Well, crap. Losing to Evansville is bad, and there's really no way to spin it. I'm a big believer in staying positive, but come on, EVANSVILLE? 2-11 Evansville? Nice job, guys. And again, the story of the night is free throws and turnovers. The Jays turned it over way too often and missed too many free throws, and despite that, would still have won the game. That's how bad Evansville is.
The Jays were 13-20 from the charity stripe and turned it over 22 times. That's 22 possessions where they weren't able to take a shot! Cripes.
The Jays shot a respectable 42.2% from the field (19-55), but launched way too many threes -- and missed them. 5-20 from downtown.
Meanwhile, the Aces were 30-32 from the charity stripe and turned it over just 13 times. How do you win a game when you only make 13 field goals? Make THIRTY free throws, that's how.
Shy Ely was 18-18 from the line, and I don't think he even hit the rim on any of the makes. Swish, every time. And like idiots, the Jays kept fouling him. The guy was 4-9 from the floor, which is still awfully good -- but at least he missed as many as he made! He made EVERY free throw! Why can I notice these things on the radio and players can't on the court? Aaarrrgh.
***
All that said, lets take a big picture look at this thing. The Jays sit this morning at 17-7 and 8-6 in the MVC. Back in October, knowing that the team was replacing Nate Funk, Anthony Tolliver and Nick Porter (and Manny Gakou too!) -- leaving just one returning starter -- what were your expectations?
Back in October, knowing that the team had 10 new players, most of which were about to get their first taste of D-1 basketball, what were your expectations?
Fourth place? Third place? I picked them to finish third, and that was through my blue-colored Aviator shades, which are mighty stylin' I might add. Telling me in October that this team would be sitting in mid-February with a shot at second place would probably have caused me to soil my boxers.
Now, the hot start and promising victories over lesser opponents before the first of the year caused many of us, myself included, to change our expectations. Suddenly, third place wasn't good enough. Dammit, why settle for some chips and queso, we're going to win the whole enchilada, hondo! Ah, but changing expectations mid-stream can be a double-edged sword. It can propel you towards greater things, or it can make the eventual regression to the expected result into a painful exercise. Again, I include myself in this, but if we'd kept our expectations in check, would we be all that upset this morning? I don't know what your answer is, but mine is a resounding no.
17-7, 8-6, and team that has shown time and again that they win games they shouldn't, lose games they shouldn't, but are in and have a chance to win every night.
Think of it this way. If they go 3-1 down the stretch in the MVC -- taking care of the home games and stealing one at either Illinois State or Bradley -- they'll be 11-7 in the league and 20-8 overall. And depending on the result of the Oral Roberts non-con tilt, either 21-8 or 20-9. Entering Arch Madness at 21-8? Tell me you wouldn't have taken that in October. Tell me with a straight face you wouldn't have been dancing down 24th Street with balloons and confetti if you thought that would be their record come March.
This thing ain't over yet, folks. Hold on, the last two weeks of the season should be exciting.
You bet.
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