Originally Posted by
Kedsy
I don't understand this statement. What had Z or Lance shown as leaders prior to their senior season? Z had never averaged as much as 12 mpg before 2009-10, so he certainly hadn't been leading on the court. And I don't think Jon Scheyer was really the leader of the 2008 or 2009 teams, either. Certainly as players, the current trio is more accomplished in the aggregate than the 2010 trio.
Putting all that aside, experience doesn't only mean outspoken leadership. It means understanding what the coach wants and being able to execute it. It means the game has slowed down for you. It means not getting flustered because you've been there before. It could even mean leading by quiet example.
Finally, I wonder if Purdue or Baylor had beaten us in 2010 whether you'd be making statements like, "they're just not." I suspect not, although if we'd lost in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8, our seniors' experience or leadership abilities wouldn't have been any less. I have no idea if this applies to you, but it seems in many fans' eyes winning the title made these players larger than life, elevated them to exalted status. But the championship didn't make them experienced. Their experience made them champions.