Chris Fowler

It's improving, I'll tell you that, because when they took a loss November 1, and I'm going to admit, when they lost at SMU in the first game of November, I'm thinking, man, I know the history here.

I know Mario's teams fade down the stretch.

They don't get stronger and better when it's winning time late in the season, which is what you have to do if you're going to be in their position they're in now.

And he turned that around.

He got his guys to embrace the urgency, to embrace the pressure.

They obviously, as you know, playing playoff games really since the beginning of November, went on the road for the last two of the regular season, played their best ball, went on the road at A&M in Dallas.

in Phoenix and played great games every time.

I mean, not good enough to win, gritty, tough, resilient games.

And I think that people are now seeing him manage the game a little bit better.

These situational opportunities he's had, which were not always his strength.

I think Mario has grown tremendously as a coach this season and especially the second half of this season.

I don't know what you guys think, but I think that's what I think.

And I think nationally, people starting to see that he's got some great qualities as a coach.

He hires great assistants.

Heatherman was a great hire as DC.

And I think he's made solid hires.

And he's obviously always been a very strong recruiter, developer of players at certain positions.

And now I think it's all kind of come together.

And I think that this run has reshaped what the national narrative is about Mario.

Mike, the last couple of days have been getting a lot of applause from UM fans.