Now I might get criticised for this, but I hope TU doesn't make the NCAA Tournament this year.

OK thats dumb right? Well my thinking is that it would be better to take some baby steps toward a successful run next year and the year after for us. Our freshmen have turned into Sophs and more veterans of the MBB wars. Lat year, we lost in the CBI first round. This year, I'd like an NIT semifinal or final. Wih our base of players with two years still left, we could take the next baby step after this year into the tournament and maybe go to the second round there (in the tough and repsected AAC) and maybe a team that is ranked pretty high. After that, we have those one time freshmen, as grizzled seniors and a lot of experience. Danny would be nuts to leave those guys behind to take a higher paying job in a Big 10 or Big 12 conference (unless BS vacates KU). There would be a major push to keep him in Tulsa for a longer run in a secure job.

OK. I may be nuts, but that is my plan. Id rather have DM for at least 3 more years than have the BCS vultures come after him after this year and us needing to find another Danny. IMO.

I don't think you have to worry too much about the NCAA tourney this year.....but that might depend on how good a couple of teams are in CUSA. I think 20 wins is a good possibility and possibly a CUSA Championship!!! I do think Manning will be gone in a couple of years but I was a lot more sure of that when we weren't going to the AAC next year. If the AAC turns out to be one of the top 5 MBB conferences(which I think they will be), it might take a program like Kansas or another top 20 program to get him away from Tulsa.......and most of the coaches at those schools probably aren't going any where very soon. Wouldn't make a lot of sense to go to a bottom dweller at a Top 5 conference school when you are already at a Top 5 conference school. Big, big difference between CUSA and the AAC......CUSA, lucky to be ranked in the Top 10-12 conferences vs a Top 5 conference. I think Tulsa may even be better this year than some of the experts think!!!