i've read all of the above comments and thought about everything mentioned.
To me, D-2 should NOT EVEN BE A THOUGHT, considering the history of this program. Who would be enthusiastic about that scenario?
No one I know.This is Chicago for goodness sakes!!!
As with Nate, I am proud of our players and staff. I don't doubt that the kids gave it their all
and just did not get the results that we or they wanted out of the effort. It was fun to watch. Certainly I expect us to be at a level of competing to win the MVC, or wherever it goes with the current league moves being discussed.
As an alum and die hard fan, it is difficult to swallow the close calls on the court over the last two seasons. It is my opinion that focusing on the coach to get us to a better place is shortsighted. Porter has done more with effort considering the limited resources he has. He should be rewarded for this, not critiqued for the disappointing season outcome. His recruiting level is well above his predecessors and it shows on the court. Barry Hinson at the MVC press conference related the importance of guard play, something it appears Porter is strong on. You need the big guys, as our rebounding and inside defense has been a shortcoming. A "big" will improve our inside out game, and talented guards will cash in on that. Imagine not having to double team and not leave the open guy on the perimeter to knock down the over and over again open three's as we have seen in the past two seasons. We will have that next season. We just need a bit of good fortune with injuries. (Chastain)
The less transparent budget issues are certainly a mystery to me.
We have had these discussions over and over on this board related to personalities and policies of the administration.
Nothing and no one has changed and a new administration lurks with uncertainty to the future. Reading the numbers posted that comparable schools spend, I would expect LU to be there too. Or don't pretend you want to compete at this level. Additionally, it seems that whomever makes the call looks to large corporate sponsorship and doesn't work with the community businesses that might provide actual engagement at an affordable level.. Reasonably priced sponsorship activities that give an arena presence or voice to local business no longer exist.
Looking forward to progress, not regression to a lower level of engagement.

Great post, guy. Didn't mean to totally hijack this thread. I wonder what our budget looked like 10 years ago.

Anyway, congrats to Gonzaga! May they represent Iggy well in the Final Four! amdg

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MBB Scholarship Chart

And That Huntie IS the deal !! Zags from that mighty metropois Spokane is IN--LOYOLA from teeny Chicago is not !! Actually it is NOT anywhere !!
I really hope our fellow institution wins it ALL--Heck with X we had TWENTY FIVE PERCENT of the final eight. I say again They did it , we did not--Why not ??
Our leaders failed--Not only failed but maybe even refused to consider the benefits of what GONZAGA has done and could do for us !!
SHAME !!!