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Posted by BlueBeard
on 4/11/2009, 8:51 am, in reply to "Re: Next Year"
Our returnees have accomplished defeating 3 of the top 4 Valley teams, sweeping Illinois State (being swept by Creighton). They won difficult road games at No. Iowa, at Ill. St., at Missouri St., at SIU. They held off a Drake charge to win what was the first Valley Tournament game for most of them. With Harry's re-pulled hamstring they battled UNI, the Tournament Champs, to a four point escape, being a fatiqued team against a fresh team. All of this was accomplished without a strong or dominant inside player.
Next season that accomplishment is complemented by the following: A proven 6'6" top player from the Big Ten will likely join them (he should be granted the 'hardship'). Dwayne Lathan's and Kuong Duolony's athleticims join the rotation after a full season of practice to learn 'the system'. Freshmen, who may all redshirt, will at least up the ante on the competitiveness of practice and the amplitude of extra practice.
And one last 'sign': People who played basketball and know basketball and have been ISU fans in the distant past, but who haven't cared to mention the Sycamores for decades, are now talking to me about this team and its potential and how they may be getting tickets next year.
Right or wrong, these are the reasons for my enthusiasm. Of course we can't know the true metal of next year's Team until about Feb. of next season. Of course we've been enthused for decades just to get the usual disappointments. But THIS TIME it just feels DIFFERENT.
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