I don't think you can pinpoint one thing that has led to this season's demise. There were a number of factors that more or less snowballed and then that snowball started rolling downhill.

Ummmm....they played more games?


2012-13 - 24 wins out of 34 games
2013-14 - 25 wins out of 37 games

Sadly, I've heard similar things as well. I'd really like to hope that's not the case. But Ryan's regression through the year is definitely a big difference maker. The biggest thing next year has going for it right now is that everyone on the roster except Tony, Wadly, and Setty will be Saul & Co. recruits.


I should add, I'll be curious to hear more confirmed stories about this negativity over the summer/fall. You know it's going to come out at some point.

It's hard to blame the seniors since they were already screwed over by one or more coaches who pursued their own interests after recruiting them. It's easy to be cynical about the entire ugly process.

You need a hobby. Accountability? Give me a break.

Just wait until next week.

I said this earlier in the year. It bugs me that there is apparently no penalty for not doing what is designed. I'm not a big fan of benching players every time they take a bad shot or make a bad decision but when it become the norm and a coaches directives are ignored something has got to give. And lazy defense always warrants a seat. It appears that Saul's philosophy is to recruit kids that don't need to be reminded on every possession what we are trying to do.

That being said I don't blame any one thing. It's a perfect storm of bad consequences.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, the sun will come out tomorrow.

Maybe two but Saul won't last very long here if he puts up a few 15-17 wins seasons.

my 2 big reasons: team play and point guard.

This season reminds me of typical stories about the last year of a marriage that ends up in divorce. It's not that any one thing alone causes the damage, it's the sum of the parts. There are issues with talent, attitude, consistent effort, basketball IQ, past coaches leaving, new systems, recruits not fulfilling their commitments, new coaches underachieving, and a bunch of other things that cause problems. After a certain point, the parties involved might not say it, but they just start looking for a way out instead of trying to fix all the things that annoy them about the other person.

My guess is that everyone started out hopeful this season would be new and exciting. Early on, a few realized it wasn't going to work, but the rest tried to keep complete failure from setting in. As the season went on, more people gave up hope of turning it around. My hope is that these guys realize that it's not the end of the world. They had a pretty good run in the program and seem to be a group that has represented the university well. The young guys will have an opportunity to decide if they want to fix it this summer, or get out. I don't believe Saul is going to allow a repeat of this year to happen. I'll hit the reset button and be back next year expecting good things. I think the team will, too.

The players, coaches, fans and administration don't feel good about this season. For me, the NIU game at home is the date I adjusted my expectations downward for this season. Others jumped ship emotionally earlier. Still, a few are demanding accountability and answers today. The folks in that group are the same ones that thought it was a good idea for the band to keep playing while the Titanic sank.

I agree with Perimeterpost; I don't really care to analyze this season anymore. I'm just looking forward to next year, which in my mind is really Coach Saul's first year. This year's a mulligan.

McKinney nails it.