Whether you like it or not, the spring season is quickly approaching. In 10 weeks we're going to Kansas. By no means is it too early to start eating healthy and getting in better shape. We're going to play some tough competition this season. There are going to be opponents that are going to give us some close games, there may be some opponents that may completely blow us out. In some cases there should be some teams that we should just destroy. The problem is, as a team, we normally don't crush teams because we have the tendency of playing to their level. It's a mental issue that might be exacerbated by having a team composed of many guys that are new to the game.
I haven't been to practices nearly as much as I'd like, grad school really kicked my ass this semester but I'm hoping to be a regular this next semester and make it to all the tournaments. If it was my choice, I would be there at every practice but if I did, I would flunk out of grad school. Take advantage of being in undergrad, show up to practices and support the team.What made this team great last season is that the core of the team were regulars that worked hard at practices, even when the weather was terrible. You can't let the weather affect your attendance. It hurts us a team, and individually because playing or even just throwing in those tough conditions is what makes you a better player. We're probably not going to have the luxury of playing in nice weather throughout much of the season, it just doesn't happen. In the past we've been a team that usually plays better against opponents when there's high wind and cold weather and it's not due to luck, it's because a lot of the guys have put in their hours playing in shitty conditions when other's wouldn't. It's easy to blow off practice, nobody likes freezing their dick off on the intramural fields. Throughout the 5 years I have played on the team, I noticed that it was normally only several guys would work the hardest when other guys wouldn't. Those several guys made the team great and helped us become who we are now. More guys showing up to practice when it's cold and rainy just makes it even better.
As mentioned earlier, we have some solid rookies that can compete. You're more athletic than past classes. But you're not going to get by with athleticism alone, there's still a lot to be done. Fucking Lebron James could probably have the best sky possible but then have a terrible no spin dump reset a couple seconds later. It's nice seeing people show up to practices in the fieldhouse, I hope the numbers continue to show up when we move back outside. We have some of our best players graduating this year. Improve yourself to help us have a successful season. It probably doesn't mean a natties run, it means winning the games that we're supposed to win and competing with every other team. Reaper history shows that upsets can happen, let's just be on the better end of them though. Keeping working hard, work on your weakness. If you know that your conditioning needs to improve, step up your running. If it's your vertical, try some stairs. You're competing against other guys on your team at practice but the goal is to compete and dominate the other team. Don't let up just because you end up beating the one guy you only ever guard in practice. You're also competing against yourself. When you get beat by another guy, you're going to be your toughest critic. You don't want to end the season with regrets. Practice to your potential and you might not have as many. Whether you like it or not, you're stuck with us for college and maybe life. Reaper is like herpes, just ask James. If that doesn't help, just know that we'll give you less shit if you play well.
-Alex
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