Hereafter

[Wayne23]

2/23: At 18-8, 10-6 Indiana. They're solid outside and they rebound. But they only beat opponents by 2.7 to our 13.1, and they're 0-3 vs. ranked teams. Still, it's on the road against a good team...

2/24: Back and forth. Tied after 10. Up 5 at the break. An amazing 25, 2, 3 for Berr against an excellent PG. +13 RBs but 11 TOs to their 7. We're out shooting them by 9% but -10 in the paint. Their SF has 15 and 4.

“Play hard, this one is still up for grabs!”

They take the lead. Down 4 with 10 to play.

85-78. It was tied at 70; great late run!

Berr was shutout in the 2nd, had 25, 5, 4. 18, 5, 5 for Bara in his first start ever. 16, 13 for Tuck.

+25 RBs but a season high 23 TOs to 10. +7% shooting. +11 on 2nd chances.

We're going to wind up as the #2 or #3 seed in the Big 10 tourney; not really any difference between the two.

2/25: Council meeting:

“We estimate that 409 people are ill. 127 have already died from this. That leaves 371 people healthy.”

“Yes, we're printing and programming robots as fast as we can to take over the workload. We've stopped all non-essential work but on a ship, just about all work IS essential. People are working 14 hour days, 7 days a week- the lucky ones. As we get more robots printed that will ease the load, but damn it, Jenice, when the hell are you guys going to come up with something to treat this or prevent it or something, ANYTHING?”

“We're working at least as many hours as you are, and our robots are still 24/7 except when they need maintenance.”

“And?”

“And... nothing. Not even a hint of anything.”

“What are the chances of this wiping out everyone one the ship? 3 Council members are dead and 2 others are in sick bay.”

“That's possible but usually some small percentage of a given population has an immunity... WAIT! That triggered an idea. Let me go back to the lab, please!”

“Go!”

[Wayne23]

2/28: 11-16, 7-11 Wisconsin is here. We won by 9 there. This is a game we should win easily.

Council meeting:

“We may be on to something.”

“How many dead and sick?”

“384 sick, 222 dead, 174 healthy.”

“So we're down to 558 people alive on the ship? That's about a quarter of the number we started with, and there have been lots of children born in the 17+ years we've been out here. What are you onto?”

“Well, when I mentioned natural immunity it led me to do extensive testing of the blood of healthy people vs. sick people. We'd done a little of that but it didn't lead anywhere so we stopped. But the extensive testing is showing a significantly lower level of substance G-27b-”

“What the hell is that?”

“It doesn't actually matter but it's a component in white blood cells.”

“Okay, how does this help us?”

“Well, we can actually manufacture it in the lab, but it takes time. We should have enough to test it on some sick people within a day or two.”

“Mass produce it. Assume it works and make enough for everyone on the ship. If you need more people or more robots you have carte blanche!”

“I'm on it, Captain.”

“Thank you, Jenice.”

3/1: We jump out to an early lead. Up 10 after 10. Up 13 at halftime. Only shooting 38.7% but they're shooting 28%. 4 TOs. Up 20 with 10 to go.

74-46. Best defensive performance of the season.

20, 5 for Scot, 13, 5, 6 for Stok, 10, 10 for Wain, whose name hasn;t been said much in quite some time.

+12 RBs. 9 fewer TOs. They shot 30%.

[Wayne23]

3/2: 10-18, 5-14 Rutgers is here to close out the regular season. This should be a walkover.

Council meeting:

“Some very encouraging results of our very earliest testing of G-27b, Captain.“

“Great, but give me the numbers first.”

“Sure. 59 more have died. 499 people still living, 355 of them are sick.”

“Whatever you've got had better work quick!”

“Yes. It's a question of getting it manufactured.”

“And what's going on with that?”

“We have the personnel and robots we need and enough is cooking to treat everyone on board, but it won't be ready until 3/5, and before you ask, there's
no way to hurry it up.”

“So we're going to loose even more people. Anyway, tell me about test results.”

“75 people have been given the compound. It's given via IV and takes 4 hours. All 75 are showing a reduction in severity of symptoms. It's too soon to know anything else but that is a very good sign.”

Yes it is.”

3/3: Quick lead, as expected. Up 11 after 10. Up by 20 at the break. 14, 5, 3 for Scot, 10 for Tuck. +12 RBs, 3 TOs. +23% shooting. +8 in the paint.

“Bring it home, guys.”

Up 23 with 10 to play.

82-59. Good D. Not as good as last game but still good.

21, 8, 4 for Scot. All 5 starters had 11 or more.

+20 RBs, 7 TOs. Held them to 28.1%. +20 in the paint.

