I mentioned in one of these threads that WKU is picking up a top 100 recruit (top 20 at PG) for next fall and they have another stud F too. They're gonna be good for a while.
Not to sound defeated but Brooke is probably our last hope. She's the last connection to the Barmore teams.
We have the right coach and the talent level has already started to increase. We ran into a wall at North Texas in the first half and it took them a while to cool off. It was miserable to watch until we started taking off in the 3rd. We played out of our minds to close out the 3rd and in the 4th. Malone and Sweets were beasts, but it was just too late. North Texas did just enough to stay ahead after a furious comeback. I was horribly disappointed, but it does happen. We were at our best heading into the tournament, but it wasn't meant to be this year. Slow baby steps, but I will not be discouraged about next year. We HAVE to fill Malone's void, though....
The finals will be between UAB and WKU.... I would give WKU the edge, even though they are the 2 seed.
What was the WKU-UNT score?
Western leading UAB in womens final 59-48 with 7:30 to play
Western Kentucky champs 72-57
Yeah, I know I'm a broken record but WKU is gonna be the top team for awhile. It's good that they are strong, now we need to rise to meet them.
Their 2 seniors were really their stars coming in. Tashia and Ivy Brown are both graduating. They have some great talent right behind them, but I am glad those two will be gone. Their top 100 freshman recruit will be good, but a freshman - which is always a guess on how good she will be or if it will work out. They will be good again for sure, but those 2 seniors being gone will help some. Of course, we will REALLY miss Malone!
Hoping for an NIT Bid, but we didnt close the deal and get to 20 wins, so who knows?
Probably UAB plus Rice (Rice has an eyecatching 23-8 record) in spite of losing to us twice ARE IN.
Normally CUSA would get 1-2 more bids: us at 19-11, MTSU 18-12, maybe NTSU at 17-14 with their conference tourney run are being looked at. No NIT = disappointing season. Hope we play again.
Basically I see it that way too. I had NO expectation of ncaa this year, just a faint hope. I DID expect NIT, basically top 3-4 in conference. To me, 20 wins, compete for conference titles, annual NIT with frequent hosting a game, every once in a while ncaa would be success.
At least Lincoln Parish will dance this year with Grambling.
That makes sense. I see those metrics more as on the way to success. Success to me would be regular (1/3 years?) NCAA appearances, Top 3 in conference, 20-25 wins. All extremely long shots. Maybe Brooke is the person to do it. But my hope is fading fast. At this point I'm just happy that the team we have has a lot of good character. That goes a long way.