When the month of February is upon a college basketball TEAM and the supporters who follow, it is difficult to recall what happened over the course of the year. Whether a TEAM has early success or struggled to run an offense. In college hoops it's what you do in February and March that ultimately determines the level of your success or failure. The NCAA tournament will have multiple 20+ win teams fall in the 1st/2nd round, and the common phrase will be "upset". Other teams may squeak their way into the NCAA tournament or NIT, and be declared "Cinderella" story's all because they finished the season with a couple of wins. How WE finish is much more important than where WE are at, or where WE have been.
Currently the Jacks TEAM is facing another tough stretch of games. 5 games in 7 days, with 3 of the 5 games coming against conference opponents. Thursday night OUR TEAM suffered a difficult loss to BSC by a score of 86-105. The score was not the frustrating part for me or the guys, but rather due to the fact WE did not make BSC earn the win. WE had a lack of discipline rebounding the basketball, lack of focus to identify personnel's strengths for BSC, and lack of competitive desire in front of a great crowd. Everyone knew it was a big game and WE must learn to be mentally/physically tougher when a great opportunity presents itself.
Today WE competed against a very scrappy and well-balanced Jamestown College JV team. WE lost 74-64 after having the lead at half. Just before the game began, WE received notice Jayden McMillin would not be available because of a possible concussion. This group has had to face tremendous opposition from injury issues, eligibility, and a seemingly NBA schedule at times. On a positive note WE did a much better job of defensively rebounding, oddly enough WE won every statistical category except Free Throw's, and had 38 points off the bench. With a difficult road ahead it was crucial we balance out our minutes on the floor. All 10 players accumulated more than 10 minutes of playing time, and nobody cracked over 30 minutes.
Tomorrow the road continues as we compete against another very good Concordia JV team. They have "upset" several Junior College teams already and WE will not take them lightly. OUR TEAM will continue to play balanced minutes as every player will have a chance to improve because this weekend is a non-conference match-up with the most important part of our season ahead of us.
HOW WILL WE FINISH? Several people may believe the writing is on the wall for this group, but I am crazy enough to think "Cinderella" teams don't just pop-up in the NCAA tournament.
Stay tuned for Lumberjack updates.
Get Jacked UP,
Coach Fehringer
