Alone

[Wayne23]

With me it's probably at least as much about the backstory.

[Wayne23]

11/13: Season starts tomorrow at the NIT. We're the #1 seed. GA ST is #16.

11/14: 73-46. 22, 13 for SF Ron Jenk. 20, 10 for C Rob Thak. 10, 13 for PF Hal Joon. +21 RBs. As expected we're tough inside.

#8 seed Cincinnati in the quarters.

11/16: 50-45. We led all the way but never by more than 8. They slowed it down and we couldn't make shots. No one on either team had more than 11 points.

#4 seed, #1 ranked (How does that even happen) Butler in the semis. It will be their outside game vs. Our inside game.

11/18: 67-91. One of the worst defeats I've suffered in years. Embarrassing. Their guards scored 55, ours scored 15. They shot 48.4%, we shot 36.8%.

11/20: We fall to #6. Both recruits sign.

11/22: 88-69 over #3 UCLA at the CC. 49-29 at the half. 18, 11 for joon, 19, 2, 3 for SG Ken Bill, 12, 9 for Thak. +15 RBs.

11/25: 69-59 over Vanderbilt at Gampel. 19, 17 for Joon, 13, 9, 7 for Thak. +20 RBs.

The trials begin next week.

11/29: 84-56 over #20 Arizona at the CC. 45-24 at the half. 17, 11 for Thak, 13, 14, 3 for Joon. +26 RBs.

5-1, #6.

Still spending a lot of time either in solitude on the boat or on the hiking trails or with Darma in both. She and I have become incredibly close. I think that was inevitable but I have no doubt our Kree training brought us even closer. We're discussing marriage, but that is almost irrelevant. The bond between us doesn't need a ceremony. We may do it anyway though.

(Author's Note: I'm moving from CT to MA this week so you may not hear much from me)

[Wayne23]

12/2: 90-77 at Syracuse. We led all the way. 19, 10, 5 with 5 steals, 3 blocks for Thak. 17, 6, 4 for PG Ron Pali, 13, 12 for Joon.

The trials of the 148 No Trainers (confessions and loose conversations led us to a few additional members) are beginning today. It's a mass trial without our spies, who will act as the chief witnesses for the prosecution.

12/6: 83-90 at North Carolina. They led most of the way. We got close several times but never made that key shot we needed in those situations.

No surprises in the trial's early days.

12/9: 71-70 at Seton Hall. We escaped! We blew a 23 point lead when they hit a three with 4.4 seconds to go. We quickly brought it down and Ron Jenk hit a 14 footer for the win. He led us with 20, 9, 3. +15 RBs. We didn;t play very well and we shot poorly, 34.4%.

A Friday surprise in the trial. 11 defendants agreed to take the Kree training and they began testifying for the prosecution. The prosecution has made it clear that the death penalty is off the table for all defendants who complete the Kree training. They will get an indeterminate sentence, the length of which will depend upon repeated psychological testing. At a certain point if they consistently test as having accepted the philosophy taught by the Kree, they will be freed.

The hope is that these first 11 will lead to other, hopefully lots of other defendants agreeing.

Next up is #1 Butler at Gampel. They embarrassed us in the preseason NIT.

12/13: 87-68! 50-35 at the half. We were HOT! 24, 17 for Joon, 20, 6 for Jenk, 19 for sub C/F John Prim. +12 RBs.

14 more defendants agree to take the training and to testify.

12/16: A total of 48 defendants have turned state's evidence. It does not appear that any others will do so. The prosecutor has stated clearly that the offer is open until sentencing of those found guilty. After that it will be too late. Many defendants appear willing to die for their cause.

12/20: 72-57 at #9 Wichita. Great win! 23, 7 for Joon, 11, 11 for Thak, 11, 10, 4 for Pali. +10 RBs but a horrible 24 TOs.

12/22: 9 more defendants turn. The total is now 57 as the trial nears its conclusion.

12/25: We end pre-conf play at 9-2. #3, RPI #4. Only #29 in Net Ranking. +11.1 PPG, +11.5 RBs, but +1.6 TOs- an awful 16.3.

