I am really appreciating the will of this team to win

[MC_Cat]

The 1st half was no doubt about figuring out how to deal with the absence of Olah. The 2nd half was about the team believing in itself and willing itself to win. The mantra of this team is just win, baby! I love the team chemistry and the ability for so many guys to step up at any given time. I think the addition of Pardon so late in the season, but before conference play, can be a real blessing. Will he be ready to contribute in the Big Ten season? I think so. We will have that much more depth when Olah is ready. I like the idea of being 3 deep at the center position, 4 if you count Skelly, who's really a 4 and not a 5.

It's never easy being a Wildcat fan but that's part of the fun, isn't it? We can appreciate success at any level and when it's at a high level, it's that much sweeter. This team is tough and believes in itself which makes everything possible.

 

[mikewebb68]

Agreed. Good teams handle adversity like we handled that awful 1st of half of play. Can't play like that vs. Nebby though, or we'll be down 25 at half instead of 11....

 

[hdhntr1]

The 1st half was no doubt about figuring out how to deal with the absence of Olah. The 2nd half was about the team believing in itself and willing itself to win. The mantra of this team is just win, baby! I love the team chemistry and the ability for so many guys to step up at any given time. I think the addition of Pardon so late in the season, but before conference play, can be a real blessing. Will he be ready to contribute in the Big Ten season? I think so. We will have that much more depth when Olah is ready. I like the idea of being 3 deep at the center position, 4 if you count Skelly, who's really a 4 and not a 5.

It's never easy being a Wildcat fan but that's part of the fun, isn't it? We can appreciate success at any level and when it's at a high level, it's that much sweeter. This team is tough and believes in itself which makes everything possible.

Depth sure helps dealing with adversity.

 

[Fitz51]

"The will to win?" Is Hawk Harrelson posting here now?

 

[Noah121]

"The will to win?" Is Hawk Harrelson posting here now?

You can put it on the boarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd... yeeeees! yeeeees!

 

[EvanstonCat]

The 1st half was no doubt about figuring out how to deal with the absence of Olah. The 2nd half was about the team believing in itself and willing itself to win. The mantra of this team is just win, baby! I love the team chemistry and the ability for so many guys to step up at any given time. I think the addition of Pardon so late in the season, but before conference play, can be a real blessing. Will he be ready to contribute in the Big Ten season? I think so. We will have that much more depth when Olah is ready. I like the idea of being 3 deep at the center position, 4 if you count Skelly, who's really a 4 and not a 5.

It's never easy being a Wildcat fan but that's part of the fun, isn't it? We can appreciate success at any level and when it's at a high level, it's that much sweeter. This team is tough and believes in itself which makes everything possible.

Special props to BMac. He's really the soul of this will to win. Just put the team on his back. I did not think he was gonna be this good. Wow.

 

[NUCat320]

Special props to BMac. He's really the soul of this will to win. Just put the team on his back. I did not think he was gonna be this good. Wow.

I just hope he holds up this year. Last year, he was gassed and half the player in February.

Few complaints about a one-loss non-con, but I sure wish Mac and Demps had gotten a bit more time on the bench.

 

[Katatonic]

Depth sure helps dealing with adversity.

This.

More depth has allowed CC to play the hot hand and for players not to be gassed towards the end of the 2nd half (aside from maybe BMac and Demps).

 

[Alan Smithee]

This.

More depth has allowed CC to play the hot hand and for players not to be gassed towards the end of the 2nd half (aside from maybe BMac and Demps).

That reminds me - I believe BMac sat for a reasonable period late in the first half, and we played pretty well during that time. Encouraging to see.

 

[Katatonic]

^ More encouraging, even w/ the loss of Demps, Olah and JvZ, the 'Cats should be even deeper next season.

 

[Palindrome]

Composure is a key thing, along with drive and the “will" to getterdun. This group of guys seems to have LOTS of composure.

 

[Catreporter]

Composure is a key thing, along with drive and the “will" to getterdun. This group of guys seems to have LOTS of composure.

Making 8 of 9 free throws in the final minute and a half on the road in a tight game shows me a lot about composure and it wasn't just one guy doing it

 

[purplejustice]

The will to win starts at the top. CC has instilled it in his team. He is coaching every possession. You can feel his passion as you watch him. It is contagious.

 

[Medill90]

^ More encouraging, even w/ the loss of Demps, Olah and JvZ, the 'Cats should be even deeper next season.

No matter how NU finishes this year, the team takes a big step up next year.

Law comes back and Rap is added to the front line. Falzon who already plays not like a freshman has another summer with the staff and team.

Dererk has a summer in the weight room. Benson is added to the center spot (have you seen the video of Benson stripping the ball from a guard and going full court to dunk?)

The guards get a year older.

That is a pretty sick roster.

I wonder if Collins is looking at that last scholly and thinking hmmmmm.....if an elite '16 guard becomes available maybe we think about it.

 

[CappyNU]

That reminds me - I believe BMac sat for a reasonable period late in the first half, and we played pretty well during that time. Encouraging to see.

We were -1 with BMac on the bench during that 3-minute stretch in the first half, so I suppose it was good that we held steady, but I don't know if I'd classify it as pretty well. Where I thought the game turned was when Demps went to the bench in the 2nd half when we were down 56-47. The lineup of BMac, Lindsey, Falzon, Skelly and Pardon were +6, and the score was 58-55 when Demps returned 3 minutes later.

 

[Alan Smithee]

We were -1 with BMac on the bench during that 3-minute stretch in the first half, so I suppose it was good that we held steady, but I don't know if I'd classify it as pretty well. Where I thought the game turned was when Demps went to the bench in the 2nd half when we were down 56-47. The lineup of BMac, Lindsey, Falzon, Skelly and Pardon were +6, and the score was 58-55 when Demps returned 3 minutes later.

Good to have the factual data. My statement was more in the context of BMac getting a rest without it hurting much. I'll always be more comfortable when he's on the court than when he's sitting. And I agree that yesterday, at least, and certainly for that stretch, we were better with Demps sitting.