The Night of Sharp Elbows

The Iowa Men's Basketball team has managed to lose five players in the space of about forty-eight hours. All transferring out to other schools. One is so desperate, he's transferring to my former (and actually sort of current) school, MNSU-Mankato- down to Division II. Another (one of Iowa's top scorers this season) is heading back to Indiana State. When asked why: the pace of play was too slow. Not the Coach or nothin', but the 'pace of play.'

Call me stupid (not being a balla expert) but can't the players control the pace of play? If you want to play faster on the court, can't you just do it? (Come to think of it, you probably can and can't at the same time. It would probably depend on your Coach's style.) But the troubles of the Men's Team continue here at Iowa, with no end in sight... so, what to do?

Be patient. I think college basketball is succumbing to the lure of the pros. Seems like if you're a hot player one year, you think you're the cats ass and off to the pros you go. College ball is just a minor pit stop to better things. As a result, there's pressure on players and coaches to deliver results NOW. I reckon Lickliter's got one, maybe two more years to turn things around and if not, then out the door he goes. Never mind the fact that sometimes programs take TIME to build. Coach K didn't start at Duke winning titles right away... it took TIME.

Just wish that players and coaches and fans would be a little more patient, but I don't think they're going to be.

Where we'll go after the Night of Sharp Elbows... probably nowhere fast.