Anderson - is he really the guy ?

[Knight]

I wonder if the reports about CMA losing the players that transferred is true.  We can’t go through a rebuild every season.

 

[beast of the east]

Repole wanted Hurley as his coach.  If he ponied up the $10 million he was dangling he may have gotten his wish.  He thought $100K to upgrade men's and women's locker rooms would get him access to the decision.  Instead you guys would be clamoring for Hurley's head the way AZ State is. 

I understand what you’re saying Beast. Believe me I do. The question is though, with the upgrades that this program needs to really compete, where else could the money come from? If you have an alumni who’s willing to do it for a little influence regarding decisions made pertaining to the program then why wouldn’t you do it? I know we have other big donors but probably not with resources that Repole has. The program is doomed to mediocrity or less if this isn’t figured out.

With regard to Hurley, being a local guy from the area and with his local connections, maybe he would have been a better fit here than out there in Arizona. It might have been a better situation for him. You never know.

Repole had influence, he just didn't have absolute power.   He worked the phones like a madman at all hours of the day trying to get those in power to hire who he wanted.    Keep in mind that Hurley would have cost more than $3 million per to get here, and Repole to my knowledge never showed a willingness to fund that.

 

[beast of the east]

Using the quote function on my phone is too difficult. Directed at Beast;
our last 3 coaches came here with no head coaching experience except for Lav, who hadn't coached in years. They all faced the same obstacles here and all 3 of them-yes, even Norm who faced much greater obstacles-recruited at a higher level. I use the last 3 coaches because it's a more recent history.  Why should it take CMA, who's a pro, 5 years to maybe recruit at a level close to that which Lav and Mullin achieved almost immediately? We are not even in the mix with any top recruits. CMA's Ark  teams danced 3 times in 8 years, each year with a handful of top 100 recruits. Now, you tell me how exactly is he gonna have us dancing consistently when he can't even bring in the same level of talent that he got at Ark? The same level of talent that saw Arkansas only make the tourney 3 times in his 8 years there. It all just sounds like wishful thinking/blind faith  to me right now. And that's fine if that's how you think, but it sure as hell ain't how I think. 

Lavin as we know was a great recruiter, no doubt, but he did a poor job recruiting for what would have been his 6th year.   If I recall, you were one of his chief detractors, complaining about his expensive dinners in NYC.   I was in favor of retaining him, as were most fans here in a survey..  .   

Mullin brought in one high level recruit -Ponds, 2 if you count Lovett.   The rest were transfers, right?.   I think you were on board with his firing, but I don't recall.

Who said anything about giving CMA 5 years to get a bid?   Mullin did it in year 4.  NR couldn't get one in 6 years.   Lavin with his own guys by year 5.

But you didn't answer my questions:

1.  Who is going to pay for the improvements needed to be competitive, and
2.  What would you change if you were made AD tomorrow, and how? 
3. For you to think that a recruit attending a sold out Seton Hall, Creighton, Villanova, or Providence game, and then come to an SJU game is not impacted I think you are wrong.
4. If you think a recruit comes in and sees our facilties and isn't impacted, I think you are wrong.

Yes, Cragg knew this when he came here, and is trying to do something about that.   Why is that problematic to you?

 

[lawmanfan]

This thread is like that cankersore in your mouth.  Even though you know it's meaningless and will go away soon, it's still irritating and thus your tongue checks it once in awhile just because.

As loath as I am to contribute further to this morass, I'm going to do it anyway and lay down a few markers.

1.  I am completely satisfied that the program is in the best hands it has been in for over 20 years with A.D. Cragg and Coach Anderson.

2.  I have no concerns whatsoever that the program will be a representative Big East program as long as they are in charge.  By that I mean we should fall somewhere from 3rd to 7th in most years, hopefully more in the 3-5 area than the 6-7 area, and thus be in contention for the NCAA tournament half the time or a bit more.

3.  It seems to me that the focus on recruiting rankings is a crutch for folks who use it as a substitute for actually watching the players or who perhaps (despite abundant evidence) don't believe in or understand player development.

4.  I most certainly have my criticisms and critiques of some elements of the approach, but it isn't a perfect world, I would have criticisms and critiques of almost any approach, and there isn't really any debate to be had that this is the most organized and professional group we've had this millennium.

5.  It seems unwise to me to judge a season before a single league game gets played, or to call for either a long-term extension of a coach after a big win or a firing after a bad loss.  I am pretty sure if we did that under the last staff them Chris Mullin would have four or five long-term extensions and a half-dozen firings, at least.  But other than in some fan's heads, that isn't how any of this works.

