It was an awful call but when you go to Cameron Indoor you have to expect playing against 8 men. 3 time I can point to the exact same moce but didnt get callled.Did anyone else notice when Parker got a lucky ass bounce to go in Jay Bilas said he had a "Sulaimon moment". Obviously referencing the shot against us.
A splash of cold water: This season is wasted if we do not do at least one of these three things: a) hang an ACC regular season championship banner in the rafters at JPJ, b) hang an ACC tournament championship banner in the rafters at JPJ, c) make it to the Sweet 16 and validate the program nationally. Regular season wins are awesome... but the next month is what will determine how good the season actually is. At this point, I think we have legit Elite Eight aspirations.
This is where I disagree about what needs to happen down the road. This season, unlike any other I've experienced, has been a pure joy to watch unfold. That defeat at TN was painful and everything in my gut said Virginia was once again folding under the pressure. But then something marvelous happened. The team won. Often. Any by a lot.
Seriously, I watch these ACC games and really never have any doubts that Virginia is going to win. Down by 8 to the Hokies? No worries. Irish up by 7? We got this. It's so unusual as a Virginia fan to feel so confident. Past teams would have folded, but there's such resiliency right now. Yes, I hope it lasts. I expect it will. But a long tourney run isn't going to change how much fun this has been so far. I for one have enjoyed the ride and don't need to see postseason success to validate it.
Just my thoughts. I'm not saying having high expectations is a bad thing at all. I just want to enjoy what we have right now, because it is unbelievably awesome.
I hear you Rook, and that's easy to say NOW... but will you be able to say it if we lose in a 13-over-4 upset to, like, Belmont or something?
I need to see a decent Tournament run in order to have these good feelings gel. (I equate to the 2011 football season, where the blowout losses to Tech and Auburn in the peach Bowl left me feeling completely hollow, and forced me to all but forget about the winning that season not three years later.)
It is easy to say NOW and that's why I'm saying it. It's the truth right now. I would certainly be disappointed if we bow out in the first round. But would it make the experience of watching each game along the way any worse? I for one say no.
Good point Rookie. I can't say I'm not bracing for inevitable tournament let down. If it comes, I'll be really disappointed, but it wont make this ACC stretch less awesome in hindsight. It would, however, be completely (as mike scott would say) tragical - and I think this ACC stretch success adds to the amount of potential tragedy.
It would ABSOLUTELY make this ACC stretch less awesome. Anyone saying otherwise is just lying to themselves, I think.
I get the "live for the now" message. I get it, I do. I just think it's kind of a little bit froofy BS. It's been a great season, gotta finish it off properly... or else the regular season winning will just be written off as a tease.
I think we're feeling similarly with different semantics - or we just disagree, haha. Failing to meet the (rightfully) higher expectations in the post season will be more and more disappointing, considering how well we're doing, but even if that happens - this ACC slate has been a blast.
I posted this over at 247. Our kenpom adjusted efficiency is at Arizona levels on defense and yes even on offense. They're considered a Final Four team even without Ashley. Why shouldn't we be considered the same?
Of all the rankings and metrics kenpom's have shown to be the most accurate at predicting winning with the last 7 of 8 Natty winners having a top 10 defense and a top 20 offense. We don't have the latter to fit that profile but neither does anyone else and us and Arizona are the closest to matching it. F elite eight let's reach when we can.
Virginia need only beat Syracuse to win the ACC regular season men's basketball title - http://accbasketballrx.blogspot.com/2014/02/uva-in-control-of-acc-basketball.html
The Cuse game is almost certainly the most important of TB's tenure to this point. Both for the 1 seed, regular season championship - but it'd be the most marquee win and shake some of the classic-UVA-choking-in-big-games stigma.
Must also echo the love of this team. It has made my sports year.
I can't get enough information and media exposure. My UVA basketball brain is a constant dry sponge. But there isn't much out there, ya know? We are still a little discredited and seen as overrated. Personally, I like that and hope it reverses some of the age-old Hoojinx that come with our expectations. Yeah, I know people see our little number by the team, but relatively speaking, Virginia seems under the radar. At least that is the case out here in the West - no respect.
Sigh... Thank God for Miami. Seriously though, you guys are on a roll, I will be rooting for you to win the ACC. Still say you win it and capture a 3 seed, possibly a 2 depending on how things shake out.
It was an awful call but when you go to Cameron Indoor you have to expect playing against 8 men. 3 time I can point to the exact same moce but didnt get callled.Did anyone else notice when Parker got a lucky ass bounce to go in Jay Bilas said he had a "Sulaimon moment". Obviously referencing the shot against us.
