Many times after losses, you can judge the impact of the loss by the tenor of the board.
As expected, this one isn't creating the tsunami (sorry) of emotion and vitriol that we would come to expect from bowing out in the MAC Quarters to an (possibly) inferior Ball State team. Why?
Well, the LOVE will tell you. You guys all knew we weren't that good. You like this team and I don't fault you for it. You like the personality of the players, the individual skill sets, the G'town run, the HS accolades, the Groce pedigree, the late season flare, and the way Ohio basketball has been set on a pedestal during all this budget and fiscal strife none of us really want to acknowledge.
But, the fact of the matter is that this team just wasn't the caliber team that most of us thought. The sum was far worse than the individual parts. Tommy's 3's, Devo's Dunks, Nick's surname, Rico and Hall's athleticism, DJ's marquee name, etc. All awesome and fun to watch, but in the words of Denny Green - this team was who we thought it was.
A. It feasted on terrible teams. 10-2 against the pitiful RPI 200+ teams that were eliminated from serious contention months ago, with a marquee loss to a CMU team with an RPI of 306. Think about it, we got jacked about beating Illinois State (255), pounding Norfolk State in beautiful fashion (271), and loved the fight and spirit we displayed in a close one against Winthrop (218).
B. It was awful against teams showing any semblance of ability (Kansas, Temple, and Oakland). I don't think I have to re-phrase my feelings on losing to Kansas by 57 on a neutral floor, but man that was BRU-TAL.
C. Showed no grit and emotion in defending the home floor, even against rivals like Kent, Miami, and Buffalo. I personally can't recall a Bobcat team that was so lackluster at home, only managing a meager 11-8 record in the process.
D. Gave up late lead after late lead and never seemed to address the issues with any change in style, strategy, or mindset.
I promise, I'm not trying to be negative with the post mortem - because I am excited about next year. Very excited. However, I saw this coming from miles away and my actions only supported it. I was lackluster about attending games at the end of the year, and Cleveland was never even a thought.
As a fellow poster tweeted last night - "this team was built to let you down." That's over the top and harsh, because if you looked at the body of work (as so many of us do this year) - you would have seen this team was built for a quarterfinal or semifinal MAC loss to an average or slightly below average conference foe. Nothing more, nothing less and we fulfilled our destiny.
Sure, the manner in which it went down stings a bit - but if you watched this team at all this year - you knew the potential of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
All you can do is learn from it and come back strong next year with new personnel and a new frame of mind to close games out, defend the home floor, and stick your chest out a little more against the better teams in the country.
See you next season.