Ramblers @ Redbirds 1-10-18

[SoCalRedbird]

Many on here like to live in the past. It’s pretty sad when your best memory is a team that got knocked out of the 3rd round of the NIT after giving a solid lead. But, I guess you have low expectations. You are in the minority my friend...that’s why we struggle to get 4000 fans in the arena.

I dunno. I'm proud of my school's track record of post-season play and perennial competitiveness within the MVC. Compared to the accomplishments of Duke and Kentucky, our accomplishments fall short. But compared to peer institutions, there's a LOT to be proud of with Illinois State basketball in the past decade or so. The thorn in our side has been the anomaly of the MVC, complete with its bottom feeding RPI killers and high-major outliers (e.g. Creighton and Wichita). We would have danced multiple times in a peer conference if it weren't for the downright bizarre collection of teams we continue to support.

We haven't seen our team play in the NCAAs since 1998! I do believe, however, that we will see the dance again very soon. Honestly, I can't wait. I really can't. It will be simply exhilarating to see our school back in office pools and among the national conversation. Clark 'Muthafuckin' Kellogg and Jay 'Gotta Go to Work' Bilas speculating about the #5 v. #12 Xavier vs Illinois State matchup on the first Thursday. The good news is that even though many of our fans are rightfully pessimistic given our penchant for "almosts", our coach absolutely shares in on our passion and hope for the future. DM is a principled man with clear goals. He wants this just as much as we do.

Juxtapose that with Wichita fans, or Illinois fans, or, hell, George Mason fans. They've been to Final Fours! Can you imagine their disappointment year after year as they live in the past and consistently fall short?

We have many shining moments ahead, folks. Trust the process.

To this emblem we'll be true...



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[RedbirdFanatic32]

Or it could be that David is back and has eaten into his minutes as well in the regular rotation, and Dan is no longer forced to play him more to allow guys to rest. But, I'm sure its that he is a best in his first month...thank god we moved on from that Paris Lee kid when he didn't immediately produce, I'd hate to think what might happen if we let freshman develop.....

Many on here like to live in the past. It’s pretty sad when your best memory is a team that got knocked out of the 3rd round of the NIT after giving a solid lead. But, I guess you have low expectations. You are in the minority my friend...that’s why we struggle to get 4000 fans in the arena.

You know what? . . . I was going to respond in my usual sarcastic manner, pointing out how you seem fine ganging up with the negative brethren on someone with a more positive outlook on the team, but then whine when you feel like you’re being ganged up on. I was going to make snide allusions to the piss you drink and the misery you seem to want everyone to share, to how you feel under appreciated for your self-promoting wisdom. I was going to express an expectation that you would say you’re not being negative, you’re being realistic . . . and how that’s a huge crock of bovine scat.

As I thought more about it I decided not to post comments suggesting that life’s not here to fulfill your sense of self-entitlement, that you’re type of fandom is not the salvation our program needs. I was going to end with a comment about how you’re killing the Bird Friend brand.

But, in the end, I decided you’re not worth it.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :text-+1:

 

[redneckredbird]

What I have learned from this thread, don't make birdfan angry! :shock:

 

[Redbird82]

What I have learned from this thread, don't make birdfan angry! :shock:

I have learned as usual we over react to both wins and losses. I rarely post although read all the time. But a couple of comments in this thread...that we should expect to have a losing record every 2-3 years or as much as I enjoyed last years team to suggest that was the best roster of ever for ISU, wow....

 

[Morans14]

What I have learned from this thread, don't make birdfan angry! :shock:

I have learned as usual we over react to both wins and losses. I rarely post although read all the time. But a couple of comments in this thread...that we should expect to have a losing record every 2-3 years or as much as I enjoyed last years team to suggest that was the best roster of ever for ISU, wow....

I don't think it's so much the best roster ever. The point is we lost some really good players. Paris Lee had many accolades and to expect Elijah to fill those shoes immediately is unfair to Elijah. The injury set his development back and he just needs time. He'll be fine.


