The Last 10: What needs to be done

[Khan4Cats]

I wanted to start this to try some perspective on where we are this year compared to where we need to go. I think at the 1/2 and 2/3 point records of 15-5, 6-3 are solid. We have lost only one 'bad' game IMO (at ISU) and have some nice, if not great, wins. I still think the Bucknell win will look better and better as they hit their conference, I also think that Loyola will not look like such a bad loss at the end of the season.

As for the Valley. We are one of 3 teams to finish the first half of their Valley schedules at 6-3. That's nice, it puts in a position to challenge for the crown, although it looks like SIU may have the best second half schedule (6 total, 5 more) home games. I think 13-5 wins the Conference. That's doable but we were 11-7 last year and have not changed the outcome of games in our favor yet. We beat Bradley at home to make up for that L last year but gave it back with the L at ISU. To get to 13-5 we have to win the games we won last year (@ DU, vs WSU, @ UE, vs DU, vs IlSU) and win two of the four remaining that we lost from last year. Obviously the home one versus MoState is a must, then we need to take one from Indiana State, Creighton or Bradley. No small task with any of those.

Best guesses for what it will take to Dance.

I think we need to win 7 more games, including tourney games.

If we go 7-3, but lose in the first round af Arch Madness we will 22-9 (21 D-I wins) and probably in because we will be high in the Valley standings.
If we finish 6-4, go 1-1 in the tourney, we will be 22-10 and probably a strong bubble.
A 5-5 finish, would mean 7 wins puts us in the final but losing, and I think the bubble weakens.
Obviously 4-6, 7 wins would mean we win the tourney.

I think 6 more wins, unless we win the tourney, and we are sweating it out and most likely headed for the NIT.

Of course the best-case is to simply go 13-0 the rest of the season and get a white-shirt seed for round 1 of the Dance.

[DancerHall Cat]

I couldn't agree more. I have been saying for a couple of weeks now that we probably need 22 wins. Also, a lot of things can happen in the MVC, but I think SIU is very likely heading for 13-5 as well.

[ceaser150]

I thought before last night we needed 6-4 in conference with the BB game being a bonus if we win. I still think that is the case. Our RPI only dropped 2 or 3 spots after the loss and is in the mid 40s. That needs to go up and crack the 30s at least. The Panthers will have to make some noise on the road the rest of the way, but it can be done if they continue to play hard like they did last night.

[panther2317]

Let's start with a win Saturday night in Des Moines! It's a MUST-WIN game...and then we can talk about Tuesday night in the McLeod.

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

It sounds like a lot of local Panthers will be in attendance for the game Saturday...Is there a strong contingent from CF making the trip?

Last year, the turnout was awesome - it almost felt like a Panther home game.

[PantherHawk]

we need to go at least 7-3. There is no way we should lose to evansville and drake on the road. We should win the rest of ours at home! So we need to finish 7-3 and win one or two in the Mo Valley Tourny. I was impressed with the team last night, they are tough group of kids. They just need to come ready to play every night and take care of business 1 game at a time. Lets hope we don't slip up at Drake, that would be a devastating loss. I think we are in a okay position, just have to protect the home court and win a few on the road! Lets Go Cats!

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

We can't just assume that we will sweep our remaining home games...Wichita State and Missouri State are not exactly going to roll over after we beat them on their home turf...(although I'm confident we'll win against MSU since my wife and I are coming up for that one!!!!)

And we can't take ANY of those road games for granted (as we learned at Ill. St.). Gotta go 7-3...one game at a time.

[UNI MadCat]

I cant see any reason why you wouldn't see the same amount of Panther fans as last year -- which was an awesome turnout. The only reason would be if Drake fans snatched up the tickets. Really, this game is their season. Win it and you'll be 3-0 in the state and get some nice pub. Lose it and you're likely under .500 (assuming a loss to WSU tonight) and will be limping to the finish line of yet another disappointing season.

In other words, if I were a Drake fan I'd be pumped about this game.

I have a feeling it will be quite the atmosphere in Knapp. With it being a night game and all.

My girlfriend is a Drake alum so we'll probably refrain from speaking for a couple hours!!

[Panther'73]

I wish I could go but the UNI Women play @ the Mcleod @ 4PM Sat. and I will go to their game to support them, too. Wish the game was earlier in the day then I could still make the men's game in DM.

