I don't think too many people are suggesting that this team is going to go in the crapper and not make the NCAA. It could happen, but most on here don't expect it. And while there may be some heated arguments, I doubt many people aren't relaxed. I think the offensive scheme is terrible and I think it will hold them back. Though I'm not sure Cronin has a better scheme that he could implement.
That said, these boards are for discussions and I think they've been pretty good. I have concerns with the offense for a number of reasons:
1) It becomes tough to win and be consistent when your offense is so poor. It affects your defense as well.
2) Watching a crappy offense isn't very enjoyable. I said it when they were scoring 90 points against cupcake teams. Even if this offense did score a lot of points, it isn't enjoyable to watch players go one on one non-stop.
3) Attendance. see above. I thought we were over terrible offenses when Huggins left.
4) Recruiting. What recruits want to play in an offense that struggles to put up 60 points?
Yeah. I pretty much agree with all of that. To act like we're doomed and will fall apart I think is unfounded, which like you say, is probably not where most people are at. I do believe some are (especially considering some fans I heard on Monday night...probably the crankiest/pissy I can remember the crowd in the last few years). Regardless, Mick has gotta coach 'em up again and turn it around for the third year in a row. We've reached lows in the past couple of seasons (2011-12: XU fight, Yancy suspension; being 15-7 and the year before that, Yancy being benched and almost suspended after the St. John's loss capping off a stretch where we lost 6 out of 10). Maybe this is our new low.
Most pressing in my mind to turn things around is:
-Push and attack the basket. This is really what's saved us the past two years and I think is probably the easiest change to make.
-Find ability to get in and score in the paint consistently. Park ain't doing it well. JJ ain't doing it. Rubles isn't doing it well 90% of the time. Shaq has promise. But mostly, Mbodj and Nyarsuk need to man up.
-Get open shots for SK, Cash and Parker even if it involves having an Option B offense
-Park getting his head out of his rear. I think he caught people by surprise last year. He's great at driving to the hoop and finishing but people are looking for that this year, and he really hasn't shown the ability to stop and pop or dish it off.
-SK getting out of shooting slump
-Ideally, I'd say stop this dribble-drive crap but I know that's not happening.
