Perspective

[furpop16]

Despite my natural inclination to don purple-colored glasses, I have to admit our recent three-game skid has had me in a bit of a funk. Thumping the WCU bottom-feeders has provided some relief, but not as much as I hoped as we prepare to host Wofford - the team I'm certain harbors a stash of kryptonite displaying a beautiful diamond F. When they pull that baby out of the vault our guys might as well join the cast of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Check the locker room for human-sized seed pods.

This morning though I'm looking at our #73 KenPom Rating, thinking of what could-have-been, when I see the team just ahead of us #72 Syracuse. Think of that. The Orange. '03 NCAA Champions, six final-fours since '75. Jim Boeheim. And our guys are tucked just under them even after having suffered the February we've had.

Naturally one thinks that says more about Syracuse's modest 13-12 season than Furman's place in the KenPom, until looking at the list that follows: #77 Santa Clara, #78 Virginia, #85 Cincinnati, #87 Wichita St. (!), #88 St. Bonaventure ... The Bonnies ! And I haven't even mentioned the nearby land-grant university with the all-that football team at #84.

CBR understandably reminds us to "remain humble" - and I concur inasmuch as I'm thankful for our players' health and the blessings of our team's resurgence - but I'm itching to cast-off this role of "up and comer". The players & coaches have earned their position among these storied teams, dammit. Furman belongs with this crowd, and I'm looking forward to the finish this team will enjoy. Go FU !

[apaladin]

Agree. We totally blew the best opportunity to win the regular season in years and years with that 3 game skid which was a huge head scratcher and what makes it even worse every one of those games were winnable in the end. That is what makes is so disappointing. It is what it is and nothing can be done about it now. Win the next 3 and finish strong heading into the tournament. Start by beating WC Saturday. The future is in front not behind.

[stonemd]

We were regular season Co-champs 2016-17

[apaladin]

We were regular season Co-champs 2016-17

We did not win it outright and we did not get the auto NIT bid, same as finishing second, third or fourth.

[din23]

We were regular season Co-champs 2016-17

We did not win it outright and we did not get the auto NIT bid, same as finishing second, third or fourth.

Not the same at all as finishing second, third or fourth! We were SoCon Champs that year, along with two other teams.

Which years on the football fieldhouse do you not count?

[Affirm]

Agree. We totally blew the best opportunity to win the regular season in years and years with that 3 game skid which was a huge head scratcher and what makes it even worse every one of those games were winnable in the end. That is what makes is so disappointing. It is what it is and nothing can be done about it now. Win the next 3 and finish strong heading into the tournament. Start by beating WC Saturday. The future is in front not behind.

We are accustomed to things happening to cause disappointment. I am looking forward to - 555 hours from right - now celebrating our first championship in 42 years.

[Affirm]

We were regular season Co-champs 2016-17

We did not win it outright and we did not get the auto NIT bid, same as finishing second, third or fourth.

Not the same at all as finishing second, third or fourth! We were SoCon Champs that year, along with two other teams.

Which years on the football fieldhouse do you not count?

The football championship is not determined by a tournament. I do not know how legitimate it is for the regular season basketball champion to be champion - probably completely legitimate. Nevertheless, the SoCon Tourney championship is the only one that always carries weight, i.e., you automatically get to keep playing. Of course, we have never used that next game successfully except one time in all history.

[Affirm]

Despite my natural inclination to don purple-colored glasses, I have to admit our recent three-game skid has had me in a bit of a funk. Thumping the WCU bottom-feeders has provided some relief, but not as much as I hoped as we prepare to host Wofford - the team I'm certain harbors a stash of kryptonite displaying a beautiful diamond F. When they pull that baby out of the vault our guys might as well join the cast of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Check the locker room for human-sized seed pods.

This morning though I'm looking at our #73 KenPom Rating, thinking of what could-have-been, when I see the team just ahead of us #72 Syracuse. Think of that. The Orange. '03 NCAA Champions, six final-fours since '75. Jim Boeheim. And our guys are tucked just under them even after having suffered the February we've had.

Naturally one thinks that says more about Syracuse's modest 13-12 season than Furman's place in the KenPom, until looking at the list that follows: #77 Santa Clara, #78 Virginia, #85 Cincinnati, #87 Wichita St. (!), #88 St. Bonaventure ... The Bonnies ! And I haven't even mentioned the nearby land-grant university with the all-that football team at #84.

CBR understandably reminds us to "remain humble" - and I concur inasmuch as I'm thankful for our players' health and the blessings of our team's resurgence - but I'm itching to cast-off this role of "up and comer". The players & coaches have earned their position among these storied teams, dammit. Furman belongs with this crowd, and I'm looking forward to the finish this team will enjoy. Go FU !

Yes, I agree. Go Furman.
But since "Perspective" is the title, I will point out that Sagarin as of TODAY shows
Clemson 83, UofSC 84, UTC 95, Furman 96.
Remain humble. players and coaches have earned a lot, but it has not been recognized by every current rating, and it probably won't be recognized by every current rating or every college basketball fan in South Carolina, even after we win the SoCon Tournament championship on March 7, 2022, our first in 42 years.
Go Furman.

[apaladin]

Not a fan of Sagarin at all. His system is skewed too heavily toward the big boys. Don’t have to win any just play in a big conference, For example how can a team with a 12 -15 record thats lost 5 in a row be ranked 13 spots ahead of a team that is 19-10? The NET is the only one that matters and FU is ranked above both CU and SC as they should be. If you like Kenpom which is much better than Sagarin FU is ranked higher than all 3 you mentioned.

Wonder if Jonny Lawrence will ever play again?

[Affirm]

Not a fan of Sagarin at all. His system is skewed too heavily toward the big boys. Don’t have to win any just play in a big conference, For example how can a team with a 12 -15 record thats lost 5 in a row be ranked 13 spots ahead of a team that is 19-10? The NET is the only one that matters and FU is ranked above both CU and SC as they should be. If you like Kenpom which is much better than Sagarin FU is ranked higher than all 3 you mentioned.

Wonder if Jonny Lawrence will ever play again?

Well and good.
But what about Sagarin having Davidson at 66, Belmont at 72. I guess you say they play in a big conference. Or maybe just that they win. 21-4 and 23-5 respectively.
Then what about Richmond at 81 (17-10).
Remain humble. Keep winning.
Go Furman.

No idea who Jonny Lawrence even is.

[apaladin]

Not a fan of Sagarin at all. His system is skewed too heavily toward the big boys. Don’t have to win any just play in a big conference, For example how can a team with a 12 -15 record thats lost 5 in a row be ranked 13 spots ahead of a team that is 19-10? The NET is the only one that matters and FU is ranked above both CU and SC as they should be. If you like Kenpom which is much better than Sagarin FU is ranked higher than all 3 you mentioned.

Wonder if Jonny Lawrence will ever play again?

Well and good.
But what about Sagarin having Davidson at 66, Belmont at 72. I guess you say they play in a big conference. Or maybe just that they win. 21-4 and 23-5 respectively.
Then what about Richmond at 81 (17-10).
Remain humble. Keep winning.
Go Furman.

No idea who Jonny Lawrence even is.

https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/mens- ... rence/4695

[Affirm]

UTC & FU each moved up (improved) 1 spot today in Sagarin to 94 & 95.
PS: Embarrassed that I stated I did not know who Jonny Lawrence is. I apologize.
PPS: UofSC moved down (worse) 1 spot today in Sagarin. They beat 21 LSU Saturday.
Maybe the women’s win yesterday made the men look worse.