But—unless somebody really steps up their game—we’re too young and don’t have good enough scorers to challenge the better teams on a consistent basis. But the following year, once some of the younger players mature and Leonard arrives, we could be much better. I’m excited about our program. It would have been fine last year if not for what happened with Archie and Holmes.

With Archie and with Holmes, we were a tournament team hands down. Hell, we might have even challenged for the East title or ended up as co-champions like the year before. But the hole those two left was basically a gaping abyss. Most of the freshmen were just expected to be solid role players or guys coming off the bench. But under dire circumstances, they were forced into more playing time, and some had to play positions unnatural to them.

Most fans expected this to be a rebuilding year. What’s really disappointing is how badly 2009 turned out.