[81alum]

[quote author=crackpot link=topic=18382.msg218628#msg218628 date=1513702381]
The things that were driving me nuts last night (besides Missy, of course) were effort and attitude. The lack of rebounding effort was ridiculous. WIU's coach said they'd have a chance if they got 15 rebounds. Heh. And did last year's seniors take their We're still in this! attitude with them? During the first half at the USF game, I hadn't seen the team be that mopey in nearly two decades. Thankfully, something happened in the locker room at halftime to set things straight. But last night? Eesh. The body language in the entire second half just radiated defeat.

WIU is a fun team to watch.

Great point and part of why I just wanted to leave the building.  Don't whine or get frustrated, get to work, focus, finish, be aggressive.  Nobody on the team showed much urgency when we were down near the end.  I hate to use this word but I will - it was pathetic.  Except for a brief stretch in the second quarter there was little fire, from anyone, coaches or players.  I knew mid-way in the 4th quarter that we were going to lose.  We went meekly.
[/quote]
Tara thought so too.  Almost her own words (see above.)

I had the sense in the third quarter that if we didn't put them away early in the 3rd by widening the lead that we would lose-that we were playing with fear and that meant we could not play well in a close game or when we were behind.  Our players just do not seem mentally tough.  Not sure if that is coachable or not.

[81alum]

[quote author=crackpot link=topic=18382.msg218628#msg218628 date=1513702381]
The things that were driving me nuts last night (besides Missy, of course) were effort and attitude. The lack of rebounding effort was ridiculous. WIU's coach said they'd have a chance if they got 15 rebounds. Heh. And did last year's seniors take their We're still in this! attitude with them? During the first half at the USF game, I hadn't seen the team be that mopey in nearly two decades. Thankfully, something happened in the locker room at halftime to set things straight. But last night? Eesh. The body language in the entire second half just radiated defeat.

WIU is a fun team to watch.

Great point and part of why I just wanted to leave the building.  Don't whine or get frustrated, get to work, focus, finish, be aggressive.  Nobody on the team showed much urgency when we were down near the end.  I hate to use this word but I will - it was pathetic.  Except for a brief stretch in the second quarter there was little fire, from anyone, coaches or players.  I knew mid-way in the 4th quarter that we were going to lose.  We went meekly.
[/quote]
Tara thought so too.  Almost her own words (see above.)

I had the sense in the third quarter that if we didn't put them away early in the 3rd by widening the lead that we would lose-that we were playing with fear and that meant we could not play well in a close game or when we were behind.  Our players just do not seem mentally tough.  Not sure if that is coachable or not.