*Sighs* You two are OBVIOUSLY smarter than that and are just trying to be funny/difficult. The season starts in March in terms of program prestige and notoriety on the national stage. The season starts in March in terms of hanging banners and getting trophies that stay with a program forever. The season starts in March in terms of a team (and especially a head coach) putting their stamp on a season which is what ultimately determines success or failure - which is what determines coaching careers.

Nobody said following a team, or rooting for a team or anything else is a waste of time or money before March. Just because it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, it's still a lot of fun.

Do pee-wee basketball games for children actually MATTER? Heck no. Nobody outside the parents in the gym give a hoot. Nobody two years from then will even remember the game was played. So - it really doesn't MATTER. But - lots of people go watch their kids play and have lots of fun doing it and supporting them. Same applies here. Just because only March matters from a coach keeping their job, program history and national perception perspective doesn't mean we can't/shouldn't root for the Bobcats every single game and have lots of fun doing it. We just have to keep in the back of our minds - that win or lose - nothing REALLY matters until March.

Edit to add - same could be said for regular season NBA or MLB or NFL games (NFL a little less since so few games means every game could make/break a teams playoff chances). Those games don't "matter" either - but doesn't mean lots of people don't/shouldn't go watch and be entertained.