Matt A

[we are sju]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

 

[we are sju]

We will not be a better team next year without Lovett. Any suggestion to the contrary is just silly.

Assuming that Mr. Simon is as advertised then Mr. Lovett may be a valuable player coming off of the bench next season.

I guess John Havlicek used to come off the bench but generally you want your best players to start. Guys here are funny, for years we don't have talented players then when we get them you all want to run them out of town. See Harrison , Deangelo and Jordan, Rysheed. Guess Lovett can now join that talented list.

 

[Alex9045]

I don't think Lovett is leaving after this year. The extra year in college playing around a more experienced and complete team far outweighs the benefits of one extra year overseas. I think he has the chance to really show his ability as the floor general and playmaker of this team when (hopefully) there's bodies down low that can grab a ball. He and Shamorie can put on a show next year, which down the road will increase his future earning potential as a professional player. After next year though? Go figure.

 

[we are sju]

Ponds is an incredibly talented defender, just happens to be a lazy one and on a team that doesn't have depth and needs him to win he could get away with it. I pedicted before the year that he would break our freshmen steals record and I'm guessing he did. I predict he'll win a BE DPOY before his time is done.

Very lazy. Not always a curable affliction. See Anthony, Carmelo. I like both guys but both lazy defenders and despite the talent I get why people get annoyed at them. Stinking easier to take then being lazy. Funny thing is fan contempt seems to stick more on Lovett than Ponds who is equally as lazy.

 

[we are sju]

Oh we are seriously fudged up the fudging fudgeway if Lovett leaves.

Yeah, we might as well just fold the basketball program if he leaves.

Well for a program not overrun with talented basketball players would be nice to stop losing the ones we have early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[monte]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

I want Marcus back as long as Marcus is back 100%. Based on numerous reports from reliable posters, he seems to have had one foot out the door before he even put 2 feet on the court. Marcus is a very good basketball player, but he needs to be all in and needs to come and play hard every night if he is going to elevate this team next year. Otherwise I'd just as soon take our chances without him.

 

[we are sju]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

I want Marcus back as long as Marcus is back 100%. Based on numerous reports from reliable posters, he seems to have had one foot out the door before he even put 2 feet on the court. Marcus is a very good basketball player, but he needs to be all in and needs to come and play hard every night if he is going to elevate this team next year. Otherwise I'd just as soon take our chances without him.

It is funny but he gets more criticism than Ponds-who I also like. It doesn't have to be one or the other. There were games this year where you could actually see Ponds pouting. He has same pout face as my 7 year old. Plus he is an equally bad defender.

 

[monte]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

I want Marcus back as long as Marcus is back 100%. Based on numerous reports from reliable posters, he seems to have had one foot out the door before he even put 2 feet on the court. Marcus is a very good basketball player, but he needs to be all in and needs to come and play hard every night if he is going to elevate this team next year. Otherwise I'd just as soon take our chances without him.

It is funny but he gets more criticism than Ponds-who I also like. It doesn't have to be one or the other. There were games this year where you could actually see Ponds pouting. He has same pout face as my 7 year old. Plus he is an equally bad defender.

Fair enough, but 2 differances that I see. First, I do not recall Ponds being benched to start a game this year, as has happened with LoVett a number of times. Second, to the best of my knowledge there have not been reports of Ponds wanting to leave, as there have been with LoVett going back to last year.

 

[we are sju]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

I want Marcus back as long as Marcus is back 100%. Based on numerous reports from reliable posters, he seems to have had one foot out the door before he even put 2 feet on the court. Marcus is a very good basketball player, but he needs to be all in and needs to come and play hard every night if he is going to elevate this team next year. Otherwise I'd just as soon take our chances without him.

It is funny but he gets more criticism than Ponds-who I also like. It doesn't have to be one or the other. There were games this year where you could actually see Ponds pouting. He has same pout face as my 7 year old. Plus he is an equally bad defender.

