For the future of the program, the Bearcats can say plenty over the course of the next three weeks. They can make a statement about the talent on this team. They can make a statement about an ability to win games in March. Most importantly, they can make a statement about why they won't be on the outside looking in 365 days from now.
"I think this group right here, I think the NIT will help us build for where we want to be next year," Ibrahima Thomas said. "This is when our next season is going to start."
Losing only Deonta Vaughn and Steve Toyloy this season, the hope exists a tournament run back to Madison Square Garden could serve as the initial signs that this program is turning the corner back to national relevance.
"We look forward to next year thinking we could be a team that could impose our will on you," Cronin said, in reference to WVU winning so many games in that fashion this season. "Have to look at certain things where you can improve like West Virginia did from last year to this year.
"As teams get older they become more consistent. That is the key. That has been our struggle this year, consistency. At times we have been as good at defensive rebounding as there has been in the nation. Just being able to do it with consistency, get older, more physical, tougher. That's the goal to get us to that point. We got to that point in New York, we need to develop and grow from that in the NIT...We need to set tone for next year with way we play in NIT."
http://cnati.com/college/can-nit-lead-to-ncaa-001522/
"I think this group right here, I think the NIT will help us build for where we want to be next year," Ibrahima Thomas said. "This is when our next season is going to start."
Losing only Deonta Vaughn and Steve Toyloy this season, the hope exists a tournament run back to Madison Square Garden could serve as the initial signs that this program is turning the corner back to national relevance.
"We look forward to next year thinking we could be a team that could impose our will on you," Cronin said, in reference to WVU winning so many games in that fashion this season. "Have to look at certain things where you can improve like West Virginia did from last year to this year.
"As teams get older they become more consistent. That is the key. That has been our struggle this year, consistency. At times we have been as good at defensive rebounding as there has been in the nation. Just being able to do it with consistency, get older, more physical, tougher. That's the goal to get us to that point. We got to that point in New York, we need to develop and grow from that in the NIT...We need to set tone for next year with way we play in NIT."
http://cnati.com/college/can-nit-lead-to-ncaa-001522/