Well Broncos, since I first posted on the predecessor of this forum in about 2010, I’ve dreamt about starting a thread like this. But we’ve never been close to having occasion to do so.
Many of the folks back then - to my memory, surely JC, Betterer, and Weave and I’m sure many more, were discussing Kerry Keating’s incoming class and what might come of it.
Since then, we’ve had that tenure and more - COVID, NIL, even the coming of the NET and the WAB. We’ve seen the departure of more WCC coaches than I can name, and now a post-Gonzaga universe. Inconceivable stuff.
I’m sure our 500+ long post Bracketology thread (itself a major Bronco miracle) will continue tomorrow - but we’re on the cusp of a tremendous Bronco achievement and I wanted to set a side a space to talk about both the show and the event at SCU tomorrow.
I’m hoping to come down from Marin and attend the event - maybe even with a celebratory brew with some of you at the hut before or after.
Anyway, I think 1996 to about 2023 will be considered a frustrating “dark ages” drought for Men’s Hoops, the longest post-WWII drought between NCAA Bids. I’ve always looked forward to Santa Clara U’s 200th birthday in 2051. Let’s add a bunch of basketball success between now and then.
Tomorrow will be fun for sure. It looks like a 10 seed seems extremely likely. That being the case I’d love to see the 2 seed in the same bracket be UCONN.
No matter how the chips fall, this is the first selection show from my now lengthy non college years that I am actually fired up for.
“I’m traveling to any city where the Broncos are playing a tourney game!”
“Not going to Ohio, but I’ll see you at the next game 2 days later. And it will be much easier for me to travel from my city to Buffalo/Philadelphia/Tampa/Greenville/St Louis/OKC/Portland/SD than for you nutcases going from Dayton. Enjoy your 9-hour drive through sleet in your stripped-down Toyota Tercel from Alamo Rent-A-Car. Or your flight from Dayton to Buffalo with a 4.5-hour layover in Atlanta.”
“I’ll be there in spirit, but I’m an addict and must watch all 32 games on Thursday and Friday. Picture-in-picture is for amateurs, I’ve got six 55+” screens set up in my living room. But I’ll post a screenshot of a blurry image of @TheWeave here on the board."
“I can’t make it, my dog is a ring bearer at my 3rd-cousin’s stepson’s wedding. But I’ll try to keep an eye on the game while doing the chicken dance at the reception.”
“Huh? SCU is in the Big Dance? First I’m hearing of it.”
Last year, we were concerned with our seeding in the NIT, and later thought three major conference transfers might be difference makers for the 25-26 season. Only one saw the floor ( contributed in a significant way). A loss of a starter to the Big 10 created more run for others and helped allow for a change in style of play—esp On the defensive end.
Surprises abounded this season and I’m hoping for more.
-Hoops5, I’d recommend trying if you’re truly interested. I don’t know the # but the amount made available to the each school is fairly significant, in the hundreds.
Also, Spokane regularly hosts early round men’s games (and Sweet 16 women’s games), though unfortunately not this season. I typically attend and one successful strategy is to buy tickets through the allocations to the schools coming to Spokane. The higher seeded, blue blood types typically sellout but other schools often don’t have takers for all of their allocation and are willing to sell to others. If they ask if you have an association or are a fan, just make up a story…..you used live in whatever metro they’re in, you’re a hoops junky and attended games and become a fan.
JC- I’ve had similar thoughts as the season progressed and an at-large become viable. One decision or action impacts another…..what would have happened if Tilly or Bryan or both returned??? If Tilly stays, does Tadjo even come, does Bukky transfer out, is Graves’ role more limited stunting his improvement and emergence??? If Bryan stayed, does someone else like Mahi or Hammond decide to leave?
Difficult to predict how things might play out….sometimes things that seem to be setbacks are in fact beneficial to the whole…..happy accidents if you will.
Same will be true once this coming off season hits. Beyond the graduates like BK, there are bound to be changes and a departure or two. We have some talented guys who didn’t play at all due to injury (Tadjo and Normand) or redshirt (Longcor) plus a wildcard in Badibanga. The dynamics will change next season just as they did from last year to this.
Funny, I was thinking of the same Will Clark quote today, but I think it was “I’ve been waiting so f*cking long for this!” Which is actually even more appropriate for our 30 year wait!
