Richmond redshirt

Richmond won 29 games this year. They had five redshirts listed on their roster. I don't know if that was policy or happenstance, or if it had anything to do with their success. But it is interesting.

Trickle down? Probably not

It would be nice to think that there will be some sort of trickle down effect resulting from the success of VCU and Butler the past couple of years. Recruits might be made to realize that there is quality basketball at places other than the Big Six programs. However, that probably is somewhat far-fetched.

Another Fayetteville attitude

The typical Fayetteville fan, if someone in Arkansas does not root for the Hogs, will look aghast and say something like, "It's unpatriotic for an Arkansan not to root for the Hogs." Oh? But they don't return the favor, do they? They don't want any other program in the state to do well, because it takes away from their monopoly.

Not much impact

To the sports fan universe in Arkansas (which means "Fayetteville"), the fact that we went to the NCAA was hardly even of casual interest. Not even a blip.

Momentum?

For the first time in a while it feels like this program has a little forward momentum. Last year was really tough, and it made us forget about the 23 win season. Even then, we didn't get to the finals of the SBC tournament. But this year we went to the NCAA and were an over away from our third 20-win season in four years. I like it!

Interesting

If the player makes the shot and extends the season, then it was the player's skill that did it and the coach gets no credit. If the player misses the shot, then it is the coach's fault that he can't get his team to post season.

Adios, El Fuerte

Alex Garcia-Mendoza has to be one my half-dozen most favorite Trojans since I have been following the team. He was a player!

Above average

If Shields' teams win the SBC tournement every eight years, that will be three notches above average.

I WONDER

Coastal Carolina was 28-6, but had to go to the NIT because they did not win their tournament. I wonder - if they had been 31-1 and had won every game except the finals, if they would have received an at-large berth. I doubt it.

I don't understand these coaches

Bowling Green's Scott Thomas is a 6-7 junior. He shot 32 more 3-pointers than anyone else on the team this year, even though he made only 29.4% of them. (That is below average even on an awful-shooting team - 29.7%). It wasn't like he didn't have anything else to do, because the was the team's leading rebounder. Why do coaches allow post men who can't shoot to continue to blast way from the perimeter?

Next year's predictions

I doubt we will be rated very highly in any pre-season predictions next season. We lost too much offensive firepower. What they probably will not take into consideration is that two players who played only limited minutes were starters at the end of the year. Also the recruiting class.

Good season

It has been a good season. Not a great season. The post-season success rescued it from being a mediocre season, but just winning four games at the right time does not make mediocre into great. Still, we have broken the post-season jinx, and came very close to winning a game in the NCAA. Something good to build on. Now, coaches - recruit, recruit, recruit!!!

Bad year for my teams

Not very many of the teams I follow made it to the NCAA this year. In fact, on the left side of the bracket, only San Antonio and Clemson made it, and they are only on my "follow casually" list. Still, since Little Rock made it, that sort of makes up for the rest.

How will we use it?

The question to me is: how will we make good use of this win for the good of the program. We have a brief, very limited exposure that we have not had for years. Will we be able to make it count in a substantial way to move the program forward to where we will be a factor every year. Will we be able to get to the point that .500 is a down year?

We did it!!!!!!

Little Rock going to the NCAA - and in a year when Fayetteville will be staying home! WHOOPPEEEEE!!!!

Take that, Fayetteville!
Take that, Wally Hall!
Take that, Shields bashers!
We might lose in a play-in game, but WE ARE GOING!

Next?

OK, so we are going to the NCAA and have the monkey off our backs.

Now I want to win the more meaningful regular season title and qualify for the NIT. Then, I want to get to where we win 20 games most years and are in the post season hunt on a regular basis.

Classic example

Last night's game was a classic example of how sometimes you can be bad in one area and still win because you do well in another.

We got KILLED on the boards (40 to 26) and allowed North Texas to shoot 45.5% from the arc. Both are horrible numbers. However, we committed only 5 turnovers and made 15 of 16 free throws. And we won by one.

El Fuerte

Alex Garcia-Mendoza may just be the most complete player I have seen since I have followed Little Rock. He does it all. Shooting. Rebounding. Defense. The little things that win ballgames. Just a great ballplayer. What he lacks in size he makes up in heart.

Happy for Shields

I am really happy for Coach Shields to finally have the non-NCAA monkey off his back. He has run a clean program and he deserves his moment in the spotlight.

Monopoly mentality

It is amazing how many Fayetteville fans you will run into who are well aware of the "monopoly policy," and who endorse and encourage it. They do not want any competition in the state.

hot teams

It is the time of year for teams that are hot. Not necessarily good - just hot. One of the things I do not like about college basketball.

I don't like Kansas or Kentucky, but

I do like teams like Kansas and Kentucky, where basketball comes first.

And for the record, I dislike Kentucky a lot more than I dislike Kansas.