ACE Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I have a feeling the legend of Conklin will grow over time. For those who love RM's Andre Miller stories, I think we'll be hearing more Conklin stories in the future. I love the term "Conklin summer" and am encouraged that a guy like Cody seems ready to embrace it. Also, great to see KM willing to step up in the leadership department. I think that might be the toughest thing about Conklin to replace. Take a look NB73, yet another good article from the socialists about the Bills. http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/slu/conklin-cassity-bid-slu-adieu/article_757ffd8d-ed9e-50dc-ae8d-799312e9bc7d.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 KM was the undisputed leader his SO year. I think coming off the you know what and the fact that BC and KC were seniors who were driven to make the dance, he deferred to them. He's already stated that's his goal over the summer, to stop being Mr. Nice guy and spur these guys on to another dance and a deep run. These guys will feed off this experience and their work ethic will improve over the summer. It was good to play the Sparty's because now they know they're not that far away from what it takes to compete at this level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 KM was the undisputed leader his SO year. I think coming off the you know what and the fact that BC and KC were seniors who were driven to make the dance, he deferred to them. He's already stated that's his goal over the summer, to stop being Mr. Nice guy and spur these guys on to another dance and a deep run. These guys will feed off this experience and their work ethic will improve over the summer. It was good to play the Sparty's because now they know they're not that far away from what it takes to compete at this level. I believe we are there...our flight might have been delayed a bit, but we're on the runway and ready to takeoff. Heck, there are 67 teams in the NCAA Tournament who will walk away without cutting down the nets and we took the regular season B1G champs to the wire. Phenomenal. We might not have had our Lake Placid moment, but we're at a point in the history of our great program that we no longer need to rely on Miracles. We have a strong and elite program and we have elite fans! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACE Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 I believe we are there...our flight might have been delayed a bit, but we're on the runway and ready to takeoff. Heck, there are 67 teams in the NCAA Tournament who will walk away without cutting down the nets and we took the regular season B1G champs to the wire. Phenomenal. We might not have had our Lake Placid moment, but we're at a point in the history of our great program that we no longer need to rely on Miracles. We have a strong and elite program and we have elite fans! Excellent post Metz. There was nothing flukey about our performance. MSU was physical, but they certainly didn't push us around. We shot like crap, yet were still right in the game. Every time we made a run, Green made a big play. He was a one man team. If we hit just a few of those open 3 looks in the first half, I think we win the game. KM took a nice looking 3 on the first shot of the game, but it didn't go down. If that one goes down, who knows, maybe our 3-point shooting gets hot throughout the game. Cody in particular was disappointing in that game. This was a great experience and our team should be well prepared for a deep run next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taj79 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I agree w/Metz. We made it. Now begins the first step in sustainability. Can we maintain and for how long? I think so. Everyone seems to be in agreement that we will be even better next year (although I personally have that one minor issue that needs to be dealt with). It's just a matter of show me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kshoe Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 To be considered a top 25 program you have to do it year in and year out. We had a great year this year and I expect next year to be better but we need to sustain this for a while before we can legitimately claim to be elite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextYearBill Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 "Brian Conklin's postgame news conference after Saint Louis lost to Michigan State was the type of genuine emotion that comes at the end of a grueling season. Rick Majerus is a demanding coach, but he's also incredibly loyal and has resuscitated the Billikens program. You can tell how loyal his players are to him not just by their words but also by how well they follow his game plan." -Andy Katz tourney recap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy two times Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 To be considered a top 25 program you have to do it year in and year out. We had a great year this year and I expect next year to be better but we need to sustain this for a while before we can legitimately claim to be elite. Exactly. An elite program is one that is in the conversation year in and year out and is expected to be a force to contend with before the ball even goes up. The fact is, if we miss the tournament the next two years then this year will be rendered a nice memory and that's it. I think we're all excited and taking the loss to MSU so well because this year represents more than that: it's a clear cut opportunity to serve as the springboard for a sustained run that will lift our program up one or two levels. A program that is well known on a national level, a program recruits want to be a part of before they ever hear from us. Again, use the example of Gonzaga from however many years ago it was. Or take a look at Marquette right now...why can't we be Marquette? We aren't there yet. We were an elite team on March 18th, 2012, perhaps a top 12-15 team in the country, but to truly be an elite program, it means you can look back at sustained success, visibility over at least 3-5 years and the name itself almost represents a brand outside of your present success. You know what? I kind of like it this way...if we do get there (and I think we will), how much will we all have enjoyed the process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 To be considered a top 25 program you have to do it year in and year out. We had a great year this year and I expect next year to be better but we need to sustain this for a while before we can legitimately claim to be elite. We're a long way from elite and may never crash that circle as there really are only around 10 programs that can be considered "elite". I'll take solid competitor every year. I'd love to be a Zaga, X, Marquette who now consider making the dance a birthright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taj79 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 My measure --- in the dance seven out of every ten years. The other three in the discussion, with settlinbg for the NIT or others ONLY iof we want to. In bviblical terms, we were just handed a fish. It was sooooooo good and we feasted on it like there was no tomorrow. But we haven't learned how to fish. Not just yet. I also like kshoe's new word ---- sustain. I think I'll try and use that somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonwich Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 So to put it in trendy food terms, Taj, we have to learn how to fish sustainably, huh? (The above is the forum-post equivalent of a hanging curveball. I will be somewhat dismayed if no one hits it out of the park.