Reflecting Molinari's second season
Bill Welt
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: Sports
The Western Illinois men's basketball team did receive an early boot in post-season play.
But the program under the direction of head coach Jim Molinari took noticeable steps in the right direction toward the end of the season.
The Leathernecks went on a four-game winning-streak in mid-February, which started with a 64-62 upset at Oral Roberts. Although the three other opponents were not of remarkable quality, such as lowly Centenary, Western finally began to feel what it was like to win.
It was an excruciatingly difficult step for the 'Necks to make, as Western kept on suffering close losses at home and on the road prior to the winning-streak.
One of those hard fought losses came to Summit League winner Oakland on Jan. 30 at Western Hall. The Jan. 30 defeat was tough, as Western fell 68-64 to an opponent who currently awaits a seeding in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Tournament.
A crucial factor in the 'Necks' success came from the development of sophomore point guard Ceola Clark. He led Western throughout much of the season, scoring team-highs in 16 of Western's 30 games.
The fact that Clark has two more years remaining under Molinari appears to be a very bright spot for the 'Necks, as Western will still have to deal with a young team next season. But with a veteran point guard at the helm, the 'Necks could gain a winning record as early as next season.
Although they finished with the same conference record (6-12), they improved their overall mark by four games from last year. It may not seem much, but bear in mind this is a program that has not had a winning record since the 1998-1999 season, in which Western went 16-12, 9-5.
The most difficult step in the rebuilding process is establishing a winning culture in a program that has not seen much light throughout its history.
With the 'Necks appearing to finally get their head above water at season's end, Western may move forward in establishing a strong program in The Summit League. This is strongly substantiated with the growth of Clark leading the program into possible new heights the school has never seen before.Western was given an early exit this season that may leave the pessimist to scoff at the proposition that the 'Necks may achieve new heights. But the program showed its ability to compete against the league's top tier teams in Oakland and IUPUI. Although IUPUI handed Western a 70-42 spanking in early February, the 'Necks bounced back and gave IUPUI a first round scare.
This display of fierce competition shows Western is not far from achieving great success the school has never seen, which may include a conference tournament championship and a NCAA tournament bid.
But patience will have to reside for the moment, as Molinari will have to continue the process of recruiting stronger players to really get the program rolling forward.
The program may not experience a conference championship or a NCAA Tournament bid anytime soon, but it has gotten off the right foot under Molinari in his first two seasons.
But the program under the direction of head coach Jim Molinari took noticeable steps in the right direction toward the end of the season.
The Leathernecks went on a four-game winning-streak in mid-February, which started with a 64-62 upset at Oral Roberts. Although the three other opponents were not of remarkable quality, such as lowly Centenary, Western finally began to feel what it was like to win.
It was an excruciatingly difficult step for the 'Necks to make, as Western kept on suffering close losses at home and on the road prior to the winning-streak.
One of those hard fought losses came to Summit League winner Oakland on Jan. 30 at Western Hall. The Jan. 30 defeat was tough, as Western fell 68-64 to an opponent who currently awaits a seeding in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Tournament.
A crucial factor in the 'Necks' success came from the development of sophomore point guard Ceola Clark. He led Western throughout much of the season, scoring team-highs in 16 of Western's 30 games.
The fact that Clark has two more years remaining under Molinari appears to be a very bright spot for the 'Necks, as Western will still have to deal with a young team next season. But with a veteran point guard at the helm, the 'Necks could gain a winning record as early as next season.
Although they finished with the same conference record (6-12), they improved their overall mark by four games from last year. It may not seem much, but bear in mind this is a program that has not had a winning record since the 1998-1999 season, in which Western went 16-12, 9-5.
The most difficult step in the rebuilding process is establishing a winning culture in a program that has not seen much light throughout its history.
With the 'Necks appearing to finally get their head above water at season's end, Western may move forward in establishing a strong program in The Summit League. This is strongly substantiated with the growth of Clark leading the program into possible new heights the school has never seen before.Western was given an early exit this season that may leave the pessimist to scoff at the proposition that the 'Necks may achieve new heights. But the program showed its ability to compete against the league's top tier teams in Oakland and IUPUI. Although IUPUI handed Western a 70-42 spanking in early February, the 'Necks bounced back and gave IUPUI a first round scare.
This display of fierce competition shows Western is not far from achieving great success the school has never seen, which may include a conference tournament championship and a NCAA tournament bid.
But patience will have to reside for the moment, as Molinari will have to continue the process of recruiting stronger players to really get the program rolling forward.
The program may not experience a conference championship or a NCAA Tournament bid anytime soon, but it has gotten off the right foot under Molinari in his first two seasons.
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