6.  I think that it is going to be an enormous challenge for the University to upgrade the facilities because a regrettable amount of our older, more affluent alumni have failed to transition from the "just need a token to recruit" days of Louie to the modern era in which far greater resources are required. Red-White club participation is pathetic compared to any other program in any comparable league - we have a lot of people who are happy to talk a whole lot about facilities while contributing nothing towards them.  And "hey let's just tell the one wealthy alumnus that we've heard of that we'll let him make all the decisions if he gives us money" is, to put it bluntly, a moronic approach.  There are other structural challenges that SJU faces, but since the people who are yapping about the problem could potentially be part of the solution, I think taking a look in the mirror would be a good start.  And no, "I buy tickets" does not get you any more points in the discussion of "what have you done to help the program succeed" than "I sit in front of my computer and type stuff" does. 

7.  However, I also believe that "if you build it, they will come."  If, despite our apathetic, negative, entitled, parsimonious, sanctimonious, short-term thinking, "fan" base we manage to create a consistently successful program with some buzz around it, then over time I think success will feed on itself and hopefully lead to reinvestment in the program and all of the nice things we would all like to see.

 

[paultzman]

This thread is like that cankersore in your mouth.  Even though you know it's meaningless and will go away soon, it's still irritating and thus your tongue checks it once in awhile just because.

As loath as I am to contribute further to this morass, I'm going to do it anyway and lay down a few markers.

1.  I am completely satisfied that the program is in the best hands it has been in for over 20 years with A.D. Cragg and Coach Anderson.

2.  I have no concerns whatsoever that the program will be a representative Big East program as long as they are in charge.  By that I mean we should fall somewhere from 3rd to 7th in most years, hopefully more in the 3-5 area than the 6-7 area, and thus be in contention for the NCAA tournament half the time or a bit more.

3.  It seems to me that the focus on recruiting rankings is a crutch for folks who use it as a substitute for actually watching the players or who perhaps (despite abundant evidence) don't believe in or understand player development.

4.  I most certainly have my criticisms and critiques of some elements of the approach, but it isn't a perfect world, I would have criticisms and critiques of almost any approach, and there isn't really any debate to be had that this is the most organized and professional group we've had this millennium.

5.  It seems unwise to me to judge a season before a single league game gets played, or to call for either a long-term extension of a coach after a big win or a firing after a bad loss.  I am pretty sure if we did that under the last staff them Chris Mullin would have four or five long-term extensions and a half-dozen firings, at least.  But other than in some fan's heads, that isn't how any of this works.

6.  I think that it is going to be an enormous challenge for the University to upgrade the facilities because a regrettable amount of our older, more affluent alumni have failed to transition from the "just need a token to recruit" days of Louie to the modern era in which far greater resources are required. Red-White club participation is pathetic compared to any other program in any comparable league - we have a lot of people who are happy to talk a whole lot about facilities while contributing nothing towards them.  And "hey let's just tell the one wealthy alumnus that we've heard of that we'll let him make all the decisions if he gives us money" is, to put it bluntly, a moronic approach.  There are other structural challenges that SJU faces, but since the people who are yapping about the problem could potentially be part of the solution, I think taking a look in the mirror would be a good start.  And no, "I buy tickets" does not get you any more points in the discussion of "what have you done to help the program succeed" than "I sit in front of my computer and type stuff" does. 

7.  However, I also believe that "if you build it, they will come."  If, despite our apathetic, negative, entitled, parsimonious, sanctimonious, short-term thinking, "fan" base we manage to create a consistently successful program with some buzz around it, then over time I think success will feed on itself and hopefully lead to reinvestment in the program and all of the nice things we would all like to see. He 

Don’t always agree with you, but always  find your posts thought provoking and a good reason to visit the site. Thx

 

[GardenCity62]

Ray Morgan’s listing of one recruit rated 4 or better over an eight year period isolates the problem. John Wooden and Bobby Knight couldn’t win in the big east with rosters like that.
Somehow recruiting has to be improved or finishing in the top tier is almost impossible.

 

[Spocky Ramone]

Complaining about sub par facilities?  Mike Jarvis just called, he wants his bone of contention back.

