[NU Sports] Sad

Thu Feb 16 08:36:22 CST 2012

Regardless of reduced standards, easier qualifying, etc., I don't think BC should set a low public bar or seem to be groveling.  Bad message to the public and his team.  Let your play and record do the talking.  It's bad enough that crazy fans and bracketologists continually dissect the chances, but a coach and team shouldn't publicly engage in that (follow the example of Pat Fitzgerald who doesn't entertain discussions of rankings of his recruits).   Carmody shouldn't discuss whether it'll take three or four wins in five games to get a never-before-achieved NCAA berth.  Try like hell to win all five, don't dwell on missed chances or espouse relying on sub-.500 play...then, tout your team at the end if its worthy.

-----Original Message-----
From: hakirsch at aol.com [mailto:hakirsch at aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:23 AM
To: neonrye at aol.com; Weinbaum, Willie; nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
Cc: 'nwu-sports at tssi.com'
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Sad

I just want to remind the list that the field has expanded a bit this year. 

Part of the fate  may rest on whether any sub par teams from other conferences win their tournament and therefore take an extra spot (and effectively eliminate one at large spot by forcing the committee to take the regular season conference winner as well)

 Beyond that ,for better or worse,the bar is set slightly lower with additional teams this year

Harry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: neonrye at aol.com
Sender: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:15:46 
To: Willie Weinbaum<Willie.Weinbaum at espn.com>; <nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com>
Reply-To: neonrye at aol.com
Cc: 'nwu-sports at tssi.com'<nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Sad

I think Willie is right on.  Carmody seems to be lobbying the. Selection Committee--very prematurely.  While they may have been sympathetic and disposed to lean over backwards to extend a slot to the "Cinderella" 'Cats for a first Dance at the March Mall, now they may lean the other way if they resent the pressure.  

Paul Levinson
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Weinbaum, Willie" <Willie.Weinbaum at espn.com>
Sender: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:02:07 
Cc: 'nwu-sports at tssi.com'<nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Sad

I think you guys made very good points, but that Carmody would be best-served by avoiding saying what it might take to get to the NCAA's.  I just don't see how putting a 3-2 finish/a sub-.500 conference record out there as something of a "goal" is at all constructive.  Would seem to be much more prudent and upbeat to say, "We've lost some very tough ones despite playing well a lot of the time.  We have five games left and we want to be at our best in all of those and in the conference tournament, finish strong in every game and end with a really good run to get into the tournament.  If we can consistently play at our best, we think we can make it." 

Why dangle a 3-2 conclusion and an 8-10 slate, even if there is the possibility it'll be good enough (perhaps boosted by a win or two in the conf. tourney)?  Teams that have lost two straight winnable games have to focus on the next step, not on anything down the road.

This is an uphill climb and few think the Cats will pull it off.  I'd suggest that BC preach a version of the cliched, but apt "take it one game at a time and everything will fall into place." :)

----- Original Message -----
From: Beamsley, Jeff [mailto:Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 07:19 AM
To: Dennis W. Brandt <tbng at comcast.net>
Cc: nwu-sports at tssi.com <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Sad

Definitely disappointing game.

Reminded me of early Jordan/bulls games. Jordan goes off for 45 and at the end of the game nobody else is willing to take a shot.

Carmody said in the trib today that he thought 8 conference wins would get them in the conversation. Still a chance to do that.

Jeff

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 15, 2012, at 10:25 PM, "Dennis W. Brandt" <tbng at comcast.net> wrote:

> Shurna was outstanding and Marcotullio played exceptionally well, but they got hammered on the boards, especially in the first half, and were running on fumes at the end.  Same ol', same ol'.  Forget the big dance.  It's the NIT again - if they don't go completely into the tank after tonight.
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
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