I'll try not to get "too high" off a 6 point home loss, but it was a close loss to a Top 10 team and it was closer than the final score suggests. If there is one thing I've learned during CJPs time here, it's ya never know what to expect. I've seen Pastner teams beat LVille twice in one year, hang with #1 Florida...just to turn around and lose to a horrible Houston team and get blown out at home by UConn in the AAC tourney.

I say all that to say this...temper expectations. I was darn proud with how we played, but would it shock anyone if we lay an egg in the coming weeks? Im not bashing CJP here, lots of coaches have some explaining to do today (Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Bruce Pearl, etc.) It happens...

I'm simply saying let's wait and see before we go off the deep end...

I think this team plays hard and likes one another. I think we have an identity for the first time in a long time (fast paced/scrappy). Our first 7 players are good enough to put us in the NCAA tourney conversation if we continue to play well. Add in Marshall and Martin for spot minutes and we have enough...the question is, will it all come to fruition?

D. Lawson looked amazing, but hes a freshman...that proverbial "wall" is lurking. Cant expect that kind of performance every night. Also...quick shoutout to Woodson. Hes a HUGE X-factor if he can shoot like that. Tarrant and Shaq had off games, IMO...theyre the keys to the entire season. IF they play well more nights than not, while the role players do their job, we are a real sleeper IMO!

But like I said, we will just have to wait and see...

GTG