[Wayne23]

12/26: 73-70 at Ohio ST. Back and forth all night. We finally built a lead late, 8 points with 2:27 to go. They came back, but the final was as close as they got. 18, 9 for
Thak, 15, 3 for Bill, 11, 5, 7 for Pali.

12/28: 78-43 over Rutgers at Gampel. 20, 9 for Jenk, 18, 9, 4 for Thak, 13, 15, 6 for Joon. +26 RBs, 11 TOs.

Trial goes to the jury tomorrow.

12/29: 148 defendants found guilty. 100 sentenced to death, 48 to indeterminate sentences. Then the judge surprised everyone and offered the 100 one last chance to take the Kree training. 27 agreed. So now 73 face death. The rumors around the court are that the judge will allow any of the 73 to change their minds right up to the day the sentence is carried out.

1/2/2245: 89-62 over Maryland at the CC. 49-28 at the half. 29, 7, 2 with 6 steals for Thak, 27, 9 for Jenk. +17 RBs.

Life is going smoothly. With the trial over things have returned to normal. Everyone who wants the Kree training has now completed it except for the defendants in the recent trial, and they have now begun it.

1/4: 71-49 over Michigan at Gampel. 43-19 at the half. 15, 12 for Thak, 10, 14 for Joon. +17 RBs.

1/6: 66-58 at Wisconsin. We led all the way but they stayed close. 15, 18 for Joon, 16, 15 for Thak, 17, 4 for Jenk.

At #6 Michigan ST next. We expect a tough game. We've climbed to #2 in the rankings and that's on the line.

1/9: 73-69. Great win! 27, 4, 4 for Jenk, 19, 3, 8 for Bill. +10 RBs. They led most of the way, by as many as 24 early in the 2nd. We just chipped away and chipped away, took a lead, gave it back then took it for good with 92 seconds left.

Ron Jenk hurt his wrist. He's day to day but should play in our next game.

1/13: 84-56 over Iowa at the CC. 47-23 at the half. 19, 12 for Joon, 18, 5, 7 for Bill, 13, 8, 7 for Jenk. +22 RBs, 10 TOs.

#2, RPI #8, 16-2, 7-0, tied with Penn ST for 1st, we're there next, 2 up on 3rd.

Three of the convicted No Trainers committed suicide last night. It had to have been a coordinated plan, given that all three did it on the same night. No one else has requested the Kree training. None of those taking the training have dropped out.

[Wayne23]

1/16: 69-79 at Penn ST. We shot 33.3% and RBs were even. They dominated the 2nd half. 23, 6 for Jenk but no one else did much.

1/23: 95-61 at Nebraska. 46-25 at the half. 28, 6, 5 for Joon, 24, 5 for Jenk, 16, 5 for Pali. +12 RBs.

1/25: 70-55 over Ohio ST at the CC. Close for 25 minutes. 18, 5 for Thank, 16, 8, 3 for Jenk, 17, 1, 4 for Pali.

1/26: 42 defendants agree to begin the Kree training. That leaves 28 still choosing execution. I'm guessing that number will diminish.

1/27: 85-65 at Rutgers. We led for the last 32 minutes. 32, 7 for Thak, 16, 11, 3 for Joon.

3 more of the convicted opt for the training. 25 left.

Hal Joon is #5 on the Norton list.

2/1: 21 prisoners were executed by lethal injection today. All of the others opted for the training.

2/6: 85-51 over Purdue at the CC. 50-25 at the half. 23, 7 for Jenk, 12, 5, 10 for Bill, 11, 12, 3 for Joon. +29 RBs, 11 TOs.

Penn ST lost so we're alone in 1st.

2/8: 83-81 at Indiana. Another close road game. They led by 17 at the half then 19 early in the 2nd. We came all the way back and won it on Ron Jenks' late three. He had
18, 7, 3. 14, 10 for Joon, 16, 2, 7 for Pali.

2/10: 76-61 over Minnesota at Gampel. 44-22 at the half. 19, 13 for Joon, 13, 6, 9 for Bill, 14, 8 for Thak. 10 TOs.

PG Rob Pali hurt his foot. Not serious.

22-3, 13-1, #3, RPI #3. 1 up on Penn ST, 2 on Michigan ST with 6 to play.

