Beating a subpar, reeling UNM, a team that at least appears to be one that the coach has completely lost, isn't the biggest deal in the world. It's not like UNLV went out there and beat a top 50 team.
But last night, for the first time this season, UNLV appeared very hungry and focused. To me, winning or losing the game was secondary the the effort that was put forth the entire game. No, UNLV did not play great for 40 minutes. I'm not asking the team to be great, to play great. Have some pride, leave it all on the floor, win or lose. We saw that last night. If that means shortening the rotation until everyone is on the same page, so be it.
Last night wasn't about X's and O's. Last night was about focus. Up until last night, for the vast majority of the season, the focus/effort have been downright embarrassing. But we saw it big time last night.
Hopefully last night wasn't an anomaly. Hopefully it is a sign of growth moving forward. That doesn't mean you win the rest of the games on the slate, but there is NOBODY on that slate that should double digit UNLV at the Mack or at their own place. The league is too weak and there isn't enough disparity in talent level to warrant getting ditch stomped. Bring the effort and focus of the Rebels in the Pit and they'll compete in every single game left, even if they only win half of them. I would absolutely be satisfied with the rest of this season and even the season as a whole if that's the effort we see moving forward, because this season was never about wins or losses - it was about getting some stability and direction and growing. That's all I've been looking for. Hopefully last night was a turning point instead of a pointed fluke in the middle of the season.
What also has me very excited is the play of Jojo, for two reasons. First, the coaches are apparently "reaching him". His skills haven't changed in the course of two months, but his mindset and viewing of the game has. He's far from perfect and doesn't always make the right play at all times, but he is ALOT different now than he was two months ago. And that's as much a credit to him as it is the coaching staff because it shows that he's not so hardheaded and willing to grow as a player. Don't underestimate that because ALOT of kids think they know it all and they do it their way - being coached to change your ways is misinterpreted as misguided criticism in their game and they shy away from the coaching. To me, the proof of Jojo's growth is evident in two specific places. Maybe in three.
He was turning the ball over left and right. His decision making was horrible. Way too loose with the ball, poor recognition of the floor. Had zero makings of a point guard other than being able to dribble. He's still not ideal as a PG, but he looks more than serviceable at the spot. That's a huge transformation.
The second thing goes hand in hand with the first point. His shot selection was brutal early. Oh, he still puts up some poor shots, but it's waaaaay trimmed down and you know what? When you are making some shots and you are getting shots for others, all of a sudden, a "bad shot" isn't the eyesore it usually is. Sure, you'd love to trim it down more, but you can live with it.
Lastly, he's still not a great defender. That may never come to fruition. But charges... taking one for the team... lately, Jojo has excelled with it. That's selfless. That's wanting to win. That's not giving a crap about personal glory. That's BUYING IN. The coaches have to love teaching this young man because he's absorbing it, he's "getting it". We don't see enough of this nowadays and I LOVE seeing it. So credit to the staff and Jojo for this.
Please, please, PLEASE let last night's game be a first step and not some flash in the pan accident. I loved what I saw last night.
Hope that wasn't too negative.
But last night, for the first time this season, UNLV appeared very hungry and focused. To me, winning or losing the game was secondary the the effort that was put forth the entire game. No, UNLV did not play great for 40 minutes. I'm not asking the team to be great, to play great. Have some pride, leave it all on the floor, win or lose. We saw that last night. If that means shortening the rotation until everyone is on the same page, so be it.
Last night wasn't about X's and O's. Last night was about focus. Up until last night, for the vast majority of the season, the focus/effort have been downright embarrassing. But we saw it big time last night.
Hopefully last night wasn't an anomaly. Hopefully it is a sign of growth moving forward. That doesn't mean you win the rest of the games on the slate, but there is NOBODY on that slate that should double digit UNLV at the Mack or at their own place. The league is too weak and there isn't enough disparity in talent level to warrant getting ditch stomped. Bring the effort and focus of the Rebels in the Pit and they'll compete in every single game left, even if they only win half of them. I would absolutely be satisfied with the rest of this season and even the season as a whole if that's the effort we see moving forward, because this season was never about wins or losses - it was about getting some stability and direction and growing. That's all I've been looking for. Hopefully last night was a turning point instead of a pointed fluke in the middle of the season.
What also has me very excited is the play of Jojo, for two reasons. First, the coaches are apparently "reaching him". His skills haven't changed in the course of two months, but his mindset and viewing of the game has. He's far from perfect and doesn't always make the right play at all times, but he is ALOT different now than he was two months ago. And that's as much a credit to him as it is the coaching staff because it shows that he's not so hardheaded and willing to grow as a player. Don't underestimate that because ALOT of kids think they know it all and they do it their way - being coached to change your ways is misinterpreted as misguided criticism in their game and they shy away from the coaching. To me, the proof of Jojo's growth is evident in two specific places. Maybe in three.
He was turning the ball over left and right. His decision making was horrible. Way too loose with the ball, poor recognition of the floor. Had zero makings of a point guard other than being able to dribble. He's still not ideal as a PG, but he looks more than serviceable at the spot. That's a huge transformation.
The second thing goes hand in hand with the first point. His shot selection was brutal early. Oh, he still puts up some poor shots, but it's waaaaay trimmed down and you know what? When you are making some shots and you are getting shots for others, all of a sudden, a "bad shot" isn't the eyesore it usually is. Sure, you'd love to trim it down more, but you can live with it.
Lastly, he's still not a great defender. That may never come to fruition. But charges... taking one for the team... lately, Jojo has excelled with it. That's selfless. That's wanting to win. That's not giving a crap about personal glory. That's BUYING IN. The coaches have to love teaching this young man because he's absorbing it, he's "getting it". We don't see enough of this nowadays and I LOVE seeing it. So credit to the staff and Jojo for this.
Please, please, PLEASE let last night's game be a first step and not some flash in the pan accident. I loved what I saw last night.
Hope that wasn't too negative.
