Look who's back in the hunt after being left for dead

[Mr. Neutral]

<<And you have never given Sean any leeway, >.

Absolutely untrue. I have complimented Miller, the rest of the coaching staff, and the team time and time again this year, probably more than I ever have in my life. You just see what you want to see.

What I haven't done is deify Miller because I think (1) we underachieved in his first year, (2) we gagged against Gonzaga, and (3) we really gagged against OSU. Sure, a lot of that is on the players, but some of it has to be on the coaching staff as well. And if guys on this board can go back 4 years and criticize Matta for not getting Myles out of the Duke game fast enough, then Sean's got to take his share of the heat for the heartbreaking NCAA losses the last two years in which X had big leads and kicked them away.

If we go out early this year (and Lavender is healthy), some questions will be asked as well. I, for one, think it's 50-50 we'll get past the first weekend.

[X Factor]

So you think Sean and his team underachieved in his first as a head coach, but you don't think Thad and his team has underachieved this year with more talent than Sean had in '05?

Were you ever critical of Thad when he was here?

I don't remember you bashing Matta after getting bounced in '03 in the 2nd rd as a 3 seed.

[Mr. Neutral]

Yes, I do think Sean underachieved in his first year, and you can argue that Matta has as well this year. My issue is with guys who look at what OSU has done this year and jump to the silly conclusion that it means he can't coach, or that he was never that good. Now THAT'S a dumb conclusion to come to.

I don't think I was too upset when we lost to Oklahoma in '02 as they did go to the Final Four, and I thought it was a good learning experience for X.

I was pissed at the '03 loss to Maryland, but I was more ticked at the players as I felt they had panicked at seeing "Maryland" on the front of the uniform, and that it took them 20 minutes to realize how hard they had to play to beat a good Big Six team. Over the years, I've seen X team after X team panic when facing a Big Six team they could otherwise beat. Other fans/posters took issue with how Matta coached in that game, and I respect their opinions, even if I see it differently.

[gsweeney]

I'd like to thank Mr. Neutral for stirring the pot a little on MM.

Lately with the unprecedented regular season success achieved by Coach Miller and his team the topics on the board have become shall we say pedestrian.

Frankly I have'nt payed much attention to what's going on in Columbus since its been so enjoyable watching the growth of the 2007/2008 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champs.

[gsweeney]

Yes, I do think Sean underachieved in his first year, and you can argue that Matta has as well this year. My issue is with guys who look at what OSU has done this year and jump to the silly conclusion that it means he can't coach, or that he was never that good. Now THAT'S a dumb conclusion to come to.

I don't think I was too upset when we lost to Oklahoma in '02 as they did go to the Final Four, and I thought it was a good learning experience for X.

I was pissed at the '03 loss to Maryland, but I was more ticked at the players as I felt they had panicked at seeing "Maryland" on the front of the uniform, and that it took them 20 minutes to realize how hard they had to play to beat a good Big Six team. Over the years, I've seen X team after X team panic when facing a Big Six team they could otherwise beat. Other fans/posters took issue with how Matta coached in that game, and I respect their opinions, even if I see it differently.

Isn't it part of a coaching staffs responsibility to assure his their team isn't intimidated by an opponents name or league affiliation?

[Mr. Neutral]

Oddly enough, I wasn't even trying to stir the pot. I just thought it was interesting that two high-profile, nearby programs had fought their way back into consideration for the NCAA after being on the outside looking in only a few weeks ago. Like many topics, it evolved into a pissing match without starting out as one.

[gsweeney]

Intentional or not a good pissing match is far more entertaining than most of the usual mundane topics. Thanks again.