We have gone 8-4 against a really strong schedule despite losing Howard for two games (and starting Holley for two with a minor injury), yielding an RPI of 15. But we are just 1-4 in games decided by ten points or less. I attribute this mostly to a lack of depth and stamina relative to the last two seasons, as well as to the strength of the opposition.
Our attack is pretty solid with Howard (or occasionally Henderson) balancing Shields and Mitchem. Of course everyone I just named is a senior, so next year could be a long one. As for now, I think/hope this team will be able to play with anyone by tourney time. We'll see.