DP5555
Well-Known Member
It depends on how you define "disappointed". If you consider it to be something that fell short of expectations, then I can't consider this year to be a disappointment if I expect this team to be NIT material, and that's where they end up. But it doesn't mean I'll be thrilled with an NIT bid, either.
Lickliter "met expectations" his last year or two, but (most) people expected that team to stink - didn't make it a good year for the team.
In other words, I don't put a lot of stock into pre-season expectations in a vacuum - I look more at where we've been, and where we're trending to. That doesn't mean I'll be ticked off this year if the Hawks miss the dance, but we can't stay down at that level, either. Gotta bounce back.
That's my 2 cents.
I agree with this. I think it's all based upon expectations. If I think it's probably going to be a rebuilding year then I won't be disappointed if that's what it ends up being. They are due for one. That's the way it works. The Hawks aren't and never will be a blue blood program. They have to scout for under the radar talent, hope to land a couple really good players, and then piece them all together to form a solid team that can compete at a high level. I'm realistic enough to understand that it takes time. Fortunately, I think Fran has proven he's the right guy to do it. He's really good at spotting under the radar talent. Tyler Cook was a big fish for him to land. It all depends on how quickly they can get experience and learn how to play efficiently together.
I'm just not sold they have enough pieces to the puzzle yet. I think Bohannon and Williams have potential, but they are both going to need some serious experience before I believe they'll be able to compete at a high level in the B10. It doesn't seem as if they have the kind of ability where they can learn how to do that overnight.
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