UCLA

[SBU72]

So UCLA has gone from playing in the first four games as an 11 seed to going to the final four. So was it a bad season or a successful one?

 

[Irt4su]

Let's wait to see who hits the portal

 

[Trueblue25]

Rooting for Mick. Always admired those Bearcat teams but they always came up short. The mid 2000s/early 10s Big East was absolutely brutal

 

[DoctorBombay]

So UCLA has gone from playing in the first four games as an 11 seed to going to the final four. So was it a bad season or a successful one?

In context, we can ask the same question to an Illinois fan. They won the B1G reg season and tourney, and lost to Loyola in the second round. Yet they’re on the couch watching an 11-seed in the F4. Who would they rather be?
College bball is all about the Dance. If i walk into UCLA’s gym and see that F4 banner, I’m much more impressed than I’d be w/ Illinois’ reg season/B1GT banner. It’s not even close.
We’ve had sucky seasons these last 5 years, but for those 3 weeks in March nobody cared and yes, 2 Sweet16’s and a Final4 in 5 years is considered VERY successful!

 

[SBU72]

In context, we can ask the same question to an Illinois fan. They won the B1G reg season and tourney, and lost to Loyola in the second round. Yet they’re on the couch watching an 11-seed in the F4. Who would they rather be?
College bball is all about the Dance. If i walk into UCLA’s gym and see that F4 banner, I’m much more impressed than I’d be w/ Illinois’ reg season/B1GT banner. It’s not even close.
We’ve had sucky seasons these last 5 years, but for those 3 weeks in March nobody cared and yes, 2 Sweet16’s and a Final4 in 5 years is considered VERY successful!

I like that reversal! Lets really extend it, what happens if Gonzaga loses to UCLA (never happen), does it all of a sudden become a failed season. Ahh maybe not, being the Final Four, so what about Michigan? Losing to a 1st for game team.

 

[Marty McFly]

I'd say a conference title, regular season or tourny is impressive as heck at a p5 school. You undoubtedly get more pub from a ncaa run, and the final four is a significant achievement and should be celebrated. From the casual fan and maybe recruits, ncaa success begets success. I think being in the top 25, year in year out competing for titles puts you in a better position to have ncaa success. That said, as a one off, 100% I take a final four over a regular season championship and early flame out.

 

[Briancuse]

In context, we can ask the same question to an Illinois fan. They won the B1G reg season and tourney, and lost to Loyola in the second round. Yet they’re on the couch watching an 11-seed in the F4. Who would they rather be?
College bball is all about the Dance. If i walk into UCLA’s gym and see that F4 banner, I’m much more impressed than I’d be w/ Illinois’ reg season/B1GT banner. It’s not even close.
We’ve had sucky seasons these last 5 years, but for those 3 weeks in March nobody cared and yes, 2 Sweet16’s and a Final4 in 5 years is considered VERY successful!

I would take Ucla's season, but there is something to be said for going 4 months of the season being a top 10 team all year, knowing every night you are going to win. I feel like if your a One seed and you get to the Elite 8 its a success. Losing in the 2nd round stings bad.

 

[CorduroyG]

i dont know why college basketball is the only sport this comes up in. of course its a successful season, theyre in the final 4!!!!

if an nfl team snuck in the playoffs at 8-8 (now 9-8) and made the super bowl, nobody is asking if it was a successful season.

same thing when comparing 2 teams. who had a better year, illinois or ucla? of course its ucla! theyre in the final 4 and all anyone will remember about illinois is they were a 1 seed that got bounced in the 2nd round.

if the lakers go 72-10 and lose in the 2nd round, and the nuggets go 41-41 and are in the finals, who had the better year? it aint the lakers!

 

[longtimefan]

This year's PAC-12 is a prime example of why it's so difficult to predict the NCAA tournament (fill out your bracket).

Oregon St wins 3 of 4 to end its regular season, then sweeps through the conference tourney. They're hot! They prove it by pulling 3 upsets and advance to the Elite 8.

UCLA loses their last 3 in the regular season, then gets bounced in the first round of the PAC-12 tournament. They're not!! Then they win 5 straight to get to the FF.

Who can figure?

 

[721Comstock]

i dont know why college basketball is the only sport this comes up in. of course its a successful season, theyre in the final 4!!!!

if an nfl team snuck in the playoffs at 8-8 (now 9-8) and made the super bowl, nobody is asking if it was a successful season.

same thing when comparing 2 teams. who had a better year, illinois or ucla? of course its ucla! theyre in the final 4 and all anyone will remember about illinois is they were a 1 seed that got bounced in the 2nd round.

if the lakers go 72-10 and lose in the 2nd round, and the nuggets go 41-41 and are in the finals, who had the better year? it aint the lakers!

THIS!!!

In 2007 my G-men got into the playoffs as a wildcard (at large bid) then had to win @ Tampa Bay (play-in round) to then play @ Dallas (Sweet Sixteen), then @ GB. (Final Four)

They then managed the most improbable upset in Super Bowl history in denying Brady & the Pats their undefeated Championship season.

SO FFFF YES!!!! UCLA had a very successful season!!!

and it's not over yet.

 

[HyattsCuse]

I don't really think that's a question with a binary, yes/no, answer.

If I'm a UCLA fan, I'd think it's a successful season, but I would also like to think Illinois fans think their season was successful. At the end of the year, only one team can win the National Championship and only 4 can make the Final Four. Of course, I would consider the champ the most successful as that is the ultimate goal of college basketball each season, but I think plenty of other teams should feel their seasons are successful also. It'd be sad if they didn't.

Making the Final Four is amazing. I also think winning your conference or your conference tournament are also great achievements to mark a successful season. I mean even getting a high seed in the tournament means you had a good season. I don't see the point in diminishing a season where a team accomplished some of these things, but ultimately, weren't one of the Final 4 in a single elimination tournament. Their seasons are still successful.

 

[djorange1989]

remember when we used to be a top 3-4 seed in the NCAAs AND we had success in the tourney? let's do that sh** again.

 

[skurey]

SWC has the 3 criteria for success. Top 4 in the league, conference semis, Sweet 16. We achieved one of those.

Now the further you get in the tournament the more it can make up for other areas you lacked in imo.

But watching miserable basketball for 4 months isn't erased by 2-3 weeks unless it results in a title.

All my opinion.