The Richards kid could not get healthy quick enough. He could be the difference maker as to whether we make a run or we don't make a run at this?
To any coaches or seniors or any of the players who may be reading this, please consider this:
To the coaches, all your jobs may very well depend on whether you get to the big dance so do what you need to do, including having less game time control, to get there.
If your a player reading this and it's your senior year, play to lead but tell the underclassmen to play their game as well, or for you underclassmen, its the best chance for the seniors to show you how to win so follow their lead but play your game as you know how to play it.
Your were given a scholarship for a reason. Start playing with the confidence to show all these naysayers on this board that you are worthy of that scholarship.
You are now 7-6 in league play. Total unserachievers to date this year. But its not too late. You have 7 games left that all mean something.
You were picked #2 in the preseason for a reason. Your all very good ball players. You have a senior laden team.
You have the talent. You need "both" the competitive spirit and confidence. One without the other makes you weak.
Your good but probably not good enough to win without last years 6th Man of the Year playing next to you for the next 7 games and the tournament.
Whether crap happened on the team with players and other guys girlfriends or whatever the rumor, whethet it was true or not, if getting to the Big Dance is the most important thing as it should be to everyone involved with the program, you all need to get over everything for the good of the team and move on together in unity as one.
If Nico did some crap that was just wrong, forgive him for the good of the team. If you did something that broke teammate and friendship code Nico, for the good of the team, try and try and try again to show your sincerity in apologizing until they forgive you.
If your the coaches, let the kids figure it out but encourage them in a team meeting with Nice present that for the good of the team, to forgive Nico and to accept him back as both a teammate and friend who screwed up off the court and ask him to come back as the player he was last year on the court
This includes Nico being Nico out on the court, with all the swag and confidence and emotional/competitive leader that he can be on the court.
Not the Nico that was trying to play to other guys likes. For the good or the bad,accept him and encourage him to be the player he was last year.
For the good of the team, the coaches, the fans, and overall well being of the program, move on already together, and you just may be able to win this thing.
You may be able to right this ship and change the direction of the program. It's late, very late, but not yet, too late.
Start playing to win with confidence.
Don't pass up open looks. Don't stop attacking. Play together with confidence that you, along with Nico at your side, are the best team in the MAAC, and then go and start playing like it.
No more being timid. No more backing down defensively. No more smiling and being accepting of losing.
Then as coaches, just let them play. Let them shoot if they have an open shot, even if they miss and miss and miss again. Just crash the offensive boards if you miss and keep shooting. They will start dropping.
You have the talent. All you need is the confidence and competitive spirit and emotion to realize no one i's going to give you anything. You have to earn everything.
I still believe that the core of this team with Nico involved has the talent to win the MAAC.
You just have to get over everything and unite so the only thing that truly matters moving forward is getting to the Big Dance.
And that starts with playing hard and having fun with Nico right alongside of you this Tuesday against Iona.
Get the Richards kid back, and possibly Friday and Shivers and if he starts shooting the ball and looking for his shot when he is in there, the Huerter kid.
But that's it.
No Fisher. No Smithen. They have both had plenty of chances with no results.
WB should get a shot if needed be but Fisher nor Smithen should see the court until next year if their improvement over the summer warrants any time.
Just do it!
Go Saints!