overseasbbfan1
1,000+ Posts
When you lose six straight after a promising start, and begin the conf season 0-4, it opens the door for all kinds of commentary and speculation. More on that later but I think what we all need to do at this point is get behind these players, and staff.
I was especially disappointed with the OSU loss because it seemed like a step backward after doing a lot of things better in the three games preceding it. Yes, those contests were losses, but most (inc some who had been the most critical after the UCLA loss and debacle in SD) agreed that there were obvious signs of improvement.
The reality is we're 0-4 in the Big 12. It is also true that four games in and 7 of 10 conf squads have already lost two or more. That's pretty amazing when you think about it, but probably not a surprise to anyone; that's the world we live in. Any of those seven still has as good a chance as any other of playing well, winning games and finishing strong from here on out. Every Big 12 team plays a minimum of 19 conf contests (inc at least one in the tourney); with 15, or more if they advance, remaining for everyone, that means 80% of the Big 12 season is still ahead of us. As we all saw last year things can change dramatically in this conference in the matter of a week or two. Last season KS was 2nd in the league at one point, dropped all the way to 9th, and then pulled it back late to make it into the NCAA field. We were also in 9th late and won three straight against some of the league's best teams and also got an invite. None of that has anything to do with this year other than to show that level of play, and conf standings, can change over the course of a few games, much less with most of the conf schedule still to play.
We have six contests to play before Baylor comes to town. That seems a little strange because it means we will have already faced two conf squads twice before playing the Bears for the first time, but that's the way the schedule works out. Is it too much to hope for a string of wins before that matchup? Some might think so based on our results thus far, but anything is possible. Whether we win one or two of those games, or go 6-0, at this point it's about getting better, and finally getting in the win column - whenever and however that happens, and the sooner the better. But putting together a win streak is certainly within our ability to accomplish. Stranger things have happened, and do happen all the time in the Big 12. I'm sure the team is focused on anything but records, or post-season prospects at this point, and that's as it should be.
With respect to injuries, they are what they are. It isn't an issue of making excuses, or comparing our situation to other programs who are also facing their own challenges on that front. What it is about is simply stating the facts. In part this team hasn't come together because of cirmcumstances beyond their control. I am hoping that will start to change now that we at least have a better idea of who is, and isn't going to be available on a game-to-game basis. It was the right thing to do to give Cokie and Chelsea every opportunity to recover, and continue their careers at Texas. But it is also hard for a team to gel, or to put an effective plan together when you don't know from one contest to the next who is going to be available. Combine that with two freshmen, two transfers (one of whom hadn't even played until recently), and yet another added to the mix mid-season, and several others who missed games, and just as importantly practices due to family illnesses and deaths, and it's easy to see why this team has struggled. Overall we have had to make constant lineup changes and adjustments because Cokie, Chelsea, Gigi, Kayla and Anne Marie have all been out part or in some cases most of the season due to injuries/illness. And Chas has been out for family related reasons.
While we still have one or two lingering injuries to deal with, now that we have a final resolution with respect to Cokie and Chelsea, and with Chas back and hopefully Anne Marie healthy again and playing before long, this team will finally have a solid roster with which to move forward from here on out. No question we will miss Cokie's presence, but then again we've had to make do without her quite often anyway. I would hope and expect having a more stable roster to help us significantly as the season progresses.
With respect to other criticism, the door is certainly wide open for that when a team is struggling. And you would expect some to express their frustration after a loss, or string of losses. I have done as much myself. But it's also easy to pile on, or to use an obvious grasp of the game to take certain issues and imply things that aren't wholly accurate.
