couple bad games (remember, that
PSU debacle was right after Thompson's suspension so it was our first
adjustment ... dunno what happened in the OSU collapse - but much like
football, OSU is the last team Carmody has yet to beat in his NU tenure
and maybe it's a mental block) but good games as well. That's where
familiarity helps - next year they shouldn't have those early slips while
trying to find a go-to scorer to face Jitim. Having a starting five back
is big in hoops, especially in this era of early departures.

And I think Nittany Lion fans were talking about 2005 on the gridiron, not
2004, and with that defense back, don't overlook JoePa this year for one
last hurrah.

> In theory "should" but I watched that Penn State game
> and that was a pathetic an exhibition of aimless,
> mindless basketball as I have ever seen. PSU could

Yeah - we played our worst, we had no clue who would rebound without
Thompson and it was ugly. Yet PSU had to hit a long three in the final
seconds to beat us.

> This is what concerns me the most -- no signs of
> progress, either. Let's face it, take away last-second
> miracle shots vs. Iowa and Minnesota and this is one
> very bad Big Ten season.

I'd disagree there. Vukusic has progressed steadily to become our main
scoring threat and a leader -- he seemed reluctant to fill Jitim's role at
first but has done a good job. And Scott has emerged nicely along with
Jenkins. Plus Doyle is a fun hustle-player to watch make all the little
things happen. The only real disappointments I have this year is the
regressions of Seacat and Hachad and the Thompson suspension/injuries.

> "but that's really all I see between us and the NCAAs
>
> Hope you're right.

Well, like I said, if we win those OSU and PSU games (very winnable and
should have won), we're 6-5 in Big Ten play now and talking about a
stretch run for another .500 or better league finish. Win those early
games and we might be whispering tournament.

> Michigan State goes to the NCAAs every season because,
> in large part, Izzo gobbles up his cupcakes (if you

There are cupcakes on Izzo's schedule? They get in because of that
incredibly high RPI from a murderous schedule every year.

> wins this year. Uhhh...). When was the last time
> Wisconsin lost to an IUPUI? Or Illinois to a New

The Badgers had a pretty bad loss or two at the start of this year that
kept them out of the top 25 for awhile.

> Slight change of subject: is anyone else as sick of
> the damned Illini as I am? Somebody please beat them

Sheesh - it's awful in Chicago. Every friggin' day! But they are a fun
team to watch play the game - balanced, hard-working and cool under fire.
After years of showboat guards (hey Frank Williams - PASS the ball!), they
have a great trio and finally a decent coach for teamwork. With an NCAA
road of Indy, Chicago and St. Louis, it's hard to see them losing down the
stretch.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT