I meant to post this after the Illinois game, but wasn't able to find the time, so it is a few days late.
After watching the game against Illinois the other night, I actually came away feeling good. Yes, that is a little odd, but that game just reminded me how young this team is. That game was such a classic example of a young team getting a lesson. The blowout loss was tough to watch, but I truly think it is better for the team in the long run when you look at what this team has gone through.
Just looking at the Big Ten season, we won an ugly game at Rutgers and then went on to lose ten straight, many in excruciating fashion. The last few games of that ten game losing streak, you felt that the team had hit a low and that all of the close losses had finally taken a toll. It was hard to know what the rest of the season would be, but it felt like the losses had just become too much and that there could be a downward spiral until the end. But then they battled and got a well earned win against a good Iowa team, and then it just all started clicking. The weight was off the shoulders, and a four game win streak, the absolute high point of the season, followed. The team was obviously having fun again and the confidence was the highest it had been all season.
Then came Saturday. Blown out from the first minute by a team that absolutely could not afford losing to us. It was never even a game. I think it was a great lesson for these young Cats, and I love what this season has been. Sure, I wish we would have many more wins, but for a young team, they have experienced a lot of things this year- some good, but honestly, mostly bad. Painful close losses (Michigan State, Maryland, OSU, etc.), a few blowout losses (Wisconsin, MSU, Illinois, etc.), a fun four game winning streak, and a reality check loss (this last Illinois game). I am glad they have been able to taste failure and success as I truly believe all of this will make for a better team next year.
After watching the game against Illinois the other night, I actually came away feeling good. Yes, that is a little odd, but that game just reminded me how young this team is. That game was such a classic example of a young team getting a lesson. The blowout loss was tough to watch, but I truly think it is better for the team in the long run when you look at what this team has gone through.
Just looking at the Big Ten season, we won an ugly game at Rutgers and then went on to lose ten straight, many in excruciating fashion. The last few games of that ten game losing streak, you felt that the team had hit a low and that all of the close losses had finally taken a toll. It was hard to know what the rest of the season would be, but it felt like the losses had just become too much and that there could be a downward spiral until the end. But then they battled and got a well earned win against a good Iowa team, and then it just all started clicking. The weight was off the shoulders, and a four game win streak, the absolute high point of the season, followed. The team was obviously having fun again and the confidence was the highest it had been all season.
Then came Saturday. Blown out from the first minute by a team that absolutely could not afford losing to us. It was never even a game. I think it was a great lesson for these young Cats, and I love what this season has been. Sure, I wish we would have many more wins, but for a young team, they have experienced a lot of things this year- some good, but honestly, mostly bad. Painful close losses (Michigan State, Maryland, OSU, etc.), a few blowout losses (Wisconsin, MSU, Illinois, etc.), a fun four game winning streak, and a reality check loss (this last Illinois game). I am glad they have been able to taste failure and success as I truly believe all of this will make for a better team next year.
