That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

(02-19-2014 12:20 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

I'm certainly okay with aspiring to improve (although I don't think we'll cease to exist, regardless). I just think some folks have goals that are unrealistic at this point in time. I guess it's because, for years, I had goals for this program, that have never come close to being realized. This is a tough State and even tougher city to grow a program. ASU football has gone to 3 straight bowl games, and probably had the best football team in the State that last 2 years. Unless you are talking to a diehard ASU fan, how often does a conversation about ASU football come up at social gatherings you attend. They have their fans, and niche in the State, but overall they still don't get 1% of the attention that even a bad hog football team gets in the State.

(02-19-2014 12:40 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:20 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

I'm certainly okay with aspiring to improve (although I don't think we'll cease to exist, regardless). I just think some folks have goals that are unrealistic at this point in time. I guess it's because, for years, I had goals for this program, that have never come close to being realized. This is a tough State and even tougher city to grow a program. ASU football has gone to 3 straight bowl games, and probably had the best football team in the State that last 2 years. Unless you are talking to a diehard ASU fan, how often does a conversation about ASU football come up at social gatherings you attend. They have their fans, and niche in the State, but overall they still don't get 1% of the attention that even a bad hog football team gets in the State.

Just because the Hogs get a lot of the attention doesn't mean we couldn't have a basketball team in Little Rock that could draw 5600 fans to a game. How many people go out to see some stupid band at Verizon Arena? More than 2500 I guarantee you. And why? Because they're entertained. We are not providing enough entertainment to cause a lot of folks to come to our games. I was at the races yesterday. There were nearly 26000 people there. They come from all over. Why? They are entertained. Make it entertaining, give things away, and they will come.
Contrary to the movie, just building it won't make people come to the Jack.

(02-19-2014 12:40 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:20 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

I'm certainly okay with aspiring to improve (although I don't think we'll cease to exist, regardless). I just think some folks have goals that are unrealistic at this point in time. I guess it's because, for years, I had goals for this program, that have never come close to being realized. This is a tough State and even tougher city to grow a program. ASU football has gone to 3 straight bowl games, and probably had the best football team in the State that last 2 years. Unless you are talking to a diehard ASU fan, how often does a conversation about ASU football come up at social gatherings you attend. They have their fans, and niche in the State, but overall they still don't get 1% of the attention that even a bad hog football team gets in the State.

I don't think anyone has any unrealistic expectations. No one here thinks this can be a perineal top 25 program or anything. But I think it's reasonable to expect a program that will at least do something--ANYTHING--to try to get better. This program literally does nothing to be better. That's my main complaint. Ultimately I think UALR can be a semi-yearly Belmont/North Dakota State/even a Missouri Valley quality team (no, not Wichita State but not Loyola (IL) either). I don't personally think that's unrealistic. But we won't get there if we don't try, and right now we aren't trying.

(02-19-2014 12:48 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:40 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:20 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

I'm certainly okay with aspiring to improve (although I don't think we'll cease to exist, regardless). I just think some folks have goals that are unrealistic at this point in time. I guess it's because, for years, I had goals for this program, that have never come close to being realized. This is a tough State and even tougher city to grow a program. ASU football has gone to 3 straight bowl games, and probably had the best football team in the State that last 2 years. Unless you are talking to a diehard ASU fan, how often does a conversation about ASU football come up at social gatherings you attend. They have their fans, and niche in the State, but overall they still don't get 1% of the attention that even a bad hog football team gets in the State.

Just because the Hogs get a lot of the attention doesn't mean we couldn't have a basketball team in Little Rock that could draw 5600 fans to a game. How many people go out to see some stupid band at Verizon Arena? More than 2500 I guarantee you. And why? Because they're entertained. We are not providing enough entertainment to cause a lot of folks to come to our games. I was at the races yesterday. There were nearly 26000 people there. They come from all over. Why? They are entertained. Make it entertaining, give things away, and they will come.
Contrary to the movie, just building it won't make people come to the Jack.

