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If someone says 5th place would be a disappointment, or that they would like to see us finish top 3 and the team fails to do that, it's not a mistake on our part. It's good to have expectations. It would be a failure by the coach and the team, and it would be a mistake by the AD by publicly stating that we will be the highest resourced program in the conference and we should "expect to win" and our goal should be to win championships.eldonabe wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:24 am I think we are all making the exact same mistake that Frank made in his first year here.... Taking the new conference for granted.
Somewhat agree with you IV. Coming in 1st, or even 3rd without winning the tournament won't mean nothing. Those are the types of teams that get invited to the NIT, which I would be pleased with. Like I said in my previous post, I'm going to have expectations for the program, but making the tournament in year 1 is definitely not one of them. Making it more often than once in 25 years? Yes, absolutely yes. But I'd be totally satisfied with 3rd place and an NIT invite.InnervisionsUMASS wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:38 pm I fully concur with Insider and eldon... everyone will lose their minds if we end up 5th or worse. Some will still lose their minds with a 3rd place finish.
1st in the MAC regular season means almost nothing if they don't win the tournament. 3rd or even 5th in the MAC regular season will mean nothing if they go onto win the MAC tourny and dance.
Lets see how this plays out.
As far as I'm concerned, an NCAAT or NIT appearance will make me happy and feel like we're probably on the right track, if we don't get either of those but finish top 3 in the conference I will be ok but unsure if we're on the right track. Anything else and I'll be asking for Martin and/or Bamford's head.69MG wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 2:23 pm Agree with Juice. Let's be realistic. Top 3 and an NIT bid is a good start. It helps recruiting and maybe retention if you play in the post-season. Move forward from there.
Right on, Niles. That's exactly where I'm at.NilesGold wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:08 pm As far as I'm concerned, an NCAAT or NIT appearance will make me happy and feel like we're probably on the right track, if we don't get either of those but finish top 3 in the conference I will be ok but unsure if we're on the right track. Anything else and I'll be asking for Martin and/or Bamford's head.
Doesn't matter if those are realistic expectations based on the team that Frank has assembled, it's realistic based on having a very highly paid & veteran HC entering year 4 here and having resources that as far as we've been told surpass all other MAC teams.
I'm waiting to read the comments from MAC fans the first time they experience in person an episode of the wrath of FrankInnervisionsUMASS wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:38 pm
I fully concur with Insider and eldon... everyone will lose their minds if we end up 5th or worse. Some will still lose their minds with a 3rd place finish.
1st in the MAC regular season means almost nothing if they don't win the tournament. 3rd or even 5th in the MAC regular season will mean nothing if they go onto win the MAC tourny and dance.
Lets see how this plays out.
Yup, we need a very solid season to get fans back on boardJuice Stand wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:37 amRight on, Niles. That's exactly where I'm at.NilesGold wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:08 pm As far as I'm concerned, an NCAAT or NIT appearance will make me happy and feel like we're probably on the right track, if we don't get either of those but finish top 3 in the conference I will be ok but unsure if we're on the right track. Anything else and I'll be asking for Martin and/or Bamford's head.
Doesn't matter if those are realistic expectations based on the team that Frank has assembled, it's realistic based on having a very highly paid & veteran HC entering year 4 here and having resources that as far as we've been told surpass all other MAC teams.
I can get on board with that as well.Juice Stand wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:37 amRight on, Niles. That's exactly where I'm at.NilesGold wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2025 6:08 pm As far as I'm concerned, an NCAAT or NIT appearance will make me happy and feel like we're probably on the right track, if we don't get either of those but finish top 3 in the conference I will be ok but unsure if we're on the right track. Anything else and I'll be asking for Martin and/or Bamford's head.
Doesn't matter if those are realistic expectations based on the team that Frank has assembled, it's realistic based on having a very highly paid & veteran HC entering year 4 here and having resources that as far as we've been told surpass all other MAC teams.