(Both Coach McClain and Coach Bz find you lack of perspective disturbing)
Writers love the story of the lost cause; the team sailing into the wind, and eeking out competitive fire from situations where hope is lost. It gives them something to write about. To me it makes sense that a reporter would view the Buffs from afar through the lens of "nothing to play for." But that view is as ignorant as the question.
In response to the reporter, Bz had this to say “I resent that statement that we don't have a lot of play for. We're very blessed to play college basketball and to do the things that we are allowed to do. ... We still have a winning season within our grasp.” That response says everything about the place the Buffs envision themselves as they reach the final stretch of the season. They are living the plan. The goal, as stated at the beginning of the season, is to be .500 and reach the postseason, and they are within reasonable reach of that goal. Any implication that this season has been a disappointment because their postseason opportunities don't include the "big dance" is short-sighted. The Buffs still have plenty to play for simply because their stated goal is within reach. Any business model tempers it's expectations with reality, and the reality is championship level programs are not built over night.
I have always steadfastly believed that the concept of a "moral victory" is a load of soccer-mom hog-wash. But, make no mistakes, CU making the post-season, any post-season, is not a moral victory. It is a serious right-of-passage on the road to building a successful program.
To meet the goal, CU needs to win 3 of its remaining 4 games. From a realistic perspective, it would be very difficult for the Buffs to go into Columbia, MO and take a win tomorrow night from a tough Missouri team (I expect difficulties playing with Missouri as long as Coach Bz is in town, much the same way that we will cause major difficulties for OU as long as Coach Bz is in town). That perspective on the upcoming game coupled with the concept of a currently-sub .500 team going on the road to face the #1 team in the land lead me to have low expectations for the week. This is why I referred to this week as "lost." If CU is going to win 3 more games, it probably won't be coming against this weeks slate of competition.
The following weeks, however, offer greater opportunities. The Buffs will have 2 home games against weaker opponents (ISU and Texas Tech) and a road game against a very weak Nebraska team. It is very conceivable that those three games will be three wins, giving the Buffs their .500 season record and a very good shot at making some post-season play. In addition, winning 3 of the next four would seriously improve our conference standing, possibly getting CU as high as the #8 seed in the upcoming Big XII tournament. That #8 seed would allow the Buffs to play a team like Tech or OU (teams they match up very well against) giving CU a pretty darn good shot at a win in Kansas City.
(Yes Coach Bz, it is a tall order, but I have faith)
All of these milestones (getting to .500, the post season, and winning a game in KC) lead to some serious team pride and momentum heading into next year. The program has some seriously high hopes for next year, and, if they can take the steps that Coach Bz hopes that they will take over the next few weeks, they will be in a good position to live up to those hopes. Couple that with groundbreaking on the new practice facility, the arrival of Shannon Sharpe, and another year of basically the same team and CU is definitely moving in the right direction. The Buffs aren't just playing out season, they have some legitimate things to play for, and the normally patient Jeff Bzdelik is right for calling out anyone who can't see that.
No comments:
Post a Comment