BigWillie

I was going to post something about this. Very ironic. Only difference is he is a lot more well off financially.

Any idea if we will get Tues or Wed?

I still don't understand why teams wouldn't want to play more games. I think the only reason I can think of is getting a head start on recruiting?

Exactly! That's what I was saying before. I was hoping it made a diff.

Honestly, I think we got more weight considering we won it.

I bet there is not many other times you are glad you were wrong!!

Pitino is too good for it.

It seems crazy to me these teams wouldn't want to just play more basketball. Even if it's for the seniors. Just don't see the disadvantage. Now on the other hand, I am glad they feel that way because it gives us a glimmer of hope.

Where are you seeing these declines? Just curious.

Yeah, I know. Just trying to dream I guess.

Curious to know your thoughts on Hodge with their first years being somewhat similar.

Doesn't that hurt us more for NIT? Even if it was already a long shot.

This gives me hope.

It's funny how Cougar Queen is so quiet after these types of losses.

I am glad you posted it. I was already formulating a similar response in my head when I read that post. And I have to keep harping on it. Look at what we did after that. My point is. Let's see where we go from here. When you get used to winning and being really good, it's hard to take a step back, but it was inevitable at some point. I was trying to explain that to @Big Z last night. My pipe dream is Hodge becomes our Bill Self.

I think this is the case. Houston is on another level.

Crap, I read that wrong. American isn't in that automatic list. That's really crappy.scrappy. Can they make it any more obvious they want as much post season for the P5?

Maybe I am reading something wrong, but it says automatic bids are from NET. 68 teams make it in the NCAA, we are NET 79. I know NCAA is not top 68 of NET, but how does this not help us?

Out of curiosity and my laziness, did any schools try and money whip him last season? If they did and he didn't leave, and with Davis and Goldin being Jr's, it seems very likely (depending on NCAA run) he turns down any opportunity.

Yes, I wasn't trying to advocate he be the leader. I mentioned to @Big Z a ton of times where I thought him and TP as a duo would be top of the conference.

Wishful thinking, but with Temple beating Charlotte, SMU getting smoked in the first round, and Memphis getting smoked in the first round, does that open up anything for us, or is it body of the season that plays a bigger role?

You do realize we were in the top 5 in scoring defense most of the season? Where was Tech? Only one consistent. And top 5 most of the season. See my other thread where you have downed JE. As a Sophmore who came from JUCO, I think his progress is actually very promising. College is not only about learning from books.... This is more related to the players than the system. I think he needs to learn from this. I agree, I was telling @Big Z we needed to take 3s and we took 1 in that last stretch and when we did drive we would turn it over. The Aaron ISO was used entirely too many times down the stretch. I THINK Hodge was trying to get him deep so it would free up 3 pt shooters when they brought the help, but it didn't work out. I think you need to watch the game again. This game went back and forth and we had the lead for some of the 2nd half also. It literally came down to the last 2 mins. If you would say that they are a better closing team than us, I would 100% agree.

AND he is a SOPHMORE! See above. Yes, it is definitely crazy to criticize a guy that accomplished all he did this season against very good talent because his play hasn't matured. Sorry, I think this team would probably be .500 or under without him. If he grows next season and starts becoming more of a person that can teach the younger kids coming in, we could have a very potent offensive team.

I definitely don't want to look past Tulane, but would we say that FAU "is just better"? They have beaten us with TP (x2), injured, home, away, and fully healthy.