I don't really have a dog in this hunt...

[DowntownDawg]

...because I can see both sides of the argument, but it's fairly ridiculous to compare NCAA tournament appearances by coaches to any year prior to 1985, when the field expanded to 64 teams. I've seen posts on here talking about not making the tournament as far back as 1939. Until 1950, the tournament only had 8 teams, varied between 16 and 25 teams until 1974, and got up to 48 in 1982.

The point remains that our basketball history isn't great, but it's very much an apples to oranges comparison to anything pre-1985.

 

[Coach34]

also, if you count up NIT and NCAA appearances since 1985, our basketball history isnt near as bad as many on here would have you believe

 

[Dog in the Know]

I like to look at our draws as well. Other than Tennessee and Kansas last year, MSU played Memphis their third best game. MSU drew UCLA back in 95 when they won the National Champioship with Tyus Edney (sp?). There are other years to compare. Has MSU underachieved. Yes. But I believe only in a few years (lost to Butler in Bham) etc.

 

[bullysleftnut]

also, if you count up NIT and NCAA appearances since 1985, our basketball history isnt near as bad as many on here would have you believe

So NIT appearances matter now? Awesome, Stansbury's had us in the postseason for 10 of his 11 years.

 

[patdog]

Even if the field had been 65 and we'd been allowed to play in the tournament prior to 1963, we'd still have only had about 5 NCAA appearances (and almost all of those within about a 7 year span) prior to 1985 instead of the 1 we actually do have.

 

[Coach34]

that shows our program hasnt been the pathetic nobody many tru to make it out to be

Our program has advanced to the point now that NIT is not a successful season

 

[futaba.79]

overall SEC

1950s - 121-101 61-80
1960s - 141-115 80-76
1970s - 134-127 71-109
1980s - 110-171 55-125
1990s - 177-125 81-83
2000s - 207-114 88-72</p>

We've been a real power through the years. Our only decade worth noting is Stansbury's.</p>

 

[DowntownDawg]

...I'm not enough of a basketball historian to know if we were a bubble team in any of those years that would've gotten in had the field been bigger.

 

[patdog]

Back in the 50s or 60s Mississippi promoted their head basketball coach to assistant football coach.

 

[Coach34]

since the 1950's...we really let the program slide in the 1980's...Bob Boyd should have realized you might actually have to recruit to Starkville, Miss

 

[patdog]

And the best decade both overall and in conference is easily this one.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...how you play during the regular season. Nobody needs to complain about us playing Memphis last year. They were a deserved #1 seed and we were an 8. 8 plays the 1. We were an 8 because of a subpar pre-conference performance. Don't want to play Memphis in the second round? Don't be an 8 seed. Same goes for Duke that year. Same goes for UCLA. If you are a 5 seed, you are going to play a 1 in the Sweet 16. It is what it is.

Playing Texas in Dallas was ridiculous. Playing Xavier when they were hot was somewhat unlucky, but again, teams get hot all the time. Should've won the game. Same goes for Butler.

The only legit complaint about draw in the NCAA tournament is the Texas game. A 3 seed shouldn't have to play a 6 seed on the 6's home floor, basically.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

The only legit complaint about draw in the NCAA tournament is the Texas game. A 3 seed shouldn't have to play a 6 seed on the 6's home floor, basically.

And that rule has since been changed to prevent this from happening I believe.

 

[Coach34]

but conference play is only half the season...Louisville won the Big East over UConn and Pitt, yet probably wont get a 1 seed

 

[elsid76]

Don't forget that in the early 60's we qualified for the NCAA one year but were not allowed to attend due to
the integration issue. The next year we qualified again and our team snuck out at night and went. We lost in
round one but earned lots of fans and national attention for ignoring a direct order from the Governor not to
leave the state.

 

[futaba.79]

is the best indicator of a program's ability to compete. Aside from the current decade, we've had very little sustained success.

McCarthy had a short lived, though glorious run. In 12 yrs Williams had four winning seasons in the SEC, three of which were special in some way. Stansbury has consistently fielded competitive teams for 11 years - 8 yrs of .500 or better in the conference. (strange that you like to point to William's two runs out of 12 seasons as a barometer of success).

In short, to call our program's history mediocre is being kind. Until Stansbury that is.