I've come up with these "inspirational" sayings from what I've read in this thread. Maybe Porter can use them for halftime pep talks when the team is trailing and needs a fire lit under their butts:

ASPIRE TO DAYTON-LEVEL RELEVANCE!

BE TOP 3 OR 4 WITH OCCASSIONAL NIT APPEARANCES!!

AVOID BAD LOSSES TO OTHER MID MAJORS!!!

LET'S GET INVITED TO SOME DECENT PRECONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS!!!!

BE COMPETITIVE MOST YEARS IN THE MVC!!!!!

WE SHOULD SHORTEN OUR SCHOOL NAME...OR NOT!!!!!!

Seriously, not exactly Knute Rockne-quality stuff. Whatever happened to " Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men`s blood and probably themselves will not be realized." or "A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s heaven for?"

I say if UCLA could win 7 consecutive NCAA Tournament Championships we should aim for 10 in a row. No participation trophies. Just win Baby!

(But seriously, seriously, I think for this year I would be disappointed if we don't get to the Sweet Sixteen. My main concern is that we used up so much luck in our Final Four year that Karma might go against us this time around.)

I hate to be the cynic here, but I would really hate it if we get to the tournament and the first game is a game like Davidson last season, and ends with Tate Hall missing a buzzer beater and we're out in the first round. I can totally picture that happening. Or even what happened two years ago against Bradley at Arch Madness. I think we're playing well enough that if we lose at Arch Madness, we can still make it in the tournament. I think the Valley will be a two bid league this year.

That's exactly what I'm struggling with! If you'd told me seven years ago that we would be looking at two NCAA appearances in four years, I would have been ecstatic. Trying to keep that perspective.. but this team is very good.

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There is a lot of luck involved when it comes to the NCAA tournament. What seed you get, what teams you go against, refs, and, as we all know, last second shots in close games. This squad is good enough to make a deep run, but sometimes that just doesn't happen. That undefeated Wichita team from a few years ago is a prime example. Got the #1 seed, but then some terrible luck getting Kentucky in the second round. I hate Wichita, but that team deserved a better fate.

I am taking it all in stride, getting to the NCAA tournament will make me very happy and whatever way the ball bounces after that so be it.

Bump.

I originally said I'd be satisfied with a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Now it's Final Four or bust!

Not that these aspirations culled from earlier in this thread aren't worthy too:

ASPIRE TO DAYTON-LEVEL RELEVANCE!

BE TOP 3 OR 4 WITH OCCASSIONAL NIT APPEARANCES!!

AVOID BAD LOSSES TO OTHER MID MAJORS!!!

LET'S GET INVITED TO SOME DECENT PRECONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS!!!!

BE COMPETITIVE MOST YEARS IN THE MVC!!!!!

It wasn't long ago that Gonzaga was viewed as the little school that could. Mark Few has turned that program into a juggernaut!

Porter Moser has the opportunity to do the same at Loyola. Hopefully, the University and the Athletic Department can find the money to convince him to stay. After this run, recruiting and scheduling should be a lot easier. If Porter stays, the expectation at a minimum should be for finishing top 2 in the Valley and earning a bid to the NCAA each year.

an aspiration would be to get an at-large bid

that is a sign of respect

but I'd hate to not win the MVC

One other thing I'd aspire for the program is to get that one big time recruit it has no business in landing. A signature guy that puts the basketball world on notice that this is more than just a system.

But not a one and done.

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Let's go Braden!