Entitlement?

[drairf]

I've been reading the PC boards, and it's amazing how quickly fan bases become entitled. PC fans always criticized Uconn fans for their sense of entitlement when they want national championships or nothing. But now I watch Friar fans claiming they will be devastated if we don't land one of the most highly recruited PFs in the nation (Abu), as if it's obvious a player of this caliber should choose a team that has not danced in a decade.

Ed has already received a verbal from Lindsey, who is ranked #32 on ESPN. Signing this type of player at PC, especially one not from the Northeast, was absolutely unheard of a few years ago. Now, we have signed three of them in a row (Dunn, Austin, Lindsey). Even if Lindsey is the only Top 100 PC signs this year, it's a fantastic class by most team's standards. If we happen to land Chukwu as well, it's the best class on paper since what, '95 with Shamm and Jamel? (I'm not including Ledo).

Look, we all would have loved the Friar 5. We all would love Abu. But to see people saying (on other boards) that they would be disappointed in a class with just Lindsey and Chukwu is astonishing when considering the state of the program in recent years. We are extremely fortunate that Ed has been able to land Dunn, Austin and Lindsey. Everyone needs to step off the ledge and realize Ed has landed a Top 50 type player in each of the past three classes (including Lindsey).

Every player who puts on the PC uniform will not be a Top 100 recruit. We have room, and a need, for players like Bullock and Fortune.

[pc1971]

Thank you DRAIF.

You are absolutely correct.No one gets all of their top targets [other than maybe Calipari ].Perspective must be maintained.Plus---it is 3 months before the EARLY signing period.

The talent in the Program right now and the young men whom Ed and Staff are in the running for right now are amazing and the best since the Barnes days.

At the end of the day---the talent coming in the Fall of 2014 will once again be an impressive haul.

GO FRIARS!!!

[suspended poster]

Aug 20, 2013 13:10:00 GMT -5 drairf said:

I've been reading the PC boards, and it's amazing how quickly fan bases become entitled. PC fans always criticized Uconn fans for their sense of entitlement when they want national championships or nothing. But now I watch Friar fans claiming they will be devastated if we don't land one of the most highly recruited PFs in the nation (Abu), as if it's obvious a player of this caliber should choose a team that has not danced in a decade.

Ed has already received a verbal from Lindsey, who is ranked #32 on ESPN. Signing this type of player at PC, especially one not from the Northeast, was absolutely unheard of a few years ago. Now, we have signed three of them in a row (Dunn, Austin, Lindsey). Even if Lindsey is the only Top 100 PC signs this year, it's a fantastic class by most team's standards. If we happen to land Chukwu as well, it's the best class on paper since what, '95 with Shamm and Jamel? (I'm not including Ledo).

Look, we all would have loved the Friar 5. We all would love Abu. But to see people saying (on other boards) that they would be disappointed in a class with just Lindsey and Chukwu is astonishing when considering the state of the program in recent years. We are extremely fortunate that Ed has been able to land Dunn, Austin and Lindsey. Everyone needs to step off the ledge and realize Ed has landed a Top 50 type player in each of the past three classes (including Lindsey).

Every player who puts on the PC uniform will not be a Top 100 recruit. We have room, and a need, for players like Bullock and Fortune.

Great post. We have the worst fan base. Delusional, entitled, hypocritical, sanctimonious, and hateable.

[bones91]

Finally, a logical thought. Building up a program at PC will be a marathon of sorts, not a sprint. As much as we like to be respected with some of the other top college programs, we have a long way to go before we become a reputable program in the eyes of top HS recruits. Some of them, luckily, have seen the light. Let's embrace what we have and stop worrying about what we don't (life lesson, too!!). My 2 cents...

[Cteve]

Publications write things: it's seen (not by me)so the less informed believe what they read. It isn't surprising (though a bit stupid). I wouldn't necessarily say the readers feel "entitled."

I don't know what the finalized class will look like. It will probably be good to very good.

An heiress transferred in a few days ago. I think she felt entitled. Maybe she'll fit in with the fan base?

