Post Standard Poll: If less than a Final Four, successful year ?

[IthacaMatt]

Here's the problem. Who really cares about the final 8? It's nice, but not all that meaningful. I look at that '89 Illinois game and think, "damn we were so close to another final 4 and we had a great chance at winning it." Not, "that's great we made the final 8!"

In the same way I look at the final 4. It's nice to make it. It's really an amazing accomplishment. But esp. this year, if we make the final 4? We should with the whole thing. We are good enough. And there is no dominant team like the '96 UK team that downed us.

National Championship. And then I feel like I can go into anyone's house put my boots on their table and light a cigar. We'll have 2 and nobody can ever say s*** about anything we have or haven't done in the past. I like that feeling.

I agree. But people do track Final Four appearances. That is a benchmark. People talk about all of Izzo's Final Fours, for instance, or with Louie Carnesecca, he made 1 Final Four with Malik Sealy. So we've got to get back this year, and frankly, for the quality of our program and the number of early flame outs, we really ought to make another 2 or 3 Final Fours to capitalize on this run of outstanding recruiting we are currently on, if we want to cement ourselves at this level. We did not capitalize on 2003, and wound up with a couple NIT appearances as a result.

 

[cusetown1]

I agree. But people do track Final Four appearances. That is a benchmark. People talk about all of Izzo's Final Fours, for instance, or with Louie Carnesecca, he made 1 Final Four with Malik Sealy. So we've got to get back this year, and frankly, for the quality of our program and the number of early flame outs, we really ought to make another 2 or 3 Final Fours to capitalize on this run of outstanding recruiting we are currently on, if we want to cement ourselves at this level. We did not capitalize on 2003, and wound up with a couple NIT appearances as a result.

It's weird how Final 4's are very crucial in judging success. In football no one remembers the National title runner up. The Bills look like failures because they went to 3 Superbowls in a row and lost even though an incredible feat. As far as postseason success, I like to look at NT or bust every year. I'd take 1 NT over 5 final 4's any day.

 

[BuffOrange]

Keep it in perspective. Had we lost to Florida by 4 points, lost to WVU by 2 points, lost to Ville' by one and lost to G-Town in OT. We'd be 22-5 and looking at a probable 2 maybe even 3 seed. Expectations would probably be elite 8 at best, but we won all of our close games because we have a great coach, so expectations now are playing in the NC game...? I'll be thrilled if we play in the final four, and happy to make elite 8!

Yah it's funny how that works. Some view Marty Schottenheimer as a choker but I think most diehard football guys realize he more often overachieved as some of his #1 seeds had no business finishing 13-3.

If your criteria is "what the average fan will remember" it's basically title or bust. Some of have said what's the big deal about making the E8 but I think the same can be said of the F4 - most people don't remember who lost in the semi's 2yrs ago. I mean do Uconn fans remember losing to Mich. St more fondly than the years in the 90s where they lost in the regional finals? I sorta doubt it; quite honestly they probably prefer whichever year they did better against us and/or how they did in the BET.

 

[CorduroyG]

i think making the final 4 is different and a major accomplishment because of the nature of march madness. you basically gotta win 4 game 7s in a row on a neutral court. you can make the super bowl just by winning 2 home games. march madness is so unpredictable with the upsets and buzzer beaters and cinderella stories that just surviving till the final four is huge.

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[br801]

No one ever called him "Big Game" Jackson...thats for sure. Our most overrated "star" of all time, imo. Showed a bad attitude and a bit of a quitters attitude in the paint in some of our biggest times of need.

Wow. You're hard to please, aren't you? Do you ever have anything positive to say about the kids coming through this program? Seems like you choose to focus on everyone's worst moments once they are out the door.

I thought Jackson squeezed the most of relatively limited physical skills and made himself into a very solid player by the time he was finished here.

 

[DoctorBombay]

My head says yes, but my heart says no.
Frankly I'm sick of being the "San Diego Chargers of college basketball", ie; all the talent in the world but can't get over the hump!
In recent years I've watched Duke, UConn, Butler, et al have waaaay more post-season success, with lesser teams.
Our cinderella run from 15 years ago has grown a little stale, even taking into account 2003.
We are a nationally-recognized brand in CBB, & with that comes expectations.
A valiant effort & early exit will not be easily acceptable this season- we are CLEARLY better than that.
Its Final4 or bust...& thats the way it should be for this level of a program.

 

[BlackKnight76]

No one ever called him "Big Game" Jackson...thats for sure. Our most overrated "star" of all time, imo. Showed a bad attitude and a bit of a quitters attitude in the paint in some of our biggest times of need.

I hear he's a terrible tipper and never helps old ladies cross the street either.