It was absolutely a great year. With the shallow bench, with just one senior and six freshmen on the bench ? it was a tremendous year. To do what we did in those three games were enormous. It was a great year.

I think it was a relief that we went to the finals last year, didn't win, but did this year. We didn't have the mental edge going into that game (with Salem).

It's only me and one counsel (Tim Robbins). I'll be doing my bench presses.

That definitely means something. The freshmen have made a lot of difference this year. They have been great. They have adapted well to the way we play.

If you look at any six-year period, it's difficult to find one where you're in a down cycle the whole time. We have concerns [about chances for the contract to be rejected] based on feedback we're getting. Those concerns have been expressed to management.

Last year, we started seven freshmen, and this year we will probably only start two. That makes it a lot easier for us to compete because we will have maturity and experience.