To each his own. I can't think of anything much more boring than watching some animals run around a track. I finally went to Oaklawn, after 30 years in Little Rock, when the Sun Belt tourney was there. The weather was perfect, corn beef was good, but watching horses run around an oval wasn't really entertainment to me.

(02-19-2014 12:40 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 12:20 AM)eh9198 Wrote:  That's exactly right. Treading water in a rapid current just gets you swept away. If we don't aspire to improve, we will cease to exist.

I'm certainly okay with aspiring to improve (although I don't think we'll cease to exist, regardless). I just think some folks have goals that are unrealistic at this point in time. I guess it's because, for years, I had goals for this program, that have never come close to being realized. This is a tough State and even tougher city to grow a program. ASU football has gone to 3 straight bowl games, and probably had the best football team in the State that last 2 years. Unless you are talking to a diehard ASU fan, how often does a conversation about ASU football come up at social gatherings you attend. They have their fans, and niche in the State, but overall they still don't get 1% of the attention that even a bad hog football team gets in the State.

I think the key phrase is "at this point in time". At some point this will be a much better program. But not with the current leadership. I might not be alive when it happens, but somebody will be around when the ship changes captains.

Immediate demand should be that we expect to be in the top four of the Belt every season. Next step after that is that we win 20 more years than not. If we do that we will be in post-season from time to time. Both of those are achievable in the not-too-distant run. Elevating to the step after that where we start getting mentioned with the Gonzagas of the world is light years tougher.

(02-18-2014 10:54 PM)ez272 Wrote:  In Fall 1986 ualr enrollment spiked. The ualr administration attributed that spike to the Trojans performance in the 1986 ncaa tournament.

And TV coverage. Channel 11 helped. Ray and Max helped. It was some good times.

(02-20-2014 12:27 AM)Robert C Wrote:  

(02-18-2014 10:54 PM)ez272 Wrote:  In Fall 1986 ualr enrollment spiked. The ualr administration attributed that spike to the Trojans performance in the 1986 ncaa tournament.

And TV coverage. Channel 11 helped. Ray and Max helped. It was some good times.

We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

(02-20-2014 01:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

(02-20-2014 07:59 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 01:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 07:59 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 01:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 07:59 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 01:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

Guys, the marketing of the program and the product on the floor need some help.

Just no way to spin it.

There has to be some new blood of some kind at the top to get real change. We all know there is no real will power to make this happen.

I feel like this is a joke on me to support it with my dollars at this point.

ualr basketball and this board have bought me a lot of good friends and happy times and that is the only reason I still keep posting and keeping up with everyone here.

I know I am hard as hell on micky and jim for signing the company line and I am sorry for it. I know jeff thinks i must be crazy too but even he has starting holding ualr accountable for the marketing and on the floor.

At the end of the day I value each of you more than this program's health, so while wishing for a commit to have a 1st class mid major program it ain't worth making friends enemies.

(02-20-2014 09:22 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 07:59 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 01:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  We had one of the 3 local TV channels as "our" channel. They didn't call themselves "Razorback Nation", "The Pig Stye", or the Pig Slop". We had 2 newspapers, fighting it out, and the Democrat actually covered us like a "home" team. Folks couldn't watch a bunch of high quality game, every night, on their big screen, HD TV's. Times were simply different.

I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

The real world is a wonderful place. I invite all of you to hop on any time, or you can hold your breath till we make the final four. Suit yourself, everyone. I suggest the Serenity prayer. Very mentally healthy, you know.

(02-20-2014 10:44 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 09:22 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 07:59 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  I swore that I was through with this damn program, including posting on the board, but I just couldn't pass this one up. Mickey you sound like you're on Chris' payroll. You're making all these excuses why we can't be a viable mid-major program. I remember you saying many times that it wouldn't do any good to change coaches because "who could we get that would be any better." Every time someone brings up something this program might do to get better, you tell us how you've given up on ever being a top mid-major program, and that you're just glad to have college basketball of any quality. You always give us the story of one newspaper, TV stations that cater to the swine, and oddles and odds of quality games on the big screen every night. That part is true, but, there is no reason why this program can't get better with some changes, and if it does with the right guys leading it, then the TV and Democrap coverage will get some better anyway.

