Their has been alot of ranting and raving by some on this board about Tide hoops the last few days. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but let's take a look at the status of this program.
CMG inherited a program that was at the bottom of the SEC 6 years ago and in shambles. He has since turned this program around, in the right direction, doing things the right way and building a stable program which will be an SEC and national power for years to come.
Have we reached the Elite level of college hoops yet? No, but we are not that far away from being a consistent top 15 program, year in & year out. We've been in that class on & off over the last 3 years, but it just takes time and PATIENCE (something that is not abundant in our society) to remain their year in and year out. We are playing big name teams, in big tournaments, on television, in non-conference games, which is something no other SEC does except Kentucky. Sometimes we win these games, sometimes we lose, but it gives our program the exposure it needs to be a top 15 program.
We've already overcome the hardest part of the rebuilding process. In 5 years, UA has been to 2 NCAA tournaments (should have been 3), 2 NIT's including reaching the finals, an SEC Title, a #1 ranking, an SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Coach of the year. And most importantly, UA is Graduating its players, an accomplishment we should all be proud of.
Thats a great first 5 years for any coach that inherits a program that was left in shambles. Compare those accomplishments to the first 5 years of Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Maryland's Gary Williams and Temple's John Chaney, (all inherited similar situations to CMG) and CMG stacks up pretty good.
It wasn't until these coaches were in their 6th,7th-10th years that their respective programs that they started to reach the Elite 8, Final 4's & NCAA championship games. It takes time to reach this elite level.
The point I'm trying to make is that this program is headed for great things, but its a growing process. I don't know what the rest of this season will hold for us. Injuries are really going to hurt our chances at an NCAA bid. An NCAA a bid will be icing on the cake, especially after losing 4 starters from last years team. An NIT bid will be disappointing after a surprise start, but acceptable considering the injuries and inexperience this squad has. But no matter what happens the next 2 months, this program is in good hands & headed for great things. Recruiting has gone well and the Tide is setting up for a potential great run for next season.
Get out to Coleman & support CMG & this team the rest of year. ROLL TIDE!
CMG inherited a program that was at the bottom of the SEC 6 years ago and in shambles. He has since turned this program around, in the right direction, doing things the right way and building a stable program which will be an SEC and national power for years to come.
Have we reached the Elite level of college hoops yet? No, but we are not that far away from being a consistent top 15 program, year in & year out. We've been in that class on & off over the last 3 years, but it just takes time and PATIENCE (something that is not abundant in our society) to remain their year in and year out. We are playing big name teams, in big tournaments, on television, in non-conference games, which is something no other SEC does except Kentucky. Sometimes we win these games, sometimes we lose, but it gives our program the exposure it needs to be a top 15 program.
We've already overcome the hardest part of the rebuilding process. In 5 years, UA has been to 2 NCAA tournaments (should have been 3), 2 NIT's including reaching the finals, an SEC Title, a #1 ranking, an SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC Coach of the year. And most importantly, UA is Graduating its players, an accomplishment we should all be proud of.
Thats a great first 5 years for any coach that inherits a program that was left in shambles. Compare those accomplishments to the first 5 years of Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Maryland's Gary Williams and Temple's John Chaney, (all inherited similar situations to CMG) and CMG stacks up pretty good.
It wasn't until these coaches were in their 6th,7th-10th years that their respective programs that they started to reach the Elite 8, Final 4's & NCAA championship games. It takes time to reach this elite level.
The point I'm trying to make is that this program is headed for great things, but its a growing process. I don't know what the rest of this season will hold for us. Injuries are really going to hurt our chances at an NCAA bid. An NCAA a bid will be icing on the cake, especially after losing 4 starters from last years team. An NIT bid will be disappointing after a surprise start, but acceptable considering the injuries and inexperience this squad has. But no matter what happens the next 2 months, this program is in good hands & headed for great things. Recruiting has gone well and the Tide is setting up for a potential great run for next season.
Get out to Coleman & support CMG & this team the rest of year. ROLL TIDE!
