thepurplecode.com

I watched the UNI vs Wichita St. game last night on ESPNU. My takeaway was that these teams are much quicker and more physical than UE. The speed of the game was impressive, how players rolled off screens and the ball was THERE, how the defenses would recover off a double when the ball was kicked out, how the guards, offensively, would spread things out if the post players weren't there to go into - that's how UE should aspire to play. I don't know what kind of speed drills the Aces use in practice but they should steal whatever UNI & Wichita St. use. You know, UE is getting well into the second half of the season, a time when many consider the transition from freshmen to sophomores - at this point, I'm not seeing that transition from the Aces. That isn't a slam or anything, it is simply my observation at this point in the season. I hope that the Aces can quickly move into that transition. Closing in on 20 games under their belt, it's time to step it up. GO ACES!

I watched the game, too...very impressive showing by both teams (and the WSU crowd).

Yes, you are absolutely right, I forgot to mention that. That place was electric - a great atmosphere to play ball in. Those players have to love it - that alone provides motivation to play your best.

While I agree with the quality of play of both UNI and WSU as they are at the top of the Valley, you are comparing apples and oranges when judging their abilities to those of UE.

Please consider the following: UNI Eglseder-SR, Farokmanesh-SR, A.Koch-SR, Ahelegbe-Jr and O'Rear-JR; WSU Hannah-SR, Durley-RJR (4th yr), Ellis-JR, Harch-JR and Murry-SO.

Now compare these players with UE according to minutes played: Ryan-FR (35.5 mpg), Holmes-SO (29.1 mpg), Haarsma-SO (28.7 mpg), Lacey-JR (26.5 mpg), Taylor-FR (24.4mpg), and Cox-FR (21.0 mpg). Also, realize they are playing tired because our bench is not as deep as it is with other teams.

We are so young that they would be playing JV if there was such a thing in college. It hasn't been that many years ago that freshmen were ineligible and not allowed to play until they had aged to go against 22-23 year old men.

Give this team time, along with a good recruiting year, and we will see good results. We may not be playing for the title with the current crop, but we will get there.