BEVERLY HILLS (MI) -- Heading into the Saturday matinee with Austin Peay, I doubt there were many in Flyerland who had predicted the Red and Blue would do so sporting a sorry 1-2 record. And yet, here we are.
The UDPride MB is replete with wailing, gnashing of teeth, fire AG and bring back Archie BS and lamentations that UD’s season is over already, after only a trio of tilts. Heck, the sh*tty start was enuf to even bring the moribund
Blackburn Review back from the dead, if only temporarily.
A check of the Flyers’ schedule reveals that despite rumors to the contrary, there will still be at least 29 more UD games (28 regular season and at least 1 in the A-10 Tournament). A lot can happen in 29 tilts and needless to say, there is much that needs to be improved upon if the Sons of Anthony Grant are to salvage anything from what has been an unbelievably unwatchable early season cluster.
For inspiration, the Hilltoppers need look no further than to the National Football League and (sorry Cleveland Browns fans) the New England Patriots.
Relying on a young rookie who was the fifth QB taken at #15 in the 1st round of the NFL draft, the Pats struggled to a 2-4 record. They opened the campaign with a loss to the dreadful Miami Dolphins. Beat the even more woeful Jets twice. Lost a few close ones to Tompa Bay and Dallas. And then something clicked. The Pats started playing complementary football in all 3 phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. The rookie QB started putting up numbers rarely seen from someone with so little experience and the Pats have rattled off 5 wins in a row, including the total destruction of the aforementioned Brownies and a dominant performance last night in a shoutout W over Hotlanta.
Belichick’s Boys now sit at 7-4, are in the playoff conversation and top the list of teams that absolutely nobody in the NFL wants to face in the postseason.
With two buy-game losses to teams in Ken Pom’s nether regions any thoughts of the Flyers’ securing an at-large bid to the Big Dance have long since flown out the window. But all is not lost.
So, smart guy, what do you think needs to happen? A coupla things pop up in my crowded cranium:
Play the hot hand
At this point in the proceedings, with this young of a team, who gets PT should depend solely on their on-the-floor performance. Malachi (or “Malotchcy” as the ESPN+ guys called him) Smith is your PG. Conversely, Koby Brea has done little to warrant being introduced at the start of the game. Once he is healthy I would give LG3 an opportunity based purely on his attitude and willingness to get to the rack.
Know your limitations
I think we have enuf of a sample size to say that Toumani Camara is not an elite 3 point shooter. Stick to the power game and take care of the rock when you get it, big fella. Mustapha is not going to make the A-10 All-D Team. Moulaye can bring positive energy and much needed beef when called upon. For all of his positives, DaRon still needs to learn to secure the ball.
Be unpredictable on D
Full court press. Zone. Box and one. Pack line. Mix it up. Throw the kitchen sink at ‘em.
Remain calm
AG is getting a full ration of crap from the minions of the message board for the stool that he has requisitioned this season. One would think there is probably a reason he has done so. What hasn’t changed is Grant’s demeanor. He is not a screamer like Archie and I like that. Don’t change, coach.
The outcome of the rest of the season has yet to be written. Time to make your mark, young Flyers.
That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at:
swampy@udpride.com
