Tgr4life

I would like to know your opinion if a) this off season works out and b) if this off season does not work out. I don't disagree that this off season is very important, but very interested in your insights either way.

Thanks to everyone. I enjoyed the varying points of view.

My point is that sometimes you just have to realize who you are and where you are. When Dr. Caret (who I very much admire) started talking about Michigan/Mich St and UNC and NC State, it put grandiose thoughts in folks minds. Unfortunately, these are goals we, in all likelihood will never be able to attain, but remain in the back of our minds.

I thoroughly understand the excitement of getting to the tournament. The UMBC win was awesome. The George Mason run was awesome, but the more of those that happen, the more likely it is that Michigan and/or Ohio State will say thy don't want to share their money with the winner of the MAAC or the CAA. This actually is also more in line with those on this board who wanted to play in other tournaments once the loss in the semis occurred. I think it would be really cool if Towson won the CAA tournament and went on to win a tournament game, but you have to look at what is best year in and year out for schools that can't afford to play in the big time.

You are thoroughly misunderstanding the post. The point is, as Seth Greenberg said on ESPN last week, Cinderellas are okay in Round 1 or 2 of the NCAA Tournament, but after that, only major conference teams should play. This does not minimize any players or coaches or AD, but rather a factual statement, that we need to understand what we are really playing for.....a chance to egt hammered in the tournament by a school that is paying their players millions of dollars. Breaking away for the Power 5 would do everyone a service and allow folks to compete at the level at which they can afford. I only mentioned the two players since, in my eyes, it made everything much clearer.

I am sure it is nice they are loyal to the staff. You would nonetheless have a hard time convincing anyone that if they were offered the 250,000 that our previous player got for going to Kansas, the loyalty would be just as strong. Money talks. If they were offered and accepted the 250,000 what would really be getting....a chance to with a minor conference championship. It would be great to win the tournament, but at what cost.

The more I see the CAA players signing with Power 5 schools, I wonder if Tejada and Williamson are really all we think they are. This is not a knock on them, but if a Power 5 really wanted them, I have no doubt they would be gone. It gets to be disappointing that this is what college basketball has become. Teams such as Towson, Elon, Monmouth and the rest of the CAA are merely breeding grounds for schools that actually have a chance to win something other than a minor league championship. Having followed college basketball since the days of Vic Bubas and Bud Milliken, this is tough. I know times change, but if you truly cant compete for a championship (a real championship), it might be time and best for all schools if the Power 5 broke away, had their own league and let those who can not afford to be in the "big time" play for what the NCAA was supposed to be.....AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Pretty unbelievable, huh?

I was unable to post a link here, but go to collegead.com, sign up for todays newsletter and scroll to one of the later stories and you will see the UNBELIEVABLE coast of going to the new premium seating at JMU. Sorry, I could not be more helpful, but doing the best I can.

what do you mean? Anything going on behind the scenes?

I wish I could share your "half full" optimism. If only there was a reason for it other than blind loyalty. Same top players that lost to a 12 seed. Same coach who has given away more than one chance to get to the finals, when it looked like they were there. Almost feel like I am from Missouri....The Show Me State

We have been optimistic for the past 10 years at least. I know they were the two best players on the team last year, but what did the team do.....WHEN IT COUNTED? Just think...if the team does not make it into the NCAA next year, we would have found a new way to get to the sweet sixteen.......16 years with the same coach and never getting into the conference championship game much less the Big Dance. Not optimistic....not pessimistic....just realistic

Thanks and yes I did mean Towson. Any "word on the street" as to whats going on with the two that most folks seem to be concerned with....Tejada and Williamson

Didi I miss any "official" word as to the total number of folks that are/will be in the portal? Who do we have that is there now and are the ones there, the only ones that are going to be there?

With the cost of D1, expect many more to make the move.