They were 10-2 in the non-conference with a pair of 2 point losses (one of them to then-#5 OK State). They've lost three conference games in OT, and they led Creighton in the final minute last night. They've lost four other Big East games by single digits.Originally Posted by Hoosier Red
Now, I'm not guaranteeing they'd be a whole lot better if Stevens was there, but doesn't it make sense that a team that is that close to having a REALLY good record might have some pretty different results under one of the best coaches in basketball instead of an untested rookie coach?
And the Big East is quite a bit better than the A-10. The A-10 is pretty solid this year, but top to bottom it's really not close. They'll both be similarly represented in March, but I don't think the A-10 has a threat to go deep (not buying SLU). Villanova is a legit Final Four contender, and if Creighton got hot I could see them winning six in March (conversely, if they have a bad shooting night, they could easily be bounced in the first game; those guys are hot and cold).
Like getting caught in an excrement storm without an umbrella.
What else can go wrong? Wait..don't answer that.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
WMR (02-14-2014)
Where's the Indiana football thread
thatcoolguy_22 (02-18-2014)
Nobody cares. Most Indiana basketball fans follow Notre Dame football, which is extremely lame.Where's the Indiana football thread
Barry On Baseball Also blogging at Banished to the Pen.
Yeah, I read that yesterday. At this point, I wouldn't blame him for going to the NBA. After all, how much more is Vonleh going to develop in College with three people suffocating every time he touches the ball..and that isn't even taking into account the several trips down the court in which teammates seemingly forget that he's on the court and he never touches that ball at all.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
Sad, but spot-on.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
Pitiful aint it?
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
Razor Shines (02-14-2014)
It's easy to imagine that the team would have won a number of the close games under Brad Stevens as opposed to Brandon Miller, however a lot of close losses doesn't necessarily mean the team is close. They've won a number of close games over not nearly prime time teams.
As for the A-10 vs. Big East comparison, sorry for being unclear. The Big East is obviously better than the A-10 this year. The A-10 lost 4 programs, 3 of which went to the tournament last year.)
But my point was that the jump from last year's A-10 to this year's Big East was not a huge jump. The biggest jump was in the lack of truly awful teams at the bottom of the conference.
Funny thing is that over a year ago...we all thought Stevens was going nowhere. That changed, he abruptly left for a great opportunity. Now we look back and say "dang, that was a pretty smart move". I say he saw the cards on the table the whole time.
I kinda am on the fence with the TWolves. I'm about to root for them to tank yet again. I want Vonleh bad.
If Vonleh, indeed, declares for the draft, I would love to see that happen. Granted, a lot depends on what happens with Kevin Love, but Vonleh should fit in perfectly within the TWolves system, which could use more athleticism and rim protection up front.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
It was the right time move on, but only if something (not just monetarily) extraordinary was out there--like a chance to coach for one of the most storied pro franchises, which we know transpired.
While one can argue that Butler moving on to a more "prestigious" conference increases recruiting possibilities, which in turn creates a "stronger" NCAA Program, Here's the counter argument: The goal is obviously to be crowned NCAA champion, and qualifying for the NCAA tourney itself is half of the battle right there.
This is certainly not meant as a knock against Stevens, but let's face it, compared with this new Big East or even the A-10, the Horizon wasn't exactly murderers row. If your non-conference schedule was difficult enough to increase your RPI -- as it usually was -- and you proceed to run roughshod through your conference, you are virtually guaranteed a spot in the Big Dance.
This is the same reason that coaches like Marshall, Smart and Few, who are following virtually the same blueprint --and to an extent, Jerry Tarkianian at UNLV did, as well -- as Stevens and his recent predecessors at Butler, are, IMO better served staying where they are. This the beauty of NCAA B-Ball, unlike Major NCAA Football, an affiliation with a "Major" is unnecessary for a shot at the big prize. Why create a tougher path to the tourney itself? Granted, by not parlaying coaching a mid-major into a "better" job, you also run the risk of becoming the next Chris Lowery at SIU, but his situation seemed like an outlier to me.
Last edited by Revering4Blue; 02-15-2014 at 01:02 AM.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
This team is just absolute garbage.
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