After Saturday night I think a lot of State fans threw in the flag on this year's basketball season. I know I did (at least for like 3 hours after the game had concluded). But was that act done in haste? Probably.
Whether you've moved on to baseball season completely or are still holding on to a shred of hope for this year's basketball season, there are still 4 games left in the season plus at minimum the SEC Tournament. Here are the possibilities of how the remainder of the regular season could play out.
Scenario 1:
Kentucky - L
@Alabama - W
@South Carolina - W
Arkansas - W
Overall Record: 22-9
This scenario seemed pretty plausible a couple of weeks ago, but now those two road games to Tuscaloosa and Columbia seem far from given. Even with a depleted roster due to suspension, Alabama has played well in the past few games and State has always had its issues playing in Coleman Coliseum. Under this scenario we assume State loses to Kentucky at home, and we'll assume they get the W at Alabama and go on to South Carolina. Although the SEC is weird on the road this year, South Carolina is awful. If State loses in Columbia it goes without saying that I, along with many other State fans, will sending I HEART YOU letters to Kermit Davis and the coaches of Wichita State and maybe even Creighton.
Scenario 2:
Kentucky - L
@Alabama - L
@South Carolina - W
Arkansas - W
Overall Record: 21-10
I hate to say it, but this may be the most likely option to play out. Alabama is far from what we thought they'd be pre-season, but we hardly ever play well at Coleman. I think South Carolina is beatable with Renardo Sidney and 4 dust mops on the floor, and Arkansas shares our affliction of playing on the road. 21-10 and onto the SEC Tourney where we'll either a) win the whole darn thing or b) hand the basketball directly to Vanderbilt 82 times for a 165-35 loss on national television. Not much in between.
Scenario 3: WARNING THIS OPTION INCLUDES BLATANT HOMERISM AND/OR DELISIONAL TENDENCIES
Kentucky - W
@Alabama - W
@South Carolina - W
Arkansas - W
Overall Record: 23-8
This option includes us going HAM on Kentucky, smacking Alabama and demolishing South Carolina and Arkansas by 30 points each. But seriously, this is without a doubt the most optimistic of the 5 scenarios. Beating Kentucky in itself seems daunting, then add to that a win in Tuscaloosa makes it seem even harder. With this scenario Rick Stansbury shores his job up for another year, barring a complete collapse in the SEC and NCAA Tourney's.
Scenario 4:
Kentucky - L
@Alabama - L
@South Carolina - W
Arkansas - L
Overall Record: 20-11
See: Whiskey and/or WE LOVE BASEBALL as the official fan reactions to this playing out. But, BUT have to take into consideration under this scenario that this happens, State fans completely give up, then State wins the SEC Tourney, we all get invested again, and then we lose in the first round of the NCAA's. So goes the life of an MSU fan.
Scenario 5: WARNING: Do not let small children view this option
Kentucky - L
@Alabama - L
@South Carolina - L
Arkansas - L
Overall Record: 19-12
NIT! NIT! /checks NIT bids CBI! CBI!