A Relief

Renz · March 15th, 2009, 10:19 AM

If the Cats' NCAA tournament streak ends at 24, and it most likely will, I am okay with it. As an alumnus, I wanted to see the streak go on, but the more I think about it, the better off I feel the program will be if it ends today.

The streak has been more of a burden than anything else the last few years. As some others have said, it will be better for the new coach going forward not having it hanging over his head to keep the streak alive.

UofA basketball used to be defined by PAC-10 titles and Final Four appearances. The new coaching staff needs to concentrate on getting the program back to that level and not just trying to get invited to the tourney.

So if it ends, it was a great run, one of the best ever. Something to look back on with pride, but a streak whose time has come.

BEAR DOWN!

Chaz · March 15th, 2009, 03:43 PM

The streak lives.

Lefty · March 15th, 2009, 09:20 PM

25!!! I can't believe it but I will take it. I'm happy for the coaching staff. They were put in a very hard situation and they made the most of it. A huge difference than a year ago with KO.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 15th, 2009, 09:31 PM

25 in a row! Thought we had no chance especially after MSU won the SEC automatic bid today.

arthurracoon · March 15th, 2009, 10:08 PM

I wasnt planning on watching the selection show, but I was flipping channels at the time and saw Arizona's name flash on the board...That was awesome!

IAWarnerFan · March 15th, 2009, 10:14 PM

I was totally shocked. So shocked in fact that I was so certain the Cats wouldn't be in this year that I didn't bother even watching the selection show. Hopefully they can use this to finish the season off right.

GO

!

HooverDam · March 16th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Congrats to UA, I can't believe it. I feel like they got in on name recognition mostly, but I guess I'm glad the Pac 10 will get some extra money.

Renz · March 16th, 2009, 06:03 AM

I wasn't going to watch the selection show either, but someone turned it on where I having lunch. Stunning. I thought they had no chance after USC won the PAC-10 tournament.

I'm happy for the players and coaches, who now won't be saddled with the stigma of ending the streak. Hopefully they will play well.

Gaddabout · March 16th, 2009, 07:24 AM

Congratulations! UA certainly deserved it over some other teams that are bitching and moaning right now. Good road wins and you broke even in a very balanced, competitive major conference. I even think Arizona might have a better chance coming out of the first two rounds than ASU (Don't see any way we get by Syracuse ... yeesh ... no favors there with the six seed).

DWKB · March 16th, 2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaddabout

Congratulations! UA certainly deserved it over some other teams that are bitching and moaning right now. Good road wins and you broke even in a very balanced, competitive major conference.

What good road wins did UofA have? They had some good wins, but none of them were on the road. UofA didn't beat anyone of significance on the road and it was one of the major negatives in their tournament resume.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 16th, 2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWKB

What good road wins did UofA have? They had some good wins, but none of them were on the road. UofA didn't beat anyone of significance on the road and it was one of the major negatives in their tournament resume.

What quality road wins did St. Mary's and Creighton have?

I didn't think Arizona was going to make it but looking at their resume compared to the other bubble teams you can make a pretty good point for them. If anybody has a gripe it should be SDSU but then again they got destroyed by UA earlier this year.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 16th, 2009, 08:26 AM

I'd also like to add that people are underrating Utah, the Utes are a solid, veteran squad that won the MWC. Yeah they have some athleticism issues but all of them have been playing together for years and have tremendous hoops IQ's.

DWKB · March 16th, 2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaoTosiFanClub

What quality road wins did St. Mary's and Creighton have?

...and this has absolutely nothing to do with Gadd commenting on UofA having good road wins. Hell, KU's only good road win is against a Griffin-less OU, but that doesn't have anything to do with it either. So what's your point?

Arizona's Finest · March 16th, 2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWKB

What good road wins did UofA have? They had some good wins, but none of them were on the road. UofA didn't beat anyone of significance on the road and it was one of the major negatives in their tournament resume.

Sour grapes much? Maybe you aren't happy to see us on your side of the bracket?

I am okay with people saying we got in by reputation. Fact is we beat quality teams out of conference and in, have NBA talent, and we EARNED that reputation.

So everyone can cry and moan all they want. No one will argue we were borderline but there are plenty of other brand name schools who didn't get to even borderline to allow the residue of past success to potentially pay off. Kentucky, Florida, or Indiana anyone?

I am just glad we got in. Now if maybe we can reverse what we have done the lat 5 years and actually overachieve in the tourney the only team I see as a no win situation is Louisville. Lord knows we already beat the #3 seed.

Arizona's Finest · March 16th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWKB

...and this has absolutely nothing to do with Gadd commenting on UofA having good road wins. Hell, KU's only good road win is against a Griffin-less OU, but that doesn't have anything to do with it either. So what's your point?

Road wins are important but not everything in terms of an indicator of tournament success. Keep in mind we beat Gonzaga on a neutral floor (as neutral as PHX gets at least) and we played all the top conference teams close at their home save UCLA who we later beat.

If anything I would think you would be one of our biggest supporters with how we played you guys when we were firing on all cylinders.