We end the regular season at 27-4, 16-4, alone in 3rd, behind the #1 and #2 teams in the nation. We're #5, NET #1. I think if we get to the finals of the Big 10 tourney our conf will have 3 #1 seeds; maybe even if we don't!

No one declares for the draft. I was a little worried about a couple of guys- Scot, Stok, and Wain mostly.

+12.7 PPG, #2 in PPG in the country. +7.4 RBs (#5 in RBs), -4.9 TOs, but too high at 12.4. +4.6 assists (#7 in assists). #9 in NET Rating. All 5 starters average between 14.7 (Stok) and 10.5, and Kris Cole gets 9.5. Tuck leads us with 7.8 RBs and Stok gets 7.5. Berr gets 6.1 assists.

[Wayne23]

3/10: Tonight, as expected, we play #2 seed, #2 ranked Illinois, 28-4, 17-3. They beat us by only 3 there in December. They're a big favorite. We shoot better but they rebound as well as anyone in the country. Ball handling is about the same.

27 lead changes, 9 ties in that Dec. game and never a bigger difference than 7 points. We shot better, rebounding was even and there were a LOT of TOs but we had 5 fewer. We were better in the paint. Their SF had 29 and their SG 17, and that was the difference. We played very well that night but we need to play better tonight.

Game time: “Give it all you have, guys!”

They score the first 8. I burn a timeout. Down 9 after 10. Down only 4 at the half; we tied it at one point. Lousy shooting, 30.6% for us, 32.3% for them. +9 RBs, +10 in the paint. 3 threes to 8. We're shutting down the SF so far but the SG has 14. Berr has 12. The refs are letting us play.

“You're right in it, guys. Good shot selection and keep up the tight D!”

Down 8 with 10 left; we're not hitting shots.

67-85. They went on a big late run and we didn't hit shots all night.

26 for Berr, 16, 9 for Stok, but the other starters had a combined 8.

They shot nearly 50% in the 2nd.

#1 seed? I think a #2 is more likely but we still have that #1 NET.

Michigan hammered Illinois by 17 for the title.

3/12: #1 South. We play #16 FL A & M.

I don't get that Illinois is only a #2, and in the toughest bracket.

Council meeting:

“Jenice?”

“No new deaths, everyone is back at work, and almost no one is showing any symptoms.”

“Please extend the Council's thanks to your team. Well done!”

“Thank you.”

“Our next task is to schedule and election for the 4 vacant Council seats. I'd say a month from today. All in favor?” (It passed 8-0)

“Madame Chair, we were going to discuss moving forward with so many fewer people.”

“Yes, Jed, we were. Here's my report: We have 435 left of an original crew of over 2,100. The workload remains the same, essentially. We need to produce significantly less food, we have significantly less waste, and we use significantly less water, but we have 435 people to do the work. We have printed and activated 198 robots-”

“Why so few?”

“Lainie, robots literally do the work of 8-12 people, depending on the type of work, and we work them 23 hours a day.”

“Why not 24?”

“The 24th hour is used to rest them so their parts don't wear out as quickly, and it is also used for a self-check to foresee when repairs will be needed.

“We're down to 8 hour days, 6 day weeks for humans, and we expect to reduce that farther within the month.”

There were other questions but that about covered it.

[Wayne23]

3/18: #9 seed Miami (FL), 20-11, in Round 2. They have a very good PG but he doesn't get much help. If we play our game we'll be fine.

3/19: They take an early lead all on outside shooting. Down 6 after 10. We need to play D! Up 45-43 at the break. Terrible outside D!

Their guards have 32 and 9 threes! On the plus side we have balanced scoring, +5 RBs, 3 TOs, +8 from the line, no one in foul trouble.

Their C has 3. Up 4 with 10 left. More trouble than it should be!

89-88 but they hit a three at the buzzer. Still, we didn't ice it until there were 8.2 left. “Survive and advance!”

21, 2, 6 for Berr, 15, 12, 3, 3 blocks for Tuck, 18, 3, 3 for Scot.

+9 RBs, 8 TOs, +9 from the line.

[Wayne23]

3/23: We play #4 seed, #13 ranked Villanova, #20 NET, 26-9. They're favored by 3 ½. We shoot 5.7% better and the other stats are all about even. They're better outside than inside but they hit the boards. Looks like our first challenge comes in the Sweet Sixteen.

3/24: We score the first 9. Up 8 after 10. Up 22 at the half. The guys just told me they were insulted about being the underdog. 14, 10 for Tuck, 10 each for Wain and Scot. No one is in foul trouble. +10 RBs. Shooting 52.8% to 30.3%. +12 in the paint.

