Chuck Taylor

NU 66 UM 57 3

They were set up last year like we were this year. But McIntosh's injury and the lost home-court advantage (during renovation) did them in. Next year is Collins' 7th, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it if he's down again.

I don't look at others' scores, why get further confused? Edited to give us one more point and reduce controversy in this time of turmoil. ?

For comparison's sake, KState gave Tom Asbury had 2 NITs and 1 NCAA in 6 years and was fired. Next up, Jim Wooldrige no tournament appearances and was also gone after 6. He might have lasted a little longer because he inherited a team that went 2-14 in the Big 12. After that, they went with known quantities: Huggins, Martin (an assistant who had recruited their best players) and Weber. KState has more tradition and higher expectations than we do. But we have more resources.

Two things make the fan base exceptional: (1) no pro sports, so total focus, even obsession, on college sports (2) willingness to buy tickets, even for a losing team. So maybe we're the best in purchasing tickets. Regarding behavior, spirit, loyalty etc., there's no way to prove who's the best and to say you are is unbelievably obnoxious. It almost disqualifies you from being the best. I've always wanted to rip down the freakin' sign. The sign is OK, however, it you read it as the being the administration saying to us, "You guys are the best! You still buy tickets even though we frequently disappoint you!"

NU 67 PU 61 Law of averages says we hit 50% of our 3s to make up for the last month. You know what I mean (reversion)?

The best outcome might be an established coach who's worn out his welcome at a good program. He can get away from the noise here, without having to step down to midmajor level. Ben Howland from UCLA to Miss St is the perfect example. That's number 1 for me, followed by (2) throwing obscene amounts of somebody else's money at a big name (3) a midmajor coach who has dominated his league consistently (4) a longtime assistant for a blue blood and (5) a midmajor coach who got hot in March.

I've hit rock bottom in thinking about all this. I'm going to bed.

Well, I tried.

All I'm saying is that Oklahoma finished 18-14 last year with a losing record in the Big 12 and a KenPom rating of 48. Our season isn't necessarily over, unless this team simply is incapable of going at least .500 with an upset or two during its last 8 games. Sorry to provide hope, maybe it's better psychologically for everyone to give up.

Well, the red carpet was laid out for Miles when he arrived: New practice facility and a new arena. For seven years, there's been one man in charge: Miles. Boehm, Eichorst's toupee, Moos, Green, etc. might have done more to help, but it was Miles' job to get this program somewhere higher than it is. I'm fine with supporting Miles based on what he's done, if you believe it's enough, but I just don't understand making excuses and pointing the finger at others. I just don't get that.

I don't think questioning the coach has anything to do with loyalty. We all bleed red. The question is if the program at this level is acceptable to you. For some, it was unacceptable two years ago apparently, which is their right, but they missed out on the enjoyment of last year. I'm not giving up on this season because we did the work in noncon to get us into the NCAA if we can just play decent ball the rest of the way. But for heavens sake, Miles has been here 7 years, if he can't get this team to the NCAA, how can you possibly think he's the long-term solution? If that makes me disloyal, then &%&% it. I also don't feel the need to preface every assessment of the program with "I like Miles ..... ." I don't care one way or the other about whether he's a great guy, I want to win. He gets paid a lot of money, and he knew what was expected of him. If he's out of work, he leaves $millions richer than any of us.

I would like this also applied to the players. A lot of people like the coach, so they project negative personal flaws on the players. They're lazy, selfish, unmanly (an unbelievable suggestion from an anonymous message poster). The proof is what is on the court. If we don't make the tournament, it's because we weren't talented enough or weren't coached well enough, or a combination. But it doesn't have to be because of the coach's and players' negative qualities.

Yeah, I didn't count 2000 since he didn't get here until the spring. I don't know if those guys were Danny's or he just grabbed a bunch of JCs to fill out a depleted roster. I will say this: He had more guys who played here 4 years and were well-regarded than TM. So measuring by heatfelt senior nights, Collier did well. But of course, there were a lot of complete busts too.

I'm usually the one who rolls his eyes at some of the optimism here. But I keep looking at the ratings, and at this point we're still in the NCAA. KenPom 27, for example. So if you're giving up now, then you just don't believe this team is capable of playing decent ball. Not great, just decent. And if Bart Torvik is reading this, how the heck are we still at 21 in T-Rank? Just can't figure that one out.

I don't think that's fair. He took the best he could get, and that was highly rated guys who were leaving their previous schools for more playing time. Pitchford, White and Palmer all wanted to play and they came here with the promise of playing, not because they thought they were going to a great program. In some ways, you can see now why they didn't get more playing time at their previous programs, but in the beginning here, they blossomed when getting a chance to play. Worked well until it didn't. TP was a little different, left Tech after a coaching change.

Didn't Collier's first class include Turek and Muhleisen?

Got it. No starter over 6-5 IIRC, but all ballers.

Sheesh, my first season was the Stu Lantz team. Where did the decades go?

With just 3 years as a head coach, with Daum already on the roster. He might be terrific, but like Miles when he was named, there's not a proven track record of winning.

I think he means north in South Dakota, not Omaha.

22 in KenPom this morning, so there's that. With the No. 24 offense. ?

I'll turn out the lights. See you tomorrow.

The climb back up begins. NU 59 WU 57

Dude, I'm trying to be optimistic!