Post by LIONS90045 on Feb 25, 2009 21:17:22 GMT -5
Tough pre-WCC play schedule, Semi-tough, or soft?
I wanted to share my thoughts on the proper pre-WCC-play schedule for our Lions. What has been bothering me is our tough start to the season and the high-quality of some teams we scheduled, including Notre Dame, Arizona, and UCLA. Exciting perhaps to the players to be on the court with these guys but was it good for this young team? For this year at least, I think not.
I imagine that Bayno had a hand in making the schedule, expecting more from his guys. But when a young team (dangerously) starts forming an expectation of losing or a sense of hopelessness at winning, it's not good for them.
If the team were playing as it is now, we might have made some noise at the Iowa State tourney - the teams there did not seem daunting - but I suspect these were the Teel "do-it-all" days. Certainly the team had not gelled and had not yet found their team game.
Suppose instead we played some patsies at the start of the year and established a winning habit? (Maybe Pepperdine does this?) Especially this year, the young guys confidence level would have been much higher and perhaps they would have entered later games (Seattle) expecting to win? My gut says yes.
On the other hand, a tough early schedule prepares the seasoned team for WCC play and is appropriate (perhaps) for the team we expect next year. There will be new players to integrate into the team and the Redshirts and injured warriors will need to find their roles and integrate with the team. (Question: Redshirts can practice with the team during the season?)
On balance, I think I would like to see two or three games early next year with easier opponents (D-II?) until the team gels a bit. Then OK to step up the competition for the kids longer term benefit.
Incidentally, I am glad the youngsters had the chance to play Notre Dame, Arizona and UCLA this year and hope they benefited from the experience. They did not collapse rather they represented their undermanned selves well.
Any other thoughts?
I wanted to share my thoughts on the proper pre-WCC-play schedule for our Lions. What has been bothering me is our tough start to the season and the high-quality of some teams we scheduled, including Notre Dame, Arizona, and UCLA. Exciting perhaps to the players to be on the court with these guys but was it good for this young team? For this year at least, I think not.
I imagine that Bayno had a hand in making the schedule, expecting more from his guys. But when a young team (dangerously) starts forming an expectation of losing or a sense of hopelessness at winning, it's not good for them.
If the team were playing as it is now, we might have made some noise at the Iowa State tourney - the teams there did not seem daunting - but I suspect these were the Teel "do-it-all" days. Certainly the team had not gelled and had not yet found their team game.
Suppose instead we played some patsies at the start of the year and established a winning habit? (Maybe Pepperdine does this?) Especially this year, the young guys confidence level would have been much higher and perhaps they would have entered later games (Seattle) expecting to win? My gut says yes.
On the other hand, a tough early schedule prepares the seasoned team for WCC play and is appropriate (perhaps) for the team we expect next year. There will be new players to integrate into the team and the Redshirts and injured warriors will need to find their roles and integrate with the team. (Question: Redshirts can practice with the team during the season?)
On balance, I think I would like to see two or three games early next year with easier opponents (D-II?) until the team gels a bit. Then OK to step up the competition for the kids longer term benefit.
Incidentally, I am glad the youngsters had the chance to play Notre Dame, Arizona and UCLA this year and hope they benefited from the experience. They did not collapse rather they represented their undermanned selves well.
Any other thoughts?
