Nicknack
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- Sep 2, 2011
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Yeah, I actually think there are many positives after this game even though I am still cussing under my breath (not really, out loud) after losing that game however, there are some good things that I'm hanging on to regardless of what others may say.
1. We played a horrible game offensively and YET still had a very good chance to win the game which I thought was going to happen even in the last few moments of the game.
2. Christmas did an excellent job in his role without picking up his fifth for an extended period of time left in the game. That showed me a lot about his ability to still play aggressively but in control.
3. Fair had an absolute nightmare game but despite that, as a team, we hung together. No way does he play like that again wearing Orange. I confidently believe he got that out of his system at the right time. Moving forward is where it all counts.
4. We didn't play poor offense. We had plenty of good looks but unfortunately the ball just didn't go in enough (or very much). Even with our suspect offense lately, I really like our chances moving forward because I just don't see this kind of horrendous shooting happening again. I know some will say that this is how we have been playing lately, but I see it a bit different. We seemed to have more good shots tonight and if we continue to have those opportunities (which I believe we will), we will take advantage.
5. Grant is healthy as is Keita. Grant needs to be more of an impact scoring in the paint, even though he scored a lot at the charity stripe. I believe we will see that. He will be even hungrier as will the rest of the team.
6. As most here would likely agree in that it is quite disappointing not to win the ACC regular season outright and to lose in the quarters after starting the way we did. However, I tend to agree with Boeheim "I think we've played well all year. I think we struggle shooting it. And I think that's been pretty well-documented. But in spite of that, we won 27 games. So I'm pretty pleased with what these guys have done and I believe we'll be a very good Tournament team." We will have an opportunity in the contest, maybe even the second (depending on the match up) to get our mojo back and win a handful of games.
7. Just look at our own history as well as the history of other teams that have gone deep in the tourney... all you need is a good run despite what you did in your conference tourney. I really believe that our first win next week can erase everything that has happened lately and can put us in a position to be dangerous.
8. Not that I have access to any of the players, but I highly doubt that ANY of them have any doubt that they can return to the final four. I'm sure they fully believe and will play like that next week.
I very well know that I'm seeing this as an optimist and perhaps refusing to look at some of the glaring issues; however, what I do know (and we all know) is that we have a team that is capable of kicking some serious a$$. It just takes one game in the tourney to erase all of the recent issues. I'm still wearing my orange glasses and seeing things as the glass is quite full despite what has happened. All it takes is just one win to set things in a positive direction and then who knows. I'm still very excited about our prospect of going deep, I truly am. The hell with seeding... if we play well over the next two weeks it won't matter.
1. We played a horrible game offensively and YET still had a very good chance to win the game which I thought was going to happen even in the last few moments of the game.
2. Christmas did an excellent job in his role without picking up his fifth for an extended period of time left in the game. That showed me a lot about his ability to still play aggressively but in control.
3. Fair had an absolute nightmare game but despite that, as a team, we hung together. No way does he play like that again wearing Orange. I confidently believe he got that out of his system at the right time. Moving forward is where it all counts.
4. We didn't play poor offense. We had plenty of good looks but unfortunately the ball just didn't go in enough (or very much). Even with our suspect offense lately, I really like our chances moving forward because I just don't see this kind of horrendous shooting happening again. I know some will say that this is how we have been playing lately, but I see it a bit different. We seemed to have more good shots tonight and if we continue to have those opportunities (which I believe we will), we will take advantage.
5. Grant is healthy as is Keita. Grant needs to be more of an impact scoring in the paint, even though he scored a lot at the charity stripe. I believe we will see that. He will be even hungrier as will the rest of the team.
6. As most here would likely agree in that it is quite disappointing not to win the ACC regular season outright and to lose in the quarters after starting the way we did. However, I tend to agree with Boeheim "I think we've played well all year. I think we struggle shooting it. And I think that's been pretty well-documented. But in spite of that, we won 27 games. So I'm pretty pleased with what these guys have done and I believe we'll be a very good Tournament team." We will have an opportunity in the contest, maybe even the second (depending on the match up) to get our mojo back and win a handful of games.
7. Just look at our own history as well as the history of other teams that have gone deep in the tourney... all you need is a good run despite what you did in your conference tourney. I really believe that our first win next week can erase everything that has happened lately and can put us in a position to be dangerous.
8. Not that I have access to any of the players, but I highly doubt that ANY of them have any doubt that they can return to the final four. I'm sure they fully believe and will play like that next week.
I very well know that I'm seeing this as an optimist and perhaps refusing to look at some of the glaring issues; however, what I do know (and we all know) is that we have a team that is capable of kicking some serious a$$. It just takes one game in the tourney to erase all of the recent issues. I'm still wearing my orange glasses and seeing things as the glass is quite full despite what has happened. All it takes is just one win to set things in a positive direction and then who knows. I'm still very excited about our prospect of going deep, I truly am. The hell with seeding... if we play well over the next two weeks it won't matter.
