That our best players didn't play well. JO, AJ, and Rafe were struggling all night. We could see it in their body language. JO finally got going at the end but we needed threes, not layins. Was it the atmosphere on Senior night? We're their guards so much better that they could shut down Rafe and JO? The game was so physical inside that AJ did not respond to it. also Vince must have hit the Freshman wall because he hasn't done much lately. I think it was the senior night environment and their backs were against the wall. We all knew it was going to be tough with back to back road games late in the season agains OSU and MSU but I thought we would get one of them.
Oh well, we still control our own destiny. Beat Illinois and get some revenge against either MSU or OSU in Chicago and we are in.
One other thing, I think Dakota has dispelled ALL criticisms of his potential. No defense? Not athletic? Not quick enough for the Big. Last night he looked like Kramer on defense stealing the ball. He pulled down rebounds in a crowd, etc He is going to be the special player we have been looking for IMO since Kramer left. He isn't going to guard like Chris but he is a fierce competitor, hustles like Kramer, defends well AND can shoot lights out from three, something Chris didn't do for us.
Oh well, we still control our own destiny. Beat Illinois and get some revenge against either MSU or OSU in Chicago and we are in.
One other thing, I think Dakota has dispelled ALL criticisms of his potential. No defense? Not athletic? Not quick enough for the Big. Last night he looked like Kramer on defense stealing the ball. He pulled down rebounds in a crowd, etc He is going to be the special player we have been looking for IMO since Kramer left. He isn't going to guard like Chris but he is a fierce competitor, hustles like Kramer, defends well AND can shoot lights out from three, something Chris didn't do for us.
