After watching another 2nd round loss in which our guys played timid, had that "dear in the headlights" look from the opening tip, I am not more convinced our conference will not prepare us enough for the NCAA Tournament and Jay must, must improve OOC schedule. I'm not saying we're a mid-major conference, you can put whatever term you want on it, but one thing is abundantly clear: the teams in our league do not bring the athleticism, strength and the tenacity that the P5 conferences bring. If this is going to change, Jay must do whatever it takes to build us a tougher OOC schedule.
We didn't have this problem in the old BE. We were more than prepared from a mental perspective. Nothing scared them and they more hungry - like sharks on bait hungry - just like NCST was and UConn last year. That's how it always was when we were in the old BE. The conference was a bitch, and you needed to bring it every night. We may lose in some years because our teams just weren't good enough, or weren't playing well towards the end of the season, but when we had talented focused squads, we were prepared for the Dance. This team had the talent, focus and was playing their best ball. Just didn't have enough tests during the season. I don't care what people say about next year about the BE, at best, it will be the same, and that isn't good enough to get a team ready for March.
Looking back at this past season, Syracuse was our best true test because when Chris McCollaugh played, they were a tournament quality team with size, strength and tenacity. Put the sanctions aside, had that Frosh stayed healthy, they were tournament quality. Illinois, Michigan stunk and VCU is not the test we needed. Good team, but mid-major conference. This is what needs to happen going forward:
Attempt to set up home-and-homes with the best teams we can get from the ACC, B1G, etc. I know this isn't easy and I know it's hard to know who will be good or not, but start with the obvious teams - Kent, Mich State, Duke, UNC, AZ, Louisville, etc. I'm even open to 2 for 1s because we need these games badly. These games also get us more exposure - a side benefit for sure - but CBS or ESPN would pick these up. If we must eliminate the Big 5, then do it! I know this is controversial, but this is about our program being great in March. Those programs are not keeping up (except Temple, perhaps) and playing Penn in February is a colossal WASTE OF TIME. If the B5 is preventing us from scheduling the way we MUST in this new college athletics world, then it may have to be a victim of circumstances. Sorry people, but this is business, not personal and old traditions have been dying all over the country because of realignment - the Big 5 may have to suffer as well. Jay needs to schedule one of these games as late as possible - February would be great. I know that won't be easy, but maybe dumping the Big 5 gives us better flexibility to do so. I am more convinced than ever that games in November on some random island or city are almost useless in preparing a team for March. Sure they help RPI (see what that meant to our league), but true road tests vs. the best is what we need. Cuse last year @ Cuse was an example of that and how'd we do? Red flag right there when you look back.
Look, I know this isn't an exact science, and I'm sure many will find contrary views, but we've been trying the other way for two years of this new league, and we look scared when we step on the court vs. Big State U from the P5 conferences (UConn counts last year). You guys can debate size, lack of it, our guard skills, etc., but how we schedule going forward MUST change in order for us to be prepared to make a run in March.
This post was edited on 3/23 9:12 AM by TRIP4VU
