28-4 is a good year. Obviously didnt end the way they wanted it to. However, when you really look at it only one team is going to have a happy ending. That is the Sweet sixteen champ. Anything can happen tournament time. The 9th region is a solid region with good teams. Holmes is good with one of the top players in the state in Bolden. Newport just about eliminated Cov Cath. Too me if you compete at a high level against good teams its a good year. You win the region its a great year. Enjoyed watching them during the KOB the past two years. Glad they came to Louisville to play.

It depends on how you define success. UK is 31-0. If they lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament will they be considered successful?? NO!!!

 

I would say NCC had a successful regular season.

 

I define success (and so would most coaches I assume) by how a team does in the post season. At the end of the day that is what all of these coaches and kids are playing for. You play the regular season to get to the post season.

 

Nothing against NCC - love the team and the kids. But it is what it is.

 

If UK loses in the Sweet 16 to Arizona and they finish with that one loss did they have a successful season? Your analogy is almost there but NCC advanced to the region tournament and won their district. Had they lost in the district semifinals and not made the region tournament then I'd see your point. Losing to Holmes in the region tournament doesn't make the season an unsuccessful one.

How about someone from NCC? Anyone?

 

I think it was a successfull season overall but in the grand scheme of things...it has to sting that the Breds continue to have a ton of talent and great coaching but cant get over the hump and win the 9th Region.

 

The last time they won they rode the back of Ronny Dawn. I honestly think last season was their best chance to win it. Having McDonald, Schulte and Weyer was one of the biggest frontlines in the state.

If UK loses in the Sweet 16 to Arizona and they finish with that one loss did they have a successful season? Your analogy is almost there but NCC advanced to the region tournament and won their district. Had they lost in the district semifinals and not made the region tournament then I'd see your point. Losing to Holmes in the region tournament doesn't make the season an unsuccessful one.

 

Humbly and respectfully disagree. It goes back to the definition of success. My guess is that if you asked NCC at the beginning of the year their definition of a successful year - I doubt they would have said "Win the District".

 

I agree that they lost to a very good Holmes team - and that the 9th is tough to win!!

 

If you are implying that a Sweet 16 loss for UK would still be a successful season....I disagree. Like NCC - the bar is set much higher than that for UK.

 

Again - not a knock on NCC. They themselves I am sure set the bar higher than winning the district.

No, I wouldn't consider it successful. They won the All A, which is cool, but I don't even think their regular season was that good. They didn't win a game all season against a team I've got in the top 20 in Kentucky. Add to it that arguably their best win is also against the team that knocked them out of the post season, and you've got a disappointing season for a team most people considered was at the very least top 10 in the state (most probably had them closer to top 5).

How about someone from NCC? Anyone?

 

I think it was a successfull season overall but in the grand scheme of things...it has to sting that the Breds continue to have a ton of talent and great coaching but cant get over the hump and win the 9th Region.

 

The last time they won they rode the back of Ronny Dawn. I honestly think last season was their best chance to win it. Having McDonald, Schulte and Weyer was one of the biggest frontlines in the state.

 

I know Ronny was a HUGE part of that team that won Region his junior year, but IMO Tony Bagicalupo (however you spell it) was the key to success. The next year they returned 4 of 5 starters and had a nice player transfer in from Grant Co to replace Tony B and couldn't get it done without him. He was a great leader and like another coach on the floor. I don't claim to be an expert on New Cath basketball, but is that what this group of Seniors was missing? Perhaps they just haven't had that guy to rally them when they needed it most these past 3-4 years?

Mentioned an another thread, (depends on how you define a great season) so success also depends on how you define it. I've read a lot of opinions on why NCC lost to Holmes with questions along the lines was it the lack if depth, coaching, the other team wanted it more, just a bad matchup, etc? This team had great senior leadership and talent, from what I've read, two D-1 recruits, another likely collegiate recruit and they didn't win one regional title??? Not sure there is another 9th region team alive with 3 seniors likely playing collegiate bb next season, let alone two D-1 players. Defining your program may be part of the problem, if NCC's administration, staff, players, and supporters are content with this early round loss, and no regional title in 5 yrs and they define this season as successful or great, then possibly there in lies some of the problem. Great programs expect greatness and don't settle for less.

Humbly and respectfully disagree. It goes back to the definition of success. My guess is that if you asked NCC at the beginning of the year their definition of a successful year - I doubt they would have said "Win the District".

 

I agree that they lost to a very good Holmes team - and that the 9th is tough to win!!

 

If you are implying that a Sweet 16 loss for UK would still be a successful season....I disagree. Like NCC - the bar is set much higher than that for UK.

 

Again - not a knock on NCC. They themselves I am sure set the bar higher than winning the district.

I'm sure they did also. I'd say their goals were win All A, win District, Win Region, Win Sweet 16. They accomplished two of those goals and went 28-4. The ending of the season may have been disappointing but the season as a whole was an excellent season.

I know Ronny was a HUGE part of that team that won Region his junior year, but IMO Tony Bagicalupo (however you spell it) was the key to success. The next year they returned 4 of 5 starters and had a nice player transfer in from Grant Co to replace Tony B and couldn't get it done without him. He was a great leader and like another coach on the floor. I don't claim to be an expert on New Cath basketball, but is that what this group of Seniors was missing? Perhaps they just haven't had that guy to rally them when they needed it most these past 3-4 years?

 

Nice add but without RD that team doesnt sniff the Title.

I'm sure they did also. I'd say their goals were win All A, win District, Win Region, Win Sweet 16. They accomplished two of those goals and went 28-4. The ending of the season may have been disappointing but the season as a whole was an excellent season.

 

I guess I am struggling with a successful season being disappointing at the same time. And - achieving goals and accomplishing success are two different things. What you have defined above are milestones of a successful season. Not the success itself.

If Ballard loses in the region, they'll not consider it a success. Neither would Trinity. Neither would Oldham County. Neither would Henderson. Personally, winning the region is the prize. Just to get to Rupp. After that, it's icing on the cake.

Nice add but without RD that team doesnt sniff the Title.

 

Without question

I don't think it's an insult to say a season wasn't successful. My guess is if you asked Drew McDonald what their minimum goal was that he would say to win the region.

 

District? All A? They'd have to try really hard NOT to win those.

 

Sometimes a season isn't successful. It's not a criticism of the players or coaches personally. They just failed to reach THEIR goal.

I'm sure they did also. I'd say their goals were win All A, win District, Win Region, Win Sweet 16. They accomplished two of those goals and went 28-4. The ending of the season may have been disappointing but the season as a whole was an excellent season.

 

I'm no fan of the All-A...especially for a team like this. They could have skipped that tourney and used the time to play tougher teams in Ohio.

 

But to their credit, I seem to recall the All-A post game comments from NCC players were - and I'm paraphrasing - that it was a nice win but the goal is to win the State Championship in March.

 

So even the players realized the All-A for what it is...and the team goal was to win the real State Championship.

After three seasons of lofty ranking and twice using the saying of wait until next season, no I do not believe they had what would be classified a successful season. I personally would not be content..