I see you've used the Confused smiley face. Are you really confused? If so, I'll try to clear it up for you.
See, last season, the Sooners, ranked in the top 20 in the preseason, turned in their worst hoops campaign in nearly 40 years, despite the presence of three much-hyped McDAA's.
Last year's team fell short of virtually all projections, and they did so in a fashion that went beyond wins and losses, behaving in a way that did anything but inspire loyalty and support from the fans. Instead, they exhibited self-centered attitudes, behaving inappropriately off the court and too often putting in minimal effort on the court.
When a team has a bad season like that -- particularly in a year when big things are expected of them from the fans, the media, and the college basketball community at large -- the coach is often assigned much of the blame. After all, it's his job to recruit talented players who will work hard, represent the university and its athletic program well, and fit his system, all of which tends to add up to wins on the court.
Should the players come in for much of the blame? Absolutely, and they did. But the coach will generally be held responsible, too, when a season goes that badly, just as he receives much of the credit when his teams play well.
Though many fans will criticize a coach when things are going badly, most of them -- the fair-minded ones, anyway -- will also praise him when things go well. So it's only appropriate that a number of posters have chimed in with some heartfelt "atta boys" for Coach Capel in a thread that details his team's accomplishments in the international U18 tourney.
The praise is sincere and well-deserved, just as was the criticism offered during and following the 2010 season.
Hope that clears it up for you.