[drairf]

Aug 20, 2013 14:55:15 GMT -5 Cteve said:

Publications write things: it's seen (not by me)so the less informed believe what they read. It isn't surprising (though a bit stupid). I wouldn't necessarily say the readers feel "entitled."

I don't know what the finalized class will look like. It will probably be good to very good.

An heiress transferred in a few days ago. I think she felt entitled. Maybe she'll fit in with the fan base?

Perhaps you can suggest a different word, but when multiple PC fans are stating that it will be a "kick in the gut" if Abu does not pick PC, that implies to me that the expectation is that Abu should pick PC. It's no different than fans of bigger schools scoffing at the idea that a recruit would pick PC over a large, BCS program. It's very similar to the attitude that we have seen from UConn and Syracuse fans for years, and I'm rather certain that many PC fans have referred to them as "entitled". Unless you are just taking a very literal approach to the definition of the word.



On another note, I'd love to learn more about the heiress.

[TheInfoMan]

Aug 20, 2013 14:05:02 GMT -5 suspended poster said:

We have the worst fan base. Delusional, entitled, hypocritical, sanctimonious, and hateable.

Okay, but other than that we're a great bunch of guys!

[thewalk]

Kick in the nuts is based on the alleged end of the basketball program in storrs...

[friara]

I don't find PC fans entitled at all. I think people are finally excited and a little over expectant on the recruiting front but I don't see entitlement amongst them.

I see the PC fan base in 2 groups. The alums have a very strong pulse on being realistic about what PC hoops can achieve. They know the culture of the school and what a big time basketball team can do for it. Obviously, grads of the 90s have a better experience than recent grads.

The other group is the local, non alum fan base. Some of these people are very astute and knowledgeable about PC's place in the landscape of college hoops. But some are just over passionate. They lead with their emotions and don't let reason play out. I think this group is probably leading the charge for over expectant recruiting. But in general, the vast majority of the fan base still sees us as an underdog on every recruit battle for a top 75 type player.

Personally, I really enjoy the PC fan base but I wish the current students would become more passionate. I really admire the old guard of posters here and on the other forum who show so much positive emotions for their alma mater. I hope I have that kind of passion towards my college when I am older.

[wtm97]

Solid post drairf - you are making a good call here, no doubt and it needed to be said.

Ed Cooley has raised expectations quickly through hard work, guile and chutzpah - and has gotten results.

Some Friar fans reactions to all this activity as we pursue top-level recruits has been at best unrealistic, at worst absurdly giddy and in some cases way over the top. Not sure where this sense of sudden 'entitlement' comes from but it is "out there"...

[drairf]

Fair post, FriarA. I like excitement from Friar fans. I enjoy the fact that everyone was excited about the crazy thought of inking 5 Top 100 players in one class.

However, what I'm noticing is how quickly fan bases lose perspective on reality. UConn fans expect nothing less than national championships from Ollie (it's been said on their board). Maybe Ollie will do it, but it's obviously not very easy and he is a second year head coach. To be honest, I think UConn fan's expectations for next season are already inflated, as many are thinking Final 4 run. Sure, there is a chance it happens, but what I see is a great (but small) backcourt and a mediocre frontcourt in Storrs. For the record, I think Ollie will be very successful (but I don't measure success by national championships like UConn fans).

I'm glad that people were excited about landing the Friar 5, but being dejected about "only" signing Lindsey and Chukwu is losing perspective.

I long said, in the old BE (with Uconn, L'Ville, etc.), that if PC could ink one Top 100 per year (and keep them 4 years unless they go pro), we'd be in okay shape and could battle to finish in the top half of the league (which at that time generally meant a tourney bid). As of now, Cooley is delivering this in each of his three full recruiting years.

I'm all for excitement, but I also appreciate when fans remember where they came from and where they were. I long for the day when PC is in the Top 20 every year, but I have a feeling the attitude of the fanbase will become hard to swallow.

Obviously, I'd love to see Abu, Terrell, and Chukwu sign with the Friars. But if we only get Lindsey, that's a pretty nice foundation.

