Been stuck at the Columbus Airport for about 6 hours, hoping I get back to New York tonight. In case you were wondering the Columbus Airport, Delta wing pretty much shuts down at 8, living off peanuts, water and whats left of my Budweiser.
1. We may not be the most athletic, prettiest team in the country, but damn we play balls to the walls for 40 minutes. Just thinking back on the season, in the first 10 minute of games I feel like we stun opponents, no matter how hard you practice, no matter how much film you watch you cant prepare for how hard we are going to play defensively and on the boards. The last few games its almost as if we have held teams to single digits for the first 10 mins. Just a true testament to this team, maybe not as talented as last years but this team has some toughness and edge too it.
2. I think people are hard on Brunson and Booth. They are kind of in an awkward situation I think they have made the best of it. Arc is the leader and is going to be on the court and needs to be. On the other side of things we did not rebound the ball well through December. Because of this we have had played bigger line ups at time and we have asked guys like Booth and Brunson to hit the boards. We havent had the transition opportunities we are use to and honestly I think at time Brunson and Booth try to push it too much. Saying that this Depaul game we had some opportunities and both players were very effective. I expect next year with a bigger line up they will have more opportunities.
3. With Ochefu on the court we are so much more efficent on offense. Reynolds has played awesome dont get me wrong but the way Ochefu wips the ball around is amazing. We are truly luck to have the big guy.
4. Now to Reynolds, I have watched Reynolds alot through his career just how he conducts himself on the sideline, with teammates. Yes he wasnt a high recruit, but sometimes its a guy like this you need on the bench. A guy who has made alot of scarifies for the team but is just happy for everyone and wants the team to succeed. Young men like Darryl Reynolds are a dime a doze, enjoy him, he is a great representative for this University. He has earned every basket he has scored.
5. About a month ago I got to watch this team practice before the Butler game. It was a very cool experience. One thing I will say is this team listens to every word Jay says, this whole group just watches and takes it all in. It is not easy to get a 18-22 year old to listen and buy into every thing you say. Just shows you the quality of our coach and the players he has brought in.
6. Follow Mark Jackson on twitter, comments after every game, love it, bring some serious energy to our program.
7. I keep thinking about the Big East Tournament and that Thursday match up, I keep wanting Marquette to move up and Butler or Creighton to move down, just like the match up so much better. Marquette has size and talent to give us fits.
8. I keep looking at the 8-9, 7-10 teams and I keep saying screw it we are going to play balls to the walls and beat them, Elite 8/Final 4 team, book it. Houston for my birthday sound fantastic.
9. Temple game worries me going to be hostile, think its close but we come out with a win.
10. Anybody in Columbus for the Xavier game and want to meet up? Life of a consultant watching a game on a TV by himself is lonely, especially one that big.
11. Gus Johnson is awesome, love how he pumps up the Cats.
These are all random but I am hoped up on pretzels and stale beer, switched from peanuts to pretzels during this post, gonna be a long night.
Go Cats!