Chas certainly does penetrate but so does Empress, Ashley, Celina and Brady. Yes, we try to get the ball inside, but that is far from the only thing we do. And when you have an obvious advantage inside that is what you should be doing. Clearly there have been passes that have been thrown too hard, or too high, and other instances when we would have been better advised to push it out to the perimiter. But we're learning, and there are certainly times where we've been effective. Bottom line when your stength is the post you're going to try to work the ball inside, but not at all costs. That comes down to experience and decision making, and if the team doesn't continue improving in this area that is on the coaches. The zone is effective against us because we've had trouble hitting outside shots, just as it would be against any team who is struggling on that front. But we have also improved in that area, and players who struggled early on have started to step up and become more of a threat. Hopefully that will continue as well. And when a player isn't hitting open shots, that's on them. It happens and others need to step up instead. TOs have been an issue, in particular that ridiculous number we committed in the OSU contest. If that continues that is also clearly on the coaches. But our style of play means there are going to be TOs; IMO 15 or even a few more is okay depending on the game, and opponent. And of course no one cares how many TOs you have as long as you are winning games. And you certainly aren't going to win many games, and none in this league when you turn the ball over 26 times. The TOs I have a problem with are those that come from bad decision making, as in forcing the ball inside when clearly the opening isn't there. We took a step back this past game but I fully expect this to be addressed, and to get much better in future games. It has to. There is no question this team is a work in progress, as is to be expected to a large extent with a new staff, injuries, players in and out for a myriad of reasons, and a host of newcomers as well. But it is also important for us to see marked improvement in some areas, which in fairness we have, but not enough. Not yet. As I said above, we have 80% of the Big 12 season ahead of us. A lot can happen (both good and bad), and will for many teams, before all is said and done.
It is pointless to compare this this team, or staff, to others who have come before them. We have a coach who isn't going anywhere for a long time, and some great players who are committed to this team and program, and to each other. Let's support them as they try to get better, and try to get in the W column again soon. Win or lose I will continue to support them, but let's see if we can't generate some momentum before Baylor comes to town a little less than a month from now. Hopefully we'll have reason to celebrate before then, but either way we'll go into that contest with nothing to lose. Let's shock the country and put those Bears into hibernation! Building towards that starts with TT tonight. And for anyone who wants to comment about being overly optimisitc, or drinking Kool-aid - or whatever - please don't. Please read my post again and with respect to the closing salvo about Ba
ylor clearly I am just trying to say I believe in this team, and hope and want for them to do well. Let's Go Horns!
I was especially disappointed with the OSU loss because it seemed like a step backward after doing a lot of things better in the three games preceding it. Yes, those contests were losses, but most (inc some who had been the most critical after the UCLA loss and debacle in SD) agreed that there were obvious signs of improvement.
The reality is we're 0-4 in the Big 12. It is also true that four games in and 7 of 10 conf squads have already lost two or more. That's pretty amazing when you think about it, but probably not a surprise to anyone; that's the world we live in. Any of those seven still has as good a chance as any other of playing well, winning games and finishing strong from here on out. Every Big 12 team plays a minimum of 19 conf contests (inc at least one in the tourney); with 15, or more if they advance, remaining for everyone, that means 80% of the Big 12 season is still ahead of us. As we all saw last year things can change dramatically in this conference in the matter of a week or two. Last season KS was 2nd in the league at one point, dropped all the way to 9th, and then pulled it back late to make it into the NCAA field. We were also in 9th late and won three straight against some of the league's best teams and also got an invite. None of that has anything to do with this year other than to show that level of play, and conf standings, can change over the course of a few games, much less with most of the conf schedule still to play.
We have six contests to play before Baylor comes to town. That seems a little strange because it means we will have already faced two conf squads twice before playing the Bears for the first time, but that's the way the schedule works out. Is it too much to hope for a string of wins before that matchup? Some might think so based on our results thus far, but anything is possible. Whether we win one or two of those games, or go 6-0, at this point it's about getting better, and finally getting in the win column - whenever and however that happens, and the sooner the better. But putting together a win streak is certainly within our ability to accomplish. Stranger things have happened, and do happen all the time in the Big 12. I'm sure the team is focused on anything but records, or post-season prospects at this point, and that's as it should be.
