by Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
Ugh.
The think-positive, back-the-boys and never-criticize masses within the Temple University men’s basketball universe can bask in the glory of Thursday night’s upset of No. 16 Wichita State for a day or two, and good for them because, yes, indeed, it is nice to win a big one every now and then.
Good for the soul. Good for morale. Gives the team and its supporters a little boost. Gives them all a reason to keep pushing forward with some intention the rest of this regular season.
Not for nothing, it’s nice. It really is.
But it also sucks. Big time. Because it will only serve to further extend the mediocrity that has existed along North Broad for a decade now.
Sorry, just seen this act all too often and it remains the same. One big win per season somehow ensures the erasing of months of monotonous, boring play that yields – at best, if the Owls are lucky – an early exit from the NCAA tournament.
Ugh. No thanks.
Have watched the Fran Dunphy Show all too often with the Cherry & White, and realize it ain’t gonna change. Nor, apparently, will that one big win each campaign cease to buy him more time.
After moving back into town in 2009, was there to see Temple beat …
Every big win at home – home being on campus at the Liacouras Center or in South Philly at the Wells Fargo Center – under Mr. Big Five in the last decade up until this latest overtime affair against the Shockers … yo, been there, and each has meant absolutely nothing beyond a hill of beans with regard to improving the program.
They have been meaningless because they have had no lasting impact, aside from living in the memories of those dying for more memories, the minds of those who are major proponents of the Forever Fran philosophy, and, worse, the mouths of the dopes who realize the head coach needs to be gone yesterday but get caught up in the euphoria of one two-hour reprieve from the “norm.”
Finally learned, and accepted, that lesson earlier this season. Which is why money, or time, no longer will be transferring from me to the Temple program unless there is change.
Every one of Dunphy’s first 11 seasons at Temple have ended with a dud-thud and no prospect for anything better in the future.
Dancing? No point in even hitting the floor in March if you’re just gonna trip over your own feet from the opening tip.
The Owls peaked in 2012-13 when Khalif Wyatt carried a nine-loss team into the third round of the NCAA, where No. 4 Indiana and the officials ultimately ended the Owls’ unlikely run. They are the epitome of meh ever since, going 84-71 over the course of almost five full seasons, including this latest “biggie” vs. the Shockers.
So, pardon me for not rejoicing in the moment. Have experienced enough already under Dunphy’s watch to know that’s all they are – moments. Fleeting. Unsubstantial. Unsustainable.
Nothing more.
Just a blip on a radar screen dominated by mind-numbing fronts of mediocrity.
So, yeah, get the snapshot of happiness. It’s nice.
Big picture, though … ugh.
Ugh.
The think-positive, back-the-boys and never-criticize masses within the Temple University men’s basketball universe can bask in the glory of Thursday night’s upset of No. 16 Wichita State for a day or two, and good for them because, yes, indeed, it is nice to win a big one every now and then.
Good for the soul. Good for morale. Gives the team and its supporters a little boost. Gives them all a reason to keep pushing forward with some intention the rest of this regular season.
Not for nothing, it’s nice. It really is.
But it also sucks. Big time. Because it will only serve to further extend the mediocrity that has existed along North Broad for a decade now.
Sorry, just seen this act all too often and it remains the same. One big win per season somehow ensures the erasing of months of monotonous, boring play that yields – at best, if the Owls are lucky – an early exit from the NCAA tournament.
Ugh. No thanks.
Have watched the Fran Dunphy Show all too often with the Cherry & White, and realize it ain’t gonna change. Nor, apparently, will that one big win each campaign cease to buy him more time.
After moving back into town in 2009, was there to see Temple beat …
- No. 3 Villanova, 75-65, on Dec. 13, 2009.
- No. 9 Georgetown, 68-65, on Dec. 9, 2010.
- No. 5 Duke, 78-73, on Jan. 4, 2012.
- No. 21 Virginia Commonwealth, 84-78, on March 10, 2013.
- No. 23 Southern Methodist, 71-64, on Feb. 16, 2014.
- No. 10 Kansas, 77-62, on Dec. 22, 2014.
- No. 8 Southern Methodist, 89-80, on Jan. 24, 2016.
Every big win at home – home being on campus at the Liacouras Center or in South Philly at the Wells Fargo Center – under Mr. Big Five in the last decade up until this latest overtime affair against the Shockers … yo, been there, and each has meant absolutely nothing beyond a hill of beans with regard to improving the program.
They have been meaningless because they have had no lasting impact, aside from living in the memories of those dying for more memories, the minds of those who are major proponents of the Forever Fran philosophy, and, worse, the mouths of the dopes who realize the head coach needs to be gone yesterday but get caught up in the euphoria of one two-hour reprieve from the “norm.”
Finally learned, and accepted, that lesson earlier this season. Which is why money, or time, no longer will be transferring from me to the Temple program unless there is change.
Every one of Dunphy’s first 11 seasons at Temple have ended with a dud-thud and no prospect for anything better in the future.
Dancing? No point in even hitting the floor in March if you’re just gonna trip over your own feet from the opening tip.
The Owls peaked in 2012-13 when Khalif Wyatt carried a nine-loss team into the third round of the NCAA, where No. 4 Indiana and the officials ultimately ended the Owls’ unlikely run. They are the epitome of meh ever since, going 84-71 over the course of almost five full seasons, including this latest “biggie” vs. the Shockers.
So, pardon me for not rejoicing in the moment. Have experienced enough already under Dunphy’s watch to know that’s all they are – moments. Fleeting. Unsubstantial. Unsustainable.
Nothing more.
Just a blip on a radar screen dominated by mind-numbing fronts of mediocrity.
So, yeah, get the snapshot of happiness. It’s nice.
Big picture, though … ugh.
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