Marathon or Sprint

In racing there is a big difference between a sprint and a marathon.  Fans are deservedly upset that UC did not make the tournament this year....either one.  However, the team did improve some this year and did finish better than expected.  The pre season Big East coaches poll had UC picked 11th, they finished 9th.  That's up two spots.  From top to bottom the poll was close to being right, except that Notre Dame and Georgetown finished below UC and not above them.  The difference between 9th and 11th.  One could say that UC would have finished in 11th had those two teams not "under achieved" and fallen apart.  True, they did have worse than expected seasons but remember that UC helped in that by beating Georgetown twice and Notre Dame once.  Turn that around and UC is 11th and both of them finish 9-9.    In a marathon you don't pass up the entire field at once you have to work your way up picking them of one at at time.  Put two more in the rear view mirror during next season and all of a sudden you are 7th or 6th and in the NCAA tournament.    A slow raise last much longer than being a "one hit wonder" that has one great season, and that's it.  Just a thought.