Fair enough, but 2 differances that I see. First, I do not recall Ponds being benched to start a game this year, as has happened with LoVett a number of times. Second, to the best of my knowledge there have not been reports of Ponds wanting to leave, as there have been with LoVett going back to last year.

True.
But you get what you pay for. We knew what we were getting with him. On the court for the majority of the season he played hard on offense and generally seems like a good teammate.
Lovett is not perfect. He is good though and we do not have good players to spare. I bet he leaves but hope he stays.

 

[usguard]

Coaching / teaching defense is one thing but as a team I believe it exists at the level of philosophy so in that regard it comes from the head coach and has to be pervasive through everything that you do. It has to be at the core of your identity as a team starting at the top and resounded by your staff and players. You don't just fix it with more / different drills. I'd say every game this season we lost out on the 50/50 battle with maybe 2 or 3 games where we had a decent effort for most of the game. Owens was probably the only guy that shined in consistent hustle.

Rebounds, defense, 50/50 all point to an issue with motivation/hustle. The way we showed up for Providence epitomized the symptoms. Part of this is youth. Mental / physical maturity between an 18 yo vs guys 2-5 years older can be dramatic.

Agree. Defense minded teams reflect the coach. It will also require better teamwork and working together on the court. There was very little success with our D this season with the exception of the times full court pressure was used. But once past halfcourt, there was little carryover.
Our guys need to learn how to prevent multiple shots on a possession by learning how to box out and get good position. Too often out of position on D.

And we are out of position too often because by and large our guards get beat consistently and our defense is always scrambling. Certainly coaching is part of the equation but I think the idea of a coach motivating players is much more difficult than many realize. It is difficult to teach heart, kind of like creating a leader out of someone with no innate leadership skill. You can mold, harness, direct desire but if it not there it is hard to create, especially in players who have played a thousand games by the time they get to college.

I am a Mullin guy but if a coach recruits kids then coaches them and there is a lack of effort the coach is the guy that takes the blame. For bringing them in and then not getting through to them. I blame the roster configuration more than anything but you can't absolve Mullin from everything.

Not absolving Mullin from anything, I have been very open about criticism of the team falls on both coaches and players. Was merely commenting on this idea that coaches can motivate players, I don't believe that is generally the case, I think the ability for coaches to get "through to them" is very much the exception, not the rule. Not that it never happens but it is not as common or as easy as many fans believe. Generally speaking, I think coaching is vastly overrated but I agree with you wholeheartedly recruiting the right players is key. And to expand, I don't mean coaching isn't important, it is, but getting the right players is way more of a factor than a coaches influence. Million of examples of how much better coaches are when they upgrade talent, from John Wooden to Coach K.

Coach should instruct and motivate by controlling a player's PT. Team also needs an identity. We were going to be the best conditioned team in the BE. Not thrilled with playing wide open offense.

So who would you suggest get Ponds and/or LoVett's minutes while Mullin is controlling PT? Frankly, you are the type of fan I was referring to, a coach can do some things but at the end of the day, if a coach has to motivate a player at this level you are in trouble. Which is why IMO we have underachieved this year, not record wise necessarily. While there are things I disagree that Mullin is doing, and the offense is one of them, I will wait until he has a fair amount of time to bring in his players to share a final opinion, as it were. And by his players I don't mean players he had to recruit to field a team but players he had a fair amount of time to evaluate and recruit.

No inside information other than stuff that has already been said on these boards but if I had to bet I would say you won't have to worry about Lovett next year.

I just posted on the "LoVett and Ponds" thread. While I'm not saying that I want LoVett to leave, if he does leave we may find that we have a more cohesive team next year. Especially if Simon turns out to be the floor general that we are so badly lacking.

Looks disinterested recently but honestly our most talented player including Ponds

I want Marcus back as long as Marcus is back 100%. Based on numerous reports from reliable posters, he seems to have had one foot out the door before he even put 2 feet on the court. Marcus is a very good basketball player, but he needs to be all in and needs to come and play hard every night if he is going to elevate this team next year. Otherwise I'd just as soon take our chances without him.

