DDSCB25: Superstar

[Wayne23]

Ranked!!! We’re #20. Can’t believe it!

11/29: At undefeated Lindenwood, 4-0 tomorrow. This shapes up as a challenge. Statistically there’s not much that separates us. They do most of their scoring outside so we’ll need to contain that.

11/30: We take an early lead but it’s close. They come back. Up 4 after 10. Our inside game is going great. A late run puts us up by 8 at halftime. 12 and 4 for Aust, 7, 4 for Dond. +15 for the bench.
Only 1 TO and they had only 3. This one is far from over. Let’s hope for our typical 2nd half.

We’re holding our lead early. Up 14 with 10 left. Aust and Dond are really scoring, as are Shep and Cary when they replace them.

86-79. They made a late run but never got closer than 5. 16, 9, 4 steals for Aust, 17, 7 for Dond, 21, 2, 4, 4 steals for SG Beau Wort. 5 TOs for the game vs. their 18. We turned them over repeatedly in the 2nd half due to a halftime adjustment. +34 in the paint.

We’ve done a really good job of avoiding foul trouble except for Dond and he’s working on it.

Undefeated for the month of November, we’re 7-0. Can’t believe it but I’m loving it. We’re #21 in PPG, outscoring the other guys by 9.7.

I spend almost all of my waking hours coaching. I see Leigh when I can but I sense she wishes it was more. So do I but there are only 24 hours in a day and there is SO MUCH to do. I sleep 6-7 hours a night. Not particularly tired, thankfully.

[Wayne23]

11/25: 1-2 Green Bay is here. We look like we’re a lot better than them, especially on the boards and handling the ball. The game is already sold out. We are a VERY hot ticket right now.

11/26: Both teams are missing shots early. It’s close. Down 3 after 10 due to poor shooting. Up 1 at the half as they hit a desperation three at the buzzer. Aust and the guards are leading us. The bench is +9. We need more inside from all the big guys except Aust.

It’s a battle early. We go on a 10-0 run. Up 8 with 10 left to go. They come back. Up 9 with 5 to play.

89-81 but it was never in doubt late. As usual we had a great 2nd half. Beau Wort had 23. Aust was 18 and 7, Dond was 13, 4 before fouling out; he fouls too much. Green Bay was stubborn and they didn’t quit.

Leigh and I had dinner after the game, which was at 2:00. By the time I could leave it was close to 6:00.

“People sure do get excited.”

”Yes they do. Basketball is a fast paced game and that leads to excitement.”

“I can see that. It must be hard on your nerves.”

“I love it. I definitely get pumped up but my heart rate is back to normal as soon as the game ends, I’ve checked.”

Dad and Kip were here again. It’s a long drive but that’s a bit easier for a matinee. At least they don’t get home in the middle of the night.

Recruiting is ongoing. We just lost a recruit we were high on. We offered to another one. We have commitments from 3 and we’re after another 3. If we don’t land all 3 we’ll try to fill the roster during the Transfer portal.

Ranked!!! We’re #20. Can’t believe it!

[Wayne23]

11/29: At undefeated Lindenwood, 4-0 tomorrow. This shapes up as a challenge. Statistically there’s not much that separates us. They do most of their scoring outside so we’ll need to contain that.

11/30: We take an early lead but it’s close. They come back. Up 4 after 10. Our inside game is going great. A late run puts us up by 8 at halftime. 12 and 4 for Aust, 7, 4 for Dond. +15 for the bench. Only 1 TO and they had only 3. This one is far from over. Let’s hope for our typical 2nd half.

We’re holding our lead early. Up 14 with 10 left. Aust and Dond are really scoring, as are Shep and Cary when they replace them.

86-79. They made a late run but never got closer than 5. 16, 9, 4 steals for Aust, 17, 7 for Dond, 21, 2, 4, 4 steals for SG Beau Wort. 5 Tos for the game vs. their 18. We turned them over repeatedly in the 2nd half due to a halftime adjustment. +34 in the paint.

We’ve done a really good job of avoiding foul trouble except for Dond and he’s working on it.

Undefeated for the month of November, we’re 7-0. Can’t believe it but I’m loving it. We’re #21 in PPG, outscoring the other guys by 9.7.

I spend almost all of my waking hours coaching. I see Leigh when I can but I sense she wishes it was more. So do I but there are only 24 hours in a day and there is SO MUCH to do. I sleep 6-7 hours a night. Not particularly tired, thankfully.

[Wayne23]

12/2: We’re at winless Dartmouth next. They’re 0-6. We score 24.8 more per game and hold a big edge on the boards. BUT… a winless team is a hungry team and I’m working hard to make sure my kids don’t take this one for granted.

Kip called. I was on the phone with a recruit and his family so I couldn’t take his call. He said,

“No need to call back but watch out for this one!”

