Despite what you two "97s" seem to think (and you're obviously not alone), I do not have my head in the sand and do not deny the men's basketball program is suffering a good deal.
The difference is in the approaches we take. I prefer to support the team (players and coaches) to the fullest extent. After this season is over, the administration will take any steps necessary to fix the program, according to how the team performs over the entire season.
Many others seem to require instant gratification. I admit that last year was a total disaster. None of our loyal fans, however, accepted any of the valid reasons for the team's serious under-performance: the graduation of five full-time players, the influx of seven players new to D-I basketball, a player who never met a shot he didn't like (whom the other players considered a "black hole").
Nobody seemed to accept that last year was a rebuilding year ... they expected to compete for a trip to the Final Four. So ... they put so much pressure on that team that they caved in and, later in the season, gave up. Our wonderful fans and the "support" they provided crushed the hell out of that team.
Now, three games in ... the pressure is unrelenting. No forgiveness for losing a game (AR) we were expected to lose. A game we would have won had it not been for 27 turnovers, many of which were caused by trying too hard.
What these guys need to do is relax a little and not press so hard they make careless mistakes. With the pressure being put on them by our fan base, how can they relax and play loose? Basketball is supposed to be fun ... and teams play their best ball when they are having some. How can they have fun when their fans are on them like religious on the Pope?
My beef is that nobody will step back long enough to see that this team is developing and improving. Nobody will give them credit for anything they do. If they win, it's because the other team was so freaking bad the Little Sisters of The Poor could have beaten them. If they lose, it's as though they lost to St. Mary's School For The Blind.
No credit.
Win, and win now! We demand instant gratification! JP Sucks! Players have not the talent to play D-I basketball! I'm right and nobody who wants me to slow my criticism has the brains to blow his nose or the intelligence of an ant. I pay my $10 and I want wins, baby, nothing but wins! No excuses, because I want wins. I don't care what you have to do ... cheat ... lower academic qualifications ..l. force professors to pass guys who don't go to class ... screw it all unless it translates into wins to satisfy me ... NOW!
That, gentlemen, is what I oppose. And that is why my posts try to point out that the administration will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time. All the hue and cry in the world will accomplish only one thing ... become a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Bash me all you like. Call me Blue & Gold (as if it's an insult). Call me a homer because I will support any coach and player on this team as long as they represent the University of Tulsa. Nothing personal, fellas, but I'm so tired of seeing John Phillips and those young men get jumped so early and so often that my blood pressure rises on a daily basis.
Have at it
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