http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca...o/2680235/

Nice to see us get some respect. I'll take a 14 seed in the NCAA tourney this season...[/i]

I confess to being a bit surprised at all the positive preseason coverage for the UT men's team---specifically about their post-season prospects. Obviously the UT faithful know that this team should be loaded but I didn't expect the outside media to also be covering this, not to this extent-----Don't get me wrong---I am certainly not complaining about this coverage, but after a 33 year (and counting) absence from the NCAA Tournament and the sordid recent history of the men's program I am surprised that they are on as many radar screens as they are.

Still, until proven otherwise, I believe the MAC will continue to be a one bid conference come March and as the UT women have demonstrated over the past 5 seasons, having a very good team does not necessarily lead to a NCAA bid.

I admit to being a "glass half-empty" type, but while UT should be in the thick of the battle for the MAC this year, there are other good teams to contend with who have more MAC Tourney experience and there is no room for any error come March. One mis-step in Cleveland and it is just another "close but no cigar" season as far as the NCAA goes. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer here but while UT should certainly be in the hunt this year, it is a bit early to seriously consider anointing them just yet. A NCAA bid is certainly a possibility this year, but IMHO it is still less than a 50-50 chance.

(08-22-2013 07:34 AM)T-Town Wrote:  I confess to being a bit surprised at all the positive preseason coverage for the UT men's team---specifically about their post-season prospects. Obviously the UT faithful know that this team should be loaded but I didn't expect the outside media to also be covering this, not to this extent-----Don't get me wrong---I am certainly not complaining about this coverage, but after a 33 year (and counting) absence from the NCAA Tournament and the sordid recent history of the men's program I am surprised that they are on as many radar screens as they are.

Still, until proven otherwise, I believe the MAC will continue to be a one bid conference come March and as the UT women have demonstrated over the past 5 seasons, having a very good team does not necessarily lead to a NCAA bid.

I admit to being a "glass half-empty" type, but while UT should be in the thick of the battle for the MAC this year, there are other good teams to contend with who have more MAC Tourney experience and there is no room for any error come March. One mis-step in Cleveland and it is just another "close but no cigar" season as far as the NCAA goes. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer here but while UT should certainly be in the hunt this year, it is a bit early to seriously consider anointing them just yet. A NCAA bid is certainly a possibility this year, but IMHO it is still less than a 50-50 chance.

I with you about all the positive coverage. One possibility is that a significant number of BB reporters are Greek-Americans.

LOVE the highlight reel of JD Weatherspoon. Can't wait to see him in action in midnight blue and gold.

Impressive - although I would have to say that #1 looked to be travelling call not made.

Had to wonder if he was related to Nick Weatherspoon from Canton McKinley. Weatherspoon died about 5 years ago and would be 63 today. So probably too old to be his father and too young to be his grandfather. Nick played at Illinois and in the NBA - and was a prolific scorer in HS. Was also about 6'7.

As an aside, the state championship semi-finals in Ohio had 3 future college All-American first teamers playing in it (Dwight Lamar, Weatherspoon, and Ed Ratleff). Libbey came within a missed tip-in of making it to the championship game.