Since when did the BJC turn into Cameron Indoor Stadium and Ed DeChellis transform into Bobby Knight? The expectations and criticisms that have been put on this year's men's basketball team have been way too high. The team is 6-2 for the first time since 2001, but the only thing we're reading about is how the players "lack a killer instinct" and are "wary" of the Hartford Hawks ("Killer instinct lacking so far in games this season," Dec. 7).

Give the guys a break. Good teams find ways to win even when they're not playing their best. The games sure haven't been pretty, but a 6-2 record thus far is nothing to be ashamed of.

A huge effort has been made to get fans to come to the BJC and watch basketball. Student season tickets have seen a recent dramatic increase. By printing so many critical statements about the team, we're killing the positive buzz that hasn't been around in a while. We're not Duke or North Carolina. We're not expected to contend for a national championship every year.

But let's try and enjoy this season and shake some things up in the Big Ten.