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Can't believe it...But it's still possible

xxjfgxx

xxjfgxx

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Jan 7, 2012
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The Cats dream of going to the dance should be toast after the five game losing streak, but a win against OSU tonite could actually put them back in the picture (or loss and a win against Mich) . Need to get to 20 or 21 wins and pass Neb in the standings. Gotta get 4 out of last 6, and at least one win the BigTen Tourney. The last game against the Cornhuskers could end up being pretty darn important with 3 or 4 more wins before then. There are also two extra spots open in the field with two sure Tournament teams ineligible this year (SMU & Louisville). These Cats may actually have 9 lives !
 
xxjfgxx said:
The Cats dream of going to the dance should be toast after the five game losing streak, but a win against OSU tonite could actually put them back in the picture (or loss and a win against Mich) . Need to get to 20 or 21 wins and pass Neb in the standings. Gotta get 4 out of last 6, and at least one win the BigTen Tourney. The last game against the Cornhuskers could end up being pretty darn important with 3 or 4 more wins before then. There are also two extra spots open in the field with two sure Tournament teams ineligible this year (SMU & Louisville). These Cats may actually have 9 lives !
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Huh??? Cats don't play until Tuesday.

Only way Cats have 9 lives is with 9 wins in Big 10 play. Very unlikely.
 
NJCat said:
Huh??? Cats don't play until Tuesday.

Only way Cats have 9 lives is with 9 wins in Big 10 play. Very unlikely.
Click to expand...

Getting to 9 might be pretty tough (but possible), but the 'Cats would only be locking up the NIT in that scneario. I'm thinking a 6-1 finish, minimum, plus 2 or 3 in the BTT (depending on the opponents) would be the only way we even get a look from the committee. That would require winning at Columbus AND West Lafayette (need a top 20 road victory).

Unfortunately, the NCAAs aren't in the cards for this season. NIT could still be in play though. Making that tournament would be a nice accomplishment for Collins and Co.
 
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Despite seeing it time and again, the defeatism on these boards is always so amazing to me. The season isn't over. The tourney isn't the most likely outcome, but I just don't get the mindset that leads someone to declare it won't happen rather than offering that it will take some consistently great play down the stretch. It could happen. There are still enough opportunities left and this team is capable of making it.

It seems that many of the posters here would rather be pessimistic and right than optimistic and wrong. That's a great approach if you're running a business, but it's a really bizarre mindset to have when rooting for a sports team.
 
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DC Cats said:
It seems that many of the posters here would rather be pessimistic and right than optimistic and wrong. That's a great approach if you're running a business, but it's a really bizarre mindset to have when rooting for a sports team.
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I agree. I mean, NU basketball has rewarded fan optimism so many times in the past; it's silly to be at all pessimistic.
 
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Styre said:
I agree. I mean, NU basketball has rewarded fan optimism so many times in the past; it's silly to be at all pessimistic.
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But most pessimists around here, like yourself, are that way due to bitterness and resentment for various reasons (yours being your extreme dislike for Phillips).
 
DC Cats said:
Despite seeing it time and again, the defeatism on these boards is always so amazing to me. The season isn't over. The tourney isn't the most likely outcome, but I just don't get the mindset that leads someone to declare it won't happen rather than offering that it will take some consistently great play down the stretch. It could happen. There are still enough opportunities left and this team is capable of making it.

It seems that many of the posters here would rather be pessimistic and right than optimistic and wrong. That's a great approach if you're running a business, but it's a really bizarre mindset to have when rooting for a sports team.
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DC if you're referring to me, I tend to think of myself as pretty darn optimistic (my posting history would back that up), especially when I arrive in Indianapolis every March. That being said, it's pretty bonkers to suggest 9-9 is going to get the 'Cats into the NCAA discussion. That's not pessimism, that's just the facts. The BIG isn't particularly strong this year and NU didn't play a NCAA caliber OOC schedule.

I like the 'Cats chances going into every game they play and often have been rewarded for never leaving early when I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend in person. Something like a 9-2 finish (including the BTT), however, is going to take more than consistent great play. It would require a player or two and depth that the 'Cats just don't have at the moment.
 
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VirginiaWildcat said:
But most pessimists around here, like yourself, are that way due to bitterness and resentment for various reasons (yours being your extreme dislike for Phillips).
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I bet if you kick that horse really hard it'll be even more dead.
 
ColumbusCatFan1 said:
DC if you're referring to me, I tend to think of myself as pretty darn optimistic (my posting history would back that up), especially when I arrive in Indianapolis every March. That being said, it's pretty bonkers to suggest 9-9 is going to get the 'Cats into the NCAA discussion. That's not pessimism, that's just the facts. The BIG isn't particularly strong this year and NU didn't play a NCAA caliber OOC schedule.

I like the 'Cats chances into every game they play and often have been rewarded for never leaving early when I have been fortune enough to be able to attend. Something like a 9-2 finish (including the BTT), however, is going to take more than consistent great play. It would require a player or two and depth that the 'Cats just don't have at the moment.
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I wasn't really aiming that at you or anyone in particular, CCF, and I don't recall ever being put off by your posts in the past. Your post did prompt me to write what I did, but it's something that has been bothering me for a while now.

I was at the @Maryland game a few weeks ago. Late in the second half, we're up 54-53 on the road against one of the best teams in the nation. Last year we were in the same position, but it felt a bit like a lucky shooting day. This year it felt like we were just a good team playing our game. I believe this team can beat anyone, but they've been shooting like complete crap the past few weeks against teams where that will kill us.

Anyway, my point wasn't that 9-9 or even 10-8 is a ticket into the tourney. I'm just saying that we're 4-7 in the B1G with 8+ games that the team is capable of winning left on the schedule.

We spend 8 months of the year knowing that the season is over. I don't see any value in rushing to get there sooner.
 
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DC Cats said:
I wasn't really aiming that at you or anyone in particular, CCF, and I don't recall ever being put off by your posts in the past. Your post did prompt me to write what I did, but it's something that has been bothering me for a while now.

I was at the @Maryland game a few weeks ago. Late in the second half, we're up 54-53 on the road against one of the best teams in the nation. Last year we were in the same position, but it felt a bit like a lucky shooting day. This year it felt like we were just a good team playing our game. I believe this team can beat anyone, but they've been shooting like complete crap the past few weeks against teams where that will kill us.

Anyway, my point wasn't that 9-9 or even 10-8 is a ticket into the tourney. I'm just saying that we're 4-7 in the B1G with 8+ games that the team is capable of winning left on the schedule.

We spend 8 months of the year knowing that the season is over. I don't see any value in rushing to get there sooner.
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I totally understand the sentiment.

My only additional comment would be this: I don't see missing out on the NCAA's as the end of the season. In my mind, making the NIT is comparable to a mid/low tier bowl. Something to build off of and a chance to compete in the postseason. Outside of that four year stretch during the back end of the Carmody era, any post season appearance for NU hoops was a rarity. I'll gladly take what I can get.
 
xxjfgxx said:
The Cats dream of going to the dance should be toast after the five game losing streak, but a win against OSU tonite could actually put them back in the picture (or loss and a win against Mich) . Need to get to 20 or 21 wins and pass Neb in the standings. Gotta get 4 out of last 6, and at least one win the BigTen Tourney. The last game against the Cornhuskers could end up being pretty darn important with 3 or 4 more wins before then. There are also two extra spots open in the field with two sure Tournament teams ineligible this year (SMU & Louisville). These Cats may actually have 9 lives !
Click to expand...
Except that we do not play them till Tues.
 
hdhntr1, could you check out a rumor I've heard that Fitz may have bought a new house.
 
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