agree 100%. Razorbacks size comes with elite athleticism.

I’d forgotten we played in the 2024 BWC finals. I’m hoping we bring in some new blood on the coaching staff to help recruit/retain players. Also hoping our GM Abatemarco can help with the transition.

There was an article in the Mercury-News this morning about Santa Clara basketball and there trip to the NCAA's vs Kentucky. The Wildcats have an estimated $20M payroll, which is crazy. What is also crazy? The article says that's roughly 10 times Santa Clara's payroll......that is, the Broncos are paying about $2 to their players. We are REALLY going to have to step up our NIL to compete in the MWC, assuming they are on par with the WCC.

I like this from his roster bio:

"2025 (Senior): In injury shortened season, played just four games ... "

We will never speak of Mercer again!

they are listed on the roster so that’s pretty official. Surprised there wasn’t some type of ‘we’re back’ post on social

I expect tomorrow

I’m expecting good news

we may have and the committee went with Pepperdine for some other reason.

sounds like it’s mostly a bidding process with financial guarantees

I thought at the fundraiser he said some about the chancellor agreeing to allowing some number of out of states (10, maybe?) to be charged for cost of attendance - basically the same as an in-state recruit. That’s a big deal. I have to assume basketball has had such an agreement since Les came in.

they had the entire TV timeout to review all the angles we saw, so I can’t figure what the thought process was.

Did anyone watching see the double T that happened as the teams were coming off on a timeout. Hawaii bench player ran out to, what it looked like to me, offer handshakes and encouragement to teammates. Irvine guy pushed him out of the way as the Hawaii ran in front of him - big time flop. I couldn’t understand why the Hawaii guy got the T. It’s not like he ran out during play. I saw Rawlins and Franklin run out the same way Thursday - seemed like something teammates do. Seemed like an odd call

Big crowd at the Lee Family Forum, at least the side of the arena behind the benches. Hawaii travels bug and I’m guessing a lot of Irvine folk showed up today.

the folks planned the MWC in Vegas can’t wait to have Hawaii next year!

There was an article in Vegas paper about the future of tournaments in town with all the change going on. MWC was downplaying losing some of their best teams by touting Hawaii’s attendance, UTEP’s excitement over a better, more accessible location and pointing out that ‘Davis is driving distance to Vegas’.

Big West loses both Hawaii and San Diego - two good draws. But Sac is driving distance!

Listen to Gross or Les in defeat compared to a Pasternik - speaks volumes of how they feel about their players.

I guess I just don’t see how playing on ESPN and CBSSN has raised Akron’s and Kent’s status in the country’s opinion. But, that’s just me

Watching up close yesterday. I thought Fullerton got away with really physical play, especially on Sevilla. Their frenetic offensive style gets them alot of Ricky tack fouls on offense. I don’t think they are very skilled despite their ability to score. Hoping Hawaii wins

if you look at the NET rankings of the new conference, we’re at 8 ( I think) ahead of San Jose and Air Force.

MWC had 12 teams this year, top 4 had a bye. Next year, I think it’s 10 teams do no tell what they’ll do.

It’s funny with basketball - I think because we sit closer to the action and you can see/hear the players so well (compared to football), we develop a bit of a bond with the players. Makes it painful to see them go through a battle like last night, really hard to see a ‘kid’ like Niko sitting on the bench crying after giving his heart and soul to the program. Hope we can keep this group together and bring in a few new key players for the step up In competition.