Does anyone on here know what to expect tonight?

...Because honestly, I do not.

I can't figure this team out at all, which is to say their inconsistency is their consistency.

I suspect that will be their downfall - sadly, sooner than we'd like it to be, in the Dance - but I guess there's always mere hope... (Though hope isn't a plan, as the adage goes)

During the league stretch of the regular season, we showed multiple times that we could hang with the big dawgs (Houston, Zona, ISU). But we also showed that we could (and several times did) lose to middling, rather mediocre squads. We finished on a very high note - all cylinders hitting (save for Bry) - against the lowly Purps, but then last night looked like we were playing in quicksand at times...especially on offense. Yes, we got off to a great start, but then we went into an all-too-familiar rut and saw TCU take control. We then had another run, then rinse and repeat...all the way to the end. At that point, after Elmarko stopped jacking up shots in crunch time (and missing) as if he was our alpha go-to shooter with games on the line, DP stepped up into the role of closer and helped us seal a needed win. (With help from Elmarko at the line after we mind-numbingly let TCU hang around till the very last possession)

Our core starter wings (Mel, Tre, DP) went a combined 11 for 38 from the field. Thankfully, Bry was on, as was Flo when he was in - but the +/- when he was out (struggling with foul trouble) was so telling: we are just a completely different team (and not in a good way) when Flo is on the bench.

I sincerely hope our shooting woes end soon, or we could be on the path to a very sudden Day 1 5/12 upset - unless we get the 4 seed (which we would lock in for sure - and perhaps flirt with the last 3 - by winning tonite). For some reason, we can't seem to get all 5 starters clicking at the same time. Recently, until last night, it's often been Bry with off games. But last night Tre was largely MIA for much of the game, and woefully out-muscled on the boards, where you'd hope you could at least get some input on a putrid offensive night. Mel was off with his shooting, despite some speedy play and a few good drives and finishes. DP was very bad shooting from the floor until late, though mercifully and to his credit he got it back when we absolutely had to have it. Jamari was really bad, on both ends. Elmarko was solid, for the most part, particularly defensively and at the line. And it is true, TCU came in hot and are a decent team - they might even win a game or two in the tourney (I'd predict 1 win if I had to). But still...

Tonight should be interesting. We get the hardwood floor back, which should be good for our speed and push-off. But Houston no doubt wants revenge for the AFH loss, so they'll have the chip. We need to bring all facets of the game and defend and rebound well - while having no player go MIA. It's not a must-win given that we're in no position to leap up to a 2 even with a run to the tourney title (too many losses, and too many bad ones to boot). Some might even say, given our inconsistencies, that we need some time off to practice and cohere more. But I think that's off - the best way to cohere and try to get everyone on all cylinders (with DP now playing full minutes) is through live bullets.

I'll go into tonight's game hoping for a win but bracing for a loss. 48% chance of the former, 52% of the latter, in my book.

How about you all? How are you feeling about it going into tip time?