** A good “friend from the board” from the past reached out to me last night, telling me he still often looks for my post-game dribbles while admiring my loyalty and devotion to our Panthers.
** I was flattered by these thoughts as I hold this individual in the highest regard. But I also confessed that I continue to feel my passion wane. And that’s even more discouraging to me personally than our troubling 0-2 trip to the Barclay’s.
** I suspect the main reason I’ve continued this mostly pointless exercise of post-game comments is now just for the opportunity to write. That’s because what looks like it will be seven straight losing seasons just isn’t providing much inspiration.
** But enough about me. How about our Panthers?
** Or maybe it’s better to say how about those Twins?
** They sure were a heck of a lot of fun to watch in that first half. They were loaded with gorgeous youthful enthusiasm while demonstrating a partnership that only their particular genetic connection could provide.
** And this isn’t to say that the Twins played exceptionally. Actually, I’d describe their play as more functional than anything. I’ve made it no secret that I’m not as excited about their potential as others. Regardless, thank goodness they showed up in the first half to account for 58% of our paltry 24 point sum.
** If any good came from this loss it’s probably that Capel should feel compelled to give them greater minutes going forward and more chances to make a believer out of one such as me.
** It was also noteworthy that Capel moved Blake Hinson to the three to make minutes for the Twins in the second half. And why not? On this night, this lineup gave the Panthers the best chance to win.
** So at halftime, I suggested that our Panthers would probably need at least 40 points to have a chance to win this one. I was wrong. They got 43 and it wasn’t enough, because things fell out on the defensive end in period two.
** Part of the defensive problems were from the reality that our aforementioned Twins just didn’t have the bulk to thwart a backing down Brandin John, or the quickness to deal with Zeb Johnson.
** But putting any blame for this loss on the Twins would be extremely poorly placed. It’s more of a recognition that we shouldn’t have needed to rely on them for success down the stretch against an Atlantic 10 team.
** It’s hard to know what this team’s formula for success will be. They don’t look like they have much to bring to the defensive end. They aren’t a team who relies on offensive execution. And they have some decent but inconsistent individual offensive talents. In today’s first half, two of those talents, Burton and Nelly simply did not show up. And I suspect Elliott will have some decent games like the first three and some stinkers like tonight.
** Blake Hinson was fine offensively, but he’s got to stay out of foul trouble. And maybe more importantly, maybe HCJC will decide instead not to sit him down so long when he picks up two fouls.
** And of course Big John will help plenty. But I’m not even sure how he actually improves the formula.
** Nonetheless, I think even the biggest fans of the Twins would agree is that relying on their scoring to keep us in games on a regular basis this year is unlikely a wise recipe.
** I surely expect to see a better performance on Sunday. It sure as heck better be against an opponent ranked #349 according to Pomeroy.
** And I’ll be there again after missing WVU. I'll likely write about it afterward too. I suppose that’s loyalty. Maybe it's devotion. I just wish my greater motivation was enjoying a great basketball team as was the case 10 to 20 years ago.
** I was flattered by these thoughts as I hold this individual in the highest regard. But I also confessed that I continue to feel my passion wane. And that’s even more discouraging to me personally than our troubling 0-2 trip to the Barclay’s.
** I suspect the main reason I’ve continued this mostly pointless exercise of post-game comments is now just for the opportunity to write. That’s because what looks like it will be seven straight losing seasons just isn’t providing much inspiration.
** But enough about me. How about our Panthers?
** Or maybe it’s better to say how about those Twins?
** They sure were a heck of a lot of fun to watch in that first half. They were loaded with gorgeous youthful enthusiasm while demonstrating a partnership that only their particular genetic connection could provide.
** And this isn’t to say that the Twins played exceptionally. Actually, I’d describe their play as more functional than anything. I’ve made it no secret that I’m not as excited about their potential as others. Regardless, thank goodness they showed up in the first half to account for 58% of our paltry 24 point sum.
** If any good came from this loss it’s probably that Capel should feel compelled to give them greater minutes going forward and more chances to make a believer out of one such as me.
** It was also noteworthy that Capel moved Blake Hinson to the three to make minutes for the Twins in the second half. And why not? On this night, this lineup gave the Panthers the best chance to win.
** So at halftime, I suggested that our Panthers would probably need at least 40 points to have a chance to win this one. I was wrong. They got 43 and it wasn’t enough, because things fell out on the defensive end in period two.
** Part of the defensive problems were from the reality that our aforementioned Twins just didn’t have the bulk to thwart a backing down Brandin John, or the quickness to deal with Zeb Johnson.
** But putting any blame for this loss on the Twins would be extremely poorly placed. It’s more of a recognition that we shouldn’t have needed to rely on them for success down the stretch against an Atlantic 10 team.
** It’s hard to know what this team’s formula for success will be. They don’t look like they have much to bring to the defensive end. They aren’t a team who relies on offensive execution. And they have some decent but inconsistent individual offensive talents. In today’s first half, two of those talents, Burton and Nelly simply did not show up. And I suspect Elliott will have some decent games like the first three and some stinkers like tonight.
** Blake Hinson was fine offensively, but he’s got to stay out of foul trouble. And maybe more importantly, maybe HCJC will decide instead not to sit him down so long when he picks up two fouls.
** And of course Big John will help plenty. But I’m not even sure how he actually improves the formula.
** Nonetheless, I think even the biggest fans of the Twins would agree is that relying on their scoring to keep us in games on a regular basis this year is unlikely a wise recipe.
** I surely expect to see a better performance on Sunday. It sure as heck better be against an opponent ranked #349 according to Pomeroy.
** And I’ll be there again after missing WVU. I'll likely write about it afterward too. I suppose that’s loyalty. Maybe it's devotion. I just wish my greater motivation was enjoying a great basketball team as was the case 10 to 20 years ago.