MBB Taking a Breath

We've hit the bye week, no game tomorrow.  I think it's a good time to look at the success we are having and put it in a little context.  Because we are seeing something we have not seen in a long time at Bowling Green, and something we hope can continue.

The Falcons are 19-7.  That's (obviously) one win from 20.  That would put BG over 20 for two straight seasons.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1949...a team that was ranked #10 in the AP Poll.

Many of you know that I tend to use the WVU year as a dividing line for our program.  Not that WVU caused what followed, but it's a clear line in the geologic record.  When WVU happens, we are 24-9 and feeling robbed of an at-large bid.

Since then, in 17 seasons coming into this year

• Four winning seasons
• No (ZERO) back to back winning seasons
• One MAC Final appearance (last year)
• Two 20-win seasons (one last year)
• Two tournament byes (one last year)
• One regular season title

It's just a sad story.  That's 15 years where this program simply lagged behind the others in our conference.

In the last two years:

• Our first back to back winning seasons, overall and in the MAC.
• As mentioned, back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 70 years (with one more win)

Just wanted to put this out there to make this point:  we might or might not make the Dance.  This system is just cruel.  Everything has to go right.  All the tumblers have to fall into place.  Look at the injury UT had one year.  Or the half-court Miami shot.  It is just very difficult.

But, and here's the key point, our program is as good as it has been in 20 years.  We've finally rebuilt the program.  We are continuing to recruit well.  What we need is a program that is consistently relevant in the MAC...and then we'll get there.

Not saying we won't make it this year.  I think we have as good a shot as anyone--possibly except Akron, who present matchup issues for us.  Looking forward to seeing a rematch.

We all want to make it so bad.  But, we have waited a long time to even be competitive again, and we should enjoy this team at that level, too.