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Article in DMN this am makes a point of saying no one but Q and BHop are playing well. The last part says Simpson hasn't improved from his freshman year. Is it coaching that helps a player improve? He has had lots of PT so why isn't he getting better? He seems to be a good kid and works hard so what gives? This is why some of us are doubtful of Dement's abilities to be a strong coach. Who has improved on this team except Q and Isham? Both of these guys are guards and have gotten lots of PT. Are there any big men who are better than when they stepped on campus?

Could it be that Q's improvement has been by his own maturity and because he isn't playing under the shadow of Hancock, who improved when not playing under the shadow of Sasser etc,etc? Other than the improved scoring, I frankly don't see a significantly better basketball player on the floor. This shouldn't be news to anyone that has followed this team since Dement took over. The players don't continue to improve. The quality of player, read recruit, has, but with out improvement from within, you basically play with freshman and sophomore skills every year, and that won't get it done beyond mediocrity. Everyone seems pretty content with mediocrity and as long as that happens, we will always be pushing for that 3,4,5 spot in the WAC and hoping for a miracle finish to earn a shot at a tournament every 5-6 years. Some coaches have it, and some come up a little short.

Q has had this kind of game all along. But as the ultimate team player, he deferred in years past to Hancock, and to Davis and Sasser before that. His play this year has not been a surprise to his teammates or coaches.

Simpson, in my opinion, has been tentative. He's stronger than last year, but not strong enough. With his athleticism and those pteradactyl arms of his, he should be leading the WAC in blocks and be up there in rebounds. The offense will come, but he should be more of a presence on the defensive end.