With respect to injuries, they are what they are. It isn't an issue of making excuses, or comparing our situation to other programs who are also facing their own challenges on that front. What it is about is simply stating the facts. In part this team hasn't come together because of cirmcumstances beyond their control. I am hoping that will start to change now that we at least have a better idea of who is, and isn't going to be available on a game-to-game basis. It was the right thing to do to give Cokie and Chelsea every opportunity to recover, and continue their careers at Texas. But it is also hard for a team to gel, or to put an effective plan together when you don't know from one contest to the next who is going to be available. Combine that with two freshmen, two transfers (one of whom hadn't even played until recently), and yet another added to the mix mid-season, and several others who missed games, and just as importantly practices due to family illnesses and deaths, and it's easy to see why this team has struggled. Overall we have had to make constant lineup changes and adjustments because Cokie, Chelsea, Gigi, Kayla and Anne Marie have all been out part or in some cases most of the season due to injuries/illness. And Chas has been out for family related reasons.
While we still have one or two lingering injuries to deal with, now that we have a final resolution with respect to Cokie and Chelsea, and with Chas back and hopefully Anne Marie healthy again and playing before long, this team will finally have a solid roster with which to move forward from here on out. No question we will miss Cokie's presence, but then again we've had to make do without her quite often anyway. I would hope and expect having a more stable roster to help us significantly as the season progresses.
With respect to other criticism, the door is certainly wide open for that when a team is struggling. And you would expect some to express their frustration after a loss, or string of losses. I have done as much myself. But it's also easy to pile on, or to use an obvious grasp of the game to take certain issues and imply things that aren't wholly accurate.
Chas certainly does penetrate but so does Empress, Ashley, Celina and Brady. Yes, we try to get the ball inside, but that is far from the only thing we do. And when you have an obvious advantage inside that is what you should be doing. Clearly there have been passes that have been thrown too hard, or too high, and other instances when we would have been better advised to push it out to the perimiter. But we're learning, and there are certainly times where we've been effective. Bottom line when your stength is the post you're going to try to work the ball inside, but not at all costs. That comes down to experience and decision making, and if the team doesn't continue improving in this area that is on the coaches. The zone is effective against us because we've had trouble hitting outside shots, just as it would be against any team who is struggling on that front. But we have also improved in that area, and players who struggled early on have started to step up and become more of a threat. Hopefully that will continue as well. And when a player isn't hitting open shots, that's on them. It happens and others need to step up instead. TOs have been an issue, in particular that ridiculous number we committed in the OSU contest. If that continues that is also clearly on the coaches. But our style of play means there are going to be TOs; IMO 15 or even a few more is okay depending on the game, and opponent. And of course no one cares how many TOs you have as long as you are winning games. And you certainly aren't going to win many games, and none in this league when you turn the ball over 26 times. The TOs I have a problem with are those that come from bad decision making, as in forcing the ball inside when clearly the opening isn't there. We took a step back this past game but I fully expect this to be addressed, and to get much better in future games. It has to. There is no question this team is a work in progress, as is to be expected to a large extent with a new staff, injuries, players in and out for a myriad of reasons, and a host of newcomers as well. But it is also important for us to see marked improvement in some areas, which in fairness we have, but not enough. Not yet. As I said above, we have 80% of the Big 12 season ahead of us. A lot can happen (both good and bad), and will for many teams, before all is said and done.
It is pointless to compare this this team, or staff, to others who have come before them. We have a coach who isn't going anywhere for a long time, and some great players who are committed to this team and program, and to each other. Let's support them as they try to get better, and try to get in the W column again soon. Win or lose I will continue to support them, but let's see if we can't generate some momentum before Baylor comes to town a little less than a month from now. Hopefully we'll have reason to celebrate before then, but either way we'll go into that contest with nothing to lose. Let's shock the country and put those Bears into hibernation! Building towards that starts with TT tonight. And for anyone who wants to comment about being overly optimisitc, or drinking Kool-aid - or whatever - please don't. Please read my post again and with respect to the closing salvo about Ba
ylor clearly I am just trying to say I believe in this team, and hope and want for them to do well. Let's Go Horns!
