Why I'm happy about the 2011-12 basketball season

by Anon_the_younger on Dec 23, 2011 10:45 AM CST

Expecting perfection out of a group of people is easy, but probably futile. Instead you have to accept that any group will have dynamics to its performance on a day to day basis. The 2011-12 K-State basketball team is having its ups and downs, but is starting to look like a decent team with the emphasis on the word team.

Any player on this team can have an off night and there are 1, 2, 3 or 4 guys that can pick up the slack. Make a silly mistake and get pulled, the next guy will make the most of his opportunity. Same thing if a player gets tired.

Jamar can be Jamar because there are others on this team that will play with him, it might be quiet but Jamar is going to have some solid playing time. JO, Gipson and Diaz are all looking good with different skill sets that bring additional depth to the blocks. The small guys, Rodriguez, Spradling, McGruder, Jones, Southwell and Irving are all starting to play with intensity that compliments their skill sets. If the ref calls one of these guys for fouls then the others are stepping up. Angel and Will in the last two games are starting to lead this team towards better play.

The guys that aren't seeing much playing time during games are also doing a good job by providing relief as needed and applying themselves. There was not much change in intensity yesterday when different rotations were in, the outcome might not have been as much but the intensity was fairly level.

At this point, the team can win (my preference) or lose but I'll be happy watching them because they are playing hard and that is always fun to watch.

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Good post, I feel the same way.

This is turning out to be the best case of what I thought the team could realistically be. Overall, they haven’t been able to throw it in the ocean, but they still chalked up a couple of quality wins and all but won another, while not slipping up anywhere else. It’s only happening because they’re athletic, physical, and scrappy. A likeable team to root for.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Dec 23, 2011 11:15 AM CST reply actions

good post, but it sound like an obituary!

The season isn’t even 1/3rd over, and you’re already happy? Perhaps optimistic would be a better word than happy.

Anyway, I feel the same way you do about this team. I don’t think they’re going to win the league, but they should certainly be top-4 and a nice seed in the big dance. Next year though…

"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse." - Mark Twain

BOYCOTT ESPN!

by Sean T on Dec 23, 2011 11:21 AM CST reply actions

I'm happy.

Optimistic would indicate that I think the team will do well. I have no idea how this team will do later in the year although I do want them to do well.

I am happy that they are playing the way they are and continue to improve.

The time for calm and rational discourse is past, now is the time for senseless bickering -Anonymous the Younger
BOTC - Read the Adventures of the BigXII if you doubt our serious attitude towards sports.

by Anon_the_younger on Dec 23, 2011 11:29 AM CST up reply actions

Great post.

And agree wholeheartedly.

This season is going to be a real testament to the abilities of Frank Martin. Next season, with a year of major D-1 basketball under Angel, Gip, and Diaz’s belts, look out. Could be our best team of the Frank era.

by yeahboozin on Dec 23, 2011 11:35 AM CST reply actions

I'm really intrigued by Diaz ...

He moves really well for a 7-footer (which it seems is what the general term for someone claiming to be 6’10" and taller is).

And it looks like he has good hand-eye coordination and overall body control, too. He could be pretty dang good next year.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Dec 23, 2011 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

If they're actually 7 foot tall

They call them “true seven footers”.

Who do we lose this year? JamSam? Vic, but well, it’s Vic. I’m intrigued by this year. Next year could be stupid with our returners and new guys (if any of them are Gip-esque and contribute out of the gate).

When life hands you lemons, make grape juice. Let them wonder how the F*ck you did it.
Fight till Hell freezes over and then fight them on the ice.

by BlackCats on Dec 23, 2011 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

Those two and whoever gets Brandersoned ...

I’m thinking Gipson is a true stud next year in the Dejuan Blair mold. If Angel matures into a playmaking PG like his trajectory implies, it could be a really special season. That team will have a crazy amount of experience spread around a lot of good, solid players.

And two seven-footers and two true seven-footers.

by Itchy n Scratchy on Dec 23, 2011 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't had a chance to watch the Cats that much yet this year.

Yesterday was really my first chance to see Diaz play very much and I was impressed by the work her turned in yesterday. The kid plays long. I know he’s tall but he doesn’t look that tall on the court. However, looks like he is developing as a shooter as well as being able to work inside pretty well.

I understand the “Happy” part of your post. I would say I’m “Pleased” and “Pleasantly Surprised” and the play the Kittens have turned in. Yeahboozin has it right When they grow up to be Cats, watch out.

But it is going to be fun watching them this year, although I may have to get ESPN Full Court in order to see as many of their games as I would like.

If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself.

by ArkieCat on Dec 23, 2011 11:59 AM CST reply actions

before you spend the green on Fullcourt,

check out ESPN3.com

I’m pretty sure you can get everything on ESPN3.com that would be on Fullcourt…and it’s free. The only problem is that not all internet providers actually do the ESPN3.com thing (Cox didn’t initially, but now they do).

aka - Hell Dancing
First to identify a TEWWT (so what if it was unintentional)

by Jeremy Sharp on Dec 23, 2011 3:54 PM CST up reply actions