One of the first things Ricardo Patton did as a head coach was hang up a banner.

The banner reads, “Anything less than a national championship will always be short of our goal.”

Patton is trying to instill a winning attitude upon his team and has set the highest goal.

A national championship is an interesting goal, but trying to bring in a winning mentality is better. Though they have a tough schedule, the team should win this year.

We expect results, and anything below a .500 record will be disappointing with a coach collecting a exorbitant $300,000 salary.

Already on the schedule are two NCAA tournament teams: Air Force and Southern Illinois. Patton is about scheduling tough teams, getting those teams to come to DeKalb and beating them.

After a couple of big wins, the fans will return.
With stress on fundamental basketball, there should be some hope.

But this is a team one season removed from a seven-win last-place finish.

To recover, Patton has stressed defense and conditioning. He says that his team will outplay and out-hustle other teams. Patton has been conditioning his team hard and holds practices as early as 6 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m. under the premise that the team should be ready any time.

Offensively, Patton stresses unselfishness and ball movement.
But where Judson tried the same thing and faltered, Patton can succeed as long as he rides the hot hand.

If Cody Yelder makes three shots in a row, let him keep making those shots.
Another spot where Judson failed was attendance. The Convocation Center could be a great place to see a basketball game, but when only 100 people show, the place looks more suited for an intimate dinner.

We should expect as many wins as losses and at least a competitive team every game.

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