Hey 01,
A young friend of mine, a recent medical school graduate specializing in pediatrics, just said something similar to me. He said "all I need are some little patients."

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Let's go Braden!

Thanks for the all of the thoughtful commentary Ramblermaniacs..
Fan base is a fair part of relevance too. So we all need to hang in, show up and talk it up.
Wonder if flohoops is geared up for this AM?

I'm certainly not comparing this team to the final four team. I'm just saying it's important to remember the importance of getting better as the year goes on to achieve success, and losing bad games doesn't mean the program is going down the tube, or the season is a waste....

This is NOW !! Final 4 is HAPPY history== To be of National interest we Must build -- or to put it another way---WHAT HAVEYOU DONE LATWLY ?? It is all on our team ALWAYS !! We earned good MEDIA coverage BUT MEDIA dumped us--SEE TRIBUNE SO we MUST do far more than our nearby competition--WE can and WILL do this as we grow from now on !!!

I expect our team to compete for an MVC title each year. I don't expect us to win the MVC title every year, but compete. The national exposure will work itself out. This is a weird year. I see many programs struggling for consistency this year- USF, St. Joe's, Northwestern. It's crazy to see how these teams look from one game to the next.

This year is going to be interesting to watch. Not only are we adding new players, but a new assistant. I think it will take some time to adjust. Remember many of members of the Final Four team had been in the program for years and had travelled and played abroad together. You can't overestimate playing together. Its hard to believe that we only have two seniors. They need time.

We do need some patience and there is going to be growing pains.

I agree with 88. I expect us to compete every year to win the Valley with every 3-4 years being a really good year where I expect us to win it or be top 2 depending on how good the rest of the conference looks. I think we all expect next year to be one of those big ones.

On a game-by-game basis. I expect us to be competitive in every home game we play. I also expect the team to be playing its best basketball come mid-February and March. Porter's teams have typically shown that's the case, so I think that is more than a fair expectation.

You win the thread.

I’m viewing this season so far long term. Judging by the lineup rotations and minutes used, I think coach is doing the same. It makes games like today, while painful, easier to get over.

If we’re still blowing leads like this in January, then I’ll be a little more concerned. If the kids learn and start playing to their potential, I’m not worried about public/media perception right now. If we’re winning in March, it’ll all be there.

Thanks 01. BTW I agree with you regarding having patience. However, this season has been as frustrating as any so far.

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Let's go Braden!

-In fairness last year we won the league with only 4 competent offensive players available for most of the year.

-This is the first roster influenced by the final 4 run. And it comes with big coaching changes on the bench. The freshman added last year all committed here coming off of a 18-14 season.

-3 of those post Final 4 additions have proven themselves as hyper valuable with Kennedy and Hall frequently scoring in double digits, while Wojcik looks like a great piece moving forward. I loved what I saw from Welch today as well, despite a few mistakes.

-Saying “its going to take time” and “I know there’ll be ups and downs” after blowout wins like we had last week was the correct take but also means dealing with these losses. Which is infuriating but should be accepted.

-the stretches where this team is clicking are so impressive. And the team is clearly better than they were when they started.

-3-4 years ago wins over middling MM+ teams like Creighton (who weren’t great when we played them) Kent State, and San Diego State were considered a BIG deal. Now we expect to win those games, the
needle has moved.

-the flaw with the roster Right now is clear. 3 point shooting and point guard play. Our best shooter and starting pg have been out. And while Norris wasn’t expected to be available this year, he also fills both those needs as well. We have known this; it will continue for the foreseeable future.

-2 losses by a total of 3 points + 4 minutes of better basketball against USF and we’re 6-1; reminds me of our last junior heavy team in 16-17; but this team is more talented.

-It’s so painful and frustrating because we’re so close.

I am too far in my cups to add up the actual numbers, but my impression is we have been beat in the second half of almost every loss this year. I think it speaks to coaching.

Why is this happening? Why do our opponents seem better prepared to play after the halftime whistle? And Kennedy, our most electric player sat most of that second half against CSU as punishment for errors? He is a freshman right??