We accomplished something big tonight; the Tribe has now guaranteed back-to-back winning seasons in basketball. The last time that happened was under Bruce Parkhill in the 1980-81, 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons.

Sometimes I think we get so focused on making the NCAA Tournament we overlook any success short of that goal. I'm not saying we should settle for "merely" winning seasons. I am saying that a program that consistently wins is more fun to follow, has a more rabid fan base and has a greater chance of winning the CAA Tournament than one that doesn't.

I consider this a significant milestone that should be celebrated. (I am sorry if this was emphasized during the radio broadcast, making this a redundant comment. We had out-of-town guests and I couldn't watch/listen.)

Great post. If we do make the tournament Tony is making damn sure that it isn't a fluke or a one time occurance

The last two posts have hit the bullseye.

The big difference now is the high level of ability throughout the entire roster...quality players
throughout that generate winning teams year after year.

Even with Marcus gone next season the depth of this team, the quality of an entire bench that might have started in years past shows the progression of talent here.

Just look at the talent coming back next season...surely a third winning season in a row
would be remarkable at W&M.

A sure sign: when we lose recruiting battles now it's to the likes of Georgetown..not Coastal Carolina!

I'm looking forward to the day kids choose the Tribe over Georgetown, Davidson, or Vanderbilt. That's probably a little far fetched. My goal is to beat out the Patriots & Ivies for the academic minded recruits. Princeton, Dartmouth, & Lehigh have all recently beat us out on desired recruits. That chafes me. I want w&m to be the go to destination for academic mid majors.

(02-11-2015 11:17 PM)tribeinexile Wrote:  We accomplished something big tonight; the Tribe has now guaranteed back-to-back winning seasons in basketball. The last time that happened was under Bruce Parkhill in the 1980-81, 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons.

Sometimes I think we get so focused on making the NCAA Tournament we overlook any success short of that goal. I'm not saying we should settle for "merely" winning seasons. I am saying that a program that consistently wins is more fun to follow, has a more rabid fan base and has a greater chance of winning the CAA Tournament than one that doesn't.

I consider this a significant milestone that should be celebrated. (I am sorry if this was emphasized during the radio broadcast, making this a redundant comment. We had out-of-town guests and I couldn't watch/listen.)

I agree entirely. All this talk of the conference tournament, going to the NC2A, tribute to Tark, diminishes the joy, and pain of each regular season game. Winning brings joy to the Tribster nation. Tribe basketball is healthy. Enjoy the ride.

If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

(02-12-2015 04:45 PM)BurgTribeFan Wrote:  If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

+100. I hope to join you in the Jimmy V. impersonation.

(02-13-2015 09:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 04:45 PM)BurgTribeFan Wrote:  If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

+100. I hope to join you in the Jimmy V. impersonation.

Wouldn't it be better to do that impersonation on March 19/20 or better yet April 6?

(02-13-2015 10:11 AM)tribe_pride Wrote:  

(02-13-2015 09:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 04:45 PM)BurgTribeFan Wrote:  If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

+100. I hope to join you in the Jimmy V. impersonation.

Wouldn't it be better to do that impersonation on March 19/20 or better yet April 6?

For Tribal, myself and some others, we cannot really contemplate March 19/20 since the Tribe has never made it before. If we were 24-0 and going as an at large, all the NCAA talk would make sense. Those of us who have been following the Tribe, remember the pain of last season, the near misses in 1983, 2008 and 2010. Any focus beyond March 9th just seems way too early given we have never made it past that point.

(02-13-2015 10:47 AM)TribePride91 Wrote:  

(02-13-2015 10:11 AM)tribe_pride Wrote:  

(02-13-2015 09:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 04:45 PM)BurgTribeFan Wrote:  If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

+100. I hope to join you in the Jimmy V. impersonation.

Wouldn't it be better to do that impersonation on March 19/20 or better yet April 6?

For Tribal, myself and some others, we cannot really contemplate March 19/20 since the Tribe has never made it before. If we were 24-0 and going as an at large, all the NCAA talk would make sense. Those of us who have been following the Tribe, remember the pain of last season, the near misses in 1983, 2008 and 2010. Any focus beyond March 9th just seems way too early given we have never made it past that point.

Agreed 1000%. Cubs fans have absolutely nothing on us. It would be one of the greatest days of my life.

