Old guy

I really dislike making this comment. We are ranked 185 by Team Rankings, with a good reason, only Duquesne has had more losses playing in the A10 conference than us, we are at 1-4 win/loss in conference, Duquesne is at 0-5. I have absolutely not a doubt, as your computer reports, that we have the capability to be even or close to even with Davidson. However, I believe all depends on whether we play like we did against Dayton, or whether we like we did against VCU. The team that played against Dayton had the motivation to try its best to win regardless of how much pain the individual players suffered during the game, the team that played against VCU did not. I think this is something that we will see again in the remaining games of this season. I am on record in your prior threads as to how I link this lack of motivation has become the way our team is playing.

Of course the computer, yours and everyone else's, cannot access items like morale of the team or determination to face whatever comes in order to win. So, what you have is a discrepancy between what the team can be expected to achieve, and what it actually does achieve. Everybody should reach their own conclusions, but as far as I am concerned, I think the team's morale is low.

I posted this in the Wiz thread for this game but I think it is valid to post it here again. From the Wiz's thread. "This game could have gone much better than it did, we could kat least have lost by a lower number. As it was, the way I saw it, there was no intention in the part of our team to risk significant injury in order to win this game. I really have no idea what Ford told them at the halftime, whatever it was, it did not work. I did not stick around to hear what Ford said after the game. We lost by 24 points against VCU, the will/desire to win was just not there against VCU. Again, this is my opinion. I think the kind words Ford had for the team after losing by 5 points against Dayton at Dayton, may have had a whole lot to do with the outcome tonight. They tried their very best and came very close to win that time, not so at this time. A Bomb may disagree with me here, but loyalty of the troops (the team in this case) is not gained by berating them after a failed major effort to win. I was never in combat, it may be different when this is the case."

This game could have gone much better than it did, we could have lost by a lower number. As it was, the way I saw it, there was no intention in the part of our team to risk injury in order to win this game. I really have no idea what Ford told them at the halftime, whatever it was, it did not work. I did not stick around to hear what Ford said after the game. We lost by 24 points against VCU, the will/desire to win was just not there against VCU. Again, this is my opinion. I think the kind words Ford had for the team after losing by 5 points against Dayton at Dayton, may have had a whole lot to do with the outcome tonight. A Bomb may disagree with me here, but loyalty of the troops (the team in this case) is not gained by berating them after a failed major effort to win. I was never in combat, it may be different in this kind of situation.

This is my post. From my point of view, SLU's team made a great and incredible effort to win this game and wound up losing by only 5. They just could not beat Dayton at their home, which really was not expected to happen. I thought they made their best effort and lost by only 5 pts because it was Dayton at their home arena. I thought they did all they really could, and deserved great praise and honor from Ford. After all, some things cannot be achieved. The effort was there. I did not see the game but listened to it. I cannot fathom why Ford decided to blame their poor effort in his post game talk. THIS WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT OF A WEAK TEAM AGAINST A SUPERIOR OPPONENT. Ford lost a great opportunity to be able to ask the team for greater effort

I saw the video of Ahearn and liked it a LOT. I think it would be a very good selection for HC at SLU. Videos like this one do not happen by chance, they are made for a purpose, and absolutely no move this man makes is done without the knowledge and approval of his agent. I find it is possible that he is looking for a HC position here. Look, it is like buying a ticket to the power ball when the prize is huge, why not give it a try? And unless you try whatever message is contained in this video will be left untested, which I would consider a very bad idea.

OK, that may indeed have been what happened, but it is none of our business to deal with the mistakes of others, just to take advantage of them. This may well have been the case. I tell you all that I have been watching lots of college basketball lately. We just cannot play at the level of someone like Maryland or Kentucky, period.

Parker is most certainly "not bacK." The three minutes he played may indeed have done more damage to his foot's recovery than anything it accomplished.

I still do not understand how we managed to beat St. Joe. I think you are entirely correct in your estimate.

As far as Yuri Collins goes, I think Ford gave him way to much freedom in the court which lead to losses. That is my opinion. As far as how good Yuri really was, I would suggest to follow his professional career and let the NBA to decide whether he belongs in their ranks like Goodwin, or not. I wish him well, but do not see the utility of discussing what is water under the bridge.

Who knows what the real result of this particular game will be. Dr. Chaifetz apparently expects a good outcome, or at least a reasonably good outcome. I think it all depends upon what the nature of Parker's injury really and how fully healed it is.

I am not trying to rain in anyone's party. Team rankings released their Vegas inspired projections and gives it to St. Joe's by 4. Again, I agree that anyone could be the actual winner. However the discrepancy in the two set of projections may be useful for those of you that like to bet.

Wiz, your estimate favoring SLU over St. Joe by two points basically states that either team can win this coming game. Surprisingly team rankings has not published the Vegas inspired odds yet, the game is tomorrow.

I have been in the same fire Ford group for a long time. So what, that is the way things were, are and will be. I have been watching a LOT of college basketball on TV and honestly do not think we can hope to win against any number of opponents. I think this season we will play until we are eliminated at the conference's tournament, or perhaps before the conference tournament, and that will be it for this season.

I know there are people who go around looking for the most favorable estimate predictions of wins and losses for the rest of conference play. This is not a good idea. It is best to stick to a single system and see how they evolve. Team Rankings has SLU at this time at the very bottom of the A10. They estimate an overall 10 wins - 7 losses for the conference. Our probability of winning the A10 outright is given as 0.1%. So, let's be reasonably and abandon all hope for post conference tournament play, they are plainly non existent.

One thing is as clear as it can be is that if the only reliable, available, non injured players in the team are Jimerson ad TJ we will go nowhere regardless.

I agree that we are highly unlikely go beyond the conference play and tournament this year. In my opinion, the early loss of Parker ended the season for SLU. We will see what actually happens

I was watching MVC hoops

OK guys, I have been watching a lot of basketball lately. Today I watched a fair amount taking place as part of the Missouri Valley Conference. I can tell you without the slightest doubt that SLU at if present level cannot compete against Bradley or Memphis, period.

Enjoy everybody

Enjoy everybody

Things are the way they are. There is no point in being bitter and upset about something that we have no control over. You do the best you can with the resources available to you and that is the way it has to be. Dreams are dreams, not reality. I think the IVYs make enough income to compete with the power schools but I just do not think they are particularly interested in spending tons of money in sports.

You plainly cannot estimate a time table unless you know what bone/bones were broken, and when they are doing the surgery. See if you can find out. The worst the fracture the less likely you will be able to find adequate information.

We keep on sinking slowly in the quicksand. Our TR ranking went down to 153 after last night's loss. They project that we will win 14.6 games and lose 16.4 games for the OOC and Conference games, not counting the conference tournament. We were as low as 114 before the beginning of the season. I think the options for after the conference tournament are zip.