Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: NCAA vs. NIT - Reality Bites
posted by Roger Olivieri, 3/16/2009 05:51:00 PM
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Here’s the deal. Whether “the world outside the southeast” is wrong or not, the Gamecocks stand a much better chance in the National Invitational Tournament than they do in its bigger brother – the NCAA. Not just in placement, either, but in long-term health as well.
When the Garnet Nation collectively agreed to take a step back and oust Dave Odom, whether they like it or not, they also agreed to let a new coach start from scratch. No one, including yours truly, had any idea they’d come so close to advancing to the Big Dance. This, the only reason Columbia hurts.
Under normal circumstances, a program mired in mediocrity runs off the head coach with patience riding shot-gun. When the new regime moves into the driver’s seat, it’s “patience” setting the tone for at least a year – maybe four.
The circumstance in Columbia was bleak from the outset; in need of an infusion of youth, up-tempo game and a fan base starving for just a morsel of winning. When the three came together quicker than anyone had imagined, human nature took over and that shot-gun passenger was ignored. Who needs patience?
Unfortunately excitement blinded patience, fairytale bludgeoned reality and impossible almost became possible. If anything, a fan-base in dire need of success learned that the world is not out to get them, curses do not exist and that which seems impossible is very much possible.
In retrospect, the path forced upon the new regime is probably better. Suppose the Gamecocks were thrown into the NCAA tournament under the current school of thought (SEC is down), they’d more than likely have bitten off more than they can chew.
Think about it, there is no braggadocios benefit this season as the recruiting class is already full.
Back to biting off more than one can chew: This is not like the BJ McKie teams upset in the first round. No, this Dance would have been very different. Mississippi State is a 13 seed. Assuming the Gamecocks would have been given the same or worse, they’d be playing Kansas, Wake Forest, Washington, Missouri, Xavier, Villanova, Syracuse or Gonzaga.
Look at it like this and a season “getting their feet wet” while still playing in a competitive tournament might not be the worst thing in the world. The N.I.T. can be a spring board to much bigger and better things. Just because previous experiences in this tournament proved shallow, does not mean it will always be as such.
Assuming everyone returns (except Zam and Conrad), this is fuel doused upon a very real fire capable of winning 21 regular season games under a new coach.
As Coach Horn likes to say, “I wasn’t here last year.”
In other words, don’t relate bad experiences from Odom’s missed opportunity to the new guy.
Gamecock fans must force the “N.I.T. is our ceiling” mentality out of their beaten minds. Most schools take the experience as a positive to build upon. Horn and his crew of young assistants have already proven opportunity to be more than just an open door. Opportunity is usually something Coach Horn, Cherry, Boynton and so forth have wrestled to the ground and wrung for all its worth. A year ago, he wasn’t even a candidate for this job – then came opportunity.
See what I mean…
When the Garnet Nation collectively agreed to take a step back and oust Dave Odom, whether they like it or not, they also agreed to let a new coach start from scratch. No one, including yours truly, had any idea they’d come so close to advancing to the Big Dance. This, the only reason Columbia hurts.
Under normal circumstances, a program mired in mediocrity runs off the head coach with patience riding shot-gun. When the new regime moves into the driver’s seat, it’s “patience” setting the tone for at least a year – maybe four.
The circumstance in Columbia was bleak from the outset; in need of an infusion of youth, up-tempo game and a fan base starving for just a morsel of winning. When the three came together quicker than anyone had imagined, human nature took over and that shot-gun passenger was ignored. Who needs patience?
Unfortunately excitement blinded patience, fairytale bludgeoned reality and impossible almost became possible. If anything, a fan-base in dire need of success learned that the world is not out to get them, curses do not exist and that which seems impossible is very much possible.
In retrospect, the path forced upon the new regime is probably better. Suppose the Gamecocks were thrown into the NCAA tournament under the current school of thought (SEC is down), they’d more than likely have bitten off more than they can chew.
Think about it, there is no braggadocios benefit this season as the recruiting class is already full.
Back to biting off more than one can chew: This is not like the BJ McKie teams upset in the first round. No, this Dance would have been very different. Mississippi State is a 13 seed. Assuming the Gamecocks would have been given the same or worse, they’d be playing Kansas, Wake Forest, Washington, Missouri, Xavier, Villanova, Syracuse or Gonzaga.
Look at it like this and a season “getting their feet wet” while still playing in a competitive tournament might not be the worst thing in the world. The N.I.T. can be a spring board to much bigger and better things. Just because previous experiences in this tournament proved shallow, does not mean it will always be as such.
Assuming everyone returns (except Zam and Conrad), this is fuel doused upon a very real fire capable of winning 21 regular season games under a new coach.
As Coach Horn likes to say, “I wasn’t here last year.”
In other words, don’t relate bad experiences from Odom’s missed opportunity to the new guy.
Gamecock fans must force the “N.I.T. is our ceiling” mentality out of their beaten minds. Most schools take the experience as a positive to build upon. Horn and his crew of young assistants have already proven opportunity to be more than just an open door. Opportunity is usually something Coach Horn, Cherry, Boynton and so forth have wrestled to the ground and wrung for all its worth. A year ago, he wasn’t even a candidate for this job – then came opportunity.
See what I mean…
Kiss lead-guitarist Ace Frehley once wrote and recorded a song that is quickly becoming the Gamecocks Hoops mantra of sorts. Let’s face it; though their sights are on bigger prizes, they have a history with blazing a trail to New York when given the opportunity:
New York Groove
By Ace Frehley
Many years since I was here
New York Groove
By Ace Frehley
Many years since I was here
On the street I was passin' my time away
To the left and to the right
Buildings towering into the sky
It's outta sight, in the dead of night
Here I am, and in this city
With a fistful of dollars
And baby, you'd better believe
[Chorus]
I'm back, back in the New York Groove
I'm back, back in the New York Groove
I'm back, back in the New York Groove
Back, in the New York Groove, in the New York Groove
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Roger Olivieri. Roger began working with GamecockCentral in December of 2007. He currently serves as the site's chief videographer. He may be reached by email at roger(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.