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Post by yankeefriar on Mar 20, 2019 21:38:47 GMT -5
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Post by wtm97 on Mar 21, 2019 6:15:04 GMT -5
Excellent article by McGair - tough(?), yes; fair (?), yes, because his analysis is rooted on the reality of what we all just witnessed coupled with the very real challenges this program is now facing.
Look, as fans we get emotional - some confuse “loyalty” with that reality of failure and become defensive. Others remain quietly optimistic while suffering through like brave soldiers, always hoping for that turnaround that didn’t happen. Still others point to the obvious such as “ we can’t shoot “ while the usual boo-birds circle snapping and even snarling even as the “harp” plays...
McGair presents a balanced analysis and challenge to Ed Cooley here - and his focus on the UMASS game is correct as that microcosm of a shortfall across many fronts.
Finding solution(s) May be as easy as a tweak here and there plus hard work and a positive focus on the part of those returning as players - I don’t know.
What is known is what he brings forward - the head coach, his staff and players need to dig deep to turn this ship around. They sure hit bottom during the debacle vs Arkansas with a listless if not clueless loss to a bunch of highly motivated underclass men facing them down on our home court. Not good - it was beyond losing a game when a Bronx Cheer arose from the sparse crowd when finally a three point shot was made...
Much to do and we as fans must have Hope that our coach and staff can and will find a path that will bring back that measure of success our support expects and deserves.
Play on - save us the pablum of platitudes like “Love and Joy”; by all means keep the Harp and other positives but let’s get that focus back so we can compete and once again reach down deep to yell LET’S GO FRIARS!
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Post by pc1971 on Mar 21, 2019 9:11:42 GMT -5
An excellent article. Thanks for sharing Yankee.
McGair does a really nice job.Critical, but not earth scorching. The Italy Trip should have allowed this Group to be bonded on and off the court and have a head start on others who did not get to start the "season" as early. The Ruane Center is great. But it is what you do on the court in games that counts.
It was by far the most disappointing season of Cooley's tenure to date. I also agree that the UMASS debacle was a precurser of what this season was to become.
We shall see what Cooley and Staff ,as well as the players, are made of .This will be a huge off season.
I believe that the staff will seek, in no particular order, a point guard, shooter and a big. Fifth Year Seniors, guys released due to coaching changes and JUCOS will all be looked at. I have feeling that at least one of the former will happen for the first time this year.Other BE Schools have feasted on that source of experienced talent.
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 9:17:12 GMT -5
my issue is cooley's quote holding the upperclassmen accountable....I realize Edwards was beyond bad from the floor last year but he's our 2nd best 3 point shooter and doesn't turn the ball over. How do you tell him that David Duke has earned 500 more minutes?
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Post by friar71 on Mar 21, 2019 9:23:47 GMT -5
An excellent article. Thanks for sharing Yankee. McGair does a really nice job.Critical, but not earth scorching. The Italy Trip should have allowed this Group to be bonded on and off the court and have a head start on others who did not get to start the "season" as early. The Ruane Center is great. But it is what you do on the court in games that counts. It was by far the most disappointing season of Cooley's tenure to date. I also agree that the UMASS debacle was a precurser of what this season was to become. We shall see what Cooley and Staff ,as well as the players, are made of .This will be a huge off season. I believe that the staff will seek, in no particular order, a point guard, shooter and a big. Fifth Year Seniors, guys released due to coaching changes and JUCOS will all be looked at. I have feeling that at least one of the former will happen for the first time this year.Other BE Schools have feasted on that source of experienced talent. Agree but not sure why that is. I can't believe it is a "course issue". Since there are so many doing it, there has to be an easy way around it.
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 9:28:32 GMT -5
Course issue is bs...Cooley has said he doesn't do it out of loyalty. Based on our public service announcement the other night, that has changed
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Post by yankeefriar on Mar 21, 2019 12:31:21 GMT -5
my issue is cooley's quote holding the upperclassmen accountable....I realize Edwards was beyond bad from the floor last year but he's our 2nd best 3 point shooter and doesn't turn the ball over. How do you tell him that David Duke has earned 500 more minutes? Or White who hasn't hit the broadside of a barn in his 3 years.
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 15:08:00 GMT -5
you're not going to believe this but white actually deserved more PT. In basically 100 less minutes made 11 more 3s than duke, had 3 more assists and committed 25 less turnovers...also shot a much higher % from 3. 34.4 vs 29.7. A legitimate argument can be made that our starting backcourt should have been white and Edwards and both should have gotten more than 25mpg. Since white is so shaky with the ball, the walk would have put it in Edwards hands...
....tough to lead as a vet when a starting spot is guaranteed regardless of performance.
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Post by friar71 on Mar 21, 2019 16:02:24 GMT -5
Course issue is bs...Cooley has said he doesn't do it out of loyalty. Based on our public service announcement the other night, that has changed I didn't know Cooley had said he wouldn't take grad students. That probably means he will go Juco or Freshman first this year. I think grad students are a better fix in this situation since you can see how they played against D-1 competition even if it is a different level.
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 16:46:47 GMT -5
he said it at a time when we were making ncaa tourneys and relatives weren't b!tching on twitter....didn't think it was being loyal to the guys he recruited. I'm not sure he still thinks that's necessary.
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Post by yankeefriar on Mar 21, 2019 19:12:32 GMT -5
Mind boggling how Ed couldn't recognize that Duke wasn't a PG. He should have been on the wing from day 1, especially since we have no shooters. Easy move. I have seen zero court vision.
If I had to actually watch more of White this year, I would have stroked out. 3 years in and outside of Butler in the Garden, I hate his game. He's given us nothing as a hole.
Saint Mary's playing a walk on point guard. He'd start for us. If for no other reason he protects the basketball.
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 20:06:18 GMT -5
Not sure Duke for anything other than 15 mpg was the answer this year....he was that bad offensively.
I don't think he'd start...decided before the year began.
Cooley can make a legit argument he was playing for next year...
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mikemc
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,232
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Post by mikemc on Mar 21, 2019 20:39:40 GMT -5
Seth Davis said Izzo doesn’t coach Team USA because he wants to be on campus and close to his players. Hmmm. Interesting concept.
....gotta love friartown...
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Post by thewalk on Mar 21, 2019 20:42:35 GMT -5
izzo had an aneurysm today....
You know watching nova struggle inboundung the ball against a press today and against shu, you wonder why we didn't try it...
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Post by yankeefriar on Mar 21, 2019 20:58:40 GMT -5
izzo had an aneurysm today.... You know watching nova struggle inboundung the ball against a press today and against shu, you wonder why we didn't try it... Especially since Ed isn't afraid of playing 10 or 11 guys.
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