Would you just stop? You should say "strictly a failed LEADER." Background has little to do with it. Get a crappy leader engineer in there and you get the same result.
Sincerely,
The Finance Guy who hopefully leads well
Winning the conference tournament gives you bragging rights for a year and a guaranteed entrance into the Big Dance. It's a big deal. We got a sympathy bid to the NIT (little dance) since we are the reigning champs. We will lose in the first round.