[NU Sports] Hoops, etc.

[WildElk2 at aol.com]

   As usual, it's been eons since I posted, and I have a billion things to 
say.  Let's start with a few thoughts...The tellie just clicked off after the 
54-39 win vs. State.  Mr. Invisable Hashad finally showed up; good to see he's 
alive!  
   It looked like State has mailed it in; very lazy play on offense; just run 
down the court and fire up a 3 with no one underneath. Dumb.  While we 
weren't world beaters, our shooting was decent during the middle 20 minutes of the 
game.
  NIT:  We're 13-12.  Logic says we'll finish 14-16 or 15-16.  This has 
happened too many times.  Really a dud after most of us thought we'd be in the 
17-19 win range (such as me).  Brad Wilson, thanks for going off.  That had to be 
about the best post in years.  Oh yeah, you're a sports reporter, aren't you?  
Good post nevertheless.
   .02:  Our inability to bang with the big boys, especially after Thompson's 
arrival, has been perplexing.  With DD and MT, I thought we'd do a 180 from 
where we've been the last few years. Not.  
   I thought with so many returning players we'd absorb Jitim's loss better 
than we have.  Hashad has looked lost this season, and everything seems like 
such a struggle for Parker.
   The good news is that Thompson has brought some muscle/ inside game. I'm 
hoping his ankle gets better; a few productive minutes per gme may meen the 
difference between NIT and another losing season.
   As far as progress, or lack thereof, it's been sooooo slow.  Our 16-13 
season 2-3 years ago, an 8-8 Big Ten record last year,  we've been around.500 for 
what, 4 of the past 5 seasons?  I will gently suggest that BC has made 
positive strides, although this season has been a step back.  Still, it's not over.  
If we can bail out an NIT bid and or a winning record, some sort of 
incremental gain will have been achieved.
  I see a win vs. Michigan, so we'll need an upset someplace. I will remain 
hopefull yet realistic:)  :(  
   Closing:  no chatter about Coach Roy's blurb about a home and home vs. 
Nevada in football (06 and 07) ?  
   I don't like it.  Teams from the WAC/MAC/Conf.USA etc.; we need 2 games in 
Evanston, 1 at their place. Especially Nevada, who draw worse than us!
  Discuss amungst yourselves.....

                     GO CATS!!!    Eric