It is funny but he gets more criticism than Ponds-who I also like. It doesn't have to be one or the other. There were games this year where you could actually see Ponds pouting. He has same pout face as my 7 year old. Plus he is an equally bad defender.

Fair enough, but 2 differances that I see. First, I do not recall Ponds being benched to start a game this year, as has happened with LoVett a number of times. Second, to the best of my knowledge there have not been reports of Ponds wanting to leave, as there have been with LoVett going back to last year.

True.
But you get what you pay for. We knew what we were getting with him. On the court for the majority of the season he played hard on offense and generally seems like a good teammate.
Lovett is not perfect. He is good though and we do not have good players to spare. I bet he leaves but hope he stays.

Good post which I tend to agree

 

[SI1996]

The Matt A post somehow turned into a Marcus staying/leaving debate?

 

[we are sju]

The Matt A post somehow turned into a Marcus staying/leaving debate?

IMO Lovett staying one more season is the single biggest issue for us to make the tourney next year and will probably cloud every other thread until he shows up for our 1st game next season. Though with this program considering how guys transfer out during the season now, this might not end until Selection Sunday 2018. Which if Lovett is not here for we will have no reason to watch.

 

[monte]

The Matt A post somehow turned into a Marcus staying/leaving debate?

IMO Lovett staying one more season is the single biggest issue for us to make the tourney next year and will probably cloud every other thread until he shows up for our 1st game next season. Though with this program considering how guys transfer out during the season now, this might not end until Selection Sunday 2018. Which if Lovett is not here for we will have no reason to watch.

And if Marcus comes back while still on the fence, he may very well be one of those potential transfers that we'll have to worry about as soon as things don't go his way. No thanks. I'll gladly take the NIT without drama. Been there, done that. See Lavin's last team as a point of reference,

 

[SJU1512]

I hope Lovett is back obviously. He had an amazing counting stat and efficient rate stat season, and was 1 of 4 unanimous selections to the conference All-Freshman Team. On a team that finished 8/10 in the conference. One of those things is not like the other.

If he’s not, I don’t think it’s the end of the world for reasons mentioned: Ponds has showed the ability to be an effective point, Simon may be an effective point, and we don’t know who else might be added to the roster in this scenario.

But it is difficult to envision how we are “better” without Lovett than with. We might have a better record next year than we did this year even if he leaves because we continue to improve overall, but I don’t know that the improvement will be as substantial as it would be if he were here.

Because it wouldn’t be about Lovett v. Simon. It’s about Lovett v. Ellison or Mussini and having both Lovett and Simon in the lineup with Ponds. We still have a long way to go on the talent front and may not even be in a position where we can lose a true rotational piece like Williams without feeling some impact, let alone one of the best freshman in the conference. If we do sure staff will deal with it but it is likely yet another step backwards to be dealt with as we continue the rebuild.

 

[Knight]

I strongly disagree with posters that claim players can't be motivated at this level.
Also, one reason Ponds & Lovett may appear lazy on D is that they do not know how to play D. They have the quickness and ability to be competent. A little more rest might also help.

 

[Andrew]

Lovett is a fun player to watch and I don't see any problems with him on the court. The chemistry between him and Shamorie isn't great but could improve if he stays next season. I also think the attacks on Lovett and Ponds defense are unwarranted. We have a defense problem but a portion of that is a result of giving up so many offensive rebounds and having an inexperienced team.

As I have no idea who the fifth year players or transfers could be if Lovett leaves I don't know what kind of team we will have next season. Getting back to the NCAA's is really important to me.

Obviously building a longer term winning program is the goal but I don't see that without getting back to the NCAA's. The year after next our remaining marginal players will be seniors and Ponds and Simon will be juniors. We will have a donut hole in the sophomore column unless we get a transfer. This could be a long rebuild if it is one at all.