 

[monte]

Using the quote function on my phone is too difficult. Directed at Beast;
our last 3 coaches came here with no head coaching experience except for Lav, who hadn't coached in years. They all faced the same obstacles here and all 3 of them-yes, even Norm who faced much greater obstacles-recruited at a higher level. I use the last 3 coaches because it's a more recent history.  Why should it take CMA, who's a pro, 5 years to maybe recruit at a level close to that which Lav and Mullin achieved almost immediately? We are not even in the mix with any top recruits. CMA's Ark  teams danced 3 times in 8 years, each year with a handful of top 100 recruits. Now, you tell me how exactly is he gonna have us dancing consistently when he can't even bring in the same level of talent that he got at Ark? The same level of talent that saw Arkansas only make the tourney 3 times in his 8 years there. It all just sounds like wishful thinking/blind faith  to me right now. And that's fine if that's how you think, but it sure as hell ain't how I think. 

Lavin as we know was a great recruiter, no doubt, but he did a poor job recruiting for what would have been his 6th year.   If I recall, you were one of his chief detractors, complaining about his expensive dinners in NYC.   I was in favor of retaining him, as were most fans here in a survey..  .   

Mullin brought in one high level recruit -Ponds, 2 if you count Lovett.   The rest were transfers, right?.   I think you were on board with his firing, but I don't recall.

Who said anything about giving CMA 5 years to get a bid?   Mullin did it in year 4.  NR couldn't get one in 6 years.   Lavin with his own guys by year 5.

But you didn't answer my questions:

1.  Who is going to pay for the improvements needed to be competitive, and
-I don't know and I don't care. That's the school's job to figure out. I assume that tuition has something to do with that, but again, I don't care because I'm a fan, not someone who gets well paid to figure this stuff out. 
2.  What would you change if you were made AD tomorrow, and how?
 Once again, I don't care about what goes on behind the scenes. If Cragg can't figure it out, with the obstacles that he was well aware of when he signed on, then maybe he's not the right man for the job. 

3. For you to think that a recruit attending a sold out Seton Hall, Creighton, Villanova, or Providence game, and then come to an SJU game is not impacted I think you are wrong. 
Good coaches create some success on the court, and some buzz around the program, and the fans follow. Those schools have great coaches who created successful programs, the fans followed. Not the other way around 

4. If you think a recruit comes in and sees our facilties and isn't impacted, I think you are wrong. 
A good coach can get talented kids to believe in his vision. Again, was CMA promised new practice faculties when he took the job? Because I'm assuming he looked at the facilities before he signed his first contract and then his extension. And I assume he was ok with them then, or he wouldn't signed on and the  re-upped. 


Yes, Cragg knew this when he came here, and is trying to do something about that.   Why is that problematic to you?

The goal is noble, just like the goal of winning a national championship, the results so far are what's problematic. 
 

 

[mjmaherjr]

Let’s all hope my buddy Lawman’s Canker Sore isn’t a hard to get rid of STD because the Norm years were pretty close to STD status

 

[bucketshardy]

Let’s all hope my buddy Lawman’s Canker Sore isn’t a hard to get rid of STD because the Norm years were pretty close to STD status

Was curious who would post that connection lol

 

[lawmanfan]

Let’s all hope my buddy Lawman’s Canker Sore isn’t a hard to get rid of STD because the Norm years were pretty close to STD status

Was curious who would post that connection lol
 

It was always going to be Maher, I have no idea why you would have wondered about that.

Oh and I left out:

8.  Have a Merry Effing Christmas, you buncha Grinches

 

[monte]

Let’s all hope my buddy Lawman’s Canker Sore isn’t a hard to get rid of STD because the Norm years were pretty close to STD status

Sad to say Mike, the bar has been set at Norm. No matter how bad any coach is after Norm, we can find some small solace in saying "well at least he ain't as bad as Norm". Kinda like we'll be saying about all future NYC Mayors and Diblasio. 

 

[mjmaherjr]

Let’s all hope my buddy Lawman’s Canker Sore isn’t a hard to get rid of STD because the Norm years were pretty close to STD status

Was curious who would post that connection lol

 

It was always going to be Maher, I have no idea why you would have wondered about that.


 

That's why we've been friends for 20 years. You know what to expect

 

[RedStormNC]

One way,  believe the school/program can and should differentiate and connect with the recruits and NY base and younger generation is figuring out how to leverage a real strategic partnership with J Cole, an SJU alum and one of the biggest names in hip hop and music industry.  Not just for an appearance at a game, or tip off, but strategically build a partnership that draws tremendous attention to the athletic program, the academic sideand also gives back to things Cole finds important (and he seems to be one that is well informed and engaged).

Parlay this partnership w/ our relationship with MSG, the music/ fashion industry as a whole and social media and related platforms with high visibility and reach.

Take away the recent history, add in a business/entrepreneur mind like Repole and there could be the makings of something few schools can replicate in terms of nation brand recognition and demand generation and connecting with a generation.

School needs to think beyond their world and go big.