[friarj]

Aug 20, 2013 16:08:10 GMT -5 drairf said:

Aug 20, 2013 14:55:15 GMT -5 Cteve said:

Publications write things: it's seen (not by me)so the less informed believe what they read. It isn't surprising (though a bit stupid). I wouldn't necessarily say the readers feel "entitled."

I don't know what the finalized class will look like. It will probably be good to very good.

An heiress transferred in a few days ago. I think she felt entitled. Maybe she'll fit in with the fan base?

Perhaps you can suggest a different word, but when multiple PC fans are stating that it will be a "kick in the gut" if Abu does not pick PC, that implies to me that the expectation is that Abu should pick PC. It's no different than fans of bigger schools scoffing at the idea that a recruit would pick PC over a large, BCS program. It's very similar to the attitude that we have seen from UConn and Syracuse fans for years, and I'm rather certain that many PC fans have referred to them as "entitled". Unless you are just taking a very literal approach to the definition of the word.



On another note, I'd love to learn more about the heiress.

I would say expectant is the right word, Ed has created certain expectations with his successes.  Entitled is wrong.  I'm not sure anyone feels we are entitled to these kids.  I will be disappointed if we don't land Abu, so will you and every other swinging d!ck on these boards including the staff.

I also will not be saying that we failed.  Recruiting is all about successes and failures with failures being the primary result.  What Ed is done and continues to do is beyond amazing and I have no doubt we end up with another great class no matter who he gets to sign on.

You can say you will be disappointed without feeling like we are entitled to anything. 

[pembroke04]

Aug 20, 2013 14:05:02 GMT -5 suspended poster said:

Aug 20, 2013 13:10:00 GMT -5 drairf said:

I've been reading the PC boards, and it's amazing how quickly fan bases become entitled. PC fans always criticized Uconn fans for their sense of entitlement when they want national championships or nothing. But now I watch Friar fans claiming they will be devastated if we don't land one of the most highly recruited PFs in the nation (Abu), as if it's obvious a player of this caliber should choose a team that has not danced in a decade.

Ed has already received a verbal from Lindsey, who is ranked #32 on ESPN. Signing this type of player at PC, especially one not from the Northeast, was absolutely unheard of a few years ago. Now, we have signed three of them in a row (Dunn, Austin, Lindsey). Even if Lindsey is the only Top 100 PC signs this year, it's a fantastic class by most team's standards. If we happen to land Chukwu as well, it's the best class on paper since what, '95 with Shamm and Jamel? (I'm not including Ledo).

Look, we all would have loved the Friar 5. We all would love Abu. But to see people saying (on other boards) that they would be disappointed in a class with just Lindsey and Chukwu is astonishing when considering the state of the program in recent years. We are extremely fortunate that Ed has been able to land Dunn, Austin and Lindsey. Everyone needs to step off the ledge and realize Ed has landed a Top 50 type player in each of the past three classes (including Lindsey).

Every player who puts on the PC uniform will not be a Top 100 recruit. We have room, and a need, for players like Bullock and Fortune.

Great post. We have the worst fan base. Delusional, entitled, hypocritical, sanctimonious, and hateable.

I also think this is a great post. I'm still looking forward to seeing Brandon Austin in action. In response to the following points:

Delusional: The older I get, the more I see this in many individuals. PC hoops fans are no exception.
Entitled: Again, more and more people in general have an overall sense of entitlement. It makes sense that this attitude carries over into the sports world.
Hypocritical: I disagree. While there are some, I feel that our fan base is very reasonable, and we'll willing to accept ourselves for who we are.
Sanctimonious: Our coach has high moral standards, and he is a class act. I think that we're entitled to walk around with our noses up in this regard...
Hateable: Strong words, but it's hard to refute this. Not a problem unique to PC though. I think you're focusing on a small minority though.

The majority of fans who post on forums and go to games have been through a lot. As flawed as we may be, we deserve some credit for sticking with our team and showing the love that we show for Cooley and co.

[colonel]

It's okay to drink the Cooley Aid!

[dmac80]

At the very least it shows people care. And a growing interest in the brand and the program. Cooley and the kids hard work last year has done this. Now its time to hopefully advance to the next level and make the NCAA again. All of this will increase interest, expectation, recruiting success etc, which is a good thing.