Kirk is being Kirk. He's not going to be good - he's already good. Just wish he could improve that AST-TO ratio and become more of a true PG. Hopefully with time.
Dartis appears healthier. Everyone knows it, but (assuming he's healthy) he just needs to keep shooting the rock. When he's "on" we can compete. When he's not, we have a huge uphill battle.
But to me, I'll list 4 reasons why we're playing well these last few games:
1) James Gollon. Love the SP move to make him a starter. He brings energy, hustle, defense, REBOUNDING! and *gasp* ball movement on offense (needed without that true PG). Averaging 10.0 ppg over his last 6 games.
2) Kevin Mickle. Dude is on a TEAR offensively over his last 3 games. 21-36 from the field (.583) for 49 pts (16.3 ppg). If we're going to get 20-25 pts a night from Gollon/Mickle as the 3rd and 4th scoring options behind Kirk/Dartis (and that kind of production from the bench), I like our chances.
3) Doug Taylor. You may love him or hate him, but he's been EFFICIENT. Last 2 games he's 10-12 from the field (.833!). He's never going to be an offensive juggernaut, but if he can keep scoring 6-8 a night while shooting > 60% from the floor and giving us 7+ boards and a couple blocks? I'll take that all day errday.
4) Gavin Block. The kid does everything right - he just....can't shoot this year. But I applaud him for putting the team first and not complaining about a reduction in minutes and a new bench role. We still need his passing/IQ/hustle/leadership but it was the right move for the team and he accepted it like a man. Good on him.
Good win tonight. Hopefully we get on a little bit of a role here. Good things to build on for next year.
Don't get me wrong, I still don't think we're going anywhere in the MAC tourney (even if we steal a win on the road in the 1st Rd we'd likely face a Toledo or Ball St in Cleveland in Rd 2), but we're playing significantly better.
Kirk is just a different type of point guard..more Allen Iverson (score first) than Steve Nash (assists). I like when Butler and Kirk are on the floor together because Butler turns into the primary ballhandler.
Gollon has been a revelation and you can tell Mickle's knee is much better. Doug is Doug. If we had Jason Carter inside Doug would be even more effective and I think Mickle would be more effective as well not having to bang inside. He definitely does not look comfortable guarding big guys in the post (but he never complains..he just does his job).
I think we can steal a first round game and depending on the matchup, I think we can beat a Ball State in Cleveland. I really think our Kryptonite will be teams that can shoot well from outside. Kent was atrocious as was Miami which helped us. To finish the year I see us beating Bowling Green but losing to Buffalo and Miami. I would be happy with 6-12 with this group.