XU couldc mentor UD, or spilt milk

[Wampus]

The retrospective from the pundits regarding the crucifixion at Cintas last night prompts some thoughts of the not too distant past of our beloved Musketeers.

I believe it was just two short seasons ago. You remember. In late January, starting center Thornton goes down with a season and career ending injury. Mid-February, Finn is discharged from the team. Do not reacll the reason. But though he protested at the time and his father threatened law suit, XU did not budge from its high standards. My friends at UC and UD and other dens of ignorance about the core values of the Jesuits asserted all sorts of postulations about why. They were as meaningless as my theory: he got a grade of "B" in Metaphysics or Epistomoligy.

Back to the relevance of last night's game and our experience of a couple of short years ago. Coach Miller assessed the strengths of his remaining players/substitutes and spent a week or so redesigning his team around those strengths. Of course that is the year we swept four straight in the A-10 ntournament to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, as usual. No whining or carping about what a dirty hand fate had handed us. The focus on solutions to the problem paid off again. Disciplined planning, analysis, focus, dedication to excellence, all traits of the Jesuit experience, again produced desireable results.

Listen up UD. Take a cue from the XU book of life. Buck it up or get ready for a series of thumpings, one of which will be by our Beloved Musketeers in a couple of weeks on your own front porch. Sound mind and sound body, the Jesuits always said. Imitate us, UD and improve, and please, please give us a game in a couple of weeks.
We lost ground last night because of your lethargy and self indulgent pity. Grow up, work at it, and be more competitive. It will be more fun for all of us.

[passthepuck?]

Great post, great idea but UD is an MCC team (one player and 9 stiffs). When Coach Gregory looks down the bench he does not see two Justins, Johnny, Stanley and all of a sudden Cole. He sees Binnie. No wonder his hair is gray.

[D West]

Great post! This difficult decision brought Johnny Wolf to the point position and the rest is history.

Nobody thought they could reinvent the team with the loss of these two starters and they were a better team at the end of the season because of Coach Miller.

I don't think Dayton has the depth to rise from the ashes and I know they don't have the coach to drive it.

[bigperm]

Nicely stated. Thorton was in the mix for A10 player of the year.

Four wins in a row at US Bank with the final game knocking out Lee and Carroll of St. Joes. Cage dominated.

[xuhuh!]

will ud stay in the big A10, or drop down to a more competitive league???

[xudash]

Great post!

I remember Thornton going down during the LaSalle game - I actually made it to that game. Another among many reasons that LaSalle should be booted from the league.

[Wampus]

You are so right, Bigperm. St. Joe's was the victim that night in a fiery contest. We wil not be able to repeat this year though as we are likely to get the number one seed.

The UD whine and quit are not acceptable. Speaking of whines, How about Bob "Slippery" Thuggins whine about the eminently correct zebra call in their game this weekend. Perhaps he is better at something than class and articulation of the rules of the sport. W. Va should never have been in the position where they let another team come that close in their own home. XU blisters Georgetown by double digits at the Cintas.

Take a bow, Bob. Preferably out!

[bigperm]

UDump doesn't have the swagger it takes to elevate their program from a mid major status. The committee will certainly take this into consideration.

[muskieman]

Hey didn't dayton go to the finals about 100 years ago. They are like the little brother that can not learn or will not learn from his big brother.

[bigperm]

Actually, the more I think about this, UD may have won the finals back in the 80's. Midwestern Collegiate Conf. Finals that is.