The Baylor Men's Basketball season passed away Saturday the 21st of February in Stillwater, OK. The deceased appeared to show signs of life just a week earlier but in the seven days after a win against Texas A&M, the season's deadly symptoms came back to finish the team off. The autopsy report showed that a total lack of defense, predictable offense, and no inside game ultimately led to the season's demise. While the season is survived by its players and coaching staff, it will ultimately be put to rest for eternity the second week of March in Oklahoma City, OK. The team will pay its respects the next two weeks by going through the motions that it started in mid-January when its weakness was first diagnosed. A final viewing will be available on March 7th at the Ferrell Center.
In all honesty, I can't get over how disappointing this season was. We were picked 3rd by the very same coaches that had seen this group the past few seasons. We had 3 seniors that were going to contribute heavily (1 might have been a 1st round NBA pick). We had two other players that gained heavy experience last season and were only going to be better. The conference is even down this year. Texas has lost 5 conference games already. Kansas lost 4 starters from the prior season. So what happened?
As the obituary stated, defense, no consistent offense and non-existent inside game killed us this year. I was talking to someone on Saturday who is pretty close to the team and he had some disturbing information for me. He pretty much stated that it is well known in the locker room that Drew is not a strong coach when it comes to Xs and Os. I know I'm not really breaking news with that revelation but how would you like to play for a guy that you know is going to get undressed tactically every night? He went on to say that the players still like him and all that but coach just gets too in the moment and lets his emotions override any sane decision that needs to be made.
The example he gave was during the Wake Forest game. If you recall, we were hanging with the Deacons in the first half. The refs were calling things pretty tight which negated Wake's ability to manhandle us under the rim. Then, one of the refs got injured. Baylor was the "home" team in this game and had the option of playing with just two refs or having the reserve come out. Drew was so fired up mentioning that "we beat A&M in 5 OT with only 2 refs and we can do it here too." We all know what happened next. We got destroyed on the block and got run out of the gym in the 2nd half.
As you dozens of readers know, I have never called for Drew's job. I think he needs to show something in 09-10 and really show we're on the right track in 10-11. But does this disturb anyone else? Recruits aren't going to keep coming if we can't offer the playing time that was offered to CJ, KR, and HD AND never come close to the tournament on a semi-regular basis. I know next year's team will look very different and I'm looking forward to seeing what Drew can do with a team that isn't so guard heavy. As my favorite saying goes: We'll see.
As it stands now, even winning out and then a couple in the conference tournament won't get us in the dance. I think we still end up in the NIT. That isn't so bad when you look at it but it is devastating considering the expectations going into the season.
I'm going to try to post something everyday this week to appease the growing masses checking in here. Tomorrow, I'll have a full Sing report for those who would rather not watch it (like me).
Murph
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