The first practice of the day consisted of lots of practice time just running our very complicated offense. We started off slow and added things as we went and there was a big difference in everyone's understanding from last year at this same time. Last year let’s face it we sucked until regionals. That's just the truth, but once we started to really get the flow of our offense we were kicking some ass. Now with starting off with a bunch of guys that already ran it for a year, more kids were able to pick up on the timing a lot faster. Let’s just say at times it was looking good. We also added a lot from last year straight from the start and most everyone was picking up on it.
The first few morning practices were focused more of getting our offense down, and once that was decent we started adding defense. Now practices were getting a lot better. If we have one thing here at Illinois it is a very competitive group of guys. Once we start to scrimmage and make scoring, getting d's, and fast break scores worth points it seems like everyone really steps it up.
As for the afternoon we changed our focus from learning the game to preparing for the game. Monday & Wednesday we did some kind of condition with drills and then hit the weight room. As for Tuesday & Thursday the captains first teased us with a hour of fundition then Evil Walden showed up. He tried to kill us with his own version of hell week, but condensed into 2 crossfits. Other things we learned on these days, at least this is what I was hearing, if you want a great basketball team get Neal and Kohn on your team.
During the night our great social chair the one and only Kurt had a ton of things planed for us. Tuesday we went to the movies to see Youth in Revolt. Wednesday we had a pasta party/fifa tournament where McKinley had a crushing victory over Adam. Thursday we all went out for wings. Also where we learned that Kevin can name every country in the world. Friday we didn't have an afternoon practice so the team went to IHOP for lunch. All you can eat pancakes is amazing. After the waitress grounded half the team she successfully creeped the entire team out, we left. No contest for eating the most pancakes was started, most likely a good idea after what happen last year.... 7 of us played credit card roulette and I won, 68 bucks. Friday night there was a sweet party. What a great week of social events.
Now, a look forward to our season. This week is the start of classes and our normal practices. Vegas is here in about 3 weeks, Mardi Gras is the week after that. With the change of how our regular season works, which I am still not sure of, we need to be ready and prepared for every game this year. We have a pretty young team compared to recent years, but we can't walk into our first tournament and just use it as a warm-up or a tournament just to get everyone used to this high level of play. I am really excited to see our transformation this season. We have a great blend of vets, and younger guys plus everyone is highly motivated. I feel that even early in the season we will find more success than we did last year.
Its going to be a exciting year here get ready for it guys. Know that there will be setbacks, but in the long term those aren’t a big deal. We just have to learn from them and come out better. Tell yourself now that we will not let our season end before May 31. No one will just step aside and give us this. We have to take.
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