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Post by ruffledfeathers on Mar 8, 2016 9:23:10 GMT -6
While last night's loss was very disappointing, one should really look at the larger picture and where the program is headed. Starting the year with a 17 game losing streak, on the road and #18 in the loss column, the Cardinals actually really did improve by leaps and bounds. Reevo's comments about the weak schedule mean little when the team didn't know how to win any game. I've always thought one should walk before learning to run, master arithmetic before starting calculus, and beat the teams you should beat. For the most part, the Cards did that this season. I am also a big believer in winning starts at home. The Cards didn't hold up to that standard this season in conference play. Our red and white team was both 5-4 at home and on the road during the regular season. Win at home and give the fans something to cheer about. But I can also look at the conference record both home and away and say the team was consistent.
February gave us reason to think the Cards were headed for a good run. Hopefully the run starts again next year.
Go Cards!
RF
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Post by cardfan on Mar 8, 2016 9:28:53 GMT -6
Agree with all of that RF, but at the same time, when you have the chance to take care of biz, against teams you've already beaten and don't, that's a problem. No excuses. Not like they finished the season vs the top East teams. We had our division won outright and blew it and then blew the chance to make amends last night. It sums up to an improved yet very hollow season. And it didn't have to be that way
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Post by ruffledfeathers on Mar 8, 2016 10:28:54 GMT -6
And that is why I said the loss last night was most disappointing, along with the other home losses. Win at home, and fans are happy.
There is a reason sports analysts say it's difficult to beat the same team three times. Still, a couple of made freebies and the game would be in OT. It's a tough ending to a much improved season.
I still do not understand the benching of Davis over the last month, especially when Weller and Bonnell were speaking of the Cards having no one able to drive to the bucket. Excuse me, but wasn't it Davis and his drives that beat Miami in Worthen the first time? And allowed us back in the game against OU at Worthen.
Go Cards!
RF
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Post by cardfan on Mar 8, 2016 10:39:44 GMT -6
Clearly something happened with Davis that no one has been privy to.
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Post by williamtsherman on Mar 8, 2016 10:40:21 GMT -6
Some might say that zero MAC tourney wins in three years is a pretty big picture.
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Post by rgmillikan on Mar 8, 2016 11:17:48 GMT -6
I felt until the last 3 games we were headed in a decent direction. I thought we would beat Central and get one of the byes in Cleveland and have a 50/50 shot of winning a quarterfinal game and it would be a very nice step in the right direction after two atrocious seasons. Given the massive importance of the tournament in a single bid league, to not even be in the quarters for a 3rd straight year is reason to put at least a little heat under Whitford's seat. Again, I'm not calling for his head yet, but I think there has to be perceptible year to year improvement as there was this year, but it needs to be seen in Cleveland not just during MAC play. And if it's not, fair or not I think after year 4 you have to consider moving on because we all know this program stayed with Buckley and Taylor too long. I'm not too worried about the SOS as well, some Buckley teams played excellent schedules yet only one of them even reached the NIT, and that was with mostly McCallum's players.
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Post by rgmillikan on Mar 8, 2016 11:20:27 GMT -6
Some might say that zero MAC tourney wins in three years is a pretty big picture. In a single bid league, I'd agree. Your conference tournament is almost everything. Going into the year I thought it was reasonable to at least expect to play in the quarterfinals. I didn't expect 12 conference wins or to end up playing on championship Saturday, that would have been absurd, but I expected to beat a 11 seed with everything on the line.
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Post by realitycheck on Mar 8, 2016 11:22:32 GMT -6
RF, I don't think anyone would deny that we made some significant strides and progress this year. There were some genuine moments of excitement, optimism and in retrospect delusional expectations of maybe contending for the Dance. The bitterness of another late season collapse which seems like deja vu all over again is the really disappointing aspect. That and just some bizarre coaching moves down the stretch. Not doubling Washington (thanks to Reevo for pointing this out) especially on the final possession is either stubbornness or just a mistake. Benching your only senior guard for the last 3 weeks when we essentially gagged as a team is also just baffling. Listen Davis was no one's all American or even all conference, but when our young guards struggled mightily down the stretch, Davis may have been able to win us a game like last night. If whatever this kid did was so egregious that it warranted his permanent exile on the bench, why was he even allowed to stay on the team? We may never know but if I see him out and about I'm gonna ask him.