I'm guessing we found all of the No Trainers. No sign of any further trouble. Those who elected to take the Kree training are being monitored very closely. So far there's no sign of trouble from any of them.

I am more and more drawn to simplifying my life as much as possible. That means I am seriously considering making this my last year of coaching. I want to read, meditate, discuss, spend time alone, and spend time with Darma. That defines a full life for me.

[Wayne23]

2/13: 91-64 over 2nd place Penn ST at Gampel. Big 2nd half, 56-34. 16, 8 for Joon, 13, 11 for Thak, 19, 4 for backup C/F John Prim.

We now have a 2 game lead with 5 to play.

2/20: 67-70 at Maryland. Never more than a 9 point differential. They took a late lead and made their free throws to protect it. 27, 5 for Jenk.

Michigan ST is one game back of us with 4 to play.

2/24: 83-78 at Iowa in OT. We needed the win and we got it, barely. We blew a 15 point lead and they tied it at the buzzer. Then we dominated in OT. 27, 11, 5 for Thak, 25, 7 for Joon.

86-73 over Wisconsin at the CC. We led for the last 30 minutes. 22, 8, 4 for Jenk, 17, 11 for Joon, 18, 5, 3 for Thak.

1 up on #4 Michigan ST with 2 to play.

3/1: 80-55 at Gampel. 57-25 at the half. 22, 10 for Jenk, 18, 12 for Joon, 15, 9 for Prim. +17 RBs.

#3 guard Mal Wats hurt his hip. He'll probably miss the regular season finale.

#4 Michigan ST remains 1 game back of us.

3/3: 87-50 at Minnesota. We knew we needed this win and we certainly played to get it! Huge 2nd half, 50-24. 23 for Jenk. 5 others had between 10 and 14. +10 RBs, 12 TOs.

3/5: 27-4, 18-2, #3, RPI #3. We win by 1 over #4 Michigan ST, by 3 over Indiana, by 4 or more over the rest. #3 Net Rating. +14.9 PPG, +11.6 RBs, -0.9 TOs (14.4).

Joon is #7 on the Norton list.

Rob Thak, Rob Pali, and Dan Mars (a red shirted frosh) all declare for the draft.

[Wayne23]

(Author's Note: My schedule for the rest of the summer, through mid-September, is insane. I hope to be able to play a little and report a little.)

3/8: We play #9 seed Iowa, 16-14, 10-10 in the quarters. We won by 28 at our place but in OT there.

3/9: 69-57. We led most of the way, by as many as 20. 20, 8 for Thak. We were flat all night.

#5 seed Michigan, 19-13, 13-7 in the semis. Beat them by 22 at our place.

3/10: 90-66. 50-26 at the half. 29, 17, 4 for Jenk, 18, 9 for Joon, 13, 14 for Thak. +29 RBs. We played much better tonight.

#2 seed, #4 ranked Michigan ST, 28-3, 17-3 for the title. We beat them by 4, there, in our only meeting.

3/11: 69-74. We led early then fell apart in the 2nd half, shooting only 30% (9-30). They outplayed us.

I think we'll still be a #1 seed.

3/12: #1 South. We play #16 Kansas City, 17-15.

3/17: 87-59. 19, 12 for Joon, 20, 7, 4 for Thak, 18, 2, 4 for Pali. 7 TOs.

#9 seed Penn ST, 22-10 is next. They won by 10 there, we won by 27 at our place.

3/19: 98-58. Total rout. 25, 9 for Jenk. +28 RBs.

Hal Joon strained abdominals. He's out for at least two games, if we get that far.

#4 seed, #19 ranked Florida, 27-8, in the Sweet Sixteen.

3/24: 78-64. 21, 14 for Jenk, 14, 14 for Prim, filling in for Joon. +24 RBs.

#3 seed, #16 ranked Louisville, 27-7 in the Elite Eight. We think we match up well with them.

3/26: 68-86. Ouch! They led for the last 30 minutes. They shot 52.6%, we shot 39.7%. They went to the line 31 times, we went 16 times. But they outplayed us all night long. Having Joon out of the lineup didn;t help but we really didn;t play very well.

