Well I guess it did. It was overcast but brighter here in mid Mizzery. But hey it was Easter so it wasn’t all bad right? I am also planning on returning to work.
There are 300 some odd teams who are watching the rest of the tourney as well. There will be 67 of them who will feel to one degree or another something similar to what we are feeling today. But does any of that take away the belief that KU should still be playing? Not for me. Not when I am as confident as I have ever been that Villanova will get smoked by OU. Beating them a third time would have been extremely difficult but obviously possible. The game last night though has again left some of us with more head scratching questions.
This was an incredibly long season if you include the WUG. But it was there that I had my first glimmer of hope that this team could be very special. The gold medal game and Wayne being the MVP was very inspiring. I had high hopes that success and Wayne’s emergence would propel them to a very good season. They indeed had a very good season in part I believe to the extra practice but Wayne went a little hot and cold during the season. Three of the five losses to me were not all that terrible. MSU, WVU and ISU were all good teams. We did better in March than two of them. But at some point in January I think we all had some doubt about a 12th championship. I was not opposed to that thinking it might switch the usual focus to March since the first target had already been missed. That ship was not only righted it was basically rebuilt. So the first target remained clearly in sight and was again achieved.
Perry was an amazing young man. Model student athlete. Deserving of every award and ounce of praise he got from everywhere. He was not and never will be an alpha dog. Having to be told over and over again to be more aggressive was odd I thought especially this year. This will probably keep him out of the NBA but will serve him well in Europe. He will make a butt load of cash there and deserves every euro.
Jamari was the ultimate success story. Kudos to the entire coaching staff for literally rescuing this kid. I don’t know what his future holds in basketball but he has already got a great opportunity to do great things in life. God speed young fella.
I have expressed my feelings about Hunter several times. I am not sure what happened between Korea and November but I feel horrible for this kid. Got a few starts and then BAM..have a seat…see you at senior night. This is still one of the most perplexing issues for me this season. No I am not at practice. Yes I saw him struggle at times on the court. But not really anymore than any other big we had IMHO. Odd stuff if you ask me.
I do believe Wayne will “test the waters” in this years draft. I like this new system. It may create less OADs and possibly save the financial futures of kids like Wayne. Like I said coming off the WUG I was sure we had found THE MAN for this season. At times he was and at other times he clearly was not. I don’t know when Aaron Miles is going back to Europe but he definitely had a huge impact on Wayne’s late season re-emergence I thought. Getting him to drive and not just be a shooter changed his game completely. I think hes coming back.
I would also not be surprised if Svi checks his options. I will admit I was ready to throw in the towel on this guy. But exactly like Wayne, as soon as the drive became more of his game he exploded. You could really see the confidence grow. Yeah I know his parents are both educators and they really value his education but hes 18. If he had an average NBA career he could retire at 28 and have a pretty good life.
I think Cheick is gone. No hes not ready. Yes another year would be helpful. Doesn’t matter. Money talks and Barbra Streisand walks. I will be shocked if he comes back.
I believe Greene is gone as well. I’m pretty sure hes also not ready, but due to his in and out of the doghouse relationship with HCBS, it would not surprise me if he even transferred for his senior season.
Bragg might also see what he can see. I think he will find out what we all think….he needs him some Hudy. If he comes back and I think he will, he will be a truly great player next year.
That leaves us for sure the core of Mason, Graham and Lucas. All have great promise and will help whoever shows up for boot camp.
We have beat the dead horse on Villanova as much as I want and more. The overall picture to me is much more perplexing. Is this coach and this program constantly over seeded? Is the Big 12 over rated? Is there validity to the school of thought that way too much weight is placed on a 6 game one and done tournament? Does this coach and this program buy into that and place too much emphasis on winning the league? All good questions. I have ideas on all of them but really I don’t have any definitive answers. The great thing about this board though is we can express those ideas. For the most part they are met with thoughtful and sometimes colorful commentary. Thanks to all who contribute.
Finally a huge thank you to Dave for getting the band back together. At some point in October I was bracing myself for going to other boards and putting up with what that might have meant. Our knight in shining armor came through though and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Thanks also to the mods who help us to put our heads in front of our hearts when commenting on our beloved Hawks. Have a great summer all and I look forward to seeing you all again in October.
