I know the game isn't over yet, but I think at this point we know how it's going to end.
1. For the people that think coaching is our problem and not talent/depth/experience, you are clearly blind. Fox should be embarrassed with the talent, or lack thereof that he has recruited over the past few years. This has got to improve, immensely. If I have to watch Kessler play another minute, I am going to hunt him down and break his leg so he can't play for us anymore.
2. This is clearly a year where we had improper expectations. Yes, we could easily have 2-3 more wins and yes I'm disappointed we aren't doing better, but I think we severely underestimated how much it hurt losing Nemi and Thornton. Last we had JJ, Mann, Gaines, Nemi and Thornton playing together. 5 guys who had played together for 2+ years. That is huge. This year, we are heavily relying on 2-3 freshmen, 1 sophomore and a couple of player who shouldn't be playing for than 5 min a game in the SEC, if any at all. We simply don't have the talent, depth, and experience playing with each other player on the team that other teams have.
3. We are having a down year. It happens. Florida has had a couple of down years now, Vandy is having a down year, Duke is having a down year. We are having a down year. It happens. We have a young and under-talented team. I'm not happy about it, and I don't have a loser mentality. It's just what I'm seeing.
4. None of our freshmen were ready to contribute on offense this year. MOST freshmen in college aren't ready to do that on a consistent basis. We will need all four freshmen to take major steps forward next year on offense.... and defense for that matter.
5. I am still excited about the future. I'm a little nervous about our three point shooting next year, but since the two incoming freshmen are more talented than any one we've had come in, not named KCP, hopefully they can at least hit some spot up threes. Assuming the freshmen take big steps forward next year, a starting lineup of JJ, Turtle, Wilridge, OBD, Edwards, and Maten should be pretty solid. Still a little young and I'm worried about 3 point shooting, but our spacing, rebounding, and defense should be much improved.
6. I know people are upset about this year and with Fox in general. I get that it's his 7th year and we were expecting more. I'm young and impatient and thought Richt should've been fired years ago. But our basketball program is not the same as our football program, and therefore requires a different timeline and set of expectations. I think our program has improved immensely since before Fox got here, and over his tenure. IF, and it's a big if, but if the pick up in recruiting continues, we will be a very talented team moving forward for Fox's career.
7. Just to summarize. Def disappointed in this year, but I'm excited about the future. Fox has got to get a stretch 4 to come in with Crump and Harris this year. Kessler needs to graduate and leave and we need to fill in the scholarship we are using for the walk-on. Same with Juwan Parker if he can't play again. Really hope our administration and fans continue to do all they can to support us. Fox may not be the greatest coach ever, but there is no doubt in my mind that he isn't in the top 50% of coaches in the SEC. Recruiting has to improve. Again, RECRUITING HAS GOT TO KEEP IMPROVING. There is no doubt in my mind that improved recruiting will take us where we want to be with Fox.
1. For the people that think coaching is our problem and not talent/depth/experience, you are clearly blind. Fox should be embarrassed with the talent, or lack thereof that he has recruited over the past few years. This has got to improve, immensely. If I have to watch Kessler play another minute, I am going to hunt him down and break his leg so he can't play for us anymore.
2. This is clearly a year where we had improper expectations. Yes, we could easily have 2-3 more wins and yes I'm disappointed we aren't doing better, but I think we severely underestimated how much it hurt losing Nemi and Thornton. Last we had JJ, Mann, Gaines, Nemi and Thornton playing together. 5 guys who had played together for 2+ years. That is huge. This year, we are heavily relying on 2-3 freshmen, 1 sophomore and a couple of player who shouldn't be playing for than 5 min a game in the SEC, if any at all. We simply don't have the talent, depth, and experience playing with each other player on the team that other teams have.
3. We are having a down year. It happens. Florida has had a couple of down years now, Vandy is having a down year, Duke is having a down year. We are having a down year. It happens. We have a young and under-talented team. I'm not happy about it, and I don't have a loser mentality. It's just what I'm seeing.
4. None of our freshmen were ready to contribute on offense this year. MOST freshmen in college aren't ready to do that on a consistent basis. We will need all four freshmen to take major steps forward next year on offense.... and defense for that matter.
5. I am still excited about the future. I'm a little nervous about our three point shooting next year, but since the two incoming freshmen are more talented than any one we've had come in, not named KCP, hopefully they can at least hit some spot up threes. Assuming the freshmen take big steps forward next year, a starting lineup of JJ, Turtle, Wilridge, OBD, Edwards, and Maten should be pretty solid. Still a little young and I'm worried about 3 point shooting, but our spacing, rebounding, and defense should be much improved.
6. I know people are upset about this year and with Fox in general. I get that it's his 7th year and we were expecting more. I'm young and impatient and thought Richt should've been fired years ago. But our basketball program is not the same as our football program, and therefore requires a different timeline and set of expectations. I think our program has improved immensely since before Fox got here, and over his tenure. IF, and it's a big if, but if the pick up in recruiting continues, we will be a very talented team moving forward for Fox's career.
7. Just to summarize. Def disappointed in this year, but I'm excited about the future. Fox has got to get a stretch 4 to come in with Crump and Harris this year. Kessler needs to graduate and leave and we need to fill in the scholarship we are using for the walk-on. Same with Juwan Parker if he can't play again. Really hope our administration and fans continue to do all they can to support us. Fox may not be the greatest coach ever, but there is no doubt in my mind that he isn't in the top 50% of coaches in the SEC. Recruiting has to improve. Again, RECRUITING HAS GOT TO KEEP IMPROVING. There is no doubt in my mind that improved recruiting will take us where we want to be with Fox.
