Andy Katz with big MSU/Hinson article today...

[Nyghtewynd]

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3012717&name=katz_andy

You have to be an Insider, but it's pretty interesting. Summary: Hinson says that the only goal is to win the conference tourney this year, and he doesn't care if they lose every non-conference game if it gets them ready for March.

Um...interesting theory...

[Panthera Pardus]

Just goes to show that success is all in how you define your goals.

[CharlieHog]

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3012717&name=katz_andy

You have to be an Insider, but it's pretty interesting. Summary: Hinson says that the only goal is to win the conference tourney this year, and he doesn't care if they lose every non-conference game if it gets them ready for March.

Um...interesting theory...




implying what, that they played too hard against non-conference teams and got tired at the end of the year?


Anyway, that's good to hear since the Hogs are playing the Bears this year.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Let me translate:

Barry is acknowledging that a failure to make the NCAA tourney will lead to his firing. Barry doesn't want to leave it up to the committee, because the committee always screws MSU. The only guaranteed way to make the NCAA tourney is to win the conference tourney, so this becomes Barry's goal.

[Nyghtewynd]

That's probably pretty close to the truth. It doesn't change the fact, of course, that (a) they probably don't have enough talent to expect to get in with an at-large, so even if they did get in they're looking for a fluky sort of run after a few years of no results with a lot of talent, and (b) since they just gave him a two-year extension, firing him this year would be the height of stupidity. Then again, since it's idiotic, Bill Rowe has probably already tatooed the plan on his arm.

[dakyne]

Not sure if BH's take is one of desperation or pragmatism--probably a little bit of both.

[Clawinball]

Such strong words from Hinson, almost makes you shake in your boots! :bears::lol::horse:

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3012717&name=katz_andy

You have to be an Insider, but it's pretty interesting. Summary: Hinson says that the only goal is to win the conference tourney this year, and he doesn't care if they lose every non-conference game if it gets them ready for March.

Um...interesting theory...

It's September, and Bear fans are being told that three (or four) games in March are the only ones that matter.

We didn't have to drop to a lower-level conference; the lower-level mindset found us.

[dogdays]

After SIU got jobbed by the NCAA back in 1990 when they went 26-6 that kind of became Rich Herrin's mantra as well. SIU won three Valley tourneys in a row under Rich(93,94,95) but never won the league or an NCAA game ......its certainly not a philosophy many people shared or agreed with.

[doinit salukistyle]

in hindsight...when you schedule chicago state twice in one season...you arent getting an at large bid

*edit* I didnt care back then...i was a deadturd fan

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

After SIU got jobbed by the NCAA back in 1990 when they went 26-6 that kind of became Rich Herrin's mantra as well. SIU won three Valley tourneys in a row under Rich(93,94,95) but never won the league or an NCAA game ......its certainly not a philosophy many people shared or agreed with.

That "lower-conference mindset" was much more appropriate for the Valley of the early 90s than for the Valley of 2007.

I haven't gone to a game in Springfield since I moved away two years ago. But any thoughts I had of going this winter have been negated, now that I know the coach thinks they're all unimportant.

[pawball]

But any thoughts I had of going this winter have been negated.

Good. Don't need that tude anyway.

[troutangler]

Good. Don't need that tude anyway.

Don't worry Bleeds, pawball and his clan will make up for you not being there. They're the best Bear fans around, just ask them. They'll kiss Barry's butt enough, no one else will need to show up.

[iSASO]

I feel a reapeat of the Hammons Field Fiasco coming. Year 1 attendance will be pretty darn good and the MSU fans will again proclaim that bricks and mortar will lead them to the Promised Land. In Year 2, while averaging 6,000 in an 11,000-seat arena, reality will set in once again.

[Nyghtewynd]

Good. Don't need that tude anyway.

Yeah. It's *his* fault. Sure it is.

[MSU Bleeds Maroon]

Don't worry Bleeds, pawball and his clan will make up for you not being there. They're the best Bear fans around, just ask them. They'll kiss Barry's butt enough, no one else will need to show up.

What, me worry? <insert Neuman pic here> :innocent:

I really should look on the bright side: if all those regular-season games are now meaningless, Barry might feel less tempted to play mind games with his players. He might not scrap the entire offensive playbook in midseason. He might not panic when the January swoon hits. He might not panic in the last five minutes of a close game. He might not --- ahh, hell, who am I kidding. Barry's job is the most secure in the Valley, and nothing he says in September is going to result in actual change on the hardwood.

[pawball]

Maroons, Barry gives you all the fodder you need to stay content in your negativity with statements like these. Unfortunately, B has a tendency to make outlandish statements...that you can ride your hoss on. What's funny, to me, is that you take these rather incredulous statements at face value and want to build a case of some sort upon them. But, if you and Trout and some others didn't have this crap to carp on, I'd have little to say and simply be left to drool in my oatmeal and suck on Barry's hind tit in my patriotic Bear dreams. Ah, yes, that's the life for me.