You make the playoffs regardless of the outcome, and either way you will have to go through Bullish Mentality to win...not sure what the big deal is...
one of the strange aspects of BB is the limited rewards for making the playoffs. there may be some sort of attendance boost the next season, but i've often thought it crazy that making and losing the initial playoff game was too heavily penalized (at this level, a rough reduction in income of $300,000). that's a serious hit to someone on a tight budget.
as for the rest, i agree it was fine for TF to CT, and it is fine for Tucumcari to be upset and blow off steam but i hope ozone remembers he has one of the three or four best teams in the country and he was always going to play Bullish Mentality on his court. and, for me this counts as a lot, you will be back here next season.
as for lathrop, i am reminded of Job, or more particularly, Job's wife, who after seeing the troubles befall her hubby said, "Curse God and die" -- understandable advice, to me. Job told his wife to STFU.