Four more “preseason” games, then the real season begins

[BGSU33]

We’re 2-4 six games into the season, and the way I am looking at it, we still have four more “preseason” games to go before the real fun begins. I’m not belittling our non-conference games, but with how young our team is with all the newcomers, coupled with the injuries and ineligible issues we are still dealing with, I’m still looking at these next four games against UALR, Florida State, Troy and Notre Dame (Ohio) as exhibition games. Sure I want to see us win them, no doubt. But rather than getting so disappointed at the way thing are going now, I just want to see this team start to gel. I don’t care if we lose the next four games, if we can make improvements one month from now, I’ll be happy about our progress.

By the time we start MAC play, this team will have had two months to get adjusted and make the necessary adjustments to compete in the MAC. Our first MAC game is also at home and against CMU, and this is a winnable game. I can only hope by that time that Wright is back healthy, Moten is eligible and contributing, and the rest of this team has made and shown improvements. We’ve got one month under our belt, and we have another month to go. We’re at the midway point in my book, but come MAC time, I hope to see a much better product than the one we’re seeing now.

[JWEIII]

Hmmm...

I don't know. This team is one "break" away from being 0-5 v. Divisoin I opponents. Moten has never set foot on a Division I floor. How much can Wright do?

It's gonna be a long year.

[hammb]

How much can Wright do?

This is something that I mentioned to Option & Warthog at the Oakland game last week. I keep reading/hearing that we'll be adding our best returning player back to the team, and it's true, but I worry what we'll actually be adding. Personally I cannot fathom playing basketball on a recently broken foot. How much of his athleticism is he going to have back? I imagine that he's done VERY little shooting until recently from the injury, how much of his skill will be rusty?

I don't know, but it seems like a real stretch to expect the Wright we had last year at any point this season, let alone an improved version.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

The way I see it, the real season for any MAC team doesn't start until the tournament. Regular season means nothing as far as getting to the dance as long as the MAC remains a screwed over one-bid league, which it will unless a hyped team like Ohio only loses 1 or 2 conference games. Not likely in a loaded East.

[Falconboy]

How much can Wright do?

This is something that I mentioned to Option & Warthog at the Oakland game last week. I keep reading/hearing that we'll be adding our best returning player back to the team, and it's true, but I worry what we'll actually be adding. Personally I cannot fathom playing basketball on a recently broken foot. How much of his athleticism is he going to have back? I imagine that he's done VERY little shooting until recently from the injury, how much of his skill will be rusty?

I don't know, but it seems like a real stretch to expect the Wright we had last year at any point this season, let alone an improved version.

I thought bout this too as well. A broken foot is not easily gotten well over. Wright might just make things worse if he can't move laterally well or take anybody off the dribble if he's hampered by this. We'll have to see find out how much Wright can contribute this next game but I can't see it being much.

[JWEIII]

How much can Wright do?

This is something that I mentioned to Option & Warthog at the Oakland game last week. I keep reading/hearing that we'll be adding our best returning player back to the team, and it's true, but I worry what we'll actually be adding. Personally I cannot fathom playing basketball on a recently broken foot. How much of his athleticism is he going to have back? I imagine that he's done VERY little shooting until recently from the injury, how much of his skill will be rusty?

I don't know, but it seems like a real stretch to expect the Wright we had last year at any point this season, let alone an improved version.

Good point. But, the point I was trying to make is that even if Wright is 100% what can he do on a team that is, well, "this close" to being 0-5 v. DI competition. Unless he averages 40 PPG, I don't see Wright's return as a factor that will change the season. It will make them better, no doubt, but... still.

I'll still listen to every game though (and try to make it to Anderson for most of the few home-weekend games).

I thought bout this too as well. A broken foot is not easily gotten well over. Wright might just make things worse if he can't move laterally well or take anybody off the dribble if he's hampered by this. We'll have to see find out how much Wright can contribute this next game but I can't see it being much.

[JWEIII]

WOW

I screwed that quote thing up didn't I.

[BGSU33]

As for Wright's broken foot, the good thing about broken bones are, they do heal. Most breaks take 4-6 weeks before the cast comes off, then it's a little while longer to get strength back, etc. I'm not sure when he's going to be 100 percent or close to it, but he will be able to come back from this injury.

