Different programs have different priorities. A team like the Razorbacks demand not only that you get to the NCAA every season, but you must win some games in the tournament.
While a program like UALR ultimately expects you just to get the postseason every few seasons, whether it be the NCAA or NIT.
That's why Stan Heath was released after a 20 win season. He lost a first round game to a team he should have never lost to. So winning a lot of games isn't the barometer for success in college basketball, IMO. The regular season is just a warm up to the real season, the postseason.
(04-30-2009 10:57 AM)Dr. J. Wrote: [ -> ]The regular season is just a warm up to the real season, the postseason.
And that is a crying shame.
Depends on your expectations. Some schools expect more than others.
(04-30-2009 11:20 AM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]Depends on your expectations. Some schools expect more than others.
I don't have a bit of a problem with high expectations for the post season. The problem I have is that the regular season means so little to so many.
(04-30-2009 11:22 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ] (04-30-2009 11:20 AM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]Depends on your expectations. Some schools expect more than others.
I don't have a bit of a problem with high expectations for the post season. The problem I have is that the regular season means so little to so many.
It's the fault of the NCAA that this is the case. When D1 teams win more than 20 games, that should be a successful season and should be rewarded. But when teams win 20 games or more, and end up sitting home when the tournament begins, that sends a message that it doesn't matter how many games you win. If you don't meet the criteria that the committee has set up, it doesn't matter how many games you've won. You're toast! Sad but true.
If you are in a low conference, you have to really play a brutal non-conference to have any chance of an at large. Teams in higher conferences can play cupcake schedules and as long as they break even in conference, they are in, because their conference schedule will automatically bring up their RPI. I guess it breaks even in the long run.
The difference being the low conferences ARE the cupcakes.
(04-30-2009 01:20 PM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]The difference being the low conferences ARE the cupcakes.
Yep. They are the meat fed to the lions.