creekdipper
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The sky will not fall if the Lady Vols fail to make the tournament this year.
Saying this may be considered LV heresy. Heck, it would have been considered unthinkable as a possibilty just a couple of seasons ago.
This doesn't mean not caring about it or not hoping or even expecting us to be invited. Just not being as concerned about "the streak" as in seeing progress made. And, unlike the past, we don't have a bench full of talent that would allow us to withstand more injuries to key players (Lord forbid).
(As far as the streak goes, many thought it should have ended last year when we backed in as a bubble team. Almost every other meaningful streak has ended...and remember, we lost in the first round in 2009 under Pat, so it's not as though we've always been in the final rounds.)
If we can see steady (albeit slow) improvement in team play, individual improvement, and recruitment of elite players from this staff, that would be not just acceptable but really encouraging. We don't have much margin for error this year, and unforeseen and unavoidable things can happen. But if we can see the players buying in, working hard, making better decisions, and developing skills, then the goal of getting back to championship level will seem much more attainable.
Making the tournament every year only to bow out in early rounds...and staying mired in mediocrity...is a hollow and unappealing prospect. There are better ways to realistically measure progress than simply making a first-round, low-seed appearance with an early exit.
That said, i hope we stay healthy and make some serious noise in both SEC and NCAA parties postseason.
Saying this may be considered LV heresy. Heck, it would have been considered unthinkable as a possibilty just a couple of seasons ago.
This doesn't mean not caring about it or not hoping or even expecting us to be invited. Just not being as concerned about "the streak" as in seeing progress made. And, unlike the past, we don't have a bench full of talent that would allow us to withstand more injuries to key players (Lord forbid).
(As far as the streak goes, many thought it should have ended last year when we backed in as a bubble team. Almost every other meaningful streak has ended...and remember, we lost in the first round in 2009 under Pat, so it's not as though we've always been in the final rounds.)
If we can see steady (albeit slow) improvement in team play, individual improvement, and recruitment of elite players from this staff, that would be not just acceptable but really encouraging. We don't have much margin for error this year, and unforeseen and unavoidable things can happen. But if we can see the players buying in, working hard, making better decisions, and developing skills, then the goal of getting back to championship level will seem much more attainable.
Making the tournament every year only to bow out in early rounds...and staying mired in mediocrity...is a hollow and unappealing prospect. There are better ways to realistically measure progress than simply making a first-round, low-seed appearance with an early exit.
That said, i hope we stay healthy and make some serious noise in both SEC and NCAA parties postseason.
