OK, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. And I woke up too early. And I ... you get the message. I'm grumpy ... and so are you, judging by my e-mails and tweets.
So let's have a grump-off. Good luck ...
- I'm tired of people sending me messages that say something to the effect of "1968. Still waiting." Several of you sent me that message after Wednesday's loss to Akron. My response? Stop it. Stop it now.
For those of you who don't get the symbolism, "1968" represents the last season the Bowling Green men's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In other words ... "We're waiting," with the inference that this year's team needs to get in gear and stop the advancement of that streak another season.
To which I say: Please. Entering this season, was this year's team a prime candidate to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament? No, Akron and Ohio were -- and clearly are. And remember, the Mid-American Conference's current standing as a one-bid league makes it harder now than it was, say, 10 or more years ago when multiple teams got bids. More on that in a moment.
Second, does this year's team bear the responsibility for a 43-year drought? Does coach Louis Orr? Heavens no. At most, Orr is responsible for his time in BG, which means the past five years (or roughly 12 percent of the drought).
Third, something to make you feel better: How many times has Toledo played in the NCAA tournament since BG's appearance in 1968? Exactly once, and that came in 1979. I guarantee that drought continues this year.
- With the University of Miami's rise in the national polls and its undefeated start in Atlantic Coast Conference play, more and more BG fans yearn for the days of Jim Larranaga.
Now I will be blunt: I have never been a big Jim Larranaga fan. But my point here is to remind BG fans that, when he was here, many of YOU weren't either.
Larranaga's record in 11 seasons in Bowling Green was 170-144, giving him a .541 winning percentage. That's good, but it's not great. Want great? Harold Anderson had a .655 winning percentage in 21 seasons with the Falcons -- and that's why there is a building named after him. Larranaga's winning percentage isn't terribly different from those for John Weinert (.523) and Dan Dakich (.530).
For those who remember Larranaga as a constant winner at BG, well, you don't remember his tenure very well. In 11 seasons the Falcons had the MAC's best record exactly once; BG tied for second once, was third twice and was fourth once (five of 11 seasons).
By comparison, Weinert had two first-place finishes in 10 seasons, not to mention two seconds, a third and a fourth (six of 10 seasons). Dakich had one first-place MAC finish in 10 seasons (same number, fewer seasons than Larranaga), and Orr has had one first-place finish in five season (same number, fewer seasons than Larranaga).
- After Wednesday's game I asked Akron coach Keith Dambrot about his team's defensive scouting report against Bowling Green.
To summarize: The Zips used Demetrius Treadwell on A'uston Calhoun, with 7-0 center Zeke Marshall lurking to block shots, and Akron wanted to pressure Jordon Crawford all over the floor to try and tire him our and make him work hard for 40 minutes.
Then Dambrot finished his analysis by saying, "Bowling Green's not going to win if those guys don't have great nights."
Obviously neither Calhoun nor Crawford had a great night. Calhoun did score 11 points, but he was 2-for-13 from the field and 0-for-4 on 3's. Crawford scored just five points and was 1-for-11 on field goals and 0-for-5 on 3's.
My biggest concern with Calhoun and Crawford on offense has been their "inefficiency." By that I mean they get some points, but they often have a take a LOT of shots to get there. The Toledo game is a good example of their inefficiency: Crawford scored 20 points against the Rockets, but he needed 22 shots to get there. Calhoun had 13 points on 12 shots, which isn't as bad, but isn't great, either.
By comparison, against Akron Chauncey Orr scored 16 points on 12 shots (better) while Craig Sealey scored 10 points on just four shots (best).
- If you think I am grumpy, I would suggest you listen to Coach Orr's post-game press conference. I asked him some questions about the team's effort against Akron, and he was blunt about his unhappiness.
His comment, "Hard is tough," means some times it's difficult to deal with the "hard" times. And I'd say these are hard times for the Falcons.
But I would suggest you listen for yourself. Click here to access the BGSU game story, then click on "Louis Orr postgame audio."
Want to share your grumpiness? Click on the "Post a Comment" area below and voice your opinions. Keep it clean, keep it civil, and it will be all good. Add your thoughts NOW!
UT played in the NCAA's twice since 1968. They won a 1st round game against Iowa in 1979 before losing to ND. They lost in the first round in 1980 to Florida State.
Louis Orr is most certainly to blame for the current drought as he is the HC. Low expectations do not justify failure and should not be used as a means to rationalize it.
BGSU needs to make a change as it is clear that Louis Orr is not the man for the job.
Posted by: Phil | 01/31/2013 at 05:33 PM
On the topic of Calhoun and Crawford...In a nod to the early 90's when the program beat MSU, I've taken to calling them the C&C Airball Factory.
Posted by: Phil | 01/31/2013 at 05:37 PM
Phil: Two things ...
Your note about Toledo is correct. Good catch. My apologies.
As for the second graph, you're missing the point: If you want to blame Orr for no NCAA bids in his time as coach, you are welcome to. My point is to stop with the "1968" stuff after bad games THIS YEAR. He bears no responsibility for the lack of bids from 1968 until his arrival ... and that kind of post indicates he does.
And for "CC Airball Factory, that's a thing that makes me go, "Hmmmm ..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2ayWcJfxo
Posted by: John_Wagner | 01/31/2013 at 05:55 PM