Mike and Hal said that we have NO chance for the second place seed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/conference?confId=27

But according to ESPN.com we are in second place.

What am I missing?

We are second in the East with a 19-10 overall record, going 11-6 in conference play. Which if they do the seatings by record, we should get the #2 seed. However, Louisiana-Monroe have the best record in the West at 16-12 overall and 10-6 in conference play. But if they take the 2 highest teams (one from each division) we will not get it. But I am far from being a basketball expert here.

That kind of stinks doesn't it?

I'm sure that the belt fans would say that I am whining... but sheese. We played a tougher conference schedule than Monroe, we have an identical (and potentially better) record than them... AND we beat them head to head. But they will get maybe a little easier draw then us? That is really backwards.

I kinda expected us to perform better this season. What gives?

I kinda expected us to perform better this season. What gives?

We all expected better, especially after the 8-1 start.

1) During the KY st. preseason game my Dad said that we didn't have a chance this season because we didn't have a big man. At the time I scoffed because I thought we could overcome it with 3 point shooting, depth and quickness. But teams seemed to adjust and make us completely one dimensional on offense.

So we pass the ball around for about 30 seconds into the shot clock and then take what ever shot we can scramble for in the last few seconds. If we had an inside presense we would be less one dimensional. If we were less one dimensional we would be tougher to defend. If were tougher to defend we could score more quickly and force the other team to run up and down the court more which would wear them down and take advantage of our two real strengths: 3 point shooting and depth. Depth because they would wear down quicker, 3 point shooting because we would get more open looks if they had to double down to stop us inside.

Also, on the defensive side we also give too many easy layups because we don't have a defensive presence inside and then our gaurds have to come down low to help out which gives up too many open threes. Not to even mention that we could get 3-4 more rebounds per game. If we had even a moderately effective post player I think our oppenents would score 3-6 points LESS a game and we would score 3-6 MORE points a game. That would be good enough for an undefeated run through the Sunbelt and a couple more non conference wins.

And in my opinion that is the whole problem with this season.

2. Back in Dec. Courtney Lee got hurt and after hobbling his way through a couple of ineffective games he sat out for what 3 games? His game really hasn't been the same since.

3. In Dec. Bensen Callier (a starter and one of our only two seniors) quit the team. I think his absense has made the team less effective in subtle ways.

4. Really since that bad December stretch the whole energy has been sucked out of the program. The team seems to be less passionate, the crowds have been smaller and more quiet. I suspect a lot of it is just psychological.

5. I will let the other guys explain #5. It involves coaching performance.

Did I leave anything out?

Hilltopper2K Wrote:I kinda expected us to perform better this season. What gives?

We all expected better, especially after the 8-1 start.

1) During the KY st. preseason game my Dad said that we didn't have a chance this season because we didn't have a big man. At the time I scoffed because I thought we could overcome it with 3 point shooting, depth and quickness. But teams seemed to adjust and make us completely one dimensional on offense.

So we pass the ball around for about 30 seconds into the shot clock and then take what ever shot we can scramble for in the last few seconds. If we had an inside presense we would be less one dimensional. If we were less one dimensional we would be tougher to defend. If were tougher to defend we could score more quickly and force the other team to run up and down the court more which would wear them down and take advantage of our two real strengths: 3 point shooting and depth. Depth because they would wear down quicker, 3 point shooting because we would get more open looks if they had to double down to stop us inside.

Also, on the defensive side we also give too many easy layups because we don't have a defensive presence inside and then our gaurds have to come down low to help out which gives up too many open threes. Not to even mention that we could get 3-4 more rebounds per game. If we had even a moderately effective post player I think our oppenents would score 3-6 points LESS a game and we would score 3-6 MORE points a game. That would be good enough for an undefeated run through the Sunbelt and a couple more non conference wins.

And in my opinion that is the whole problem with this season.

2. Back in Dec. Courtney Lee got hurt and after hobbling his way through a couple of ineffective games he sat out for what 3 games? His game really hasn't been the same since.

3. In Dec. Bensen Callier (a starter and one of our only two seniors) quit the team. I think his absense has made the team less effective in subtle ways.

4. Really since that bad December stretch the whole energy has been sucked out of the program. The team seems to be less passionate, the crowds have been smaller and more quiet. I suspect a lot of it is just psychological.

5. I will let the other guys explain #5. It involves coaching performance.

Did I leave anything out?

That about covers it I suppose. Thanks for the most informative update!

Correction... Benson did not quit the team, he was kicked off it.

Otherwise, you seem pretty much right on it.

Yeah, regardless of what happens this year I am VERY optimistic about next year primarily because I think we will be better at the gaurd positions... but much, MUCH better in the paint. Sooner or later lights will go off in Emerson's and Walker's heads and they will be able to contriute. I HOPE that Aguilar will be able to produce right away. Magley could definately be getting there by this time next year. And if Pagues is playing and playing well then that is just gravy. At any rate, this should open up our shooters and make us VERY, VERY tough to defend.

I feel like right now we are a $100,000 sports car without an ignition. We just need that one little piece and then... BUCKLE UP. :bandit: