Are We "Stuck in the Middle"?

With two WCC regular season games left before Vegas, our season is another "middler"; just like our branding as a "Mid-Major".  

To be honest, I just don't like "Mid-Major".  It's a PR label that says "we may never grow up". 

  

Looking back on both previous and current WCC campaigns, it appears we are "stuck in the middle";  just like the song.  (Click on the link below to listen to the song while you read).

Stuck In the Middle With You

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmwp0x_stuck-in-the-middle-with-you-stealers-wheel_music

The data.  

From 2009 - 2015, SCU has finished 4th three times, 6th (tie) once, 7th twice, and 9th once in the WCC.

(This includes this year's projection - 7th.)

Makes me feel like the condiments on a good sandwich:  looks good, tastes good, healthy, but you're not the beef or main event.  

Our average RPI over that time period - 196.  Our RPI range 104-302.  The "M" word again.  

We do own two post season titles - the CIT and CBI.  

As Season Ticket Holders, we want the "menu" to change...

Quietly, furtively, there is change afoot...Hope...

There is evidence.  

Did you know Santa Clara has an Integrated Marketing Communications Plan?  It was developed by the Office of Marketing and Communications with University wide input in October, 2013.

AND.  There IS a "to do" bullet in the document...

"Work with Provost’s Office on athletics blue ribbon committee communications"...

AND.  Rumor has it - some bigger name MBB home games next season to start to elevate the schedule. These games require budget we've not had before....

AND.  Athletics facilities upgrades are happening - now, including upcoming Leavey locker room upgrades....

AND.  Athletics has submitted their "amp it up" plan to the Trustees.

AND.  As Season Ticket Holders and fans, we wonder WHEN...

When we might get some communication on the "plan".

When SCU will be bold enough to say we want to be the Major in "Mid-Major".

When we're either really "On a Mission" or just "stuck in the middle".

Have We Settled for The "Nice Try" Sydrome

Thursday night the energy was mega-wattage... 

The Rough Riders were loud and out in force trying to recoup from season long no shows...

The B&B mob (Baseball & Band) made another statement.  Heckling the Zags into 64% FT shooting.

Fans and Season Ticket Holders filled up the chairbacks and were "all in" with support.

More SCU Staff came to check out the marquee WCC match-up.  

Our guys were tough, pesky, and played HARD.

For the Zags, just another ho-hum night...Sellout crowd, check.

Lots of "fan-tagonists".  Check.  Workman-like win, shoot 70%. Check. 

It was a great night for SCU and the team to feel the love...

But something happened while leaving...  Something, that to me was bigger, more pervasive, and that leaves me U-P-S-E-T!

It was, how WE, as a University, fans, and program just seemed to "accept" our fate so "graciously" as we left Leavey.

If I hear another "well, we played 'em tough the first half" or "at least it was a close game" or "you can't expect to beat # 2 in the nation", I'm gonna scream!  

I'll call it the "nice try" syndrome.  Have we resorted to believing that our expectations of the best we can be is "nice try" or good game?  Do you think Jared or Brandon or any of our guys in the locker room after the game were in "nice try" mode?

NO, they were measuring, replaying, and internalizing the experiences.  They were figuring out how to cut & paste the first half recipe into the second half for the next meeting.

I'm not saying anyone is waving the white flag; we're not.  

But, can we just get an "attitude" of "we're coming for you" - or how about "We're on a Mission"?   How about all us, from the University leadership to the team managers, do what it takes to get us to the intersection where talent, experience, drive, and execution takes SCU to the next level.

I know Gonzaga is better - now.  But they can and will be beaten and I'm saying - why NOT us?

So what I'd like to hear after games, whether we win, lose, or were awful, is that we know where we want to go - Higher.  

No more "nice try".  But, "we showed we can play with them in the first half" or talk about Jared's stunning 3 pointer at the end of the first half to take the lead - or when our bigs are healthy - we're ready to make a run.

Getting more competitive isn't playing edgier videos at games - it starts with an attitude, resolve, and execution from top to bottom.  

Maybe it's a dream....But a dream we all want to wake up to...

For more Men's basketball info follow me on Twitter @Fcrary.

Why the Zags CAN "Brag"

The word of the day is Enormous.  

Tonight the Broncos have both an enormous challenge AND an enormous opportunity....

The Challenge:
Most SCU fans may think the Gonzaga Bulldogs are "bullies" as they steamroll opponents in both the WCC and regular season.  I mean really, 22-1, # 2 ranking, RPI 6.  Wins over the Johnnies, Memphis, SMU and the one loss to Arizona in a game they should have won!

Well, we'd be wrong.

Not bullies.  More like Uber efficient.  Maybe like Top Chef - they can slice and dice you in SO many ways. You know what else, it's nothing NEW....

As I write this, my "acid reflux" is kicking in, as I compare a few stats that give them "bragging rights".  Not just this year - but for more than 15 YEARS...

They can flat out shoot it.  58% on 2's, 40% on 3's. The next best is BYU - a full 9% lower.  We are 14% lower. They are # 1 in the NCAA.  At those deltas, it's like having a 10 point lead before they show up...

They can Board it.  At the top in rebounds with BYU.

They can Defend it.  Allowing the fewest PPG.

They don't turn it over.  Tied for fewest with - Yeah! Us.

I feel like Butch in the Sundance Kid.  "Who are these guys"?

And one, I promise, last nugget.  They have 15 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament AND in those 15 seasons, only once has their RPI ranking been over 60, with the average around 28.

Our last dance was 20 years ago.....

THE Opportunity:
Show we can back up the words in our new pregame video...

Perform like Broncos of storied tradition..   Dish like Nash.  Rebound like Awtrey.   Defend like Ogden... Shoot it like Sears..

They DON'T like playing at Leavey.  Too many close calls.   At times we've had them on the ropes and they know this...

The Ghost of us ending their home court win streak..  It's all there.

A chance to turn some heads and mean "We're on a Mission".

Everything tonight will be enormous.  

As fans and Season ticket holders, we hope we come up BIG...

For more Bronco basketball new follow me on Twitter @Fcrary.