"If" Melo returns, missing these 2 games may be a blessing in disguise

[rrlbees]

First, we weren't going to go undefeated, nobody does. So losing to ND is no big deal in the big picture, but the way we lost I think embarrassed the team and then dropping to #4 in one poll probably pisses them off. That loss may have refocused the team on how hard it has to work and now we have just 1 games in the next 12 days. Plenty of time to work on things and get better.

Then tonight, with no Fab again, it became Raks coming out party which can only help the team down the road. If Melo comes back, we might have a pretty serviceable backup like the other positions have and Keita becomes #3 with 5 fouls available.

When you are 21-1, it's hard to say that a couple of games were a turning point. But when this season is over, and if Melo did return, these last 2 games may just have been a turning point in a positive way.

 

[Marsh01]

First, we weren't going to go undefeated, nobody does. So losing to ND is no big deal in the big picture, but the way we lost I think embarrassed the team and then dropping to #4 in one poll probably pisses them off. That loss may have refocused the team on how hard it has to work and now we have just 1 games in the next 12 days. Plenty of time to work on things and get better.

Then tonight, with no Fab again, it became Raks coming out party which can only help the team down the road. If Melo comes back, we might have a pretty serviceable backup like the other positions have and Keita becomes #3 with 5 fouls available.

When you are 21-1, it's hard to say that a couple of games were a turning point. But when this season is over, and if Melo did return, these last 2 games may just have been a turning point in a positive way.

No doubt. I think we all hoped that would be the case. So glad to see Rak play with so much intensity tonight. He really was in much better position on the defensive end and it showed with him grabbing 9 boards.

 

[pearl31]

Good post, bees.
Are you still hearing that we'll know by tomorrow whether he's back or done for the year?

 

[nycfan]

First, we weren't going to go undefeated, nobody does. So losing to ND is no big deal in the big picture, but the way we lost I think embarrassed the team and then dropping to #4 in one poll probably pisses them off. That loss may have refocused the team on how hard it has to work and now we have just 1 games in the next 12 days. Plenty of time to work on things and get better.

Then tonight, with no Fab again, it became Raks coming out party which can only help the team down the road. If Melo comes back, we might have a pretty serviceable backup like the other positions have and Keita becomes #3 with 5 fouls available.

When you are 21-1, it's hard to say that a couple of games were a turning point. But when this season is over, and if Melo did return, these last 2 games may just have been a turning point in a positive way.

Bees, was thinking the same thing, but apparently it's a very big "IF", based on Jake's "50/50" post around lunchtime today.

 

[Scooch]

I was thrilled to see Rak play so well, but I think folks should temper their expectations going forward. SU hoops history is littered with frosh who have a "breakout" game, only to fall back again. It's no shame, but people are so prone to overreactions here, it's just worth noting.

 

[cusetown1]

This game definitely was a blessing in disguise. I really loved that Rakeem could show what he's made of. He is a hell of a shot blocker, defender, and rebounder when given a chance. Perhaps the only thing Seth Davis might have been right on in the past 5 yrs, is that Jimmy might have been hurting his confidence by yanking him so quickly early on.

 

[cusetown1]

Good post, bees.
Are you still hearing that we'll know by tomorrow whether he's back or done for the year?

nobody knows until tomorrow or this week. we will find out then. Things will get resolved and he will play again this year.

 

[rrlbees]

Good post, bees.
Are you still hearing that we'll know by tomorrow whether he's back or done for the year?

Don't know if we'll find out tomorrow. Not sure answer will be given the same day. Could be though.

Sent from my DROIDX