(02-11-2010 09:32 AM)flashbb41 Wrote: agreed on scheduling cleveland state...it seems like we do a good job scheduling though since our rpi is so much higher than everyone else in the mac and part of that has to do with scheduling well in the non-conference...i agree with fallsdog that not being able to draw a big opponent to the macc makes playing more "big boys" a negative if we are just going to go to their place and lose most of the time
At first it might be that way. It would be nice if we could retain a coach and enough players each year to start turning the corner. There are examples of Mid-Majors such as Xavier that have a high-major level of respect and get return games every so often. I think if we managed to do that and get 2 or 3 good wins a season instead of just 1 or 2 that would make the difference for us.
I think Geno has the team headed in the right direction. It took me a really long time to buy into his brand of Kent State Basketball and I'm glad there was plenty of room to be patient because there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to transitioning from assistant coach. Like I said a few weeks back, he isn't so much of a friend with the players as he used to be, although he still seems to get along with them better than JC did. Seeing him tear into people and light fires under their a**es made me a believer.
If he can figure out how to make this team keep the pedal to the floor and not let up until the middle of March that will be something we never saw JC do. He's done it 8 games in a row, in almost every scenario possible. They have manufactured wins, come from behind, and they have learned to slam the door shut on terrible competition as well as teams that are giving them trouble. Not only have we seen them force teams like NIU and Ball State out of the game by half-time, we have seen them beat the East's Elite into submission. Since BG and Miami this team is playing with an entirely different mindset and you can tell just by sitting by the sidelines.
I would really like to see our RPI go up a little bit so we can find the middle of the pack in the NCAA tournament if we go dancing. Bracketology has us ranked as a 13 seed right now which would have us playing a number 4 and that would be okay, but I'd rather play a 6 or 7 and have a chance at getting a momentum win.
Sorry to make my post so long, but just to add to what Flash Freak said about Green: I think this is the first time that our guards haven't lead us in scoring in many seasons. Green is a monster in the paint and he's far more athletic than most posts or centers the league has to offer. Green is still quick enough to go around people and coordinated enough to make tough shots consistently. Also, he and Holt both seem to have pretty decent basketball IQ's. They both are quickly learning when not to force up a shot and that wasting a shot is a lost opportunity.