Tourney Wins Are Hard to Come By

[AllWeatherFan]

Last season, the Sweet 16 talk started up again in earnest in Missoula. Griz fans, drunk on our success against Nevada, were dreaming of the day that the Grizzlies would win two NCAA tournament games. That dream was also fueled by the success of other mid-majors in recent tournaments, such as Gonzaga, George Mason, etc.

The more cynical among us (okay, me included) thought, okay, that’s a nice dream, but don’t hold your breath. Still fresh in the cynics’ minds was the fact that a Grizzly head coach had just been canned after winning the Big Sky tournament, by an athletic director whose stated goal was the Sweet 16, not the tournament itself.

While the 2006-2007 Grizzly campaign may have partially awakened us from the dream, many in Griz Land are trying to get back to sleep, to keep that dream alive.

However, I think UM fans should consider the plight of UNLV, which, prior to 2007, had not won a single NCAA contest since it reached the semi-finals in 1991, behind Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon and the Tark. Sixteen years without winning a single tournament game! And we're talking about a major-major, not a mid-major!

So, is it possible that the Griz will someday ascend to Sweet 16 status? Sure, it’s possible. But don’t fire any coaches over it. Getting into the tournament isn’t an easy task. And once you get there, winning games is damned hard. Just ask (thoroughly embarrassed and embarrassing) Weber State. Better yet, ask UNLV.

 

[Obzerver]

I wonder how many BSC teams would even have a chance to win a NCAA tourney game without an auto bid? Heck Pac 10 Washington, who didn't even get a NIT invite, beat our conference champion by 29 points...

 

[cclarkblues]

In many years, the Big Sky delegate is little more than cannon fodder. :crybaby:

 

[Turd Ferguson]

You're right they're hard to come by, but I think the Griz will at least make it back pretty soon. They might not win any games because it's hard to get higher than a 15 seed in the Big Sky, but I think they'll win some conference titles.

A lot of times when you taste success it is easy to take it for granted. But when you taste success, and then it is taken away, it can be a big motivator to get back to that level and beyond. It's gotta bug the hell out of Andrew Strait to have to sit at home and hear basketball "experts" rave about how Nick Fazekas is such an amazing player when Strait was schooling him last year. With Rundles, Strait, and Hasquet, (among others) coming back, I don't think the "lack of leadership" excuse will hold any water next year. I think they will be ready.

 

[Ballhog]

Last year the Griz were one win away from the sweet16.
That is a much greater accomplishment in athletics than
beating up on South BuffaloChip Univ. In Football before
30,000+ fans. My point-the University should give mens
hoops all the support neccessary to continue building the
program.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Last year the Griz were one win away from the sweet16.
That is a much greater accomplishment in athletics than
beating up on South BuffaloChip Univ. In Football before
30,000+ fans. My point-the University should give mens
hoops all the support neccessary to continue building the
program.

I agree, and it wouldn't take that much more $$ to make a pretty significant difference.

 

[AtHomeInTheDahlbergDen]

Last year the Griz were one win away from the sweet16.
That is a much greater accomplishment in athletics than
beating up on South BuffaloChip Univ. In Football before
30,000+ fans. My point-the University should give mens
hoops all the support neccessary to continue building the
program.

I agree, and it wouldn't take that much more $$ to make a pretty significant difference.

Also agree. I don't think the marketing dept is doing that grand a job w/ the money they have. I tried pitching the idea for new shirts and they said I had to get things going before they could sell shirts. They gave me the "can't put the carriage before the horse." No, but you can dangle a carrot out in front of the horse that is student support. The marketing department should be trying to mold the student body's interest in the program.

Bribing students into coming with all these ridiculous promotions just is not the way to go.