Ok, how come some bb programs, such as Xavier, can get it right but we can't? How many coaches have they burned through, yet they all get winning results?
Xavier had some tourney appearances under Gillen in the 80's and early 90's but not as signficant as SHU during that period. Then, unfortunately, we go with Blaney to replace PJ (totally running the program off the cliff) while they have:
Skip Prosser replaces Pete Gillen in 1994 - 7 seasons with 4 NCAA appearances
Thad Matta - replaces Prosser and goes to 3 straight NCAA appearances (including first elite eight)
Sean Miller - replaces Matta when he left for Ohio St and goes to tourney in 4 of first 5 seasons (another elite eight)
Chris Mack - replaces Miller when he leaves for Arizona and following the same script keeps getting Xavier to the dance.
on and on and on...
They've only missed the tourney twice since 2001 and usually they make some "noise".
WTF? Why can't we do this? We are a Catholic school in similar size, with a larger endowment, located in a hotbed of basketball talent yet we can't even make the NIT on a regular basis. Sure they have the nice, cozy Cintas but we play in an NBA arena within spitting distance of Manhattan. I'm not expecting SHU to be a Duke or Kansas - just give me a a small taste of success as a program.
Come on SHU - show us some leadership, some vision, and get it done.
Xavier had some tourney appearances under Gillen in the 80's and early 90's but not as signficant as SHU during that period. Then, unfortunately, we go with Blaney to replace PJ (totally running the program off the cliff) while they have:
Skip Prosser replaces Pete Gillen in 1994 - 7 seasons with 4 NCAA appearances
Thad Matta - replaces Prosser and goes to 3 straight NCAA appearances (including first elite eight)
Sean Miller - replaces Matta when he left for Ohio St and goes to tourney in 4 of first 5 seasons (another elite eight)
Chris Mack - replaces Miller when he leaves for Arizona and following the same script keeps getting Xavier to the dance.
on and on and on...
They've only missed the tourney twice since 2001 and usually they make some "noise".
WTF? Why can't we do this? We are a Catholic school in similar size, with a larger endowment, located in a hotbed of basketball talent yet we can't even make the NIT on a regular basis. Sure they have the nice, cozy Cintas but we play in an NBA arena within spitting distance of Manhattan. I'm not expecting SHU to be a Duke or Kansas - just give me a a small taste of success as a program.
Come on SHU - show us some leadership, some vision, and get it done.