The losses have been disheartening for sure, but with only one exception, this team never quits. I think Underwood has already made some pretty great strides in trying to fix the culture problem. He still has work to do on the talent/athleticism side of things via recruiting, but man, the team passes the eye test more than any in recent memory. This is still the most optimistic I've felt about our program in quite a while.
There are signs for optimism, although I do not believe that this team has played up to par. But there have been multiple other times in recent history in previous regimes when people focused on signs, even with more optimism, and things never materialized.
In Groce's first year, when we clearly overachieved, people did mention the change of culture, especially finishing very strong, winning an NCAA game, coming a really bad call away from potentially upsetting a no. 2 seed (Miami). Even in Bruce's first years, despite the overabundance of talent, people were very optimistic, i.e., best passing team in the nation, etc. etc.
But at then end it comes down to talent. Either you get it, or the hope dies. And while the mantra of "talent has not been the problem, it is coaching" has slowly died this year, BU has to succeed on the recruiting trail for Illinois to consistently compete. Otherwise, it will be more of the same...
