by MoValley John » January 25th, 2012, 11:46 pm
Bear fans may not believe this, but I have been pulling for you guys and am disappointed with your recent struggles. The Bears and the Panthers were our two best hopes at a third at large, so yeah, I don't like watching either of them lose. While I'm not losing any sleep over their recent woes, I do want to pass on a little hope for things to come. While Creighton certainly hasn't wrapped anything up this year, they sure seem much better this year than they did last. And that is what should be encouraging for Bear fans.
I have noticed a lot of similarities between this year's Bears squad and the Bluejays from last year. Last year, Creighton had a new head coach. McDermott seemed brilliant at some times and lost others. The same can be said for Lusk this year. I think much of this is establishing chemistry with the players. Creighton had a lot of talent last year, but found ways to lose a bunch of games late. Much of it was chemistry. But as tough as it was last year for Bluejay fans, this year has been equally rewarding to this point in the season. and I think the same can be said for what to expect of the Bears next year.
To look a little closer, I think the Bluejays lost a game against the Bears last year in the final possession. I also think that they led the Bears in St Louis, only to self destruct. They led Wichita State at Wichita until the final minute, it might have also been the final possession, I can't remember. They also lost to Northwestern in overtime, after blowing a double digit second half lead. It goes on and on. This sounds eerily similar to the Bears this year, they just can't put games away. Then again, much of this has to do with new players and new coaches trying to put things together.
And it's not a talent issue, Missouri State has a boatload of talent. And while they lose Weems after this year, next year they will have as much or more talent returning. Plus, they should gel much more as a team. Less of this is on Lusk and none of this is on Weems, or even referees protecting or not protecting players, it is new guys trying to figure out expectations of a new coach and a new coach trying to figure out how to use the team he just inherited. Time fixes this.
It is never fun to say wait until next year, but that is probably what Bear fans have to do at this point. I was one of the people that picked MSU sixth. I did it for many of the same reasons that Creighton struggled last year. I can guarantee you that I won't pick them sixth next year. Keep your heads up Bear fans, good things are on the horizon. It might be painful to wait, but just be a little patient. Lusk has the looks of being a very good coach and you have a stable of talent. Sometimes, you just have to be Cubs fans and say wait until next year. Next year, you guys will be scary good.
There are three rules that I live by, never get less than 12 hours sleep, never gamble with a guy who has the same first name as a city and never get involved with a chick with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Stick to that and everything else is gravy!