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Pine Jim Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 So to put it in trendy food terms, Taj, we have to learn how to fish sustainably, huh? (The above is the forum-post equivalent of a hanging curveball. I will be somewhat dismayed if no one hits it out of the park.) I would prefer that Keith Carter learn to dish sustainably, no, joe ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy two times Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 We're a long way from elite and may never crash that circle as there really are only around 10 programs that can be considered "elite". I'll take solid competitor every year. I'd love to be a Zaga, X, Marquette who now consider making the dance a birthright. Agree. Kansas, UNC, Duke, Kentucky, etc...those schools are brands. If Duke went 0-30 next year, kids would still clamor to play for Duke. Those are elite programs. I don't know what you would call the program we want to be...whatever Marquette or something like that is. Top Tier? Whatever...I just want to be in the tournament all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARon Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 We will have reached the pinnacle of becoming a successful program, a brand, when/if we make the tournament post-Majerus. Better yet, post-Majerus's last recruiting class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARon Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 "Brian Conklin's postgame news conference after Saint Louis lost to Michigan State was the type of genuine emotion that comes at the end of a grueling season. Rick Majerus is a demanding coach, but he's also incredibly loyal and has resuscitated the Billikens program. You can tell how loyal his players are to him not just by their words but also by how well they follow his game plan." -Andy Katz tourney recap That clip of Brian could be such a powerful recruiting tool. Especially for selling Majerus to recruits' parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billsrmajic Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 We will have reached the pinnacle of becoming a successful program, a brand, when/if we make the tournament post-Majerus. Better yet, post-Majerus's last recruiting class. This is a great point. For example, see Utah post-Majerus. Rick's last year was 2004. The Utes made the tournament in 2005 with Andrew Bogut. They have made it once since. This year they were 6-25 overall, and 3-15 in conference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billsrmajic Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 That clip of Brian could be such a powerful recruiting tool. Especially for selling Majerus to recruits' parents. Yeah, Rick should bring an iPad with him to recruit's homes and play that - if he knew how to use an iPad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schasz Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 We're a long way from elite and may never crash that circle as there really are only around 10 programs that can be considered "elite". I'll take solid competitor every year. I'd love to be a Zaga, X, Marquette who now consider making the dance a birthright.Elite teams re-load! Agree we are not there and would like to get in the company of the other Jesuit schools you mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majerus mojo Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Exactly. An elite program is one that is in the conversation year in and year out and is expected to be a force to contend with before the ball even goes up. The fact is, if we miss the tournament the next two years then this year will be rendered a nice memory and that's it. There is no way this team will be even close to missing the dance the next two years. I understand this is a hypothetical statement, but this team, IMO, is set to peak with DE, JJ, RL, & MM as seniors. The loss of KM (CE, CR) will be tough after 12-13, but we'll just have so many guys still around, and continuing to improve. Hell, if KC and the current freshmen are as good as Rick advertises, we could be even better than that in 14-15, but I won't get too far ahead of myself. I've been binging on Blue Kool-Aid all season and finally overdosed this weekend when Rick pulled out his "JUST TRY AND OUT-COACH ME" balls vs. Memphis & State (Other close calls: Washington & X @ the Chaif). He has this program headed for great, great things. We will have reached the pinnacle of becoming a successful program, a brand, when/if we make the tournament post-Majerus. Better yet, post-Majerus's last recruiting class. But with all that being said, THIS is the key. Whoever we hire after Rick will be monumental in keeping the program's success afloat. Maybe we could even keep Majerus on in an advisory role of some sort, whatever he can do as his age/health gets up there. Would prefer not to think about this scenario for another 4-5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majerus mojo Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Also "Conklin Summer" might be my new favorite phrase, of all-time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy two times Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 There is no way this team will be even close to missing the dance the next two years. I understand this is a hypothetical statement, but this team, IMO, is set to peak with DE, JJ, RL, & MM as seniors. The loss of KM (CE, CR) will be tough after 12-13, but we'll just have so many guys still around, and continuing to improve. Hell, if KC and the current freshmen are as good as Rick advertises, we could be even better than that in 14-15, but I won't get too far ahead of myself. I've been binging on Blue Kool-Aid all season and finally overdosed this weekend when Rick pulled out his "JUST TRY AND OUT-COACH ME" balls vs. Memphis & State (Other close calls: Washington & X @ the Chaif). He has this program headed for great, great things. Look, I agree in principle, but nothing is a given, things change and you don't win anything on paper. We SHOULD be there, but the guys have to take this one game at a time all over again starting next year. You can't look too far ahead or take things for granted...that's how losses to Rhode Island happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyRican Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 No way does the Conklin Summer compare to the Scummer of Smesterhiede '03. It's still good though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Box and Won Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Whatever our boys do during the offseason, none of them better have a Sekeue Summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 C'mon Box, Lay off Sekeue already. The only thing we REALLY don't need is a ReedSmifJJ summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiseAndGrind Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 C'mon Box, Lay off Sekeue already. The only thing we REALLY don't need is a ReedSmifJJ summer I dunno about you guys but I can't wait to have an Obi Summer at Bogarts. This new meme has so much potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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