Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
As astounding as this sounds, if Self doesn't get lucky and get to play a #12 seed in the Second Round and a #9 seed in the Sweet Sixteen during his first season, does that fan base even stick with him going into 2007, when he would truly break through and get another Elite Eight and really have it going from then on? We have fans up in arms about losing two Second Round games and a First Round game as a #9 seed even after we spent several years in the wilderness, whereas Kansas was humming along when they hired Self:Anyone remember when KU fans were dragging Self through the mud for his early exits at the beginning of his tenure?
2004: Elite Eight as a #3 seed
2005: First Round as a #3 seed (loss to a #14)
2006: First Round as a #4 seed (loss to a #13 ... go Braves!)
Keep in mind this was a year after he lost as a #4 seed in the Second Round at Illinois, and we all know how quickly (and unfairly) narratives form about this kind of thing. If #5 Providence beats #12 Pacific in the 2004 First Round or #1 Kentucky doesn't lose to #9 UAB in the Second Round and Self doesn't make the Second Weekend, he's on the hot seat entering 2007 ... I bet they're glad they were patient, lol.
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