Just to throw up you hands and say nothing can be done is bull****. PTJR is right, some of you spout the company line. Doc hears some rumor that there may be some move to make a change, but the rumor also says the program will do the same thing and promote an assistant who already has a faculty I.D. card. The school will save probably $5 bucks by making a change like that. No money or time spent on a coaching search, I guess that's company policy too. Of course I don't believe that bull**** rumor to begin with. Of course some of you could be Shields agent too, and that's why you aren't the least bit interested in making a change or getting better.

As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

The real world is a wonderful place. I invite all of you to hop on any time, or you can hold your breath till we make the final four. Suit yourself, everyone. I suggest the Serenity prayer. Very mentally healthy, you know.

Yes, it is a pretty good place. I had delusions of grandeur about UALR for years, but I simply returned to reality and it's not so bad.

With regard to the quote above; "who could we get that would be any better." I have never said or posted that. All I have said is that overall Steve has done a pretty good job. Folks were on here calling for him to fired a year after he went 15-3, which was insane. Then those same people were back a year after he goes to the NCAA tournament saying the same thing. I will say that if I drive down to New Orleans, and we lose in the first round, it may be hard for me not to join the darksiders. Still, Steve is a good man, and I would never publicly call for him to be fired; And I wouldn't stab him behind his back either- on a message board or anywhere else. If Chris believes we need a change, he'll make it, and I'll support his decision.

(02-20-2014 11:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 10:44 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 09:22 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

The real world is a wonderful place. I invite all of you to hop on any time, or you can hold your breath till we make the final four. Suit yourself, everyone. I suggest the Serenity prayer. Very mentally healthy, you know.

Yes, it is a pretty good place. I had delusions of grandeur about UALR for years, but I simply returned to reality and it's not so bad.

With regard to the quote above; "who could we get that would be any better." I have never said or posted that. All I have said is that overall Steve has done a pretty good job. Folks were on here calling for him to fired a year after he went 15-3, which was insane. Then those same people were back a year after he goes to the NCAA tournament saying the same thing. I will say that if I drive down to New Orleans, and we lose in the first round, it may be hard for me not to join the darksiders. Still, Steve is a good man, and I would never publicly call for him to be fired; And I wouldn't stab him behind his back either- on a message board or anywhere else. If Chris believes we need a change, he'll make it, and I'll support his decision.

Can't argue with your history or support of Steve. But do you really support Peterson in all of his decisions? Really?

(02-20-2014 11:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 10:44 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 09:22 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:15 PM)PTJR Wrote:  As fond as I am about MJS and Jim, LRTrojan hit the nail on the head about their attitude.

Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

The real world is a wonderful place. I invite all of you to hop on any time, or you can hold your breath till we make the final four. Suit yourself, everyone. I suggest the Serenity prayer. Very mentally healthy, you know.

Yes, it is a pretty good place. I had delusions of grandeur about UALR for years, but I simply returned to reality and it's not so bad.

With regard to the quote above; "who could we get that would be any better." I have never said or posted that. All I have said is that overall Steve has done a pretty good job. Folks were on here calling for him to fired a year after he went 15-3, which was insane. Then those same people were back a year after he goes to the NCAA tournament saying the same thing. I will say that if I drive down to New Orleans, and we lose in the first round, it may be hard for me not to join the darksiders. Still, Steve is a good man, and I would never publicly call for him to be fired; And I wouldn't stab him behind his back either- on a message board or anywhere else. If Chris believes we need a change, he'll make it, and I'll support his decision.

