Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on Today at 03:56:08 PMI think the difference in schedule is highly overrated considering how much parity there is and how much a team's fortunes change from year-to-year. 

Based on their 1st place schedule, the Lions played the Chiefs, Bucs, and Rams.  The Chiefs and Bucs were both mediocre and missed the playoffs. 

Detroit split with them.  And the Chiefs were still the Chiefs when Detroit played them.  Detroit's biggest issue was getting swept by both the Vikings and the Packers.

Quote from: Pakuni on Today at 02:09:17 PMAny team down a few bench players and getting minutes from freshmen and sophomores would have lost by 24 last night?
I'm skeptical.

This amuses me.

A seriousish question for the board. When you watch games, do games fall into patterns to the point that you can almost predict what happens over the next few minutes, as you have seen it with dozens of teams in dozens of games?

Case in point:  The IU game overlapped with the MU game last night.  My wife and I watched our favorite teams separately.  Afterwards, I asked her about the IU-Sparty game.  'Meh.  Tied at 53 IU foul trouble caught up and Sparty upped their intensity'.  That is all I needed to recognize a pattern and know the outcome.

'How about Marquette game'?  "Nine players dressed, 7 freshman and sophomores, at MSG". 
'Ouch.  25-30 points?'

Putting aside the spousal banter shorthand, aren't there certain patterns that you notice when you watch other teams play? 

For me, one is always who stands around on offense first and off ball movement.  Another is defensive rotations.  How quickly teams recognize a zone.  That sometimes bad free throw shooting is like the norovirus.  That Sparty at home almost always finds another gear.

And like last night.  That young, undermanned teams usually lose badly  on the road.  In my mind, it is an expected, a given, a cliche. 


And I always assume that MU is not immune from these patterns.

Does anybody else watch games with this mindset?

Quote from: MuggsyB on Today at 02:56:35 PMI'd pump the breaks on The Hall's miraculous turn around.  Let's see what they do the rest of the season.  Granted, they're 1000 times better than us right now, but they're nowhere near where we have been in recent past seasons.

Considering what they were last year, the lack of NIL, and nearly being the unanimous pick to finish last in conference, what they've done to this point is miraculous.

Quote from: tower912 on January 12, 2026, 12:10:15 PMThe Bears have to play a first place schedule next season.  Detroit showed that can be the difference if you aren't playing your best every week.  Best point differential in the division, last place.
Chicago had the last place schedule.  I do not mean to diminish what they did.  Johnson showed he could coach, Williams showed he could play, and the Bears earned what they have achieved. They deserve their record. Kudos.  Enjoy.

Next season, a pissed off Detroit has the last place schedule.  I definitely expect them to bounce back. 

I think the difference in schedule is highly overrated considering how much parity there is and how much a team's fortunes change from year-to-year. 

Based on their 1st place schedule, the Lions played the Chiefs, Bucs, and Rams.  The Chiefs and Bucs were both mediocre and missed the playoffs. 

Quote from: Markusquette on Today at 02:44:35 PMRecruits should not expect guaranteed minutes just because they signed an LOI. Playing time has to be earned. Right now the problem is Shaka has a roster full of guys who struggle to be even average players at this level. If they need to be replaced by better transfers or more talented recruits then so be it.

The goal should be building the best roster possible with the resources available. That is just reality in today's landscape.

Winning and competing with the best is what builds culture. Losing does not. It is hard to imagine this season has been very enjoyable for the team given how bad things have been. The only thing that probably softens the blow is being a limited contributor while still making more than your on court value.

Excellent point.

Quote from: wadesworld on January 12, 2026, 09:25:26 AMNot sure why Bears fans are saying they're just happy to be here.  Of course if you lose Sunday it's still been a great season.  But you never know how many chances you'll get in the Playoffs.  They host the Bucs, Eagles, Jags, and Pats next year and go to the Bills, Panthers, and Seahawks.  Could very easily be the Commanders with a tougher schedule and not an insane record in one possession games next year.  They still play in the NFC North, but I'd personally say it's more likely they miss the Playoffs next year than have a home game in the Divisional round.

I wouldn't say "happy to be here" is the right description.  Bears fans absolutely want to and believe the team can win on Sunday.  But this season has already surpassed some of the most reasonable but optimistic expectations that a loss on Sunday won't be crushing.  This feels like the opening of a window.

As far as the 2026 schedule, there is so much change year-to-year in teams' fortunes that it's not even worth worrying about.  I'm certainly not concerned about facing the 8-9 Panthers or the 8-9 Bucs. 

Take a look at the Patriots schedule this year.  They literally beat one (1) team that ended up with a winning record in the regular season (the Bills).  Their other wins came against: Dolphins (2), Panthers, Saints, Titans, Browns, Falcons, Bucs, Jets (2), Bengals, Giants, and Ravens.  Real murderers row there.  Yes, you only play who is on your schedule and they did the job but that team doesn't scare me at this point.

But more importantly, I expect the Bears to be better next season if they have a good draft focused on defense.  Cap space will be tight so we'll see if they do anything to create some more room. 

Every significant piece on offense is likely to be back with another year in Johnson's system. 

The Bears could certainly miss the playoffs for a variety of reasons (luck, health, performance) but that wouldn't be my expectation as things stand today.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on Today at 03:27:36 PMNone of those guys have had the level of success on the field equivalent to what LaFleur has had a coach, postseason notwithstanding. 

I get that Packers fans have probably lost patience.  However, I think back to the Bears firing Lovie Smith and what followed from a coaching perspective.  An upgrade isn't a guarantee.

I don't need a guarantee of success.  I need a guarantee of not being mediocre.  Which is what MLF is.

Quote from: Galway Eagle on Today at 03:42:31 PMOn one hand we won with Kam, Stevie, Justin, Oso, Omax & Tyler playing a lot of minutes as freshmen/sophomores

Though that group had Darryl, Gregg, & Kur to be a steadying presence. So the question to me is whether anyone who'd be an upper classmen could replicate the contributions those three gave us.

Instinct is no we'll be the same or worse in 26/27 as it stands now.

It would actually be incredibly hard to beat whatever record marquette finishes with this season. Surely they'll play a much weaker non conference.

Not unless Shaka hits the portal, which I have to imagine he will.

On one hand we won with Kam, Stevie, Justin, Oso, Omax & Tyler playing a lot of minutes as freshmen/sophomores

Though that group had Darryl, Gregg, & Kur to be a steadying presence. So the question to me is whether anyone who'd be an upper classmen could replicate the contributions those three gave us.

Instinct is no we'll be the same or worse in 26/27 as it stands now.