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There are times to throw in the towel with a team. We saw that with Dooley, Butch, and Potatohead.

This is not the time with this team. And the "Barnes can't coach" talk is nonsense. I guess that's how you beat undefeated (in conference) and #1, with two 5-star starters out. By "not coaching". 

Barnes rescued this program from the mires of mediocrity. And has built one of the best in the nation, something to take great pride in. One can choose to focus on three weeks in March if they want. I'd rather focus on three months during the long, bleak winter.

Barnes has earned the right to retire on his own terms, one of the most beloved of Big Orange coaches. He's getting a little long in the tooth; accrued wisdom can't completely compensate for loss of energy, etc (boy, don't I know it, LOL) -- I'm betting he knows when it's time.

Ironically... SEC is dead on. This could be the year we enter the Dance under the radar, having had a lackluster stretch (I personally don't care if we win a single game in the SEC tourney, as long as our ticket is punched. The SEC tourney is worthless except for those who need wins, or a championship, to get in the Dance). And, with JJJ and Phillips rested and raring to go, our Bigs (especially Awaka) more seasoned, we catch fire in March.

That's the story I'm sticking to, until otherwise indicated. 

In sports, past performance can be a poor indicator of future outcomes. See our football game with Sakarlina for reference.

And especially so in basketball. 1 and 2 seeds fall to 15 and 16. So-so regular season 8, 9, 10, 11 seeds make deep FF runs...

Anything can happen. This team has the same players that made them "with no weaknesses" a month ago. Psychology, momentum... can have HUGE impacts. Too much pressure on role players (e.g., Key) can have a negative impact. Let's get back to full strength, and see what happens.

Give up on this team if you want. I won't.