Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Close Doesn't Count

The Air Force Mens Basketball Season has been a trying one for Head Coach Dave PiliPovich. 4 players are out for the year with injury, and now we learn Senior Max Yon has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons. Air Force has tried to fight through all this, but the results, with a young team, have been predictable. To the Falcons credit they have been in every conference game, save 1, and with better play late in games, would not be 1-5 in the Mountain West Conference as of today as they prepare for San Diego State. But you are what you are. Air Force has lost a 4 point game to San Diego State, a 5 point game to CSU, was down 2 with 6 minutes to go against New Mexico, and lost 60-48, and last Saturday had a chance to make 2 free throws and tie Utah State with under 7 minutes left. They only made one. The Aggies would go on a 17-2 run and win easily. Now, to be fair, even some of the Falcons who are playing are less than 100% including Seniors Marek Olesinki and Justin Hammonds. The team at the moment is leaning on underclassmen like Zach Kocur, Trevor Lyons and Hayden Graham. I admire the spirit of Pilipovich who continues to say the team is getting better. They are. But the results are not showing up in the win column. Some years you have to take a step back for the program to take two steps forward. Nobody is happy Air Force is playing close, and playing good ball for 32-34 minutes a game. But this is where the Falcons find themselves. Can they turn it around this year? Yes. Has the schedule been front loaded with road games? No Question. Have injuries played a role? Without a doubt. Does Winning make everything better? Lets hope we find out.

1 comment:

Moving said...

Very well said, Jim!!