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[DBird]

What I have learned from this thread, don't make birdfan angry! :shock:

I have learned as usual we over react to both wins and losses. I rarely post although read all the time. But a couple of comments in this thread...that we should expect to have a losing record every 2-3 years or as much as I enjoyed last years team to suggest that was the best roster of ever for ISU, wow....

I don't think it's so much the best roster ever. The point is we lost some really good players. Paris Lee had many accolades and to expect Elijah to fill those shoes immediately is unfair to Elijah. The injury set his development back and he just needs time. He'll be fine.


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:text-+1:

 

[SgtHulka]

Neil Plank years were the best roster ever

 

[Tpguy]

Neil Plank years were the best roster ever

Our best point guard ever

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Neil Plank years were the best roster ever

Our best point guard ever

He was in MBA classes with RedbirdMBA whispering in his ear the whole time. Not quite the Zach Lofton entourage, but Neil managed to stay humble despite all the attention.

And Greg Dilligard's FT adventures make Phil Fayne look like Steph Curry. We're these the Lean Vince Greene years, too?

 

[Bird Friend]

Neil Plank years were the best roster ever

Our best point guard ever

My vote is for Ryan Crowley.

 

[Brick]

Bird Friend, you know Crowley is a Navy Seal. You better mean that when you say that!

 

[Bird Friend]

Bird Friend, you know Crowley is a Navy Seal. You better mean that when you say that!

Why do you think I put him ahead of Plank?

 

[Phantom]

The '05 team was pretty decent. Three solid senior leaders with Guidry, Greene and Alexander. Lorenzo Gordon was developing into a monster, Dilligard was a good role player and Plank was solid at the 3, his natural position.

The '06 team was just a chaotic mess. Short bench, Gordon left, Plank was forced to play out of position at the 1 all year, the "spark" off the bench was Nedu Onyeuku (RIP), and we tried to rely on Dilligard to be our big scorer. Recipe for badness.

 

[TIMMY]

Neil Plank years were the best roster ever

Sorry. Didn't compare to the Roy Herold years. Many a Shannigans Sloe Gin Fizz. :doh: :doh:

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

There has not been a very good team since Muller was wearing a uni and that includes last year' team, IMO. My definition of a very good team is one that makes the NCAA tourney and moves the program forward. Some ISU teams, since the last NCAA participant, have been better than others and more fun to watch (last year's team would top that list) but all fallen short of the big prize. Last year's team ultimately underachieved, even with 27 wins, which makes it painful. I am not one that feels that ISU was cheated last year. I understand arguments both ways and, unfortunately no matter what any of us believe, to those that matter most (selection committee) they felt ISU did not deserve to be in the NCAA tourney.

 

[Bird Friend]

The '05 team was pretty decent. Three solid senior leaders with Guidry, Greene and Alexander. Lorenzo Gordon was developing into a monster, Dilligard was a good role player and Plank was solid at the 3, his natural position.

The '06 team was just a chaotic mess. Short bench, Gordon left, Plank was forced to play out of position at the 1 all year, the "spark" off the bench was Nedu Onyeuku (RIP), and we tried to rely on Dilligard to be our big scorer. Recipe for badness.

Gordon only left because he didn’t make grades and was ruled academically ineligible.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Bird Friend, you know Crowley is a Navy Seal. You better mean that when you say that!

Why do you think I put him ahead of Plank?

Planking is more of a Marines thing...

 

[Tpguy]

I miss the days of the MVC being a very tough and talked about league and feeling bad that the Redbirds weren’t part of it.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

There has not been a very good team since Muller was wearing a uni and that includes last year' team, IMO. My definition of a very good team is one that makes the NCAA tourney and moves the program forward. Some ISU teams, since the last NCAA participant, have been better than others and more fun to watch (last year's team would top that list) but all fallen short of the big prize. Last year's team ultimately underachieved, even with 27 wins, which makes it painful. I am not one that feels that ISU was cheated last year. I understand arguments both ways and, unfortunately no matter what any of us believe, to those that matter most (selection committee) they felt ISU did not deserve to be in the NCAA tourney.

Voice of reason.