I'm excited!

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:25 am

Maybe it was the dismal football season. Maybe it's just the slim shreds of optimism that come with every new season. Or maybe I ate something funny yesterday, I don't know. But for some reason I'm excited for this basketball team.

They are still not a great team, but back to back games winning on buzzer beaters has been pretty thrilling thus far.

More importantly, unlike years past, this team has the athleticism to give you hope. Recently we've had some teams that didn't have the athleticism of a good Toledo city league team, and that isn't the case this year, that makes for some fun games.

Not sure if I'll make it to this evenings game, but I hope to.

BGorDeath · Post by **BGorDeath** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:38 am

I am excited, as well. Took the entire family to the game Saturday and they had a ball. They can't go tonight.

I would like for us to win by four so I don't lose anymore hair.

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:50 am

It's great when the team plays hard enough to be in games and actually finish them out in the final few minutes. Maybe it was just so early in the season but I liked the intensity I saw out of the players towards the end of that USA game.

OSUFALCON · Post by **OSUFALCON** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:12 am

I think this team likes each other as well! That will feed on itself. I'm really looking forward to Nate Miller, he will be a great addition.

svillefalcon · Post by **svillefalcon** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:22 am

i think nate will be a great player for us. He will add depth, more athleticsm, and another solid body. If he was recruited by UNC-Wilmington, a perennial tournament team, he has to be good. He also looks like a real team player as saturday i saw him jumping up and down on the bench and encouraging his teammates which is a great sign of overall team chemistry.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:46 pm

I keep forgetting that we still have to add Nate Miller to this team. We could be quite good if we can get a low post threat. Ryne Hamblet looks like he is atleast solid. I would like to see one of these other guys we recruited step up. WE seem to be hitting on transfers and Jucos more lately......If Marshall is not hurt I would say that a lineup of

Hamblet JR
Samarco SR
Miller So
Marschall So
Lefeld Sr

Is about as good as we have had in some time here. That lineup can compete in the MAC. If Miller is as advertised.

BleedOrange · Post by **BleedOrange** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:28 pm

I feel really good about this team. We're playing well as a team, even without 1 true, steady point guard. Rad is stepping up and playing better than expected over the last few games. Sims is a contributor. I think that Hamblet is shaping up as an excellent all-round contributor. Marcshall has been scoring inside.

DD said something interesting during yesterday's postgame: "I've been trying to get Clements and Moten going, but I just can't to do it." I'm looking forward to seeing those two get it in overdrive.

I have one major concern: post depth. Polk, Sullivan, and Larson haven't been getting the minutes they need to develop into solid contributors in February. We really need at least one of those guys to be a dependable part of our rotation during the MAC stretch.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:52 pm

I'm excited that it seems the team is actually following the Coach's lead this year. Seems without Wright that there isn't that irritating dissention amongst the troops and things are actually working the way they are supposed to.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:19 pm

The Niz wrote:I'm excited that it seems the team is actually following the Coach's lead this year. Seems without Wright that there isn't that irritating dissention amongst the troops and things are actually working the way they are supposed to.

Completely agree. Is anyone still here from the team that was here when Dakich came back from WVU?

BGorDeath · Post by **BGorDeath** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:25 pm

Globetrotter wrote:
The Niz wrote:I'm excited that it seems the team is actually following the Coach's lead this year. Seems without Wright that there isn't that irritating dissention amongst the troops and things are actually working the way they are supposed to.
Completely agree. Is anyone still here from the team that was here when Dakich came back from WVU?

Nope.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:07 pm

BGorDeath wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:
The Niz wrote:I'm excited that it seems the team is actually following the Coach's lead this year. Seems without Wright that there isn't that irritating dissention amongst the troops and things are actually working the way they are supposed to.
Completely agree. Is anyone still here from the team that was here when Dakich came back from WVU?
Nope.

Maybe this is the begininng of a turn around fo Dakich. I like the man and the coach but thought he lost the team.

2 issues that are not gone yet.

Freshmen dont seem to be making any impact from last years or this years class.

Are offense...is it still stoic?

BGorDeath · Post by **BGorDeath** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:27 pm

Globetrotter wrote:
BGorDeath wrote:
Globetrotter wrote:
The Niz wrote:I'm excited that it seems the team is actually following the Coach's lead this year. Seems without Wright that there isn't that irritating dissention amongst the troops and things are actually working the way they are supposed to.
Completely agree. Is anyone still here from the team that was here when Dakich came back from WVU?
Nope.
Maybe this is the begininng of a turn around fo Dakich. I like the man and the coach but thought he lost the team.

2 issues that are not gone yet.

Freshmen dont seem to be making any impact from last years or this years class.

Are offense...is it still stoic?

Freshman are contributing...Sims is doing a nice job with his minutes, as shown last night. Bland, IMO, is a great defensive player that comes off the bench. He shows great tenacity and determination.

As for soph's, what can you say about Marschall? He is playing lights out, if you ask me. Dusan is stepping up his game, steadily improving each game. Clements is showing some promise. Guerin is very easily justifying his minutes. Moten and Sullivan just aren't getting the minutes. Like with Polk and Larson, it may be tough to get time with the way everyone is playing.

In regard to the offense, I do not see it as stoic. Players are moving, screening, picking, rebounding and taking the right shots. I like the effort they are putting forth. Ball movement is unvbelievable compared to last year. Its amazing to me the speed in which they are passing.

Of course, Samarco is Samarco. Hamblet is really starting to show his stuff. He is becoming deadly with his treys. ASU gave him the shot and he took full advantage. Lefeld, when able to play, is doing fantastic. Too bad his feet bothered him all these years. Good kid.

I just hope the team can continue their ways and keep improving. They seem to all get along together and there doesn't seem to be a bad apple in the bunch.

This may be my longest post ever, by I sure do enjoy watching this group!

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:09 pm

I meant to say Marschall has been solid. You are correct....

svillefalcon · Post by **svillefalcon** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:02 pm

I love the way this team is playing right now. They are together as a group, and the offense is really beginning to show promise with more inside to out play. There is no doubt that we are a jump shooting team and the easiest way to use that is to dump it low inside, draw the defense and kick it back out for some good looks.

Samarco is playing well. I love what Hamblet brings. The Duece (Dusan) is playing solid basketball. Marschall has been amazing. I just can't wait to see what miller brings to the table. If he is as good as everyone says, we can compete this year in the regular season along with at the Q in march. Hopefully we can get win #4 in a row and take our record to 5-2