As has been discussed before, this seemed to be a bit of a rebuilding year from the start, and now with LeVert out for the remainder of the season I'm sure we're all on the same page that any chance at postseason play is long gone.
However, something that I've found interesting is the disappointment of many fans in our performance up to
this point. If we all agree we're rebuilding, why are so many of us bummed out about our play? I think I'd argue that our record should actually NOT be viewed as disappointing this far into the season.
Something Jalen Rose always says is "Success is based on realistic expectations." Now, we may all disagree on what was realistic for this season, but I think a big problem was the immense overhype this team was given by the media coming into the year. We were wrong to buy into it and wrong to believe a team with SEVEN(!) freshman and only 5 returners with meaningful experience was capable of competing for a top spot in the B1G, no matter who their coach is.
That's not a knock on the guys or Beilein, the fact is we're just too young to experience that sort of success right now. Our realistic expectations maybe should have been somewhere around middle of the B1G and an NIT berth I think. And I'm honestly fine with that. Now the one, true disappointing part of this season is the injuries. With Caris out and others hobbled and sick, realistic expectations going forward have to be adjusted. I think there's a chance we're looking at around 3 more wins this season. I would honestly be happy with 3 wins. Anything more is gravy. Now, if you believe this team should have been really good, please, PLEASE tell me your plan for replacing Nik, Glenn, Mitch, and J-Mo. I would love to hear it. The
fact is we just weren't going to replace ALL of our big men and the majority of our playmakers overnight. Only Calipari and K do that, so if that's what you're looking for go be a Duke or BBN fan, because that's just not how Beilein operates.
My goal for the rest of this season is simple: have fun. I'm just going to do my best to not let my happiness be determined by the outcome of these games. Do my best to enjoy Donnal's growth as a big and let myself laugh at Bielfeldt jacking threes from the top of the key. Do my best to understand how beneficial these minutes will be down the road for Doyle, Kam, Rahk, and Dawkins, and how special any meaningful minutes must be to Lonergan. Obviously I can't wait to be good again, but it's the seasons like these that make the ones like 2013 that much sweeter. To hell with our record the rest of this season, here's to having fun watching the guys
get better and to a full recovery for Caris.
This post was edited on 1/20 12:26 AM by LansingBlue11
However, something that I've found interesting is the disappointment of many fans in our performance up to
this point. If we all agree we're rebuilding, why are so many of us bummed out about our play? I think I'd argue that our record should actually NOT be viewed as disappointing this far into the season.
Something Jalen Rose always says is "Success is based on realistic expectations." Now, we may all disagree on what was realistic for this season, but I think a big problem was the immense overhype this team was given by the media coming into the year. We were wrong to buy into it and wrong to believe a team with SEVEN(!) freshman and only 5 returners with meaningful experience was capable of competing for a top spot in the B1G, no matter who their coach is.
That's not a knock on the guys or Beilein, the fact is we're just too young to experience that sort of success right now. Our realistic expectations maybe should have been somewhere around middle of the B1G and an NIT berth I think. And I'm honestly fine with that. Now the one, true disappointing part of this season is the injuries. With Caris out and others hobbled and sick, realistic expectations going forward have to be adjusted. I think there's a chance we're looking at around 3 more wins this season. I would honestly be happy with 3 wins. Anything more is gravy. Now, if you believe this team should have been really good, please, PLEASE tell me your plan for replacing Nik, Glenn, Mitch, and J-Mo. I would love to hear it. The
fact is we just weren't going to replace ALL of our big men and the majority of our playmakers overnight. Only Calipari and K do that, so if that's what you're looking for go be a Duke or BBN fan, because that's just not how Beilein operates.
My goal for the rest of this season is simple: have fun. I'm just going to do my best to not let my happiness be determined by the outcome of these games. Do my best to enjoy Donnal's growth as a big and let myself laugh at Bielfeldt jacking threes from the top of the key. Do my best to understand how beneficial these minutes will be down the road for Doyle, Kam, Rahk, and Dawkins, and how special any meaningful minutes must be to Lonergan. Obviously I can't wait to be good again, but it's the seasons like these that make the ones like 2013 that much sweeter. To hell with our record the rest of this season, here's to having fun watching the guys
get better and to a full recovery for Caris.
This post was edited on 1/20 12:26 AM by LansingBlue11
