Like I said on Thursday, no conference game is an easy one especially when you're #1. You will get everyone's best shot and Rice came to play tonight, when WKU did not. I'm quickly going to move on from this game, but first here are my thoughts.
WKU has a tendency to get down by a lot and somehow miraculously come back to win. They can't do that all the time and expect to win. Sometimes you just have to come out and step on their throat and never look back. WKU has really yet to do that this season against a D1 opponent. I think tonight can be a wake up call for the Tops. I don't want to say they have gotten complacent but they probably looked at 6-15 Rice and thought it would be an easy win. Rice comes out and gets a 19 point lead and they panic. They can say ALL day that they didn't overlook them, but I played high school volleyball I know how easy it is to look over a team. I know it's a different level, but it's still sports. I think tonight may have woken up the Tops a bit that like Coach Harper said "We're not good enough to look over anyone." The Tops have a tough road ahead of them the next couple weeks away from Diddle. I think we will see what the Tops are made of...can they bounce back after such a tough loss? Here's a couple things I'm going to look for:
1. Defense. That's what the Tops preach every game. They pride themselves on their defense. If the shots aren't falling, defense helps keep you in the game. Rice made WKU look plain dumb a lot on the defensive end tonight. Looking to improve that over the next few games. As Trency said, if the other team is comfortable you're not doing your job. Rice was way too comfortable tonight.
2. Paging DJ Clayton. The freshman had a couple break out games for the Tops, but has been inconsistent. You expect that out of a freshman, but the Tops need him. I'm hoping DJ can break out of his slump and help the Tops as they move forward. I think once he sees a few shots fall, he will be back.
3. Need the seniors to lead this team. The Tops have a solid trio in TJ, George, and Trency. WKU basketball runs through them at the moment, especially TJ and George. The games left are limited and this is their final chance to shine. The team follows their lead. Trency said tonight that the seniors need to take it upon themselves to make sure everyone is ready for the games.
That's all for tonight. Tops have the week off and hope to bounce back Saturday vs. Marshall. Marshall has won a few in a row and will want payback from their loss earlier in the season. Tops will have to show up mentally ready to go. Life on the road is hard and we're gonna see what the Tops are made of.
WKU has a tendency to get down by a lot and somehow miraculously come back to win. They can't do that all the time and expect to win. Sometimes you just have to come out and step on their throat and never look back. WKU has really yet to do that this season against a D1 opponent. I think tonight can be a wake up call for the Tops. I don't want to say they have gotten complacent but they probably looked at 6-15 Rice and thought it would be an easy win. Rice comes out and gets a 19 point lead and they panic. They can say ALL day that they didn't overlook them, but I played high school volleyball I know how easy it is to look over a team. I know it's a different level, but it's still sports. I think tonight may have woken up the Tops a bit that like Coach Harper said "We're not good enough to look over anyone." The Tops have a tough road ahead of them the next couple weeks away from Diddle. I think we will see what the Tops are made of...can they bounce back after such a tough loss? Here's a couple things I'm going to look for:
1. Defense. That's what the Tops preach every game. They pride themselves on their defense. If the shots aren't falling, defense helps keep you in the game. Rice made WKU look plain dumb a lot on the defensive end tonight. Looking to improve that over the next few games. As Trency said, if the other team is comfortable you're not doing your job. Rice was way too comfortable tonight.
2. Paging DJ Clayton. The freshman had a couple break out games for the Tops, but has been inconsistent. You expect that out of a freshman, but the Tops need him. I'm hoping DJ can break out of his slump and help the Tops as they move forward. I think once he sees a few shots fall, he will be back.
3. Need the seniors to lead this team. The Tops have a solid trio in TJ, George, and Trency. WKU basketball runs through them at the moment, especially TJ and George. The games left are limited and this is their final chance to shine. The team follows their lead. Trency said tonight that the seniors need to take it upon themselves to make sure everyone is ready for the games.
That's all for tonight. Tops have the week off and hope to bounce back Saturday vs. Marshall. Marshall has won a few in a row and will want payback from their loss earlier in the season. Tops will have to show up mentally ready to go. Life on the road is hard and we're gonna see what the Tops are made of.