4/3: #14 Clemson wins it all.

4/4: Awards: Hal Joon is a 2nd team All American. In the Big Ten Rob Thak is Frosh OY and 1st team along with Joon. Ron Jenk makes the 2nd team. I am Conf. COY.

4/9: Not going anywhere.

4/23: I ask for $. I get $25,000.

32-6, #3 ranked. Got to the Sweet Sixteen. Overall fro 23 seasons, 648-171, .791.

"Mack Reed, there is one more stage of our teaching."

"Why haven't you mentioned this, Grol?"

"It is the very final stage. The Kree were uncertain as to whether to offer it to you."

"What can you tell me?"

"Only that it will lead you to the stage of total fulfillment and total happiness which all of the Kree enjoy on a permanent basis."

"And what do you give up?"

"Nothing of any consequence compared to what you will gain."

"I'm not sure what that means."

"It means that as you have done away with many non-essentials through the training you have received so far in order to enjoy a full, happy life, this training will simply extend that process."

"I'll speak with the Council."

[Wayne23]

5/1: #2 preseason. Recruit class #5.

Mal Wats transfers. Might have been my best guard. Leaves me with 9 scholarship athletes. 4 are seniors. So 4 transfer slots, 8 slots to fill in all.

"What do you think, Darma?"

"I'm not sure what to think. It feels like there's more we need to know before we decide to buy in. Can you talk to Grol again?"

"I can try."

5/7: "This is all I can tell you, Mack Reed. You will achieve the total happiness and total fulfillment that the Kree experience throughout their lives."

5/9: "Let's think it over, Mack. If we go ahead, maybe a test group at first. Sure sounds good though.

6/5: Looking hard at transfers.

6/12: We get an SG and a PF. The SG is iffy but the PF looks solid.

6/15: We get a C who looks good.

6/26: 5 scholarships. We want 3 bigs.

"Okay, Mack, tell Grol we have 15 volunteers for the 'advanced training.'"

I did. They start next week.

7/15: Working hard to sell the recruits.

Our volunteers say this training is unlike the first one. They lie on a comfortable bed in the dark. Various shapes and patterns are projected onto the ceiling as "music" is played. The music is soft and slow and unlike anything they've ever heard. There are no instructions. There are no vocals of any kind except the notifications of when the session starts and ends. They find it oddly soothing and say they have no conception of how long the trainings last. The sensations are pleasant and restful.

8/7: 5 on the Norton list: PF Hal Joon #4, PF Ron Jenk #8, PG Joe Marx #39, PG Fred Keen #43, and C John Prim #45.

8/21: We offer to 2 PGs, an SF, 2 PFs. All are interested.

9/18: Jackpot! We get an SF, #3, a PG, #8, a PG, #10, a PF, #16. Lose a PF.

NIT vs. Winthrop. Tough schedule.

9/25: Got a PF, #32.

10/2: 1st day of practice. Not sure if we're strong enough to win it all but this is a good team.

10/16: Our volunteers seem to be changing. They're... lethargic, I guess. They perform their assigned duties, eat their meals, but the rest of the time they seem to just sit or lie around. They're not very forthcoming except to say that they are beginning to feel the joy and fulfillment the Kree promised us, but they KNOW it will get better. And yes, they emphasize that word very strongly.

11/6: My final recruit rankings: 2, 8, 11, 19, 33.

[Wayne23]

11/13: NIT starts tomorrow. We're the #2 seed. We play #15 Winthrop.

11/14: 91-68. Easy win as expected. 29, 8, 5 for SF Ron Jenks, 16, 0, 6 for PG Joe Marx, 12, 12 for PF Hal Joon. We ran our offense the way we set it up in practice. It was a demo. It won't always be this easy.

#7 seed ST Louis in the round of 8.

11/16: 78-66. They hung in; never threatened to take over but never went away either. 17, 7 for Joon, 15 each for Jenk and C John Prim. 13, 5, 7 for SG Fred Keen. Looks like all 5 starters can contribute on O and they're all good defenders.

#6 seed, #20 ranked Memphis in the semis.

