The annual cycle for an optimistic Toledo mens’ basketball fan goes something like this:

When (blank) is eligible next year (could be some guy from Spain who never saw the light of day) we’re going to be really good. When that doesn’t happen, it’s, When the conference starts, I see us being a dominant MAC team. Next: It only matters how you play in March. When the team exits in the second round of the conference tournament and qualifies for some post-season gig no one ever heard of and even the players’ parents don’t go to, it’s: Yeah, but when (blank) is eligible next year, we’re going to be really good.

TK probably isn’t bad enough to fire, but if he is, the guy who’s going to hire his replacement is the guy who hired him AND Gene Cross.

Where have you gone, Coach Nichols, our University turns its lonely eyes to you ...

(12-18-2017 07:43 PM)rkt Wrote:  The annual cycle for an optimistic Toledo mens’ basketball fan goes something like this:

When (blank) is eligible next year (could be some guy from Spain who never saw the light of day) we’re going to be really good. When that doesn’t happen, it’s, When the conference starts, I see us being a dominant MAC team. Next: It only matters how you play in March. When the team exits in the second round of the conference tournament and qualifies for some post-season gig no one ever heard of and even the players’ parents don’t go to, it’s: Yeah, but when (blank) is eligible next year, we’re going to be really good.

TK probably isn’t bad enough to fire, but if he is, the guy who’s going to hire his replacement is the guy who hired him AND Gene Cross.

Where have you gone, Coach Nichols, our University turns its lonely eyes to you ...

Well said ...

Yea, bravo.

(12-18-2017 07:43 PM)rkt Wrote:  The annual cycle for an optimistic Toledo mens’ basketball fan goes something like this:

When (blank) is eligible next year (could be some guy from Spain who never saw the light of day) we’re going to be really good. When that doesn’t happen, it’s, When the conference starts, I see us being a dominant MAC team. Next: It only matters how you play in March. When the team exits in the second round of the conference tournament and qualifies for some post-season gig no one ever heard of and even the players’ parents don’t go to, it’s: Yeah, but when (blank) is eligible next year, we’re going to be really good.

TK probably isn’t bad enough to fire, but if he is, the guy who’s going to hire his replacement is the guy who hired him AND Gene Cross.

Where have you gone, Coach Nichols, our University turns its lonely eyes to you ...

And us optimistic fans (there aren't many of us) will continue to spread the positivity!

Here's some optimism for you: WMU, one of the favorites in the MAC this year with MAC Player of the Year candidate Thomas Wilder, just lost at home by 30 points to Idaho. The MAC will be wide open, so as always, it will come down to who is playing their best down the stretch. Yes, I know that hasn't been Toledo in years past, but I can only hope that this is the year.

(12-18-2017 07:43 PM)rkt Wrote:  The annual cycle for an optimistic Toledo mens’ basketball fan goes something like this:

When (blank) is eligible next year (could be some guy from Spain who never saw the light of day) we’re going to be really good. When that doesn’t happen, it’s, When the conference starts, I see us being a dominant MAC team. Next: It only matters how you play in March. When the team exits in the second round of the conference tournament and qualifies for some post-season gig no one ever heard of and even the players’ parents don’t go to, it’s: Yeah, but when (blank) is eligible next year, we’re going to be really good.

TK probably isn’t bad enough to fire, but if he is, the guy who’s going to hire his replacement is the guy who hired him AND Gene Cross.

Where have you gone, Coach Nichols, our University turns its lonely eyes to you ...

'65-66 2nd MAC
'66-67 1st MAC****
'67-68 3rd MAC
'68-69 5th MAC
'69-70 4th MAC
'70-71 4th MAC
'72-73 2nd MAC
'73-74 2nd MAC
'74-75 2nd MAC
'75-76 2rd MAC
'76-77 3rd MAC
'77-78 2nd MAC
'78-79 1st MAC****
'79-80 1st MAC****
'80-81 3rd MAC
'81-82 8th MAC
'82-83 3rd MAC
'83-84 4th MAC
'84-85 3rd MAC
'85-86 5th MAC
'86-87 8th MAC

although I was only in like 4th or 5th grade at the time, that '66 - '67 team remains my favorite UT team. Two guys on that team had long careers in the NBA/ABA in Mix and Brisker. You had senior leadership with Backensto (also a very good pitcher on the baseball team and something like a straight A student from what I recall) Willie Babione has to be on the all-time great names team at UT and was a junior. Great jump shooter and I believe he also had a decent shot at the NBA but did not make it. Donnie White was also a junior that year who came off the bench for some long distance bombs. Then the Super Sophs - Mix, Brisker, John Rudley and Bob Miller (who also had a shot at the NBA). Rarely got to see them on TV, but listening to the games on the radio was just as good. Then that team just sort of fell apart after that year despite having those 4 super sophs and adding Doug Hess ("the footer") the next year along with the "garbage man" Larry Smith.

(12-19-2017 10:08 AM)MotoRocket Wrote:  although I was only in like 4th or 5th grade at the time, that '66 - '67 team remains my favorite UT team. Two guys on that team had long careers in the NBA/ABA in Mix and Brisker. You had senior leadership with Backensto (also a very good pitcher on the baseball team and something like a straight A student from what I recall) Willie Babione has to be on the all-time great names team at UT and was a junior. Great jump shooter and I believe he also had a decent shot at the NBA but did not make it. Donnie White was also a junior that year who came off the bench for some long distance bombs. Then the Super Sophs - Mix, Brisker, John Rudley and Bob Miller (who also had a shot at the NBA). Rarely got to see them on TV, but listening to the games on the radio was just as good. Then that team just sort of fell apart after that year despite having those 4 super sophs and adding Doug Hess ("the footer") the next year along with the "garbage man" Larry Smith.

Don't forget "the Goose" Geisler...

Toledo needs to follow their football model of success. When Beckman came in, he brought in a young and hungry staff. There was energy and effort behind the whole Rocket Nation mantra (cheesy or not) and a real ability to open doors and connect with players and coaches. This program needs someone who is able brand Toledo as a unique place with big goals and differentiate itself from a sea of mediocrity.

(12-19-2017 10:14 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 10:08 AM)MotoRocket Wrote:  although I was only in like 4th or 5th grade at the time, that '66 - '67 team remains my favorite UT team. Two guys on that team had long careers in the NBA/ABA in Mix and Brisker. You had senior leadership with Backensto (also a very good pitcher on the baseball team and something like a straight A student from what I recall) Willie Babione has to be on the all-time great names team at UT and was a junior. Great jump shooter and I believe he also had a decent shot at the NBA but did not make it. Donnie White was also a junior that year who came off the bench for some long distance bombs. Then the Super Sophs - Mix, Brisker, John Rudley and Bob Miller (who also had a shot at the NBA). Rarely got to see them on TV, but listening to the games on the radio was just as good. Then that team just sort of fell apart after that year despite having those 4 super sophs and adding Doug Hess ("the footer") the next year along with the "garbage man" Larry Smith.

Don't forget "the Goose" Geisler...

And 6’1” Aaron “I put the hop in Hopkins” Hopkins who injured his ELBOW on the rim and quit so he could focus on track where he set an NCAA record in the triple.