Expectations?

[GunnerHawk]

Were expectations too high for this team? I never like it when the media, coach and players hype a season. Fran never down played his expectations, never hear Izzo or Painter talk championships. They make their kids earn it on the court. Well the Big Ten regular season is a bust, BIG tourney will be really tough if a team is not a top four seed. We know now that we don't have the athletes to play good sound defense. Defense wins championships!

I was sucked in by the hype, not listening to that little birdie chirping in the back of my head, we always fade in February. I think team chemistry was better last year. Kriener and Nunge seem similar in level of contribution. Pemsl's hustle and attitude is missing from this team, but Murray and PMac sure seem to bring that element. I think we do miss Evelyn's athletic abilities. Love JBo when he's making threes but when he can't make shots he is a liability. Evelyn and Joe T were really tough out front in our zone last year. Can't underestimate how much we miss CJ, in games when he got in foul trouble this season we saw a drop off.

This team lacks that killers instinct. I'm not sure why we keep getting favored in these game. If we finish .500 in the Big I'll be surprised. I hate it for the players that came back. Big aspirations don't always mean it will turn out that way. To make our winter sports worse, now wrestling is shut down. That really sucks.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[HawkeyeInCentralIowa]

I’m glad Pemsl isn’t on this team. He wasn’t exactly a leader or a example for the younger guys.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Were expectations too high for this team? I never like it when the media, coach and players hype a season. Fran never down played his expectations, never hear Izzo or Painter talk championships. They make their kids earn it on the court. Well the Big Ten regular season is a bust, BIG tourney will be really tough if a team is not a top four seed. We know now that we don't have the athletes to play good sound defense. Defense wins championships!

I was sucked in by the hype, not listening to that little birdie chirping in the back of my head, we always fade in February. I think team chemistry was better last year. Kriener and Nunge seem similar in level of contribution. Pemsl's hustle and attitude is missing from this team, but Murray and PMac sure seem to bring that element. I think we do miss Evelyn's athletic abilities. Love JBo when he's making threes but when he can't make shots he is a liability. Evelyn and Joe T were really tough out front in our zone last year. Can't underestimate how much we miss CJ, in games when he got in foul trouble this season we saw a drop off.

This team lacks that killers instinct. I'm not sure why we keep getting favored in these game. If we finish .500 in the Big I'll be surprised. I hate it for the players that came back. Big aspirations don't always mean it will turn out that way. To make our winter sports worse, now wrestling is shut down. That really sucks.

Expectations too high? Apparently yes.

Undeserved expectations? Maybe. We have to remember that the Hawks are losing to very good teams.

The weaknesses that everyone saw before the season started have come true. Defense poor, JBo & Joe W can't create their own shots (well, maybe Joe can sometimes), the team is slow, Joe T plays out of control, Fran not a great in-game coach, etc. I have said before on this board that the surprises I have seen are good ones - KM is a future star, Nunge a serious impact player, nice contributions from the bench.

I did hope for a bigger step forward from CJ, and now he's hurt and it definitely leaves a hole.

Now, more really good teams to play. Need to right the ship and win some.