This is still a flawed team. We are winning in a lot of different ways, which is good, but also shows that we are very inconsistent. I am glad to see us winning tough games when our 3-point shot isn't falling and our big guys are out with foul trouble but Seth Greenberg is right...we are not a "great" team.
Yet we are still the best in the Big East, without a doubt. Last year we had two regular season games where we couldn't shoot, and we lost both (@GTown, @SH). This year we have already had back-to-back games where we couldn't shoot, and won both. Major credit needs to go to our coaching staff for the consistent style of physical, aggressive and "never quit" attitude the players have each and every game. Regardless of whether or not shots fall, we always play hard.
I bring up the "flawed team" line not because I don't wear blue-colored glasses or hope they run to the Final 4 this year, but because when March comes, it will NOT be easy to get to the second weekend, which so many hold over our collective heads as the only thing that matters. The quality of team we face in the second round in March will be no worse than the Butler team we just faced, and it will mostly likely be in a hostile environment where everyone is pulling for the underdog.
3 things can happen in that game:
1. we can completely overwhelm the other team with our physical play, hit a bunch of shots and dominate from tip to buzzer (see UCLA, Duke).
2. we can play hard, but get matched in intensity like NC State, but neither team is making shots and we squeak out a win.
3. We can play hard, get matched in intensity like NC State, but the other team hits some shots from 3 and we can't make an outside shot and lose a close game.
Since I see this as a very inconsistent shooting team, I think #2 or #3 is much more likely to happen. Hart is not someone I think can put together a 30-point game all on his own, as he is our best player right now. Our guards are good and fun to watch, but there is not a Randy Foye in the mix. Ochefu is playing great, but can still have a bad game.
Bottom line: enjoy the ride, and enjoy watching this team play all of these games, because come March, it is going to be hard to advance.
Yet we are still the best in the Big East, without a doubt. Last year we had two regular season games where we couldn't shoot, and we lost both (@GTown, @SH). This year we have already had back-to-back games where we couldn't shoot, and won both. Major credit needs to go to our coaching staff for the consistent style of physical, aggressive and "never quit" attitude the players have each and every game. Regardless of whether or not shots fall, we always play hard.
I bring up the "flawed team" line not because I don't wear blue-colored glasses or hope they run to the Final 4 this year, but because when March comes, it will NOT be easy to get to the second weekend, which so many hold over our collective heads as the only thing that matters. The quality of team we face in the second round in March will be no worse than the Butler team we just faced, and it will mostly likely be in a hostile environment where everyone is pulling for the underdog.
3 things can happen in that game:
1. we can completely overwhelm the other team with our physical play, hit a bunch of shots and dominate from tip to buzzer (see UCLA, Duke).
2. we can play hard, but get matched in intensity like NC State, but neither team is making shots and we squeak out a win.
3. We can play hard, get matched in intensity like NC State, but the other team hits some shots from 3 and we can't make an outside shot and lose a close game.
Since I see this as a very inconsistent shooting team, I think #2 or #3 is much more likely to happen. Hart is not someone I think can put together a 30-point game all on his own, as he is our best player right now. Our guards are good and fun to watch, but there is not a Randy Foye in the mix. Ochefu is playing great, but can still have a bad game.
Bottom line: enjoy the ride, and enjoy watching this team play all of these games, because come March, it is going to be hard to advance.
