Not too High, Not too Low

[krs84]

Pre-conference is done. Two losses in pre-conference is a good achievement, but not spectacular. In hindsight most would agree that it could have been only one loss.

My point is this is where Purdue Basketball SHOULD be almost every year. This place SHOULD be an expectation. Based on its tradition, Purdue Basketball should be considered a blueblood program. Fans and alums should reasonably expect performance similar to this most years. Most Big Ten Conference Champs (OK we're tied with our less intelligent neighbors to the South), all-time winning records against 12 of the 13 other conference members, and head-to-head historical domination of said neighbors should give all supporters a platform from which to view a truly elite program. I credit CMP for getting the program to this point - a place that Coach Keady was able to maintain during most of the late 80's and 90's. I am happy, but not too happy, that the program is where it is at currently.

The challenge now is where to go from here. The current team lacks depth with only 8.5 healthy scholarship players for the Big Ten and NCAA Tourney drive. One key injury could make the wheels fall off. - - That could happen.- - and if it does it becomes important to not get too negative. I do worry about minutes logged by this group and tired legs in late February and March.

On the other hand, this group has the potential to leave an important legacy that could change Purdue Basketball's image the rest of the basketball world and more importantly to the general public and to potential elite recruits similar to Caleb Swanigan. Swanigan's determination and ability to elevate those around him gives this group some chutzpah that previous CMP teams have lacked. If the cards fall right, this group could make it to Phoenix. Swanigan is gone at season's end, but could leave a lasting legacy. Regardless of outcome, we all must be believers - - optimism (as a life-long Boilermaker I know it's hard) has to rule the day - - it's the only way to get people who don't know about Purdue Basketball to eventually not be surprised to have seasons like this one become the norm. It's a place where everyone on this board desires Purdue Basketball to reside.

 

[Boiler Buck]

Pre-conference is done. Two losses in pre-conference is a good achievement, but not spectacular. In hindsight most would agree that it could have been only one loss.

My point is this is where Purdue Basketball SHOULD be almost every year. This place SHOULD be an expectation. Based on its tradition,

Well, a 2 loss or better pre-conference has only happened 9 times since 1980....I think?....so it is quite a bit less than almost every year....like you claim. Thus I am not certain this 2 loss or less is a tradition. iSo if your premise is off....the rest wasn't worth reading.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

It's what the team does that makes the difference. Not my optimism or lack thereof. I had Purdue in my FF in our office pool last year. Some of the Wisky fans in our pool has us out in the 1st round. One of them won the pool. My optimism didn't help much, unfortunately.

 

[TC4THREE]

Frankly I'm less concerned about the number of losses in nonconference as I am having opportunities for the team to improve. We could easily schedule our WY to 10-2 every year. See Rutgers this season. But we need opportunities to face teams as good or better than us. That's how you get better. I liked our nonconference schedule this year OK but I wouldn't have minded another ranked opponent and maybe a stronger instate opponent (like Valpo) in place of one of the trash opponents we just played. Maybe that costs us another loss but I think there's so much more value in those games than beating up on Norfolk State.