11/18: 76-59. 51-31 at the half. 25, 11 for Joon, 16, 7 for Jenk. We're playing really well so far.

#4 seed, #5 ranked Florida for the title. This should be a good test.

All 5 recruits sign, and we're #1 going into the FL game.

11/20: 83-65. Close for 30 minutes, then we took over. 25, 10 for Jenk, 23, 10 for Joon. Our C, John Prim, held their all star C in check.

Our volunteers are, if anything, even more lethargic. They are questioning the importance of their jobs and the value of work in general.

A typical comment: "We have all we need. The planet supplies fresh water and some food just for the plucking, and the rest of the food can just be gotten from the 3D printers. There's no need to waste so much time working."

For the record we're down to a 5 day week with 5 hour days. We're soon going to 4 days, 6 hours a day. It's not a lot of time, but all they want to do is ... well, whatever it is they do when they appear to be doing nothing.

11/22: 82-68 over #9 UCLA here. 51-34 at the half. 24, 9 for Prim, 17, 10 for Jenk, 15, 4, 6 for Marx. As I said earlier all 5 starters can get it done on O. We're handling the ball extremely well, 9.8 TOs per game.

11/25: 79-57 over #12 Louisville here as we continue to play very good basketball. 46-24 at the half. 19 each for Jenk and Marx, 12, 10 for Joon, 13, 7, 6 for Keen.

Our volunteers are now refusing to report for work. We're not sure how to handle this.

11/27: The Council has decided to allow the volunteers to do as they wish. We will reassign work assignments to cover the jobs of the 15 volunteers. We feel it is important to let the training take its natural course without interference, in order to see what the end result will be.

[Wayne23]

11/29: 68-88 to #4 Georgetown at Gampel. HATE to lose at home. 20 more points than we've given up in any other game. 8 less than we've scored. 21, 10 for Prim, 18, 7, 5 for Jenk. No one else had more than 6.

12/2: 93-66 over #20 Kentucky. Great way to bounce back. 27, 8 for Jenk, 18 for Joon, 17, 5 for Marx.

Very expensive win. Starting C John Prim broke his ankle. Out for 2 months.

12/6: 86-65 over #4 Xavier here. After the loss to Georgetown and with my C out I was concerned. 45-28 at the half. 28, 11 for Jenk, 22, 9, 4 for Joon. +13 RBs. Maybe we'll be okay with our C out.

The volunteers spend their time reading, discussing things with each other and with the Kree, and doing what looks like either deep thinking or meditating. When they're hungry they pick a piece of fruit or dial something up from the 3D printer. They don't do much else. They spend most of their time outdoors. They usually come in at night to sleep but not always. Sometimes they simply sleep on the ground.

12/9: 53-75 at #19 Tennessee. Worst offensive performance of the season. We shot a dismal 25.9%, 3-26 on threes. We're going to go with Mel Dume at SF for Albi Obol.

The Council is split on the volunteers and what is happening with them. About half of us see them as virtual drug addicts, like denizens of opium dens. Living barren, meaningless lives, pleasant though they may be.

The rest of us see it differently. The volunteers are living a life of deep intellectual and spiritual fulfillment, going farther in those realms than 99% of the human population has ever gone before.

The Council decided to take a "wait and see" attitude. No one else will be allowed to take the training for the present but those wishing to take it may be able to do so in the future.

12/13: 57-47 at #23 Seton Hall. Very defensive game. Both teams were 15-46 from the floor. We were quicker and they had to foul frequently and we won it at the line. 17,

4 for Joon, 12, 12 for Jenk. Dume didn't do much but played good D.

One more pre-conf game, at Georgia Tech.

12/20: 53-65 at Georgia Tech. Missing our starting C, no doubt about it. Awful offensive performance- 32.1%, 7-32 on threes; didn't even shoot free throws well, 52.2%. 19 TOs.

We end the pre-conf schedule at 9-3, #3, RPI #4. +9.1 PPG, +4.9 RBs, -2.0 TOs (but up to 13.3).

We're going to have to play the 1st half of the Big Ten schedule without John Prim. Hope we can hold our own.

There's actually a group, fairly large, that wants to do the advanced Kree training. The Council is putting them off, at least for now.