Any team under 100 RPI they lost to.  Tells me that talent overrated or the coaching was lacking. Or Both

Akron tried to give the game away and Bobcats wouldn't' accept the gift.  .  They should have kept taking it at the weak front court of Akron. Marshall is awful.  DJ should have recognized it and stopped shooting 20 footers. Bad strategy when you outside shooting is 1 for 20 from 3

They were 308 in the NCAA in rebounding. That is difficult to do, 

this is what pisses me off the most. these players have shown they can compete with and beat good teams when put in a position to succeed.

We all exaggerate from time to time.  marshall isn't awful, but Marshall isn't Belmont, Oklahoma or Memphis (or it could be argued, Akron).  Of course, now I see the above writer was referring to Zeke, not the Herd.  Well, my point stands anyway!

That's the 1 disappointment I come away with.  The team just didn't step up and have any signature victories.  They beat all the teams that were less talented and not one that was, on paper, more talented. 

The bad news is that there will be few if any signature wins available in the MAC. The MAC is sliding to the lower half of the so-called mid major conference list, relegated to semi-permanent 1-bid status.  Team for team, we just don't measure up with the new Catholic 7, the A-10 or the Mountain West.  Look at the RPIs for some of the teams in those leagues and you will see what I mean.  We must put together a tough non-conference schedule and learn to win a game or two against tough competition in December and January.  So, Mr. Schaus, how about a call to John Groce.  See what it would take to get him to bring his team to Athens for just 1 game in the next couple years.  Let's approach Bob McKillop at Davidson, who recruits in OH, for a home and home.  For once, I want to see a "name" school in the convo...  

In terms of players, the biggest disappointments were Nick and Ivo.   I'm sure Nick will hit the gym this summer and try to regain his 3-point stroke.  We will need it next season.  As for Ivo, I just could not figure out what he was doing this year.  I know what he WASN"T doing:  Playing tough underneath and rebounding.  Our rebounding was a real problem all year and it appeared he really didn't help much.  I'll lay some of the blame here on the coaching staff. 

I will try not to be too critical of Jim Christian.  He has a track record in this league that speaks for himself.  But I wonder if he was able to get his message across to everyone.  These weren't "his" guys.  The dead spots we had in just about every game were particularly baffling (although I'm sure Coach Cal at KY is baffled by the all the dead spots his team experienced this year, too...)  Expectations/communications should improve as his recruits come to town.   

All that aside I will say a big "THANK YOU" to D.J., Ivo, Reggie and Walt for some great, great seasons and memories. 2 NCAA tourneys in 4 years, 3 tourney wins and a Sweet 16 appearance...wow!  They've certainly played a huge part in raising the bar in terms of what the students, supporters and community expect from the program.  And they did it with an absolute minimum of off-the-court drama.

Next year, I suggest we prepare for a bumpy ride.  Hard to think it can be otherwise without the program's best all time player and 4 new starters taking the court.  I know we're all excited about Ndour, Wingfield, the transfers, etc., but I've been watching hoops long enough to know it will take a while for everything to mesh.  I am encouraged that Christian recruited to start building us up inside.    

Well Mr McKinney no I am not related to the Bev Hillbillies but I do know that when the Bobcats stopped going inside they started losing. Big Zeke was invisible. When they stopped going inside that eliminates the kick outs for open threes. Why did they stop?

It's OK to disagree but really Sir? 

Not a hillbilly but I saw what I saw and it wasn't smart basketball

Marshall is awful??? Wow, what basis do you form that opinion?

Stoopid

No guys.  Marshall is awful . . .

Aren't all two-time 1st Team All-MAC, Defensive PoYs, and future NBA picks?

I would agree that, in general, we lost to superior opponents all year (minus the Winthrop game).  But that is something else to look at.  This same group of players, last year, under Saint Groce, lost how many games to inferior opponents?  By my count, I see at least 5 games we lost to inferior teams last season.  I'm counting Bobby Mo, EMU, BG, Kent, and Toledo.  This season I legitimately see 2, Winthrop and Bobby Mo.  

So last year we pulled some upsets but also lost to several teams who had no earthly business beating us...and this year we generally beat teams we should beat (specifically in the conference) and couldn't pull the upsets.  Does that mean last year we had great coaching that allowed us to lose games to bad teams and this year we had bad coaching that allowed us to win most every game we should win but not pull any upsets?   

I really believe this all goes back to Conference Tournaments.  In the MAC the League Championship really just gives you some byes into later rounds which may make your road to the NCAAs easier.  So, March is the only important thing if you don't care about Champioships. 

In the Big10, you know if you are in or out based on the Regular Season not necessarily the Big10 Tourney. 

So, it seems to me in the MAC the "teaching" and being ready to play in March is VERY important.  I believe in the Big10, if JG doesn't win a Championship OR doesn't go deep in the NCAAs he will be gone in five years because that is what their administration/fans want.  I think we all agree that OSU, Mich St and now Ind really want to win the League.

As for me, I'm old fashioned.  Up to me I'd say screw the Conference Tourneys.  You win your LEAGUE over the whole year you are in.