“Don't let up!”

Up 16 with 10 to go.

91-83 but we led by 20 or more most of the way. Their garbage time players were better than ours.

25, 18 for Tuck to extend his senior season. 17, 4, 3 for Scot, 12, 7 for Stok, 12, 3, 3 for Cole.

+11 RBs, +7% shooting, +10 in the paint, +8 at the line.

[Wayne23]

3/25: Michigan pounded Illinois again in the Elite Eight.

We face #3 seed, #16 ranked, #13 NET Arkansas, 29-7. We're a 3 ½ point favorite, which did 'Nova no good against us! They can score anywhere on the court and they take care of the ball. We have an edge on the boards, or we should.

3/26: We take the lead. Up 11 after 10. Up only 6 at the half. We're outshooting them 58.1% to 30% so how are we leading by only 6? They're +11 from the line; 14 fouls called on us and 3 on them, and I've been making noise about it. +8 RBs but too many TOs, 9. +14 in the lane. Their bench is +10 over ours. 8, 11 for Stok, 10, 4 for Tuck.

“You let them back in. Go out there and put them away!”

They got it to one then we went on a run. Up 11 with 10 left. They get back in it and take a lead.

71-73. They used a double screen to get their SF open for a 10 footer, which he hit at the buzzer.

Damn! I really thought we would finally get to the Final Four this year. I'm disappointed.

16, 26 for Stok, 14, 7 for Tuck in his last game. -13 at the line. Not saying the refs decided it but 24 fouls on us and 8 on them, so you decide!

4/3: Michigan got beat by #4 Baylor in the semifinal, and Baylor got SHOCKED by #23 ranked Davidson, by 17, in the title game.

4/4: Awards: Hal Tuck is Def. POY and 1st team in the Big 10. Dev Stok makes the 2nd team.

If UConn offers this year, I'm going! We're going to be solid next year, losing only Tuck, but I need a change after all that has happened.

It just occurred to me that this was the month when Millie and I were planning to get married...

TP up from 63 to 65.

4/9: UConn offered. I said yes without making another trip.

Lots to do.

First I said goodbye, in person, to my players and staff, and to the Athletic Department.

4/11: I arrive at UConn and start work. It's a big rebuilding job, they went 16-15, 5-11. They have one very good looking recruit coming in and another one who has possibilities.

We'll play Triangle and Flex, 65% sets. Man about ½ the time on D, with the rest about equally between 2-3 and 3-2. We'll press some, but not regularly.

4/23: I ask for money. No.

31-6, Elite Eight. After 17 seasons I'm 515-131, .797.

On to a new adventure!

[Wayne23]

5/1: Recruit class #27. Unranked, but I expected that.

Getting to know my players over the past couple of weeks before they go home for a month or so.

We buy the National Premium.

There absolutely is no place like home. I grew up 20 miles East of here and went to school here. I'm enjoying catching up with so many people.

6/5: We lose a forward who didn't figure in our plans.

Room for 2 transfers.

Kris Cole left Penn ST. We're going after him. Going after another big, too.

6/12: Cole and the other guy have us in their Top 5.

6/15: We don't get Cole but we get the other big guy and he looks good!

We offer to a PG from Iowa.

6/16: Got him!

6/25: We're going to Indy and to the Big Apple.

6/26: 2 scholarships. We need guards.

Things have been quiet on the ship as I've been focused on my new team.

7/15: The probe ahead of us is seeing what looks like a ship. Too soon to be able to tell much more.

7/31: The probe is showing that it is definitely a ship. Trying to communicate but still too far away.

8/11: It's an Earth ship! The Captain is talking with their Captain right now.

8/12: Emergency Council meeting in ten minutes.

“Thanks for getting here so quickly. There is a ship from Earth that has been spotted by our probe, as you know. Like us they were on a voyage of discovery-”

“Were?”

“I'm getting to that Stella. Anyway, their water supply became contaminated a couple of years ago and they lost all but 449 crew members. Then, to make matters worse they were struck by a space rock. They ran into thousands of them in their flight path all at once and were unable to avoid the one that hit them. There was significant damage to the engines and they've been limping along, barely surviving. I propose we go to max speed and effect a rescue.”

“There's a lot of upside to this for us- sorry that it happened to them, of course.”

“Yes, Grayson. No doubt there'll be some duplication of specializations but we'll have humans actually running most of the departments on our ship again.”

“How long until we reach them?”

“ETA, 9/3. I move that we effect the rescue.”

It passed 12-0.

8/21: We offer to 2 PGs.

