Getting The Act Together

The dream scenario is that everything finally comes together, youth becomes maturity, potential becomes reality. Not enough to play two good games the first week. Growth has to be real, not adrenaline induced but knowledge and experience-based and extended over three weeks.

David Padgett playing more than eight-minute stretches, sky hooks connecting both sides of the basket. Padgett says he is 100% healthy; proving it by hanging in there for a couple extra minutes every game.

Jerry Smith hitting three-point shots. Rick Pitino says Smith is not in a shooting slump. Smith proving it.

Terrence Williams doing what he does best, passing and dunking, not being spectacular, just reliable and consistent.

Earl Clark demanding more of himself and others; stops being so humble, getting hungry and angry around the basket.

Edgar Sosa reverting to being the player who scored 30 points in the second round last year, worrying more about the score than his personal performance.

Derrick Caracter demanding more of himself, being alert on each end of the floor, making it difficult for Pitino to pull him.

Andre McGee foregoing the layups, drilling the threes.

Preston Knowles continuing to be the best defender, ratcheting up the shooting part of his game.

Juan Palacios playing like a senior possessed, exuding and inspiring confidence.

A team hitting 35% of its three-point attempts, 70% of its free throws, and showing the same kind of intensity exhibited during February.

No ifs, ands or buts this time of year. No amateur hours, no head hanging, no gallivanting around between games. Time to do what Pitino has preached. Stand up, move out of the pew, get out there and convert the doubters.