Ole Miss

[L-T]

They also have failed to make the field of 64 two straight years. All the things you mentioned are because of their administration putting its support and money behind the basketball program. Big recruiting budget and built a brand new arena where fan experience is a priority (Hence that is where the casual fan goes). Also dont have to compete with a football team since they dont have one. Have roughly 3,000 less seats to sell. If this argument is about administrations you may have a point, if it's about coaches you do not.

They still have to compete with our football team and the Bengals and the Reds, etc. for the entertainment dollar. They still have to compete with HDTVs. That arena helped once they started making a splash in the NCAA and got the fans energized. Our arena would be just fine if we got the fans riled up again. They play a much more entertaining and offensive style of ball and they recruit athletes that can play it. It's Mick's choice to play and recruit the way he does, and that is a lot of his problem.

 

[bearcat jeff]

My argument has never wavered. I've always looked at the big picture, whivh means our stature back then was waaaaay beyond just our NCAA performance. You can't ignore the great regular seasons, the MacDonald's All Americans, the National Player of the year, the NBA draft picks, the big attendance, the National TV (when there wasn't 56 different channels televising games), etc., etc.

If you choose to dumb down the whole comparison to just a look at the NCAA performance, then you really take away a lot of the argument for Mick, because he has had some nice regular seasons. His NCAA performance has been pretty lacking. He's had two first round flame-outs in a row. Huggs had two in 14 years. If he follows those up with not even making the tournament this year, do you seriously think the pressure won't be ramped way up on him, especially if attendance continues where it's at and we're trying to raise funding to spend $72 million on the program.

4 NCAAs in a row is an achievement that only 16 schools have accomplished currently. Great job Mick! However, this only serves to show just how incredible our 14 in a row was back then.

http://mcubed.net/ncaab/strkr64c.shtml

At that time, only Kansas had more. The nine years you complain about were all NCAA appearances, with only one first round flame out. So if you're bragging about 4 now, you can't begin to compare it favorably to the final 9 of a 14 year run of excellence. Like jack Bauer stated, comparing today with back then is ludicrous. They're not even in the same universe.[/QUO

Let's not forget the public embarrassment of the school, program and the coach himself. Let's not forget yearly stories about players in trouble. Let's not forget the graduation rates, which were misreported but still lacking. These things matter to me as much as any of the things you mentioned. It's not just about winning to me its about how you go about it.

 

[waterhead]

Now we're talking!!!! An expectation of at least one final four in the next three years!! I like it!

My point WH is this....8 years ago, it was all about the 2nd round losses in the NCAA. The Mick supporters and Higgs haters all brought that up over and over again. Everyone said you have to give him at least 6 years. Well, here we sit in year 9, coming off two 1st round losses and suddenly more than just you have brought up that we should just be happy with making the tournament, and making statements like we didn't even expect us to make the tournament this year.

So, the phenomena we have going on now is a huge shift in what was being said 8 years ago by many of the same people. Suddenly, the 2nd round flame-outs are never brought up and we suddenly are just happy making the tournament. Almost nobody besides me ever throws an expectation out there that would give Mick a chance to fail at some point.....until now. You have thrown down the gauntlet and established the expectation of a FINAL FOUR within the next three years. I agree, 9 years is plenty enough time to start expecting a Final Four in the near future.

I take back what I said about you lowering the bar! Bravo!

What I meant by "expectation" was my personal prediction (I don't expect meant I don't predict) of what I thought we would or wouldn't achieve this year based on the players and circumstances surrounding this team. 7 New kids, 3 captains lost, no great players with more than 1 year experience.

My expectation of the program on a long term basis will allow for a rebuilding year here or there. I think the pieces are in place for VERY big accomplishments within 2 years...and beyond. If it doesn't happen I think we should look to move in a new direction as a program.

 

[L-T]

What I meant by "expectation" was my personal prediction (I don't expect meant I don't predict) of what I thought we would or wouldn't achieve this year based on the players and circumstances surrounding this team. 7 New kids, 3 captains lost, no great players with more than 1 year experience.

My expectation of the program on a long term basis will allow for a rebuilding year here or there. I think the pieces are in place for VERY big accomplishments within 2 years...and beyond. If it doesn't happen I think we should look to move in a new direction as a program.

Thanks for clarifying. I agree with you 100%!

 

[westsidecat]

ole miss just lost to wku to go 2-3 at home. just for the ppl who belive they were a good team.