As a long time Herd BB fan, I’m very happy to see the incremental improvements in about every facet. the wins have increased, the recruiting is picking up and we may finally have a bench. I look forward to every season now because i sense an overall substantial build that is gaining steam. I am grateful for Herd BB at a time when the future of FB is unknown.
With an exception or two, the first couple of years of recruiting did not do much to gain my confidence that we could become relevant. this was because i felt like his choice of assistant coaches brought absolutely nothing in this regard and arguably, DD coming from a 9-year NBA bubble.
i had practically no reservations with coaching philosophy, methods, Xs and Os...to each his own. you can teach fitness, strength, endurance, and the like. you might be able to unlock hidden desire in persons less driven to not settle, to be better than their peers. Most would agree you can't teach natural athletic ability, instincts and the like. Recent recruiting has done much to alleviate some of those worries.
Still, right or wrong as the number one factor, fans want a winner. I’m more concerned with measurable progression year to year, how competitive/close in games, is everybody contributing positively. Some say it's not this year, but next year or after which one might assume is giving DD too much benefit of doubt…I don’t know.
I think this year is the most important in showing fans and future recruits that we can maintain/improve the W/L numbers and with certainty will “hold base camp” and head towards the last base camp before the summit. While I’m torn on whether or not we should be concerned about early-year OOC loses, I lean towards wanting to start the season a bit stronger to build confidence and a taste for winning. At the same time, we also cannot make a trend out of starting from a weak position in the CUSA tourney seating.