[Panther789]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

I wanted to start this to try some perspective on where we are this year compared to where we need to go. I think at the 1/2 and 2/3 point records of 15-5, 6-3 are solid. We have lost only one 'bad' game IMO (at ISU) and have some nice, if not great, wins. I still think the Bucknell win will look better and better as they hit their conference, I also think that Loyola will not look like such a bad loss at the end of the season.

As for the Valley. We are one of 3 teams to finish the first half of their Valley schedules at 6-3. That's nice, it puts in a position to challenge for the crown, although it looks like SIU may have the best second half schedule (6 total, 5 more) home games. I think 13-5 wins the Conference. That's doable but we were 11-7 last year and have not changed the outcome of games in our favor yet. We beat Bradley at home to make up for that L last year but gave it back with the L at ISU. To get to 13-5 we have to win the games we won last year (@ DU, vs WSU, @ UE, vs DU, vs IlSU) and win two of the four remaining that we lost from last year. Obviously the home one versus MoState is a must, then we need to take one from Indiana State, Creighton or Bradley. No small task with any of those.

Best guesses for what it will take to Dance.

I think we need to win 7 more games, including tourney games.

If we go 7-3, but lose in the first round af Arch Madness we will 22-9 (21 D-I wins) and probably in because we will be high in the Valley standings.
If we finish 6-4, go 1-1 in the tourney, we will be 22-10 and probably a strong bubble.
A 5-5 finish, would mean 7 wins puts us in the final but losing, and I think the bubble weakens.
Obviously 4-6, 7 wins would mean we win the tourney.

I think 6 more wins, unless we win the tourney, and we are sweating it out and most likely headed for the NIT.

Of course the best-case is to simply go 13-0 the rest of the season and get a white-shirt seed for round 1 of the Dance.

My Lord, another post regarding expectations for the NCAA tournament.

And to think, I had the audacity to imply that our teams were capable of making some sort of postseason over the last 2 years.

[jman2004]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

Best guesses for what it will take to Dance.

I think we need to win 7 more games, including tourney games.

If we go 7-3, but lose in the first round af Arch Madness we will 22-9 (21 D-I wins) and probably in because we will be high in the Valley standings.
If we finish 6-4, go 1-1 in the tourney, we will be 22-10 and probably a strong bubble.
A 5-5 finish, would mean 7 wins puts us in the final but losing, and I think the bubble weakens.
Obviously 4-6, 7 wins would mean we win the tourney.

I think 6 more wins, unless we win the tourney, and we are sweating it out and most likely headed for the NIT.

Funny to see that in the heat of the moment, even in Jake's first season, there was talk from you (Khan) about this team's "Big Dance" potential. I'm glad you ended up lowering your expectations over the next few seasons. We don't need Panther fans expecting us to be a postseason team every year. That's just ludicrous.

As long as we can go .500 in conference play (be competitive) we should all just be happy with what we've got. Because remember after all, it used to be so much worse.

[Panther789]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

Funny to see that in the heat of the moment, even in Jake's first season, there was talk from you (Khan) about this team's "Big Dance" potential. I'm glad you ended up lowering your expectations over the next few seasons. We don't need Panther fans expecting us to be a postseason team every year. That's just ludicrous.

As long as we can go .500 in conference play (be competitive) we should all just be happy with what we've got. Because remember after all, it used to be so much worse.

The best part is that the NIT was a worse case scenario for him.

We suggest it might be a goal, and we are unrealistic.

[UNIAlum95]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

Will you quit replying to year old topics. I know you think you are making a point, but dragging this stuff on and on is getting tiresome.

[Panther789]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

Will you quit replying to year old topics. I know you think you are making a point, but dragging this stuff on and on is getting tiresome.

Well now I have to reply to this message, so that didn't help things much.

To answer your question though. Sure. I think the point has been made.

[Panther789]

Re: The Last 10: What needs to be done

ALERT ALERT ALERT


THIS THREAD IS 2 YEARS OLD

THIS THREAD IS 2 YEARS OLD


Khan stated on several occassions that it was unrealistic for fans to expect any sort of post-season the last 2 years.

Turns out he expected it.

I am sorry for the confusion.