Watching the great FAU-SDSU game and was just thinking about the roster they had and what they were able to do that we were not this year.
1. They had guys that hit pull up jumpers, like the game winner.
2. Their big men could go from the top to the hoop.
3.They just had a presence inside. I think our new guy will help with this.
4. FAU really spaced well on offense.We used to do that, not so much this year.

side not Michah Parrish was a transfer from Oakland. I am guessing he spent at least a year with Brandon Norris. and FAU only had one senior on that team.

We are missing quite a bit to be competing for an A10 championship, let alone anywhere near the level of these Final Four teams. Portal has been quiet since the Dame commitment. Looking forward to seeing how Valentine and crew use those final three spots.

It's crazy to think, but do Norris & Welch have more postseason experience than anyone else in the A10? Four tourney games each (with Braden being the primary PG in all four)? Hopefully that experience, plus the portal additions and everyone else a year improved, means legitimate success next season.

A lot….

SDState has grown men compared to us now. 8 of them are seniors. That was like us last year.
Deepest bench in the country.
Roles. They all know what to do exactly. Nobody plays with confusion.
Matt Bradley can cook.
Nathan Mensah is an otherworldly defender and rim protector. Matchup with Sanogo on Mon will be a duel.
Their forwards all are 6’6 range.
The offense they run is lousy at times, but they hit and create their shots, and ride with whoever gets hot.

That is an elite team. I’d be lying to you if I wasn’t a fan of them hahahaha

God Bless Coach Dutch. Has been there 24 years. Says he’d never leave a good situation….. Thought we had that kinda guy here a few years ago…… sigh.

How scary good can FAU be again next year - the whole team is apparently coming back and they’re upgrading to the American Conf.

One of the things Ramblers really lacked this past year was having a guy who could get his own shot on key possessions. Phil was about the only guy and it became painfully obvious our A10 opponents knew that and made it difficult for him. Having a couple of those players would give the offense a kind of confidence that was lacking the past season in my opinion.

What we are missing is the MVC and Arch Madness , never liked the idea of being in a largely eastern league since it was announced last year. Many years ahead between next March Madness game . It would be a deep dive to pick Loyola from a 15 team Mid-Major Conference . The carrot and the stick was the " multiple bid conference " sales pitch . This season the A-10 had no more teams in the NCAA than the MVC . Tougher conference with more travel and travel costs , an historic mistake .

Not sure you're grasping how the phrase "carrot and stick" is supposed to be used.