Hope is not a strategy. I think this is a situation where we have to be honest about our team and what we've seen with out eyes over the season. Certainly there is potential but they haven't really put it fully together yet against top tier competition for victories. They have competed, yes.
If Bouk was more similar to Caron Butler with demonstrated parallels then I would feel much more confident about a special run however he hasn't developed those leadership skills yet and hasn't been nearly as consistent when it really matters. Remember Caron was a sophomore as well. He gets points and is the most talented however has not delivered when it has mattered most. As the best talent on the team that is what is needed from him for the tourney run that we are desiring. This team is like a year off and maybe without the COVID stoppage of the season last year this team would have made the run and gained the experience necessary this year for a serious push.
We should be measured with our expectations and eyes wide open. The potential is obvious but they have not put it together yet. I understand the injuries, COVID stoppages, bad timing etc. but that does not matter at this point. There is a need for a consistent performance from our Defense, offensive rebounding, consistent scoring from Sanogo, Bouk and Cole. Cole needs to run the offense confidently and get his teammates the ball in their sweet spots. Whaley needs to be like the Tasmanian Devil for us on the court.
On an optimistic note they have the pieces and the potential. Let's hope they felt enough pain from that 3rd loss to a very beatable Creighton team with UCONN putting up a grade D performance. Learning how to be very good teams consistently is a learning process. There are always lessons and growth from pain. We will see if they carry it into the tourney and are going to need much more than Bouk who I think will give us one very special memorable game.
Go Huskies!!!
