ADVERTISEMENT

Success Stories?

I’m absolutely not holding out hope that Stoops turns this around. However, I was trying to think back if an analogous situation has ever been turned around.

I’m talking total fan animosity, losing recruits, noticeable decline in on the field product, etc. but then the ship gets righted and the program at least stabilizes, if not ascends.

I honestly can’t think of a single example, but am open to any info.


I would exclude coaches in the first three or so years, since those bad situations early on are usually out of their control

The SEC Has 12 Teams With 0 Or 1 Loss At This Point In The Season

The next 3 teams have 2 losses and the last one has 3. I can't recall this many teams doing this well to start the season. Still about 3 or 4 head scratching losses, but not nearly as many as the conference used to lose.

Definitely going to be a huge battle this season. Losses to each other won't hurt near as much with how highly we are all ranked. I could see a number of 7+ loss teams get high tournament seeds and a few 10+ still getting bids. I'm guessing the conference champ will still have around 6 or 7 losses.

Confidence level

Should be sky high for the team:
A true road win vs a top 10 team and a perennial power.
Down 16 at the half.
Starting point guard, and in my opinion the team’s most important player, out with an injury.
Back up point guard goes out.
Your 3 slides to point.

But most importantly, the players should have great confidence in their coach.

What's with all the doom and gloom?

I really don't understand the majority of the posts on here tonight. Yes, we lost and yes I could even give you that we played like shit but it's one game. I think almost anyone would take a 7-1 record before the season started. Why are we this upset over our first loss? Can't we just say it was a bad game and be happy where we are at? Why do we have to attack our new head coach and the players when they have far exceeded expectations so far in the season.

Actual Impact Talent vs. Familiar Names

I've seen a lot of overreactions to players transferring that had zero positive production for our bad team (i.e. Dingle). It feels like some people are just reacting to names they've recognized from catching one pass or making one tackle over the last three years versus reacting to exits that will actually hurt because that player was impactful. No one leaving from a 4-8 team has a 10/10 "sting factor" unless they were the star quarterback (which we didn't have).

I've also seen references to us having MAC-level talent next year just because Barion or Dane have transferred. I think quite a few people are forgetting the talent depth up and down this roster (especially on defense). Or they've forgotten what a MAC roster actually looks like in terms of talent.

Now for the disclaimer: I don't trust Stoops will figure it out in any one year span. He's too paid and too stubborn at this point. But if he learned a lesson from coddling the divas, maybe he can take the next year or two to right the ship on the culture that will allow for a more stable program to be inherited by the next coach.
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT