SCU Men's Basketball 2015 Season Recap - Ground Hog Day

I'm convinced Punxsutawney Phil transferred to Santa Clara.  

Just like our 2014-15 season and the Ground Hog Day movie, we just can't seem to break out of the "time warp" that is like Silicon Valley traffic gridlock.  

Gonzaga, BYU, St. Mary's lead the way and we are stalled with Pacific and Loyola behind us in a bumper to bumper WCC....

Some Numbers

MBB Season 14-18, WCC 7-11, tied for sixth place  

Over the past nine WCC seasons - we are sixth in number of WCC wins - W46 - L78.  "time warp."*

Pick a time period - even the last 3 years, other than the "big 3" teams, the next 4, including SCU have all won about 22 WCC games.

Needless to say, key game stats pinpoint our treading water status.  

The players' trends tell the same story.  

I looked at 10 key players since 2008 and only 2 had senior year statistics better than their sophomore or junior season.  Now, you can pick these stats apart in many ways - team mix and roles change, better WCC competition, etc, etc.  But, to me, the "trend" is compelling. 

 "Time Warp."

So, other than pull some Bill Murray outrageous antics - how do we break out???

Here are some, albeit, difficult options.

First.  Our new 2015-16 recruits have a "surprise" factor and make immediate impact.  They are, on average taller, more athletic, and have the potential to protect and yes, score in the paint.  A lot of other Freshman do this, why not ours?

Second.  We need "a breakout year" from our sophomores AND Jared to be Jared.  The Juniors need to show progression.

Third.  We need to reboot and do some creative, impact marketing. Build a "community of support" around MBB.  

How about involving the community living around SCU with incentives to come to games?  

How about some PR, getting our schedule out early in the media, other than our website, and create some programs around specific games?  We are playing Vanderbilt at home - rumor has it...

How about a "fan night" or season ticket holder rally where all the coaches press some flesh and the U makes us feel we're INcluded?

How about a Ruff Rider and Season ticket holder social mixer to build links and gain some more student support?

Maybe, be so bold as to share "the plan" for men's basketball going forward and enlist support.  Have us feel we're part of the process? I'm not talking about the usual hype, rather, be a little open about our challenges what we all have to do?  

Maybe we need to do what Phil Connors did in the film, improve ourselves, learn, involve, make changes.   Make this process a celebration of where we can go instead be stalled....

Maybe then instead of a"time warp" - IT'S OUR TIME....

*Does not include BYU and Pacific - new to WCC. 

Don't forget to follow The Bucking Bronco on Twitter @Fcrary.