RE: 2002-03 season postmortem

[Brad Holdheide]

In Huggins tenure have we ever had a season where we've beaten three top 10
teams?  That's an amazing fact IMO.


-----Original Message-----
From: Wedinger, Keith [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 12:11 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: [UC Basketball] 2002-03 season postmortem


Let's consider the following:

1.  Donald Little was kicked off the team...again.  UC was counting on him
being the guy in the middle.
2.  BJ "I am a McDonald's Gold Club Member" Grove ate his way off the team.
So say goodbye to centers #1 and #2.
3.  Huggins suffered a life threatening heart attack.
4.  Huggins' mother was in ill health
5.  Most of the scoring and rebounding from last season was gone.  Gone too
was the team's leadership.

Despite all of this (I believe #3 and #4 had a BIG impact on Huggs this
season), the team won 17 games, beat up on 3 top 10 teams along the way and
made it to the NCAA tournament.

I would be lying if I said that this season did not leave a bad taste in my
mouth.  We have all come to expect:
1.  25+ wins
2.  Conference championships
3.  Top 25 rankings

So anything less than this results in disappointment and questioning of the
team and/or the coaching staff.  I am as guilty as anybody when it comes to
this.

Huggins has said time and time again that this year's up and down season was
entirely his fault.  I have a feeling that #3 and #4 above had something to
do with Huggins demeanor towards the team.

I honestly believe that next seaon will be different at least from an
attitude and an effort perspective.  Huggins is not going to put up with a
lack of effort next season.  It'll be his way or the bench.  We all know
that next season's team will have more talent and it will hopefully have a
true center (the expectations for Whaley are so high right now, I don't see
how he could meet them unless he averages a triple double in points, boards
and blocks).

I for one cannot wait for next season.  Having a disappointing year should
make you that much hungrier.  I know Huggins and his staff will be VERY
hungry.  Hopefully, that rubs off on the players.


J. Keith Wedinger 
Senior Software Developer 
Sterling Commerce