I think your position has been clear all along. And I think we all agree that Steve is a good man. And being realistic, there will be no change unless Chris decides there needs to be one. I think all of us on the board want the same thing. For UALR to achieve at a higher level. Where the difference of opinion comes in is whether or not Steve is the coach who can take us to that higher level. That's fair. We just need to respect each other's opinions and not make our comments personal. I have enjoyed being friends with all of you for many years, and I don't want to see us turning on each other. We just need to support the program in whatever fashion each of us feels right, and respect each others feelings in the matter. It will all turn out allright in the long run. At least I have faith that it will. I appreciate all of you guys and what you have done for the program through the years, and hope you will continue to support the Trojans. They need all the support they can get.

(02-21-2014 12:07 AM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 11:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 10:44 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 09:22 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 08:29 PM)Ynocpirt Wrote:  Pray tell me, kind sir. What is my attitude? Please share that with me.

Just reread LRTrojan's post. Your own self applied nickname kind of says it all about what you expect from our program. Not meant as anything other than again stating that some of us aspire to a whole lot more for UALR.

The real world is a wonderful place. I invite all of you to hop on any time, or you can hold your breath till we make the final four. Suit yourself, everyone. I suggest the Serenity prayer. Very mentally healthy, you know.

Yes, it is a pretty good place. I had delusions of grandeur about UALR for years, but I simply returned to reality and it's not so bad.

With regard to the quote above; "who could we get that would be any better." I have never said or posted that. All I have said is that overall Steve has done a pretty good job. Folks were on here calling for him to fired a year after he went 15-3, which was insane. Then those same people were back a year after he goes to the NCAA tournament saying the same thing. I will say that if I drive down to New Orleans, and we lose in the first round, it may be hard for me not to join the darksiders. Still, Steve is a good man, and I would never publicly call for him to be fired; And I wouldn't stab him behind his back either- on a message board or anywhere else. If Chris believes we need a change, he'll make it, and I'll support his decision.

I think your position has been clear all along. And I think we all agree that Steve is a good man. And being realistic, there will be no change unless Chris decides there needs to be one. I think all of us on the board want the same thing. For UALR to achieve at a higher level. Where the difference of opinion comes in is whether or not Steve is the coach who can take us to that higher level. That's fair. We just need to respect each other's opinions and not make our comments personal. I have enjoyed being friends with all of you for many years, and I don't want to see us turning on each other. We just need to support the program in whatever fashion each of us feels right, and respect each others feelings in the matter. It will all turn out allright in the long run. At least I have faith that it will. I appreciate all of you guys and what you have done for the program through the years, and hope you will continue to support the Trojans. They need all the support they can get.

+1

Ok. Let's take the proposition that UALR cannot be a year in and out Top 25. That's not a program killer. 325 schools will finish outside the Top 25. That requires being in the top 7% of the country.

What if the target were being top 115 in RPI and more seasons than not playing in the NCAA or NIT?

115 RPI is top third. Top 25 you have to beat out 325 other schools. Top 115 you have to beat out 235.

There are 100ish schools that can out-spend you and have better name recognition but half of them will be .500 or worse in conference and at least one-third of them will finish sub .500 so you really have about 70 that are very difficult to pass.

The NCAA Tournament has 37 slots to compete for, the remaining 31 go to the auto winner of the other conferences. There are another 32ish slots in the NIT depending on how many regular season champs fail to get an auto and fail to be selected to the NCAA.

That's not easy but it is attainable out of the Sun Belt. MTSU did it. If someone can attain what MTSU did then you are in a single elimination tournament where one great night can make or break a reputation.

It's not easy but it is a realistic target and when UALR previously reached that level, local TV did cover, the newspaper did cover, fans did come.

The worst thing the Sun Belt did was divisional play in basketball. Administrators could say woo-hoo look a banner we are doing a great job. Fans yawned and said, "Yeah third place in the conference, not on anyone's post-season radar, barely even in the top half of the country."

Fans are historically slow to notice success but they are discerning enough to know the difference between being good or just OK in conference play and actually being relevant.