Herdorbust, the practice reports can only describe how well the players are looking against other players on the Herd. Doesn't relate at all to how they perform against OTHER players in game situations, players who may be just as talented, or more talented, than any the Herd players see in daily practices.
When it comes to coaching them up, no doubt Danny has done that overall, as reflected in the team's record, which, you note, has improved yearly. But you have to start with the base talent itself. Only so much coaching can improve the innate talent. When the talent gap is great, like last night, the result we saw is a distinct possibility. Hell, Maryland's key players were freshmen and sophs. Don't think Coach Turgeon (sp) of the Terps has had time to "coach em up", much.
Key for Coach D and the Herd is to continually raise that "base" of talent he has to work with, season after season. This year, we saw a little of social media highlights of some of our new recruits doing stunt dunks, etc., etc. But, as I recall, we NEVER saw in the media just how many other D1 programs were really, really recruiting these players, did we? How many LEGIT D1 offers did Byers have? Sustic? Bennett? On down the line. Going back we probably know that Nikolic, Milan, maybe Dozic, had few, if any, other D1 offers. I'm sure Kinsey had offers, the red shirt frosh too. Not so sure that Dillon didn't have more in football than in basketball.
Just saying that practice reports indicating how great everyone looks, how well they are doing, etc., need to be tempered with the reality of the fact that Danny is not dealing with a squad full of McDonald's All Americans. That fact every now and then produces results like the Maryland game.
That said, its back to work. A down William & Mary (1-4 currently) at the CAM should be what the doctor ordered and a winnable road game at OU next week should get everyone back on track, and on the band wagon!!!