I think we may need to readjust our definition of "being back" a bit now that we have moved from D2 to Division 1. Think about this for a minute, with 7 days left in this season, or 3 games remaining, the Sugar Bears controlled their own destiny, win all 3, they would have won a title, SLC East at the very least, of some sort. This coming off the worst season in program's modern history. Now we all know by now that hasnt worked out the last 2 games, BUT you really can not ask for anything more than to be the holder of your own destiny, needing no help from anyone else, heading into the final week of the season. (Ok, after further thought I guess a little help was needed to win the overall SLC, but you get the point, we held the East in our hands)
So do we need another year in the vicinity of this year's record/results to be considered "back?" I dont know, but I now have no problem using it. Reason being, the SLC, while obviously not the most powerful woman's conference in D1 basketball, still has above and beyond more quality, and deeper teams and talent than the old NAIA, AIC, and Gulf South days from top to bottom throughout the course of a season, thats why its D1 competition. Its not impossible to dominate year in and year out in the SLC because SFA, Lamar, and UTA seem to have been consistently at the top since we have entered, with SFA being just pretty dog gone good since the true inception of woman's basketball overall. But other than that, there arent many programs in the SLC that have been at the top, or stayed at the top the last 4 years, or beyond consistently. Now UTSA has won back-to-back Tourney titles, so I guess you could throw them in, but we have a real chance to step in and join that elite/upper tier group at the top year in and year out, just like we have done this year. To me, that makes you back in this day and age with the all things considered. So I guess my point is, I'm agreeing with the previous 2 posters.
Now next year, if we go out and lay a season long egg, which I dont anticipate, then I reserve the right to change the mind!
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