Down to Earth!

So much has been on the line in every one of the Falcon's last fourteen games, each win was a new horizon. Reaching new goals and setting new records at a pace never seen by an AFA team or fans. Streaks happen and with each new win comes new pressures and enlarged targets. It's time to start again!

For an optimistic twist on the Falcon's first loss in 14 games, let’s think of the possible medicinal team benefits.  This could actually be just what the doctor ordered for this year’s undoubtedly favorite Cinderella team.  Yes, this visit to the dreaded doctor streak stopper clinic could have some very beneficial healing processes for these wounded Birds.

The streak stopper bug is very mobile and pops up at some very inopportune times, such as during a team’s first nationally televised game against a very capable opponent.  Air Force was pushing the odds boundary for some time now, they have the tools to push these boundaries but without the benefit of past streak stopping clinic experience it was bound to happen.  The UNLV game was the perfect scenario for the streak stopper bugs to rise and strike.  This game had the largest (TV) audience yet for Air Force and was the best opportunity yet for the Falcons to show off their winning ways.  Many Air Force fans, especially those new to the Falcon band-wagon, had not yet seen their beloved Birds in action.  For these reasons and more the sickening and heart-wrenching streak stopper bug was most likely to hit when it did.  The real surprise here is that it did not happen earlier. 

Now this commentary begs the question… were the Falcons really that good?  After all, they beat some pretty darn good teams both at home and on the road and the UNLV team that beat them are no slouches, the Rebels are very athletic, they have big game experience and their coach came up with the best scheme so far to stop or at least slow down the Falcon’s system enough to transfer game control.  Now the real credit must go to the Rebel players for their determined, disciplined and aggressive play for 40 minutes.  The Falcons went to the cold shooting mode this time and could not recover because the Rebels played so well for pretty much the entire game.

The answer to the above question should come pretty quick; Air Force has one more Mountain West team they have not yet played this season and that is Wyoming .  They will meet at Clune arena Saturday, 7 Feb before the Falcons embark on the 2^nd half of their season.  Wyoming has, like most MWC teams pretty much dominated the Falcons in basketball over the years.  The last few years under new head coach, Joe Scott have been different, they have been fairly competitive and at times down right exhausting as in the 4-OT game finally won by the Cowboys.  This Saturday’s match up is at Clune arena where the crowd should be large and loud.  The Falcons will get their very first chance to test out just how effective the healing clinic has been, how effective Dr. Joe’s treatments and inoculations will be.  

It needs to be a good rebound because though Air Force has already played 4 of 7 MWC road games this season, they now face return matches of each MWC team and that will not be an easy task.  With the streak stopper bug having already bitten the Falcons and with some very much needed rest and clinical treatment by Dr. Joe, the Falcons could be ready to fly high again, with loads of new experience, attitude and confidence.