[Wayne23]

9/3: We've arrived at the Earth ship and we're in the process of linking up with it. We can't do a direct transfer- well, not easily, so we'll shuttle their crew over here. We've been getting living quarters ready, finding out which jobs and specializations their people have, all sorts of prep work. We've also been meeting with them in “chatter rooms” so people can get to know each other.

9/4: Everyone is onboard, along with the things they could not leave behind. They're settling into their living quarters and will begin work tomorrow. Jobs have already been assigned. Some of them are in leadership positions, but usually as the #2 in a given department, not the #1.

9/8: Things are going smoothly. New friendships and work relationships are being formed. My new #2, Hali Beal really knows her stuff.

9/11: We lose one of the guys we offered to. We offer to another PG.

9/18: We get one PG, #40, lose one. We offer to another PG.

Going to the Las Vegas Winter Jam vs. Clemson. Fairly challenging pre-conf schedule but almost all at home.

9/25: We get the 2nd PG, #36.

The transition and assimilation of new people has been remarkably smooth and almost completely stress free. They actually outnumber us, 449-435, but we are well on our way to being just a single entity. I'm sure some of the new people will run for the Council at the next election, and that's good! Some will also be promoted to the top spot in their department. Hali could do my job and we're moving toward being pretty much co-equals.

Hali is also becoming a friend. We have a lot in common and a couple of separate interests. We both hike. We're both avid readers. We're both adventurous in general and definitely adventurous when it comes to food. We both like theater and the same (mostly) kinds of music. She's never seen a basketball game except her high school team when she was a student. I've never done rock climbing.

“Let yourself be interested in Hali, dad.”

“It's not easy, June, but I'm attracted.”

“Go for it!”

10/2: 1st day of practice. Not the talent level I'm used to, and a lot of questions!

I asked Hali to go to a concert. Yes, we have those. This one featured the talent from our new shipmates. We had a good time!

10/16: “June, I've been thinking of inviting Hali to a practice. What do you think?”

“I think she'd be hopelessly lost. Invite a 'translator- someone to help her to understand what's going on.”

“Maybe one of the coach's wives?”

“Yeah, but I have a better idea.”

“Who?”

“Me.”

“I love that idea.”

“So you guys are together?”

“I don't know about that but we've gone out three times and it's gone really well every time. She kicked my butt rock climbing but it was fun.”

10/20: Hali and June came to practice. They talked and laughed all the way through it. After practice I took them both to a late dinner.

“Well?”

“Thank goodness June was there. I would have been totally lost.”

“You said you went to high school games.”

“I went with a couple of friends. It was about trying to connect with cute guys. I doubt I watched the games for two minutes.”

(They all laugh)

“When the season starts hopefully you and June will come to some games, but you have to actually watch.”

“Sounds good!”

11/13: Here's the lineup, at least for now:

Frosh Dan Reid is at PG.

Soph Aldo Doli is at SG.

#3 guard is junior Chao Demi, #4 is walk on senior Gem Deer, #5 is senior Wili Fuco.

Starting SF is Toma Jaco, a soph. Frosh Dar Dunk is at PF.

At C is our only starting senior, Fin More.

1st big off the bench is junior Ryan Rude, 2nd is frosh Ash Hosi, and 3rd is frosh Ry Eron.

We'll see what happens.

[Wayne23]

11/13: We open tomorrow vs. New Mexico. It's too early to know much but they seem to be an outside oriented team.

11/14: Back and forth. Up 3 after 10. Tied at 38 at the break. Stats are about even right down the line. Our C, Fin More, has 12. Down 3 with 10 to play. This one has been close all the way.

78-76. Dan Reid hit a 28 footer at the buzzer. Hell of a way to start my coaching career here! The fans stormed the court!

17, 10 for More, 10, 10 for PF Dee Dunk, 11, 4, 12 for Reid. Sub forward Ash Hosi had 17 and 5. He may move up the depth chart!

+13 RBs, +12 on 2nd chances.

17 lead changes, 10 ties, never more than a 6 point differential.

Hali and June were at the game.

“So what did you think?”

“Is it always this exciting?”

“Fortunately, not quite, or no coach would survive! But it's an exciting sport. Did you like it?”

“Not when you were behind!”

“Yep, you're a fan!”

The end was amazing. I didn't know if the shot counted when the refs went to the table. What was that all about?”

“They had to check to make sure Dan got the shot off on time.”

“It took a long time.”

“They looked several times, probably from several angles. They don't want to get that call wrong.”

It kind of amazes me that there hasn't been any trouble of any kind reported since the arrival of our new friends. It seems that there should be some issues given that everything has changed and the crew size has doubled. So far so good!