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Message: [QUOTE="Flacusian, post: 197957, member: 264"] I think your post has merit. I'm of the opinion that though we have been winning lately we haven't been playing as well as you'd expect this deep into the season. It seemed that the team had an enormous amount of upside earlier in the season when we were getting contributions from 10 players on a more regular basis. It typically only stands to reason that as the season moves forward there is improvement in team play. I just can't say I'm seeing that to the extent that one might expect. We've done what it takes to win our games recently but we haven't exactly been playing KU,UK, Missouri, or Michigan State. Those are type of teams we are ultimately going to have to beat. Dion not playing as well as he was early on is a huge factor IMO. Dion's 3 point shooting looks like it has mechanically deteriorated and he doesn't seem to have the swagger and confidence which he displayed pre Melo hiatus. Brandon certainly isn't playing like Bilas's estimation of him perhaps being the best player on the team. And although Dirty has made some contributions in areas other than the 3 point line, what we need most from him is to be able to come in and hit a couple 3's. Fortunately for us CJ is really emerging as a formidable all around player for us and Scoop has been playing some of the best ball since stepping foot on the hill. KJ has shown some shine and Melo has been pretty constant. When we've needed some big plays those guys have delivered. I agree that we need what you dub your "wildcards" to provide for us what they clearly are capable of providing but aren't recently if we are going to vie for a National Championship. I'm also a little concerned that some of the less tangable aspects of the team such as chemistry might be contributing to this "malaise while winning". JB put it very succinctly when he pointed out that often times a single play or bounce of the ball can determine the outcome of a game. When games are oftentimes close, it's only a matter of time before you don't make that play, or get that bounce. In the Tourny... it's over when that happens. I love this team and what they've already accomplished in the face of some adversity is actually pretty remarkable. I just hope that they are playing their best basketball at the end of the season when it matters most. [/QUOTE]

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