It's time the university makes the basketball program a priority. I know it's a tough sell with the budget and we don't pack the gym every game, but unless we are satisfied with the last four years being the ceiling, than it's time to get real.
I love Mick and think he has done well with what he has. Bottom line is UC finds itself in a tough position going forward. There are so many great programs around to compete for recruits, and we no longer have the Big East draw for players. Teams like OSU, UK, UL, IU and MSU will keep plucking the best of the best while we sit around hoping to land one great player that happens to be under ranked and coach up the rest of the bunch. This is okay to win a few NCAA tourney games here and there, but it will never produce a championship.
I may be a little reactive right now, as rooting for teams around town have taken its toll, but we can no longer be satisfied with just competing. Look at Harvard, they invested in their program and are no longer satisfied with just having a team. I get the fact they have a $30 billion dowry, but if Harvard can get serious about its hoops, it's high time the University of Cincinnati does as well.
And whoever said that it's cool because UC wasn't expected to make the NCAA tourny this year--that is pathetic. Why would those be the expectations? Except for the first couple years after the debacle in '06, we should never be happy just to make the dance. I didn't expect a title or final four, but I did expected to be better this year than last. I do think we had some success this year, and all isn't judged on today, but most of it is judged on what people will remember. And they'll remember losing 6 of the last 10 or whatever it was.
I guess in the end, I just hope that the best days of Cincinnati hoops are not behind us. And by that I mean National Championships.