12/3: Early lead. We get it to 10. Up 14 after 10. We’re shooting the lights out. We cooled off and they came back late. Up only 3 at the break. 13 Aust, 11 for Wort. I get on my guys in the locker room. Not happy with the first half except for the shooting.

They take the lead. Back and forth. Up 3 with 10 to play. Still back and forth late. We need a run!

79-77. We didn’t win, we escaped! 17 lead changes and 9 ties in the 2nd half. A very late 7-0 run did it for us. 22, 5, 3 blocks for Aust. 8, 7, 3 for Dond, 11, 2, 3 for Wort. +12 in the paint, +8 RBs. The refs called way too many fouls, on both teams.

This is only our second one possession game. We won the other one 79-78 over Marshall in the semis of the Sunshine Slam.

[Wayne23]

12/6: At 1-3 East Texas A & M. Their D looks pretty weak.

12/7: We take an early lead. They come back. Up 4 after 10. Aust and Wort are leading the way, as usual. Close first half ends with us up 1. 14 for Wort. 9 and 6 for Aust but he picked up his 2nd foul so I sat him for the last 4 minutes. +18 RBs. WAY too many TOs, 13!

Still close early. Up 6 with 10 to play. We get the lead to double digits.

81-74. 23, 14 for Aust, 26 for Wort. +22 RBs. Only 5 Tos in the 2nd half.

So many road games. 5 more coming up which will make 8 in a row. After that half our games are at home in conference.

At 5-1 Bellarmine next. They score even more than we do but they give up more points. We rebound better. They have a very good C who will challenge Aust.

12/10: They take an early lead. Down 2 after 10. Back and forth. Down 1 at the break. Aust picked up his 2nd fairly early and I sat him. I won’t play a guy with 2 fouls in the first half. We were -6 on the boards. I told Aust to stay out of foul trouble. We need him in there.

We go on a mini-run. Then a full run. Up 7 with 10 to go. Double digit lead!

87-73. Aust never picked up his 3rd foul and his very good opponent was in foul trouble throughout the 2nd. 21, 12, 3 for Aust, 14, 4, 3 for PG Pabe, his best game of the season. 11, 4 for Dond, 10, 6 for sub Al Shep. We owned the boards in the 2nd. 6 fewer TOs. A very good win against a good team.

We’re deeper than I thought we would be. Our bench helps us.

[Wayne23]

12/13: At 6-3 Binghampton next. They’re 5-0 at home.

We get home when we can but we’re spending too many nights in hotels.

On paper this will be a tough game. They’re very good outside.

12/14: They take a quick lead. Tied after 10 but we’ve never led. We finally take the lead late. Up 6 at halftime. We had to fight for it. 10, 4 for sub Dave Cary, 8, 5 for Aust, 9 for Dond. +10 for the bench. Good ball handling with only 4 TOs. They had 11. +14 in the paint.

As expected they score outside. Up 12 with 10 left. We take control late.

84-65. Easier than I expected it to be. +30 in the paint. 16, 8, 3 steals, 3 blocks for Aust, 19, 6 for Dond, 14, 4 for Cary. 11 fewer TOs.

We’re 11-0, which completely amazes me. 2 more pre-conf games.

At 4-6 VMI next. We did get home for 4 days and I actually gave the guys a day off from practice. On paper we’re better all around but you need to play them.

I talk with Uncle Kip 2-3 times a week and he really helps. He is very insightful.

12/21: Early lead. Up 8 after 10. They come back. Down 3 at the half. We led by as many as 12 then faded. Not happy! Both starting guards picked up their 2nd foul early which is why we fell behind.

The only thing keeping it close is that Aust has 20 and 8.

They take a 10 point lead. Down 5 with 10 to go. They’re breaking it open. Late comeback but it’s not enough.

84-93. Lousy D and poor guard play did us in. Aust had a season high 32 with 12 RBs and 3 blocks. 12 and 6 for Dond. But 16 TOs and too many fouls, especially by the guards. They went to the line 28 times, we went 18.

Losing was inevitable with all the road games but I’m not happy with the guard play.

[Wayne23]

In looking things over we decide that Al Shep is being more productive than Joe Wall so he’ll start at PF and Doug Dond will move to SF. No other changes.

The loss drops us out of the top 25.

Our final pre-conf game is at Northern Arizona, 3-7. We came home for the holidays then flew out to Arizona. On paper we’re a much better team.

“The mark of a good team is how they bounce back from a loss. I expect to see some really solid play tonight.”

12/28: Back and forth early. Up by 3 after 10. We’re not defending very well. A late run puts us ahead by 7 at the break. Aust only played 7 minutes due to fouls. Shep led us with 8 and 3. Only 3 TOs.
+12 in the paint.

“We need to stop fouling and take control of the boards. You can do better!”

