http://www.ramblermania.net/extras/stor ... Wrapup.htm

Agree, disagree, torches and pitchforks, a thousand white gloves.... post here...

Well, I would say you have analysed it pretty darn right.
Couple of things--
--The next year's schedule had better be an improvement-- No Di2 or worse teams to start with
------More and better home games--Akron Tulane, some Westerns et al
---Must win them--A 9--4 or better Non-con record
---A better than sixth place MVC record--no excuses

--Better use of Cody and King
--A far deeper and better bench--because that is how you tackle the Valley

And finally one m,ore time--It is NOW rug-cuttin' time

We all have waited far too long for a real winner. Fortunately we must WIN in a real conference. THE MVC

Pile up win after win ! No other way--- NICE wrap John !!

Good summary, 63. You've been impressive all season in your consistency of reporting on the Ramblers - I think we all appreciate your efforts here.

Doyle has been a pleasure to watch this year. The UNI overtime game...that was something. I wish he'd been eligible a year ago to play with Payne, Averkamp, and Hicks.

Speaking of those guys, my biggest concern about the season is that in Porter's third year, the team regressed. Everyone talked about the cupboard being bare when he got to campus, but when Ben and Jordan graduated, they took a step backwards. And don't tell me they look worse because the Valley is a better league.

There are some things to build on, and it's imperative that LU retains players that they've invested in. Losing any transfers would hurt. Also important to retain the coaching staff. As they go into spring, summer and fall workouts, LU has a lot of improving to do. Working with assistants where they have consistency is, in my opinion, very advantageous.

You allude to it and I mentioned it a few weeks ago...Porter & staff will demand his players all take steps forward. They'd better demand it of themselves, too. If they're saying we've got to recruit more guys and get better players and that's why we didn't win, things aren't going to get better.

Will be interesting this spring to see what, if any, changes take place. For now I look forward to fun watching March Madness!

I would go so far as to say that he has narrowed the gap between me and him as the second most valuable poster on Ramblermania, behind Brot, but well ahead of GoRamblers and ahunte1.

My only quibble is that he relies too much on facts, statistics and reasoned analysis to make his point, and is a little weak in the use of such valuable Internet devices as Smiley Faces, animated gifs, and CAPITAL LETTERS.

Very good summary, 63. The photo of Scottrade made me wish I'd taken my camera to Arch Madness.

I agree with your assessment, though I think .500 in conference next year will be tough. Winning a roadie or two would go a long way.

To my eye, Doyle started to show some real on-court leadership skills at times this year, and I hope he and Joe Crisman are the guys who lead everyone to a strong summer. I'm hoping that the Arch Madness experience motivates everyone to improve.



I could be wrong, but I think losing Cully hurt us. Having an experienced point guard to share the load would have made a difference.

Really hoping Osborne can make a nice leap forward. He seemed to be poised, and then the concussion struck. Overall, I think he performed about how you would expect from a 6'8" sophomore. Unfortunately we needed him to play like a senior this year.

King and Cody remain mysteries. Hopefully we can get 25 minutes a game from them combined next year.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

It did hurt, very much so. And signing him was a really bad decision - hindsight is 20/20 but with his flip-flop issues prior to bringing him in, it would have been wiser to pass. Two years of a scholarship slot for one season of play, then a transfer that hindered this season, plus losing out very late on his little brother and not having much of a chance to replace him. If I gauge correctly, both Payne's we replaced with one year out of Nixon, who was seldom used.

I think the Cully addition was moot. He helped us win quite a few games last season before he got hurt, and while I think losing him and his brother late hurt us this year in regards to replacing them, hopefully it helps us down the road if Moser can find another gamebreaker for that scholarship slot (Donte Ingram anybody?). Quinten only averaged 1.8 points per game in 11.9 minutes per game. It'd be nice to have the extra body but those numbers aren't blowing anybody's socks off. Plus, while I think there were times when he didn't play well, I think White is on the cusp of really turning the corner. I don't know how good it would've been for his development to be Cully's understudy this season. In the end, the Paynes helped put a band-aid in the short term and were great to get rid of for the long haul because their play doesn't outweigh their baggage.

I think a big factor in the close losses was the loss of Tanner Williams. He could have been used to give Thomas more rest and give us 5 more fouls when Osborn got into foul trouble. Also, Pickett, if healthy could have given White some relief.

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Let's go Braden!

I don't disagree with what you say, but if not the real Cully Payne, then at least the Platonic Ideal of Cully Payne would have helped.

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MBB Scholarship Chart

I liked your wrapup. One minor point while it's true we only won two road games they were at neutral sites. SIU-Edwardsville in Portland and Bradley in St. Louis. We did not win a road game on someone's home court.