50/50 games

[Southport Cat]

I stick to the assertion that the ‘Cats are a tournament team, mostly because it is much more fun to believe in something. It may end up a near miss because we’ve had average to slightly below average luck in toss up contests, whether that was officiating or buzzer beaters or balls rimming out. Wins: EIU, Illinois, Maryland. Losses: Butler, PSU, Iowa, Michigan.

There is a version of the multiverse where we won all seven and instead of “saving our season” we beat IU and are dreaming about being seeded on the top four lines. There is also a version where we lose all seven and we are speculating on who returns for 25-26 to rebuild.

Same team, same players, dame coaching, same execution for 99% of the game, vastly different outcomes.

Only game where we truly got our doors blown off was Purdue. In every other contest we’ve competed and had more than enough talent to win. With a healthy Brooks I wonder about the Dayton game, too.

Point is I wish we could chill on the hand wringing and penciling in wins and losses down the schedule in advance. I don’t count Illinois as a loss this Sunday because all this team has done for three years is scrape and scrap on the road and grit their way into close games. We can beat anyone in this conference on any given night, especially when Ty has his legs, which ultimately means we can beat most teams from most leagues on any given night.

I miss Boo’s shooting and his killer instinct, but what a joy to watch Brooks take up that mantle with Mart

 

[freewillie07]

Great, great post. Wish I could give more than one like.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I stick to the assertion that the ‘Cats are a tournament team, mostly because it is much more fun to believe in something. It may end up a near miss because we’ve had average to slightly below average luck in toss up contests, whether that was officiating or buzzer beaters or balls rimming out. Wins: EIU, Illinois, Maryland. Losses: Butler, PSU, Iowa, Michigan.

There is a version of the multiverse where we won all seven and instead of “saving our season” we beat IU and are dreaming about being seeded on the top four lines. There is also a version where we lose all seven and we are speculating on who returns for 25-26 to rebuild.

Same team, same players, dame coaching, same execution for 99% of the game, vastly different outcomes.

Only game where we truly got our doors blown off was Purdue. In every other contest we’ve competed and had more than enough talent to win. With a healthy Brooks I wonder about the Dayton game, too.

Point is I wish we could chill on the hand wringing and penciling in wins and losses down the schedule in advance. I don’t count Illinois as a loss this Sunday because all this team has done for three years is scrape and scrap on the road and grit their way into close games. We can beat anyone in this conference on any given night, especially when Ty has his legs, which ultimately means we can beat most teams from most leagues on any given night.

I miss Boo’s shooting and his killer instinct, but what a joy to watch Brooks take up that mantle with Mart

So you mean we could beat anyone or lose to anyone? Yep, seems to be that way a lot of recent years. Let’s not kid ourselves, we need Ty and/or Leach to regularly sink some outside shots to beat good teams. We have a 4 man offense.

This team doesn’t give up, it’s fun to root for. That’s really all we can ask for. They are usually prepared to play, but we lack the depth of last years team. This might be the best year the staff has had in using what they got. I am just enjoying the games and letting the chips fall where they may. We got a two headed monster that gives us a chance. Once, we get closer to realistically making the tourney, maybe I’ll get my stomach in knots. BTW, if we win at the Fighting Undies, I will be shocked.

 

[GatoLouco]

Fantastic post. So many close calls that we could be talking in very different terms right now.

Even if it was not just Purdue that was a clear loss, Michigan State also was.