Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Next Year Means Nothing

Somebody recently said to me, "Well, with all the struggles the Air Force Men's Basketball team is having this year, they should be better next year." I was a little offended by that. I've had several people tell me the Falcons are simply playing for next season. I don't like that one bit. And I don't believe it. Tell Seniors Marek Olesinski, Justin Hammonds, De Lovell Earls and and the soon-to-return Max Yon this year doesn't count and the Falcons are simply preparing for next years campaign. That's insulting. Its crap. Air Force is trying to win NOW. These aren't exhibitions. Nobody else in the conference is playing for next year, not even San Jose State. They have a bevy of problems. The time to win is NOW. I get Air Force is young, and will have more experience next year. In sports, its not even "What Have you Done for me Lately" anymore. Its, "What are you doing NOW to Win?" This season isn't a dress rehearsal for 2015-16. It's about finishing the season strong, getting healthy and winning some damn games THIS YEAR. Marek, Justin, De Lovell and Max are gone in under 3 months. They don't care about next year. The guys coming back next season better not be worried about NEXT YEAR. Start Winning NOW!!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Close Doesn't Count

The Air Force Mens Basketball Season has been a trying one for Head Coach Dave PiliPovich. 4 players are out for the year with injury, and now we learn Senior Max Yon has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons. Air Force has tried to fight through all this, but the results, with a young team, have been predictable. To the Falcons credit they have been in every conference game, save 1, and with better play late in games, would not be 1-5 in the Mountain West Conference as of today as they prepare for San Diego State. But you are what you are. Air Force has lost a 4 point game to San Diego State, a 5 point game to CSU, was down 2 with 6 minutes to go against New Mexico, and lost 60-48, and last Saturday had a chance to make 2 free throws and tie Utah State with under 7 minutes left. They only made one. The Aggies would go on a 17-2 run and win easily. Now, to be fair, even some of the Falcons who are playing are less than 100% including Seniors Marek Olesinki and Justin Hammonds. The team at the moment is leaning on underclassmen like Zach Kocur, Trevor Lyons and Hayden Graham. I admire the spirit of Pilipovich who continues to say the team is getting better. They are. But the results are not showing up in the win column. Some years you have to take a step back for the program to take two steps forward. Nobody is happy Air Force is playing close, and playing good ball for 32-34 minutes a game. But this is where the Falcons find themselves. Can they turn it around this year? Yes. Has the schedule been front loaded with road games? No Question. Have injuries played a role? Without a doubt. Does Winning make everything better? Lets hope we find out.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A Chip on Your Shoulder

You've heard the phrase, "A Chip on Your Shoulder." It means you're carrying some attitude, even anger. I thought about this a lot after the Air Force CSU game after Freshman Matt Mooney was rightfully ejected for punching Rams player JJ Avilla in the back during a skirmish. There's no room for that in sports or anywhere else. However, there is symbolism in Mooney's action I need to address. For years the Falcons have been a basketball team that has played hard, even though they are outsized at times and out-muscled. They play against bigger, stronger, physical and more athletic clubs all the time. The Falcons worked hard and give it their all. What I am about to say is not a criticism of any players and coaches. But after watching Colorado State, and other teams physically get after the Falcons its time for Air Force to come out and play with a little more snarl in their game. I'm not saying they don't do this now, but I do believe you see it very infrequently from Air Force. I would love to see the Falcons come out with more attitude, more swagger, and more of the moxy of, "That's our ball, and this is our game, and we're gonna get in your face for 40 minutes and see who's better." Cadets are amazing people, both physically and mentally. I don't see anything wrong with having a little more chippiness or anger in their game. Too many programs see Air Force as soft. Mooney's punch was wrong. He was coming to the aid of a teammate who was being held in a headlock. That was right. Air Force almost beat CSU because they were angry after the incident. It couldn't hurt to show some of that fight and spirit the rest of the season.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Work Harder

Sometimes games, Basketball, Football, Hockey, whatever, are not about gameplans, X's and O's, watching film, scouting the opposition. Sometimes, its just about working harder. That's the message Dave Pilipovich delivered to his team, and talked to KVOR about after his Air Force Mens Basketball team fell to Nevada last Saturday 80-62. Yes the Falcons were playing without their best all around player Kam Williams who is probably lost for the season with an achilles injury. And true, most team the Falcons play are bigger and more athletic. Thats old news at the Academy. But sometimes a point comes when you gotta play harder and try harder. And it transcends sports. In life, many times you just have to give more effort, and bust your ass. I used to tell my kids, "I would love it if you brought home straight A's. However, if you try your hardest and give school your best efforts, then we'll take the results." In sports and life, you can't just show up and expect good things to happen. And when adversity strikes, sometimes you just have to try harder, and suck it up, and work, work, work. Any coach or parent can live with the results if their team or children are giving it their all. But 80% doesn't cut it, in life, or in sports. Losses pile up and coaches get fired if it keeps up year after year. The Falcons, if they want to have a respectable season, need to leave it all out on the floor game after game. If you work hard, good things will happen. Air Force found out Saturday what happens if you don't. Wednesday night Air Force hosts San Jose State at 7 on 740 KVOR. Thursday its the Dave Pilipovich basketball show at 630 from the Back East Bar and Grill in Monument on 740 KVOR.