Long-time lurker, rare poster....

I have to concur with Bornacat.  I have higher expectations for this program for now and in the future.  I am disappointed in the start this year.  When you invest of your time and money over the course of your college career and beyond, it is exciting to begin to see growth that has the opportunity to take the program to the next level.  I believed that the last few years had led to the type of program growth that would lead to consistent performance.  While I still believe that is possible and I am by no means "quitting" on this year, I am disappointed to see performances that remind me too much of past years of mediocre results.  I am proud to be a Bobcat and represent Ohio at my work, in my community, and to prospective students.  This will never cease to be something I stand for.  Yet, prolonged athletic success (esp. in the "major" sports) only seeks to help the cause. 

I can live with the Robert Morris-type of games.  I have a hard time living with the Winthrop debacle and, more importantly, the lack of a good show at Memphis and Oklahoma.  I want to turn the corner and begin the process of being consistently competitive with all programs ("majors" and "mid-majors).  I want to believe that we can go to the tournament on a fairly regular basis.  While I believe it is tough to maintain a consistent program that will stand out as a "mid-major" power without more money invested, facility updates, coaching consistency, scheduling improvements, etc., I did expect the program to maintain some of its momentum from last year.  I expected a bit of a "swoon" and "learning curve" with a new coach, new system, etc.  What I have been disappointed with is what I see as reverting back to the beginning of last year and the previous year.   I see...

1.  Lack of offensive movement.
2.  Numerous players relying on jump shots and a general unwillingness to attack the basket.
3.  A general lack of toughness (fighting over screens, working on the offensive glass, taking the charge)
4.  A lack of cohesiveness and togetherness.....too many guys pointing fingers.
5.  A lack of a sense of urgency.
6.  A lack of leadership.

I have been disappointed reading some of the comments that the Coach has in the post-game comments.  Additionally, I have been disappointed in what I see as a lack of fire/energy on the sidelines.  Yet, those are my personal coaching preferences from my past experiences and expectations.  Those are irrelevant if I believe that the product on the floor is what I have come to expect.

It is never a bad thing to have high expectations as long as those expectations are based on truth and not on blind whims.  I believe this year's team has been disappointing this year and we all want things to turn around quickly.  It is time to find the leadership, energy, consistent effort, and togetherness that defined this team last year.

I believe we all say...."Go Cats"

Nice post, BobcatWarrior.  You were able to give specifics/reasons for many of the results that I've seen in my limited viewing and listening to the games this year.