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Message: [QUOTE="Towney007, post: 2968841, member: 5832"] I don't mean to be a jerk, I really don't - but i'm gobsmacked with people's observations on this board in general when it comes to the talent levels on this team. There was some WILD stuff flying around Twitter today, people trying to find people to 'blame', etc - as if there was some actual expectation around this team and what they should be doing against 'better' competition, etc. I hate to break it to people, but this team isn't good. They haven't been good, they're not good now and they're not gonna get better. The talent isn't there. They keep showing you that on a week to week basis and have basically done that for 2-3 years, now. Like at what point is that not impossible to accept? Look at the other teams. Look at them side by side. Those teams have size. They have length. They have wingspan. Everyone on that VIllanova team could shoot a 3 and drive to the hole. All of them. Like it was a minimum expectation to put a warm up suit on today. They're bigger, stronger, they do literally everything better. It doesn't take effort or even that much casual observation to just SEE the difference standing on the floor next to our guys. And they're in a DOWN year! They physically have a gear they can shift to where our guys - no matter what they do - they can't do what those guys do. They can't cover space as well, can't run as fast, jump as high, etc. My point is - effort isn't enough. And getting on these kids for not caring or not having 'urgency'... is just so out of touch with the reality of what's happening in front of you. They're trying REALLY hard. But it's hard to look like you're trying hard when the other team just has the ability to barely break a sweat and manhandle you. Your best effort doesn't even look like effort. And there's the difference. These kids are great guys. They work hard. We should support them and cheer them on. But guys - they can't compete at that level. And I really don't want to hear about Gilbert being a MDAA or Jalen or any of that. For the actual talent on the team - Adams is a guy who is effort on his own agenda - which is symptomatic of just a lack of personal drive and probably bad guidance. You're not un-doing that after a year. If you're Hurley, it's not even worth un-doing because he's not going to be here. Gilbert and Wilson are and should be really good. But they're basically both first year players. The whole rest of the roster are guys who are mid-majorish guys, one tool types, bench fodder or juco orts. They can stay competitive in this conference with that - they can't get into the NCAA tournament with it, never mind beat teams like Villanova (even on a down year). I LIKE these kids a lot, but outside of Gilbert, Wilson and MAYBE Polley - there just isn't anyone on this roster i'd be like 'man I hope to god we don't lose them'. Jim Calhoun wouldn't get 25 wins out of this group, never mind Hurley. So until there' actual talent on this roster again - discussions about his ability to game manage are probably best left on hold. He was subbing guys a ton today, but it didn't matter. Players aren't good enough to run the offense, players aren't good enough to keep up with the other team - I mean it's just whatever bullet sponge you feel like putting out on the floor. I'm HOPING we can squeeze every bit of basketball out of these guys, but i'm skeptical. I'm gonna route for them knowing what they are, and being okay with that. The biggest difference will be made when we start getting guys in like Akok, Bouknight, etc. - and then over half to 2/3's of your roster are top 100 guys. Then you'll see the strides. Until then - woof. This is what you'll get. Win 20 games, play some post season basketball in SOME tournament, get a good recruiting class in here. Do that - it's a really successful year-1. [/QUOTE]

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