Holy crap, I just catching to the latest chapter, and it's getting more interesting since there some growth in character.
Also,
It's my first time reading a sport manga where the main team is on the losing streak. Made me wish, at least, for Kuzu High to taste a sweet victory. At least, to show them that their hard work is paid.
I 'm guessing the reason why this isn't popular despite being good is
because it's 100+ chapters in, and the MC still hasn't won a single thing. Now imagine waiting periodical release of that during it's serialization on magazines...
The series is popular just not in the west because series like kuroko no basket and haikyuu were more exposed to the west with their animes. The series has over 24 million copies in print. Also not every sport series needs a Mc that wins 10 chapters in LOL. If you watched or read diamond no ace it has a similar sense of failure at the start but later on they work hard and start winning. Its more realistic considering the setup of the story that much you should understand.
Just to remind people who might be fluent with French that there is a french edition (published under the name of "Dream team"). Since volume 17, it is sold in double-volume format (10.5 euros). But if you really have an issue with the pacing of the story so far, I sincerely warn you to stop there. Because that means you did NOT understand the message(s) of that series.