Solitary Man

[Wayne23]

12/6: 81-66 at New Orleans. We needed this win. We were up by only one at the half but we played a solid 2nd. Lots of contributors but new starter Jake Rowe was not one of them. He was saddled with foul trouble all night and played only 14 minutes. Brad Hook played like he wants his job back, 20, 3, 3. A season high 19, 7, 3 for SG Jon Mack, 13, 5 for Engo. Only 9 TOs.

We're 4-3 but the next 5 are at home.

It's strange to be back making sandwiches, frying eggs, and doing all of the mundane chores in the kitchen. The civilian head of the kitchen has told me privately that he is working to help me get my job back. That would be nice but I'm not sure if it will happen. The new guy is doing a lousy job, as expected.

[Wayne23]

12/13: 75-57 over Denver here. We led all the way. 16, 13 for Engo, 13, 6, 5 for Mack, 12, 6 for Jens. Rowe played much better tonight. +22 RBs.

We had 6 days off before this game and will have either 6 or 7 for each of our next 4.

The guy who got my job lost it today but they didn't give it back to me. Someone else got it. This guy can do the paperwork part but he's not at all good with people.

[Wayne23]

12/20: 91-84 over Texas-Arlington here. This one went back and forth for 35 minutes. Then we went on an 11-0 run and they couldn't come back from that. 27, 3, 4 for Engo, 13, 17, 3 for Jete, 17 for Mack. 7 TOs.

Another fight in the kitchen yesterday. I backed as far away as I could. It was an ugly fight and one of the guys really got hurt badly but I made sure not to get anywhere near it.

There's a lot of stress in here and let's face it, most of these guys are pretty violent and not too bright to begin with. This kind of thing happens all the time. Now I know to stay away.

[Wayne23]

12/27: 69-62 over Cleveland ST here. We led for the last 35 minutes and it wasn't as close as the final score makes it seem. 19, 19 for Engo, great game! +16 RBs, 11 TOs.

There was another fight in the kitchen today and we were all held over after our shift today and told that there would be trouble if there were any more fights among the crew. I stayed away from this fight as well. I don;t relish the idea of being punished for what someone else does but that happens sometimes in here.

[Wayne23]

1/3/2048: 57-54 over Northern Illinois here. We led most of the way but never by much. They had the last shot but missed a three; we had a hand in the guy's face. I don't know if it was poor shooting, good D, or a combination, but they shot 33.9%, we shot 32.2%, 2-17 on threes. 23, 12 for Ron Jete, 9, 8 for Engo. We'll take the win.

We end the pre-conf. season at 8-3. +8.4 PPG, +5.8 RBs, -4.2 TOs. Our top 6 scorers get between 12.7 and 8.5. Jete leads in RBs with 8.7.

[Wayne23]

1/10: 92-78 over NJIT here to start Conf. S play. We were up only by 2 at the half. 23, 6, 7 for Engo, 12, 14, 5 for Jete, 13 each for Jens and Mark. +15 RBs, 11 TOs.

The Warden called me in. He said he'd heard that I was studying law. The way he talked I really couldn't figure out whether he thought it was a good idea or not. His words were supportive but his body language was all negative. Not sure what the message was supposed to be but screw him, I'm doing this!

[Wayne23]

1/13: 77-78 at South Dakota. We fell behind by 15 early and had to scramble to get back in it. We did, took the lead a few times, and hit a three to take a two point lead with 1.1 to play. They threw it to halfcourt and the guy sank a prayer. Damn! Tough way to lose. 16, 10 for Jete, 16, 8 for Engo.

I'm still studying and taking copious notes of anything and everything that might help me with my case.

[Wayne23]

1/17: 85-73 at McNeese St. They're a fairly good team so I'm really happy with this win. Jete led us with 26 and 7. Back up F/C Kyle Ourn, who has been playing well, had 11 and 5. 6th man Brad Hook had 8, 8, 3. +18 RBs.

Brad Hook: I'm frustrated and a little bit pissed off. Jake Rowe got my job and he's not doing that great. I think I should be starting. I talked to Coach and he told me to be patient. He also said he thought I really gave us a boost when I came in and he liked me in that role. He reminded me that starters Jete and Engo are Seniors.

Kyle Ourn: I'm damn sick of playing second fiddle. When I get in there I think I do pretty well, but I don't get in there often enough. All I hear from the coaches is that two big guys are graduating this year. Yeah, yeah, but what about this season?

[Wayne23]

1/20: 75-65 over Louisiana-Monroe here. We led by 16 at the half and were never challenged after that. 19 for Jens, 11, 14 for Engo, 10, 13 for Jete.

Back up guards Mark Rily and Stan Sams both were hit with minor injuries, Rily to his arm, Sams to his knee. Both are day to day.

Ivan Jens: I'm fairly happy with my play at the point. I've been a starter since I got here as a freshman last season and I feel like I've taken good care of the ball, which is a really big thing with Coach. I score pretty well, too. I'm still working on my D and on dishing the ball better but it's all coming along. Coach has made a lot of positive comments both last year and this year.

[Wayne23]

1/24: 68-72 at Hartford. Very frustrating; they were 3-12 coming in. The road is never easy. We didn't shoot well,e specially outside, and we were kind of sluggish all night. 23 for Jens, who had a great game on both ends, 19, 5 for Engo. But no one else did much. Jete shot 1-10, which is inexcusable for an inside players. He was missing really easy shots; to make it worse his man really had a good night and Jete fouled out eventually. His back ups, who usually do well for us, didn't.

Jon Mack, SG: I feel like the forgotten man. I start, but I don't see the ball much on O. I get 9.1 PPG, and if I saw the ball more I'd do even better. I've talked to Coach but I wasn't all that happy with the way the conversation went.