ReplyDeleteA splash of cold water: This season is wasted if we do not do at least one of these three things: a) hang an ACC regular season championship banner in the rafters at JPJ, b) hang an ACC tournament championship banner in the rafters at JPJ, c) make it to the Sweet 16 and validate the program nationally. Regular season wins are awesome... but the next month is what will determine how good the season actually is. At this point, I think we have legit Elite Eight aspirations.
ReplyDeleteThis is where I disagree about what needs to happen down the road. This season, unlike any other I've experienced, has been a pure joy to watch unfold. That defeat at TN was painful and everything in my gut said Virginia was once again folding under the pressure. But then something marvelous happened. The team won. Often. Any by a lot.
DeleteSeriously, I watch these ACC games and really never have any doubts that Virginia is going to win. Down by 8 to the Hokies? No worries. Irish up by 7? We got this. It's so unusual as a Virginia fan to feel so confident. Past teams would have folded, but there's such resiliency right now. Yes, I hope it lasts. I expect it will. But a long tourney run isn't going to change how much fun this has been so far. I for one have enjoyed the ride and don't need to see postseason success to validate it.
Just my thoughts. I'm not saying having high expectations is a bad thing at all. I just want to enjoy what we have right now, because it is unbelievably awesome.
~Rookie
I hear you Rook, and that's easy to say NOW... but will you be able to say it if we lose in a 13-over-4 upset to, like, Belmont or something?
DeleteI need to see a decent Tournament run in order to have these good feelings gel. (I equate to the 2011 football season, where the blowout losses to Tech and Auburn in the peach Bowl left me feeling completely hollow, and forced me to all but forget about the winning that season not three years later.)
It is easy to say NOW and that's why I'm saying it. It's the truth right now. I would certainly be disappointed if we bow out in the first round. But would it make the experience of watching each game along the way any worse? I for one say no.
DeleteGood point Rookie. I can't say I'm not bracing for inevitable tournament let down. If it comes, I'll be really disappointed, but it wont make this ACC stretch less awesome in hindsight.
DeleteIt would, however, be completely (as mike scott would say) tragical - and I think this ACC stretch success adds to the amount of potential tragedy.
It would ABSOLUTELY make this ACC stretch less awesome. Anyone saying otherwise is just lying to themselves, I think.
DeleteI get the "live for the now" message. I get it, I do. I just think it's kind of a little bit froofy BS. It's been a great season, gotta finish it off properly... or else the regular season winning will just be written off as a tease.
I think we're feeling similarly with different semantics - or we just disagree, haha. Failing to meet the (rightfully) higher expectations in the post season will be more and more disappointing, considering how well we're doing, but even if that happens - this ACC slate has been a blast.
DeleteIndeed - without either an ACC Tourny Champ or significant NCAAT run, I won't be satisfied.
ReplyDeleteBut boy, isn't it great to have Lax/Baseball expectations for a revenue sport?
I posted this over at 247. Our kenpom adjusted efficiency is at Arizona levels on defense and yes even on offense. They're considered a Final Four team even without Ashley. Why shouldn't we be considered the same?
ReplyDeleteOf all the rankings and metrics kenpom's have shown to be the most accurate at predicting winning with the last 7 of 8 Natty winners having a top 10 defense and a top 20 offense. We don't have the latter to fit that profile but neither does anyone else and us and Arizona are the closest to matching it. F elite eight let's reach when we can.
Just some food for thought.
Virginia need only beat Syracuse to win the ACC regular season men's basketball title - http://accbasketballrx.blogspot.com/2014/02/uva-in-control-of-acc-basketball.html
ReplyDeleteThe Cuse game is almost certainly the most important of TB's tenure to this point. Both for the 1 seed, regular season championship - but it'd be the most marquee win and shake some of the classic-UVA-choking-in-big-games stigma.
DeleteMust also echo the love of this team. It has made my sports year.
ReplyDeleteI can't get enough information and media exposure. My UVA basketball brain is a constant dry sponge. But there isn't much out there, ya know? We are still a little discredited and seen as overrated. Personally, I like that and hope it reverses some of the age-old Hoojinx that come with our expectations. Yeah, I know people see our little number by the team, but relatively speaking, Virginia seems under the radar. At least that is the case out here in the West - no respect.
Sigh... Thank God for Miami. Seriously though, you guys are on a roll, I will be rooting for you to win the ACC. Still say you win it and capture a 3 seed, possibly a 2 depending on how things shake out.
ReplyDelete