 

 

[GardenCity62]

I don’t know if RedStormNCs plan would work but it is a breath of fresh air instead of just changing coaches every five years or so.

 

[monte]

One way,  believe the school/program can and should differentiate and connect with the recruits and NY base and younger generation is figuring out how to leverage a real strategic partnership with J Cole, an SJU alum and one of the biggest names in hip hop and music industry.  Not just for an appearance at a game, or tip off, but strategically build a partnership that draws tremendous attention to the athletic program, the academic sideand also gives back to things Cole finds important (and he seems to be one that is well informed and engaged).

Parlay this partnership w/ our relationship with MSG, the music/ fashion industry as a whole and social media and related platforms with high visibility and reach.

Take away the recent history, add in a business/entrepreneur mind like Repole and there could be the makings of something few schools can replicate in terms of nation brand recognition and demand generation and connecting with a generation.

School needs to think beyond their world and go big.


 

By all accounts, the school wants nothing to do with Repole. I don't know the guy from a hole in the wall, but I'll assume that he can be demanding, pushy and belligerent, amongst other things. Probably has some strong opinions about what the school could be and should be doing, especially as it relates to the basketball program. Also probably wants to school to move outside of their comfort zone, which doesn't sit well with them. They'd rather be surrounded by yes men. That's just my assumption based on what i've read and heard. So, unfortunately, the one potential huge donor who is passionate about SJU basketball, and who could probably help remove all of the excuses (new facilities, etc) for our sorry state of affairs, is persona non grata at SJU.  Maybe you can make sense of that one, because I can't. 
 

 

[JohnnyFan]

Lawmanfan won the thread.....solid post.

Just so you guys know, after a third person uses the quote feature on a given post, I am not reading it.  I find the long scrolling responses to be worse than a canker sore. 

 

[Ray Morgan]

Ray Morgan’s listing of one recruit rated 4 or better over an eight year period isolates the problem. John Wooden and Bobby Knight couldn’t win in the big east with rosters like that.
Somehow recruiting has to be improved or finishing in the top tier is almost impossible.

In all due respect to Lawmanfan and  his belief that relying on  high school recruiting rankings is a crutch,  I  am ready to be converted to his thinking. The only thing I would ask for is evidence. Please name the universities that only have 3 star and lower recruits that consistently are in the top 4 of their conference and  regularly get into the dance, and win games once there.  I am not saying that there isn't an example here and there.  I will gladly, for each one, name 4 schools that win with a roster of top 100 recruits.

It's interesting that Enright mentioned Knight and Wooden together. Knight often stated his opinion of Wooden was diminished because Wooden did nothing about the cheating going on at UCLA while he was coach.  Even the most revered coach in college basketball history won, in large part, because the school cheated.
 

 

[mjmaherjr]

One way,  believe the school/program can and should differentiate and connect with the recruits and NY base and younger generation is figuring out how to leverage a real strategic partnership with J Cole, an SJU alum and one of the biggest names in hip hop and music industry.  Not just for an appearance at a game, or tip off, but strategically build a partnership that draws tremendous attention to the athletic program, the academic sideand also gives back to things Cole finds important (and he seems to be one that is well informed and engaged).

Parlay this partnership w/ our relationship with MSG, the music/ fashion industry as a whole and social media and related platforms with high visibility and reach.

Take away the recent history, add in a business/entrepreneur mind like Repole and there could be the makings of something few schools can replicate in terms of nation brand recognition and demand generation and connecting with a generation.

School needs to think beyond their world and go big.




 

That's my thing with Repole. I understand why people a lot more eloquent than me didnt like what he did but the world is changing and guys like him will think outside the box now like it has been mentioned you dont get a seat at the table for a new locker room but actually you should because I probably spend just as much money taking clients out as I do potential referrals because while a referral doesn't give you biz right away it can lead to a lot more biz.

I took a referral last year where my company doesn't even pay me a penny for the revenue generated but she is a lawyer rising rapidly and today literally just landed me 5 million in family assets with potential for a lot more coming. You cant just look at the now you have to look at the future

 

[GardenCity62]

The problem with Mike Repole is that he is the complete opposite of what the board is looking for. He actually wants a say in basketball matters and that is a no no. He can contribute but no input. And he is not the only potential donor to face this wall of no new members wanted. A neighbor of mine year ago took back a significant pledge because he was too pushy in wanting input.
The board may be successful in their other responsibilities but thirty years of bad basketball and the fall to irrelevance after a long history of success , you would think would influence them to welcome some change but that does not seem the case The hope is Father Shanley feels the same as many posters and takes command.