We’re flat early. Up 6 with 10 to play. We get it to 10 with 3 to go.

84-73. “Good second half. You did the things you need to do but Eric, you need to stay out of foul trouble.”

13, 3 for Wort, 10, 11 for Aust, 10, 3 for Shep in his first start, 10 for Weal from the bench. +14 in the paint.

We end pre-conf play at 12-1. Hard to complain about that.

Aust leads us with 18.7 and 9.7. 14.8 for Wort, 13.2, 6.7 for Dond.

+8.7 PPG, +7.1 RBs, -4.4 TOs, which is great. Only 11.2 per game which I’m happy with.

The CAA is a decent conference and we’ll be playing better teams. Let’s see how we do.

Leigh is understanding the game much better, now that she’s seen 2 games in person and lots of others on TV. She says she’s enjoying it.

[Wayne23]

1/3: We open conference play on the road with 4-7 Monmouth. On paper we’re the better team but an in conference road game is always a challenge.

1/4: Both teams are sluggish early. Down 1 after 10. Up 1 at halftime. Aust played only 10 minutes due to fouls.

“Damn it, Eric! You need to stop with the dumb fouls!”

I don’t yell at guys often, but this is getting to be a habit with Aust and I need to let him know it is NOT acceptable. Honestly, we can’t win with him on the bench.

We start fast then Aust picks up another foul. We go on a big run. Up 14. Upo 14 with 10 to play. Aust picks up #4. Close late!

82-77. Beau Wort had a big game, 24 and 4. 11, 6 for Dond, 11, 3 for Weal, 8, 10 for Shep. -8 RBs.

Aust is definitely in my dog house. He played only 20 minutes. He needs to get some discipline into his game.

[Wayne23]

FINALLY a home game coming up! 5-7 No. Carolina A & T is here.

Still working hard on recruiting with 3 slots to fill. 2 guys look very interested. This is a game we should win. We need to contain their excellent SG.

1/7: Capacity crowd. We’re sold out for the season!

Close early. Up 3 after 10. Still close late. A late run puts us up 8 at the break. 7 points for Pabe. Aust only committed 1 foul but he didn’t play very well. I do NOT want to be on him all the time so I didn’t mention it. +20 for the bench. Only 2 TOs. Their SG had 15, He’s good!

We’re holding our lead. Up 16 with 10 to play. We’re blowing them out late.

92-61. Biggest point spread of the season. 43-20 in the 2nd half. 16, 10 for Aust, 11, 8 for Shep who has played very well since we put him in the starting lineup. +30 for the bench. +14 RBs, +14 in the paint. Only 5 TOs for the game. Great crowd, very loud!

My routine hasn’t changed. I lead a crazy, hectic life but I love it. Leigh doesn’t seem to love it as much as I do in that I think she’d like more of my time. I’d like that too, but it’s very difficult.

Max Maxwell of the Boston Glob: I haven’t written about the Northeastern Huskies yet. It’s time. All time great player Jess Wynn has done an incredible job with the team so far. This team has had four straight losing seasons and they sit at 14-1, 2-0 in conference, ranked #25 I the nation. That’s hard to believe but it’s true. Wynn looks like he could be as great a coach as he was a player. Time will tell.

[Wayne23]

1/10: We’re at 6-7, 1-1 NC-Wilmington. We score more and give up fewer, and we’re better on the boards. They have balanced scoring and a good C.

1/11: Early lead. Up 5 after 10. Aust picked up his 2nd foul early. (sigh) Up 5 at the break. Aust played 8 minutes. Good backcourt scoring, 8 for Wort, 7 for Pabe. The refs really hit us hard with fouls. I’m riding them.

It’s close early. Down 6 with 10 to go. Aust is up to his neck in foul trouble. It’s close late.

They go on a very late run and win 79-91.

“You can’t give up 91 points and expect to win. D- for the defense. 16 for Wort, 14, 4 for Shep. Aust played only 17 minutes. -11 on the boards, -12 in the paint. Practices won’t be easy this week!

1/13: William & Mary is in town. They’re 7 and 7. They’re very strong inside and have a terrific C so Aust has to stay in the game or we’re in a lot of trouble.

1/14: Neither team is shooting well early. Down 2 after 10 and Aust has 2 fouls yet again. Down 2 at halftime. The refs are killing us. Back court scoring is keeping us in it.

“We need more form the big guys!”

Aust picks up a foul within 10 seconds. It’s staying close. Down 3 with 10 left, and Aust gets #4.

66-68. DAMN!!! It was close all the way despite all of our big guys being in foul trouble. Aust played only 20 minutes, Shep played 17, Dond played 24. We can’t win that way. Great bench play kept it close, +13 points. +16 in the paint, mostly our guards driving. Their bigs were terrific, and they weren’t getting called for fouls.

First home loss and 2nd loss in a row.