 

[logen]

Lovett is a fun player to watch and I don't see any problems with him on the court. The chemistry between him and Shamorie isn't great but could improve if he stays next season. I also think the attacks on Lovett and Ponds defense are unwarranted. We have a defense problem but a portion of that is a result of giving up so many offensive rebounds and having an inexperienced team.

As I have no idea who the fifth year players or transfers could be if Lovett leaves I don't know what kind of team we will have next season. Getting back to the NCAA's is really important to me.

Obviously building a longer term winning program is the goal but I don't see that without getting back to the NCAA's. The year after next our remaining marginal players will be seniors and Ponds and Simon will be juniors. We will have a donut hole in the sophomore column unless we get a transfer. This could be a long rebuild if it is one at all.

Lovett and Ponds are both poor defenders and one major reason we give up so many offensive rebounds is that the bigs are forever scrambling covering for them. Both are terrific offensive players but the road to the NCAAs and a consistent program is through the other end of the court.

 

[Andrew]

Lovett is a fun player to watch and I don't see any problems with him on the court. The chemistry between him and Shamorie isn't great but could improve if he stays next season. I also think the attacks on Lovett and Ponds defense are unwarranted. We have a defense problem but a portion of that is a result of giving up so many offensive rebounds and having an inexperienced team.

As I have no idea who the fifth year players or transfers could be if Lovett leaves I don't know what kind of team we will have next season. Getting back to the NCAA's is really important to me.

Obviously building a longer term winning program is the goal but I don't see that without getting back to the NCAA's. The year after next our remaining marginal players will be seniors and Ponds and Simon will be juniors. We will have a donut hole in the sophomore column unless we get a transfer. This could be a long rebuild if it is one at all.

Lovett and Ponds are both poor defenders and one major reason we give up so many offensive rebounds is that the bigs are forever scrambling covering for them. Both are terrific offensive players but the road to the NCAAs and a consistent program is through the other end of the court.

See Marquette.

 

[Knight]

Lovett is a fun player to watch and I don't see any problems with him on the court. The chemistry between him and Shamorie isn't great but could improve if he stays next season. I also think the attacks on Lovett and Ponds defense are unwarranted. We have a defense problem but a portion of that is a result of giving up so many offensive rebounds and having an inexperienced team.

As I have no idea who the fifth year players or transfers could be if Lovett leaves I don't know what kind of team we will have next season. Getting back to the NCAA's is really important to me.

Obviously building a longer term winning program is the goal but I don't see that without getting back to the NCAA's. The year after next our remaining marginal players will be seniors and Ponds and Simon will be juniors. We will have a donut hole in the sophomore column unless we get a transfer. This could be a long rebuild if it is one at all.

Lovett and Ponds are both poor defenders and one major reason we give up so many offensive rebounds is that the bigs are forever scrambling covering for them. Both are terrific offensive players but the road to the NCAAs and a consistent program is through the other end of the court.

Bigs give up O boards because they are not good at rebounding/positioning. They are slow to help out defensively. They should be helping out and not sit back and watch the game.

 

[we are sju]

I hope Lovett is back obviously. He had an amazing counting stat and efficient rate stat season, and was 1 of 4 unanimous selections to the conference All-Freshman Team. On a team that finished 8/10 in the conference. One of those things is not like the other.

If he’s not, I don’t think it’s the end of the world for reasons mentioned: Ponds has showed the ability to be an effective point, Simon may be an effective point, and we don’t know who else might be added to the roster in this scenario.

But it is difficult to envision how we are “better” without Lovett than with. We might have a better record next year than we did this year even if he leaves because we continue to improve overall, but I don’t know that the improvement will be as substantial as it would be if he were here.

Because it wouldn’t be about Lovett v. Simon. It’s about Lovett v. Ellison or Mussini and having both Lovett and Simon in the lineup with Ponds. We still have a long way to go on the talent front and may not even be in a position where we can lose a true rotational piece like Williams without feeling some impact, let alone one of the best freshman in the conference. If we do sure staff will deal with it but it is likely yet another step backwards to be dealt with as we continue the rebuild.

Spot on