Gilstrap

[mplscyclone]

It would be fun to average 5 losses a year, or even less. Not sure less is really possible in basketball, but you know, it would be fun!

Less is definatley possible but it'd be tough to do. I agree that a goal for this program is to have years where we don't have double digit losses. Really, if your win total is in the mid 20s, that's a good year.

[CycloneErik]

Less is definatley possible but it'd be tough to do. I agree that a goal for this program is to have years where we don't have double digit losses. Really, if your win total is in the mid 20s, that's a good year.

Well put. I'd take 25ish per year!

[Aclone]

Less is definatley possible but it'd be tough to do. I agree that a goal for this program is to have years where we don't have double digit losses. Really, if your win total is in the mid 20s, that's a good year.

Well, it's a good year if you aren't fluffing in up with 15 nonconference cupcakes.

[cycloneman003]

Well, it's a good year if you aren't fluffing in up with 15 nonconference cupcakes.

they all look the same in the win/loss columns... what we need right now is W's to attract big time recruits

[ajk4st8]

they all look the same in the win/loss columns... what we need right now is W's to attract big time recruits

Exactly. ANY W is what we need.... not just quality wins.

I wish football could take this approach instead of playing some of the non conf teams that we do. Look how TT built up. Played 4 powder puff teams every year.... got themselves into a bowl.... began to grow.

[Aclone]

Exactly. ANY W is what we need.... not just quality wins.

Apparently some of you guys don't get how "preparation" works. If you get fifteen wins against cupcake non conference foes, then your conference games are likely to be a buzzsaw, because it's such a step up in competition. And if you still manage to make it to the NCAA, well, that's even worse, because you haven't had practice at the tight mental focus, discipline and teamwork required before.

I wish football could take this approach instead of playing some of the non conf teams that we do. Look how TT built up. Played 4 powder puff teams every year.... got themselves into a bowl.... began to grow.

You mean, like Minnesota did this year?

they all look the same in the win/loss columns... what we need right now is W's to attract big time recruits

That's hardly what top recruits are looking for. They want to see that you're playing (and winning) tough interdivisional matchups, especially in front of a national audience. Look at either Memphis or Gonzaga. Either team plays a harsh nonconference schedule. They have to, because their conference schedule is weenie, especialy the Zags. And recruits eat it up. Look at Memphis. First Derrick Rose, then Tyreke Evans, and now Xavier Henry--taken out of the Big XII's back yard, for some God unknown reason.

I don't get it. Despite all of the talent, Memphis is on cruise control through the conference season. They don't have a realistic shot of stepping it up long enough to win the NCAA's. But top recruits keep going there...

Then there's also the fact that quality nonconference opponents are the ones that put butts in the seats, sell the season tickets...

[trajanJ]

I would say Memphis can step it up long enough to win the NCAA's. Two years ago they went to the Elite 8 and last year they were a free throw away from a National Championship. Memphis is a basketball first school in a city that plays in an NBA arena. There's a lot to like if you are a basketball player.

[Cydkar]

ISU's schedule is acceptable this year but won't be in the future. Next year's team should not require cupcakes to build confidence.

[clone52]

I hope we achieve more than his UNI teams.

I hope we become perenial final 4 contenders, Halle Berry decides to be my couger and my farts begin to smell like bubblegum.

I believe McDermott went to three straight NCAA tournaments, won 1 conference tournaments championships, got 2 at-large bids and finished near the top of the conference 3 straight years. If you wouldn't be happy with that kind of success at Iowa State, then you have a problem.

Sure, he did it in a smaller conference, but he also did it with a smaller fan base, a lesser recruiting pool to pull from, a smaller budget, lesser talent that what he "should" be able to bring to a major conference school and the UNI dome as a home court.

At this point, I'd be thrilled with 3 straight first round NCAA loses. Once we get to that point, I'll start complaining about the early exits.

[Topshelf]

Agreed, I would be thrilled to make the NCAA tourney.... 3 years in a row, then we can start complaining...

[tejasclone]

I hope we become perenial final 4 contenders, Halle Berry decides to be my couger and my farts begin to smell like bubblegum.

I believe McDermott went to three straight NCAA tournaments, won 1 conference tournaments championships, got 2 at-large bids and finished near the top of the conference 3 straight years. If you wouldn't be happy with that kind of success at Iowa State, then you have a problem.

Sure, he did it in a smaller conference, but he also did it with a smaller fan base, a lesser recruiting pool to pull from, a smaller budget, lesser talent that what he "should" be able to bring to a major conference school and the UNI dome as a home court.

At this point, I'd be thrilled with 3 straight first round NCAA loses. Once we get to that point, I'll start complaining about the early exits.

I agree with everything except Halle Berry. Yes, she'd be a good catch but you can probably aim higher.

[BryceC]

At this point, I'd be thrilled with 3 straight first round NCAA loses. Once we get to that point, I'll start complaining about the early exits.

I'd say the same thing now but we'd all probably be chirping after the third straight 1st round exit.

[StLouisClone]

At this point, I'd be thrilled with 3 straight first round NCAA loses. Once we get to that point, I'll start complaining about the early exits.

It's not like UNI played horrible either.

2004 : lost 65-60 to #3 seed Georgia Tech (national runnerup)

2005 : lost 57-52 to #6 seed Wisconsin (went to regional final)

2006 : lost 54-49 to #7 seed Georgetown (went to sweet 16)

[CyRocket]

Everyone has to realize that certain people are going to find fault with anything Coach Mac has done, is doing and will do. For some reason they would rather see him fail than ISU succeed. Thats a shame for someone who poses as a ISU fan.

[djkent01]

I hope Halle Berry decides to be my couger.

Forget that. I'd much rather have Jennifer Connelly become my trophy wife.