We have now made the leap from laughing stock to respectability. Next year is a pivotal year with virtually everyone back and some new pieces, especially Persons. It is also critical, IMO, that we find another frontline player. Calhoun's rebounds and presence cannot be filled exclusively by Moses and we have no depth. Spring will be a big test for our staff to find at least one good big guy, and perhaps a crafty quick guard.
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Post by williamtsherman on Mar 8, 2016 12:28:11 GMT -6
On the narrow point, I might disagree. I think it's POSSIBLE that Moses could basically replace Calhoun's production. By this reasoning: Moses' playing time will almost certainly go up from his current 18 mpg to around Calhoun's 27mpg - almost exactly a 50% increase. Calhoun averaged 10.8/8.7 this year and Moses 5.2/3.9. The 50% PT bump gets Moses to 7.8/5.9. And I like Moses's prospects for improvement because the freshman-to-sophomore improvement is usually by far the biggest step up most players take, plus Moses showed last offseason that he is very willing to work and listen to good advice, and then Moses' additional length opens up possibilities Calhoun never had. Then consider that Moses is a better shot blocker and passer than Calhoun already, so all-in-all, I think the total Moses sophomore package COULD equal the total Calhoun senior package. Note that this is an "as is" evaluation....no guarantees will be given.
On the larger point, however, you are right of course. Who replaces Moses as first big off the bench? And, more importantly, there is the fact that this year's frontline was not a championship caliber frontline. So even if Moses roughly replaces Calhoun and someone roughly replaces Moses, we are not where we need to be to significantly improve. So the dreaded specter of the PLATEAU is still much to be feared.
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Post by thebsukid on Mar 8, 2016 12:45:05 GMT -6
I agree General, but House could very well be First Team All Mac next season with improving numbers to support this including rebounds...I also suspect with another year of development Moses may be at least a 10/5 guy which is not unreasonable and you may be surprised by Teague.
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Post by cardfan on Mar 8, 2016 12:59:48 GMT -6
I hope I'm extremely wrong, but in my opinion it would be foolish to expect too much from Teague next year. He's still very thin and raw. He's not going to get much done on the frontline. He's going to get pushed around. Give him time. If he develops an offensive game he'll eventually be a stud, but from what I saw he's not there yet. Possibly he could make a big leap in summer development sessions, but just let him grow into things. House obviously is good, but he's one guy and he's undersized. We absolutely need to bring in a kid with size who can actually contribute. We will still be thin next year. We also need a quick, active guard who can get in the lane and get stuff done.
Hopefully the experiences of this year will pay off next year and guys won't short arm shots like they did last night (Tyler especially) and no one wanted to take a shot in the last couple mins. Lots of perimeter passes without even looking at the rim. Gotta get over that.
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Post by thebsukid on Mar 8, 2016 13:56:28 GMT -6
Sellers is the only one that shoots with confidence in my opinion
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Post by JacksonStreetElite on Mar 8, 2016 14:06:09 GMT -6
Sellers is the only one that shoots with confidence in my opinion When Weber heaves up a 3 from five feet behind the line and 23 seconds on the shot clock I don't think he's lacking confidence.
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Post by bsu0 on Mar 8, 2016 14:16:45 GMT -6
Cardfan, what is the difference between WRONG and EXTREMELY wrong? Because according to my relatives I'm EXTREMELY wrong about EVERYTHING!!!!
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Post by cardfan on Mar 8, 2016 15:20:26 GMT -6
Sellers is the only one that shoots with confidence in my opinion When Weber heaves up a 3 from five feet behind the line and 23 seconds on the shot clock I don't think he's lacking confidence. Is that confidence or just heaving it up?
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