[NU Sports] NIT here we come

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> So the question turns to Men's Basketball - either we can
> get comparable talent, or we can't.  If we can't get

We're getting there - but despite conventional wisdom that it should be shorter with only a few players and only needing one star, I would suggest that it's just as tough if not tougher in hoops.

> 3. Why have we not competed succesfully in conference
> ?  If the answer to question 2 is 'no',

I think we've been more competitive in conference with Carmody than at any other time in recent memory. This year is an exception, but we have generally defended the home court in league play, which is a huge start to being successful.

> Winning all or almost all of your n-c games, and hoping for
> a few wins at home in conference, is no way to build a D-1
> men's basketball program.  If we can't compete

Well, if it works in football ... winning the NC gimmes and a few in league play would be a good start. :)

But seriously, I can't think of a more competitive period for NU in league play the last couple years with the exception of the second half of Byrdsong's 1994 campaign when we beat Michigan and Wisky at home.

And while the bounces haven't gone our way this year so far, it's hard to say we were not competitive with upper tier teams like Wisconsin and Illinois. Or last year with Purdue and Michigan State.

Watching the team without its star player a few times this year, it is clear that our level of talent on the court has risen considerably in the Carmody era. We'll never get the John Walls of the world, but we at least have a foot in the door of the Chicago Public League and programs like ours need to win by keeping a group together for a few years (and healthy :( ).

And anyone watching games the last couple years can see we've been more than competitive with the Big Ten's top teams -- even on the road such as Michigan State last year -- and certainly at home (as Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio State and MSU -- the top five of our league -- will attest).

We had a quick rise (and quick fall) in football with Barnett, but with Walker and Fitz, it's been a slower build with a steady base. Beat the NC teams, compete with the mid-level league foes and then work up to pulling an upset or two and regularly competing with the top tier. We're not there yet (see our games with OSU), but the Iowa game this year was a nice breakthrough and the climb continues.

So I'd agree with what's been said, settle down and keep things in perspective of a couple games against pretty good teams from Illinois and Wisconsin. The improvement is evident - even with the loss of Coble.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT