I'm taking a cautiously optimistic approach to the Cougars season, but they have several, albeit modest, successes this year that give me a little hope.

1. They are 3-5, all 3 wins against D1 teams.
2. All of the teams they have defeated have also beaten other D1 teams.
SIUE (NET 249) is 4-6
St Thomas (NET 176) is 4-5
Tennessee State (NET 338) is 2-6
3. Chicago State NET ranking has climbed out the 300's. Just by a smidge, but its an accomplishment for a program that hasn't been better than 300 in several seasons and often sat around 350.

I realize that none of these are huge accomplishments on their own, but they are all steps in the right direction and a sign better days might be ahead. Coming up they have a winnable road game at IUPUI. Getting any road wins for a struggling program is a challenge.

If they had racked up some NAIA wins, or beaten teams that literally haven't beaten anyone else, that would be different. But so far, the beginning of this season is at least a solid first step to build on.

I'm right with you. They are baby steps, but steps in the right direction.