As for Wright and Moten joining the team, no one is going to know how much or how little they are going to help, but I am giving them both the benefit of the doubt. There's no way these two guys can hurt this team, we need help everywhere. Wright was arguably our best returning player, how in the world can anyone say he might not help us? He will, it's just a matter of how much. Same with Moten, he'll help some way, some how.

Lastly, I too would love to see us make a run in the MAC Tournament, but I am still sticking to seeing improvement come MAC play in early January. There's no reason we can't be better then than we are now, and I'm not counting out a decent showing come the MAC regular season. I can sit through our non-conference schedule and take the lumps we are dealt, but not in the MAC. I'm not saying we should be one of the best teams, but I do feel we shouldn't be one of the worst. Time will tell though.

[windycityfalcon]

We’re 2-4 six games into the season, and the way I am looking at it, we still have four more “preseason” games to go before the real fun begins. I’m not belittling our non-conference games, but with how young our team is with all the newcomers, coupled with the injuries and ineligible issues we are still dealing with, I’m still looking at these next four games against UALR, Florida State, Troy and Notre Dame (Ohio) as exhibition games. Sure I want to see us win them, no doubt. But rather than getting so disappointed at the way thing are going now, I just want to see this team start to gel. I don’t care if we lose the next four games, if we can make improvements one month from now, I’ll be happy about our progress.

By the time we start MAC play, this team will have had two months to get adjusted and make the necessary adjustments to compete in the MAC. Our first MAC game is also at home and against CMU, and this is a winnable game. I can only hope by that time that Wright is back healthy, Moten is eligible and contributing, and the rest of this team has made and shown improvements. We’ve got one month under our belt, and we have another month to go. We’re at the midway point in my book, but come MAC time, I hope to see a much better product than the one we’re seeing now.

Where was all this optimisim during football season? hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[BGSU33]

windycityfalcon: Where was all this optimisim during football season? hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

You again, huh? Well, first off, in football, we were expected to be the cream of the MAC and were far from it. I'd say my lack of optimism was more like, well, the reality of the season. Second, in basketball, we aren't expected to be that good, and up to this point, we haven't been. But since we are not at full strength and have two players I feel can help us, I think we can be better than what we've shown. So in short, to answer your question, you're comparing apples and oranges with football and hoops here. One was supposed to be very good, one isn't expected to be that good. Hence, my lack of optimism for football, and my optimism for it basketball. I hope that clears things up with you.

[windycityfalcon]

If you believe yourself.. sure.. it makes sense..

[BGSUfalcons]

The way I see it, the real season for any MAC team doesn't start until the tournament. Regular season means nothing as far as getting to the dance as long as the MAC remains a screwed over one-bid league, which it will unless a hyped team like Ohio only loses 1 or 2 conference games. Not likely in a loaded East.

I know, every year we think "this is the year for multiple MAC bids" and it doesn't happen. But, with the way Buffalo, Miami, and Ohio are performing so far in non-conference games, I think that, barring a collapse in conference, at least two of these teams will make the NCAA as at larges if they don't win the MAC tourney. All three will have a strong SOS, especially Ohio.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

The way I see it, the real season for any MAC team doesn't start until the tournament. Regular season means nothing as far as getting to the dance as long as the MAC remains a screwed over one-bid league, which it will unless a hyped team like Ohio only loses 1 or 2 conference games. Not likely in a loaded East.

I know, every year we think "this is the year for multiple MAC bids" and it doesn't happen. But, with the way Buffalo, Miami, and Ohio are performing so far in non-conference games, I think that, barring a collapse in conference, at least two of these teams will make the NCAA as at larges if they don't win the MAC tourney. All three will have a strong SOS, especially Ohio.

Yeah, I think the MAC has made progress the last few years towards being a multiple bid conference, and we've been home to some of the most screwed teams in recent history (Mcleod's senior season comes to mind). Basically though, I'll believe it when I see it. I'm going to continue appraching seasons with a "Win the MAC Tourney or nothing" attitude until I see an at-large bid.

[Rollo83]

Yeah, I think the MAC has made progress the last few years towards being a multiple bid conference...

The biggest step towards this goal was not even taken on the court. Having Laing Kennedy, the Kent State Athletic Director, on the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee should prove beneficial to this goal.

When discussion gets down to those last few bubble teams, the committee is less likely to screw a MAC team with representation in the room.

[BGSU33]

BG's 1997, 2000 and 2002 teams were all teams that "could" have gotten an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and were snubbed. Hence, why we still all talk about 1968 as our last tourney appearance, which was before many of us on this board were even born.