I have been around for many years for many years as well just not in the area. I do know the heartaches you speak of but always try to look forward to the positive in things which is why I don't mind talking of the tournament, seeds and other things like that. It may make it hurt in the end if the goal is not hit but if I didn't go there, I would feel that I am abandoning hope. If I was playing on the team, I'd want to look more at 1 game at a time but as a fan I can look further in the future.

Right, I cannot even think for a second about playing Louisville or Wisconsin. I am 100% invested in curbstomping our CAA opponents from tomorrow through the CAAT Championship game. I don't possess a command of the english language worthy of aptly explaining the overwhelming pain and despair I felt after the CAAT Championship game last year. No habituation will soften that blow...it may be worse if I have to experience that again and that simply won't do.

(02-13-2015 10:11 AM)tribe_pride Wrote:  

(02-13-2015 09:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(02-12-2015 04:45 PM)BurgTribeFan Wrote:  If the last shot had dropped in Baltimore last season we would be talking about the chance going to the NCAA's in consecutive years.... that is major progress. Just a few seasons ago, there were people calling for Shaver to be fired. Anyone who was paying better attention could see the steps being taken to get this program to where it is today.

The program had typically been characterized by a one step forward two step back.... until the arrival of Shaver. I am having a hard time recalling a team that was as deep talent wise as we have now. The fact that people are talking about next year, with the loss of Marcus Thornton, arguablely the greatest to wear the Green and Gold, as being a team that will be competitive and could again compete for a CAA title is quite remarkable.

Typically the loss of a star player in hoops usually meant looking forward to a 4-8 win season the next year. Shaver has changed this. I, for one, look forward to doing my best Jim Valvano impersonation when the horn sounds in Baltimore March 9....

+100. I hope to join you in the Jimmy V. impersonation.

Wouldn't it be better to do that impersonation on March 19/20 or better yet April 6?

I would love to experience it all of those times, but if I don't experience it March 9, the others won't happen. One impersonation at a time...

If you are ever getting too happy, a 3 minute trip to the angst and despair of the JMU board will level things out. Just don't stay longer or paranoia and conspiracies begin to invade your thoughts. Good luck to all the Tribe teams this weekend. 3 weeks to Baltimore.

Congratulations to Tony and the coaches on building a consistent program. Given the talent we lost last year, its amazing we are in the hunt this year with 6 underclassmen in the rotation (sophomores, r.shirt freshmen and freshmen).

That said, these guys have a great chance of breaking through this year and winning their first conference championship in quite sometime and doing really well in Baltimore.

Now on to Northeastern. Hope we put them on ice tomorrow!

(02-17-2015 08:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  Congratulations to Tony and the coaches on building a consistent program. Given the talent we lost last year, its amazing we are in the hunt this year with 6 underclassmen in the rotation (sophomores, r.shirt freshmen and freshmen).

That said, these guys have a great chance of breaking through this year and winning their first conference championship in quite sometime and doing really well in Baltimore.

Now on to Northeastern. Hope we put them on ice tomorrow!

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Northeastern is already on ice - - -

(02-17-2015 10:10 AM)62Indian Wrote:  

(02-17-2015 08:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  Congratulations to Tony and the coaches on building a consistent program. Given the talent we lost last year, its amazing we are in the hunt this year with 6 underclassmen in the rotation (sophomores, r.shirt freshmen and freshmen).

That said, these guys have a great chance of breaking through this year and winning their first conference championship in quite sometime and doing really well in Baltimore.

Now on to Northeastern. Hope we put them on ice tomorrow!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeastern is already on ice - - -

I had hoped you would let that one skate by...

(02-17-2015 11:03 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  

(02-17-2015 10:10 AM)62Indian Wrote:  

(02-17-2015 08:51 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  Congratulations to Tony and the coaches on building a consistent program. Given the talent we lost last year, its amazing we are in the hunt this year with 6 underclassmen in the rotation (sophomores, r.shirt freshmen and freshmen).

That said, these guys have a great chance of breaking through this year and winning their first conference championship in quite sometime and doing really well in Baltimore.

Now on to Northeastern. Hope we put them on ice tomorrow!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeastern is already on ice - - -

I had hoped you would let that one skate by...

Stop while youre ahead...
http://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/sch....gddLpr71v