Sirhouseman
Well-Known Member
Can't say enough about this kid. You simply cannot feel anything but great for how his senior season has panned out. It's April 3, and he is still playing basketball for Iowa. I know it's not the NCAA, but I would guess if asked right now he'd say "who cares." Last night's dagger had to rank up there with the biggest basket of his career (I know he has several that would make a fun debate). His shot put the nail in the coffin of what will guarantee him one more game, and the chance to play something meaningful.
I was thinking this morning about how far he has come. Can you even remember his selection onto the All B1G Freshmen team? That seems like twelve years ago! I'm not talking Jess Settles - been here forever - but even thinking about those years is like looking down a dark hole to find a sliver of light-there just wasn't any.
In his four years he endured losing seasons, teammate defections, changes in coaching regimes, back injuries, scrutiny from the media and fans. And now look, he's playing the best basketball of his career. He is charged with guarding the opposition's best perimeter player, he is shooting the ball with confidence, playing passing lanes with aggression and finishing with thunder at the rim. He is following in a line of great seniors who elevated their game (Cole,Gatens) who have all had an integral role in rebuilding the program. These guys have shown the younger players integrity, hard work and most importantly leadership.
I really hope Iowa brings home the banner on Thursday. This postseason has already been great for the young guys, and the propulsion of the program for next year, I think but it will give Eric May's guts, passion and commitment deserved vindication. It's not often the a basketball player knows when his last game is. This is special, and it couldn't have happened to a better Hawk.
I was thinking this morning about how far he has come. Can you even remember his selection onto the All B1G Freshmen team? That seems like twelve years ago! I'm not talking Jess Settles - been here forever - but even thinking about those years is like looking down a dark hole to find a sliver of light-there just wasn't any.
In his four years he endured losing seasons, teammate defections, changes in coaching regimes, back injuries, scrutiny from the media and fans. And now look, he's playing the best basketball of his career. He is charged with guarding the opposition's best perimeter player, he is shooting the ball with confidence, playing passing lanes with aggression and finishing with thunder at the rim. He is following in a line of great seniors who elevated their game (Cole,Gatens) who have all had an integral role in rebuilding the program. These guys have shown the younger players integrity, hard work and most importantly leadership.
I really hope Iowa brings home the banner on Thursday. This postseason has already been great for the young guys, and the propulsion of the program for next year, I think but it will give Eric May's guts, passion and commitment deserved vindication. It's not often the a basketball player knows when his last game is. This is special, and it couldn't have happened to a better Hawk.
