Thoughts on the Ugliest of Ugly Wins

by Dr. Charley West on Dec 4, 2008 10:20 AM EST

We're a young team, I get that. There's going to be some tough patches throughout this season. But good lord was that ugly. Still, a win is a win is a win is a road win over a probable SEC tournament team. In about three months, we'll be looking lovingly back to this win, overjoyed to have it on our resume.

A few thoughts:

I am 100% in favor of Huggins threatening gun violence or medieval torture against players who can't shoot free throws. And when I say players, I mean the entire team. We suck. I get the weightlifting angle, with the thought that it will improve as the season goes on. But no team should be this bad, on any level.

Gutsy play by Joe Mazzulla. Obviously, he wasn't his best, but even the most blackhearted among us (including: me) can respect that effort.

Somone needs to put an Amber Alert out for both Ebanks and Jones. Are they even still on the team?

Seriously, huge road win. Ole Miss might not be a marquee name, but Andy Kennedy is doing good things down there. Considering the weakness of the SEC, I think Ole Miss makes the tournament.

Can Dee Proby stop taking 3's? How many does he have to miss before he starts rethinking his decisions?

David Huertas is a good shooter, no doubt. But some of the junk in the lane that he got to go in was downright criminal. Half their gameplan was to dribble into the lane, run into people, throw up some garbage, get the foul call, and hope it went in. And I think they were like 80% on doing just that last night. Case in point: the picture above.

[photo courtesy of the Charleston Gazette]

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I dont think Ebanks has had a double digit scoring day this year, and everyone (including myself) thought he was going to be one of our leading scorers. He doesn’t seem to ever have his head in the game. Huggins seems to not wanna play him after the first five minutes of each half. Just start flowers already!!

by Jay on Dec 4, 2008 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Ebanks has been a little bit of a disappointment so far but a lot of freshmen take time to adapt. He better get his butt in gear soon though.

by 5th Year Senior on Dec 4, 2008 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, they do not want to get in CBH’s dog house.

by Lipsander on Dec 4, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions

Ebanks is 6 games into his career. People assumed he would dominate immediately because of the 5 stars next to his name. Just like Gwaltney, Hargett, Finaua, Kearns, etc. I hoped he would, but am not the least bit surprised, or concerned that he is not.

Recruiting makes you feel good, but doesn’t mean anything at all unless you have a coach that can develop the talent. Thankfully, in basketball, we do.

If Da’Sean Butler was 4 inches taller or could jump 4 inches higher, he would be unstoppable. His footwork and feel for the defender in the post is incredible. He uses his pivot in ways Joe Alexander could only dream.

by The 25314 on Dec 4, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions

By the way, I got goosebumps when Wellington Smith took that guy off the dribble, got to the rim, and converted the layup after getting fouled. If he could do that a few more times a game, we’d really have something.

by Charley West on Dec 4, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions