I think I'm hurt

[nighthawk]

And I think maybe I'm just a little offended. I just heard Coach Pearl say that his dream job is "someplace I can compete for a national championship".

I understand his desire to win it all. What I don't understand is why he thinks it can't be done at UWM.

Deep down, does he see UWM the same way the rest of the "majors" do?

Is UWM just a team that is supposed to make the first weekend of the dance entertaining, and then go away like good little whipping boys?

What motivation can there be for his players if he as much as says that they could never compete for a championship? Are they working like dogs for nothing? Are they running all those drills for the sheer pleasure of it all?

How do you go into a high school junior or senior's living room and say "Hey, I want you to come play basketball for me, but even I don't believe we have a snowball's chance to get to the Final Four."

That's one hell of a pitch.

Does Mark Few at Gonzaga think he has no shot at a national championship? I would be willing to bet he doesn't. There are two teams in the Final Four that were seeded lower than Gonzaga this year. That tells me that they had a good shot at getting to the Final Four when the tournament started.

If the Coach doesn't think it's possible to win, he can't convince his players there is a chance they can win.

I guess I just want someone at the helm that does believe it's possible. Not likely, and certainly not easy, but possible all the same.

I've always taught my kids that they first have to dream it, before they can achieve it. I think that all parents tell their children that. I also think it's true. The single largest limitation on any success is in our own minds.

I think I just heard a man I admire greatly admit he doesn't believe he can...that we can....that they can.

My heart is aching.

If there was one man I expected to believe, it was Coach Pearl. Maybe I was wrong for that.

I will keep Coach Pearl and his family in my prayers while they come to a difficult decision. This episode has torn me up inside. I can only imagine how he feels.

[dunzz]

i very much doubt he will stay here next fall and i was the greatest advocate that he will remain for one year. the new question is, which players will come with him. non of the srs. but some important transfers like childress or dougless well see. its all speculation for me right now, but the fact remains is that UWM can not comepete with 1 million dollars a year. We cant offere him a "championship". whethere or not we are missenterpreating this comment, we will most likly not get a straight answer out of him tomarrow.

[mikeb]

im only offended because all season, even after the loss to illinois he advocated family and the perfect job. i really cant believe hes gonna uproot his son in his senior year of highschool and leave a team with 6 seniors. if he had said yeah i dont know how long ill be here then id be fine with it, but its just that he kept saying how hes gonna be here. just my opinion

[Ron Mexico]

I knew he would leave, but I thought for sure we would get one more year out fo him. It's not like UT will be the only big school to ever offer him a job.

[TBone]

As far as Bruce not believing in his team/players' ability to win: www.allcoachnetwork.com/pearl/xo.html

Let's face it, it's tough as a mid-major to compete for championships. We had a heckuva team last year and didnt' even make the dance because we lost a close game to UIC in the championship. That's I think what really hurts mid-majors--if you lose in your conference tournament you have no chance to play in the dance.

Another fact, Bruce Pearl is hot right now for one reason and one reason only. This team beat two top 25 teams in the dance. Can he do that next year? Perhaps, but let's not forget we matched up well with those two teams we beat. Will the same matchups exist next year? Will we win the regular season title and lost the championship to Detroit, UIC, or UW-GB? If so, Pearl no longer gets the "looks" from bigger schools.

If BP feels the Tennessee job is a great opportunity for him, who are we to say it isn't? I personally don't think it's much of a step up since UT is a "mid-major" in the SEC, but I don't blame coach for wanting to take that step here and now with the best offer he's going to get in a year when he may be the hottest he'll ever be.

He waited a LONG time in D II basketball for an opportunity, he got it, he took advantage, and he may never have this opportunity again.

Thank BP for the the great 4 years, the success this year, and I hope you make the right choice for you and your family.

P.S. Leave the recruits here please.