1.)  Not lose at home to a team named Bob.
2.)  Not lose at home to a team who has 31 turnovers.
3.)  Never be outrebonded on the defensive glass 32-13, ever.
4.)  Never shoot 32 three pointers when it's clearly not your night from downtown.

All in all, I think we were way too excited over our record, because we thought we had beat teams who really aren't that good.  UNI has lost 3 in a row, Marshall just was smoked by Akron (in Huntington), and Louisville was never as good as their #4 ranking.

I suppose it's better to lose now, than to backdoor into the top 25, only to likely lose to Akron.  It's unfortunate though because there was some serious hype around this team and the students just came back, only to witness tonight's debacle.  It seems as though every single time we have a chance to bring in the bandwagon crowd and convert them to loyalists, we blow it.

It was already mentioned, but if we could rattle off 6 or 7 wins in a row, maybe we'll get back to the 'receiving votes' portion of the poll.  But our RPI (which I already consider a useless number) was already headed south thanks to Marshall and UNI, and it's about to keep heading that same direction, win or lose, thanks to the MAC.

While we probably won't shoot 11.5% from the arc again this year, I'm still concerned as we enter MAC play.  11-5 would be a success, at this point.  Like DecidiousForestCat already said, get ready for Cleveland.  The goal now is a top 2 seed.

Go Bobcats

What exactly am I gloating about?  I'm sorry if a rational look at our accomplishments is too tough for you to handle.

Did we hang with a team on the road in November that we probably thought was much better than they appear to be now?  Yes.  Still fairly impressive, though.

Did we beat two teams, also on the road, that have since not looked as nearly as impressive?  Sure did.  Do we discount the wins completely?  No, but I think you have to look at them and adjust your current opinion.

Did we lose to a pretty decent team tonight in our house, that IF we were as good as some on this board thought, we should have handled?  Yes.  Dissapointing, but not the end of the world.


Maybe I am misinformed, but I feel as I have a pretty level view of our accomplishments to this point.

Agreed.  I'm disappointed about last night's performance as well.  Let's just not forget that the season isn't made in one game - at least not until March.

One game does not make a season (until March) and it is only January 3rd.  Anyone who says/feels last night validates anything then must also feel that the final four is set with Syr/KY/Duke and UNC.   OSU, Baylor and others simply do not belong in the final four discussion.  The loss to Indiana proves that so for OSU.  In essence, translate "good-bye at-large" with "good-bye final four."  Yet folks are not so quick to abandon other teams they cheer for.  Well, I'm not so quick to quip, "see, I knew..." with respect to this team.

If we are to define the season to date, we would all agree it has been a success and a team with limited college experience is primed to continue to improve.   Shake it off Cats.  You were a top 30 team before last night and a stumble does not make you a "less quality" team.  The ranking may drop, but the quality and the danger you pose every time you take the court is still there.  As Borna stated, learn from last night, become better, and move forward.  The ranking at the end of the year will take care of itself.