I'm a big Frank Martin fan, but I am so frustrated with this program. We have a mid-major roster struggling to compete in probably the weakest "power" conference in the country. Since the early part of the 2009-2010 season (I think) when we lost a couple of starters to injury and discipline, the program has been at best completely stagnant and at worst in a steady decline. I don't know which recruits would've been left out of this current freshman class if Harris and Gill had stayed, but the fact that they bolted is another source of frustration. Horn did such a pathetic job of recruiting in his years at Carolina, and 2 of the very few impact guys he brought in bolted rather than staying around to play for a proven winner.
I know some people love to defend the roster we have right now, me included at times, by pointing out exceptional games that each guy has once a year. However, the fact is we're not very good. Even compared to other mediocre SEC teams like Tennessee, almost every one of our players is undersized for what he's expected to be able to do, except maybe Richardson, and he's undersized in terms of strength. Imagine in a dream world if Ellington was 6'1'', or if Jackson was 6'9'' or if Carrera, with his ridiculously good effort, was 6'8'' or so. However, they aren't, but they are expected to compete against guys who are that size with similar or better talent night in and night out.
I really hope to see marked improvement in the 2013-2014 season. Not necessarily a tourney team, but at least a team that can pull some nice upsets and push towards the 20 win mark and make some noise in the SEC. I have a feeling the new guys next year are going to have some growing pains, but Thornwell and the big guy may really carry us to a new level in 2014-2015. Unfortunately, that just seems like such a long time away.
I know some people love to defend the roster we have right now, me included at times, by pointing out exceptional games that each guy has once a year. However, the fact is we're not very good. Even compared to other mediocre SEC teams like Tennessee, almost every one of our players is undersized for what he's expected to be able to do, except maybe Richardson, and he's undersized in terms of strength. Imagine in a dream world if Ellington was 6'1'', or if Jackson was 6'9'' or if Carrera, with his ridiculously good effort, was 6'8'' or so. However, they aren't, but they are expected to compete against guys who are that size with similar or better talent night in and night out.
I really hope to see marked improvement in the 2013-2014 season. Not necessarily a tourney team, but at least a team that can pull some nice upsets and push towards the 20 win mark and make some noise in the SEC. I have a feeling the new guys next year are going to have some growing pains, but Thornwell and the big guy may really carry us to a new level in 2014-2015. Unfortunately, that just seems like such a long time away.
