Next Year

FYI: If you are someone who hates thinking about next year's hoops season or future years during the current season, you probably don't want to read this, because that is where this is going. [I'm trying to avoid a bunch of posts about how we shouldn't be talking about next year. For better or worse, I sometimes think about both the present and the future, and I don't personally mind it].
With that, I'm curious: Given the upcoming losses of Collison, Aboya, and Shipp after this year, where do people see this team next year? On the one hand, we have a great freshman class this year, and another great class coming next year. On the other hand, even assuming a couple breakout seasons next year--it still seems we take a huge step-backwards to me. Even with the disappoinments this year, there is no question that the seniors have been everything to this team. Anyway, I'm just curious what other folks think (if the thought has even jumped into their minds). At best I can say, next year will be almost impossible to forcast--which is both exhilarating and frightening. Go Bruins.

8 months ago rfirpo 4 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I expect more of the same.

Today’s freshmen will only be sophmores and the freshmen will be . . .well . . . freshmen.

This season has reminded me of one of my own personal experiences with Playoff basketball. I entered a BB tournament with some friends years ago that had a unique format. The first round was a round robin format everyone plays everyone else. Then you moved on to playoffs and eliminations. We cruised through the first round, winning every one of our games but one comfortably. I was shocked in the playoffs by the intensity of our opponents who we had run off the court so easily. And it wasn’t just the first round. Every opponent we faced seemed to be reborn of fire and intensity. It was an eye opener. Later my buddies informed me they had chosen that particular tournament for that reason. They wanted to expose me to playoff basketball.

I see a lot of this in this year’s team. Our youngsters are undoubtedly talented athletes. But, It is a new experience to play on this level. Next year they will be better prepared to play in the Pac 10 but they will still be learning what it takes to play on the National level while the freshmen will go through the same things this year’s class went through.

The silver lining in this cloud is Ben Howland. He is a great coach and will undoubtedly make adjustments while drilling our kids into the ground. I’m sure he will run any perceived softness out of our guys before tip off next year.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Feb 27, 2009 8:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs