Mike Anderson - Recruiting, Coaching, Etc.
- Thread starter JohnnyFever
- Start date
Yep. Trajectory is key. While, in my opinion, it is too early to judge CMA, I can understand the concern. The current trajectory is not what was expected. Overall play, without even considering results, is not trending upward right now, In fairness, lot of new pieces and a freshmen PG. So, this could change as season progresses.Monte" post=412080 said:
However, fair to say, that right now we're not on the upward climb for which we had hoped. Not laying it totally at the feet of the Jucos but, as juniors (albeit 1st year D1), I believe more was expected. The fact that Moore isn't starting on a team with size issues says something. And, Cole's inconsistency and lack of assertiveness has resulted in less PT and production than we probably expected. Again, they are new to D1, deserve an adjustment period and may turn things around later this year or next.
Adding to this is the lack of highly ranked recruits giving us serious consideration and fans are naturally concerned.
Again, it's year 2 and probably unrealistic expectations, for many, including myself. Still in CMA's corner and think he can get it done. But, we'll need a home run at some point.
Here's a take I haven't heard too often, and this isn't meant to be used as any type of excused, I'm just as frustrated as everyone else. CMA entered a Big East conference, a league that has been annually among the top 3 conferences RPI wise. What he was left with by the previous campaign essentially was an empty cupboard. Now, he's battling the likes of Villanova, Providence, Xavier, Butler, Creighton, Marquette, and Seton Hall, all of who have had pretty good runs of success and made the NCAA tournament each most times over the past 5 years. These programs have been simply reloading talent and building on their success. I'm not sure it was ever going to be realistic to have a coach go from an empty cupboard to top of the Big East standings in year 2, when going up against successful programs who have simply been reloading year after year, when CMA was essentially starting from scratch. How was he supposed to immedietely leapfrog those teams?
No, I'm not happy with recruiting, or giving a pass to anyone. Just trying to put things in a different perspective.
No, I'm not happy with recruiting, or giving a pass to anyone. Just trying to put things in a different perspective.
One thing I gotta say: CMA took the job here knowing fully what our limitations are(lack of facilities, etc) and what we've endured over the past 20+ years. In spite of those 2 factors, he came here expecting to turn around our program. He knew EXACTLY what he was getting in to. If he didnt think he could turn around our program, I assume he wouldn't have taken the job. So as far as I'm concerned, if those factors did not prevent a successful coach like him from taking the job, then those factors should not be used as excuses now. We are who we are; imperfect. Lots of schools have issues and are still successful. Fix the issues you can, work around the issues that you can't fix. Excuses are for losers.
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L J S A
Well-known member
Maybe he just didn't like being unemployed and took the $2 million a year without fully exploring? Wasn't he on a plane 24 hours after first being contacted? How much investigation did he do?Monte" post=412142 said:
*Not making an excuse for him. Just wondering how this all really played out with relation to your comment.
I get Monte's point, but have to agree w/ LJSA too. Most coaches have a strong desire to win and be successful no matter the odds, but the hire was so quick. Hard to pass up $2M+/yr plus when alternative was being retired for at least a year to think longer term options that probably would not be in a power conference again. Not like it was a small $ decision...it was millions, and can't blame him. With him here and the cash, I'm sure he wants to win.
Still want to give him time and think he can do OK, but unlikely great. I'm past the 40 min of hell that is a great topic for the TV commentators. Anderson knows that too, but goes with it when asked.
I think the challenge will squarely be on recruiting ability and think we're in such a tough spot that we really need someone bolder in that area with a very creative and unorthodox approach. Anderson seems like such a nice guy, but don't see him acting the role of a salesman at times needed tied to recruits... Think Steve Lavin was perfect in that regard, with his gift with words and persuasion, and who knows if a bit of rule bending.
Still want to give him time and think he can do OK, but unlikely great. I'm past the 40 min of hell that is a great topic for the TV commentators. Anderson knows that too, but goes with it when asked.
I think the challenge will squarely be on recruiting ability and think we're in such a tough spot that we really need someone bolder in that area with a very creative and unorthodox approach. Anderson seems like such a nice guy, but don't see him acting the role of a salesman at times needed tied to recruits... Think Steve Lavin was perfect in that regard, with his gift with words and persuasion, and who knows if a bit of rule bending.
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I think you both are correct. No one likes to be let go and CMA is clearly a proud man having achieved so much in his life. As LJSA points out Who would not have jumped at $2.5 million a season in a power conference at a school with a great tradition, in one of the greatest cities in the world, with a fertile recruiting area. On the other hand i agree with Monte that one visit to the school and in 5 minutes he realized he was in the same shit gym as he was when he started 18 years ago at UAB, an inner city school in a low mid major conference that stretches a few blocks, and light years from the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas. Forget the players dorms, the campus, the weight room, the boosters, the players cafeteria, those factors don't even enter the equation. He also knew Kevin Willard and Ed Cooley had taken their schools to the big dance for 5 straight seasons, that Jay Wright is as good as there is, that McDermott is a great coach, that other than DePaul and Georgetown there are no easy in conference games. Only a blind man could not have known what he was getting into.L J S A" post=412143 said:
having said that getting Champagne, McGriff, Rutherford etc in 15 minutes was very good as was Posh, Wusu, Moore and Cole in 4 months.
his second full class was a tad disappointing, no pizzaz there but hopefully all three players will play above their rankings. But from where we sit today there is nothing exciting to discuss recruiting wise and unless recruiting picks up, notwithstanding the good coaching and player development I don't see a move up in the standings in the near future.
I would just like to add, with CMA and his staff, at least the effort is there. The results have certainly been disappointing and the future might not look bright right now, but you can't say him and the staff aren't putting the work in. I could not always say the same about the previous two regimes unfortunately. So at least he's not milking it just for the paycheck.
In order of minutes played, here’s the number of games our top 8 has played under CMA:
Champ - 42
Posh - 12
Williams - 43
Cole - 12
Dunn- 36
Wusu - 12
Moore - 12
Earlington - 44
We all know CMA is a system coach. Systems take time to learn and to incorporate. Those 8 guys AT MOST have 12 games together. Half of them havnt played 15 games at sju. He does not have the equivalent of one upperclassmen of his own who has been in his system for 2+ years.
If you disagree with his system and whether or not it can win at SJU that is fair. If you think his in game coaching is gonna prevent him from getting into the top half the BE thats also reasonable. There’s plenty of decisions I don’t agree with but that is every coach and every fan base.
There certainly hasn’t been much to be happy with this BE season, but I need to wait to see what happens when he has some upperclassmen of his own before I know he can't get it done at SJU.
Champ - 42
Posh - 12
Williams - 43
Cole - 12
Dunn- 36
Wusu - 12
Moore - 12
Earlington - 44
We all know CMA is a system coach. Systems take time to learn and to incorporate. Those 8 guys AT MOST have 12 games together. Half of them havnt played 15 games at sju. He does not have the equivalent of one upperclassmen of his own who has been in his system for 2+ years.
If you disagree with his system and whether or not it can win at SJU that is fair. If you think his in game coaching is gonna prevent him from getting into the top half the BE thats also reasonable. There’s plenty of decisions I don’t agree with but that is every coach and every fan base.
There certainly hasn’t been much to be happy with this BE season, but I need to wait to see what happens when he has some upperclassmen of his own before I know he can't get it done at SJU.
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boo haarvey
Active member
Paultzman" post=412307 said:Boo's favorite
https://twitter.com/stjohnsbball/status/1349055416236470272?s=21
Lol, he drives me nuts! Would love to see him make me eat my words.
Cole has the tools to be a good contributor, but it seems like he hasn't found his comfort level yet (contrast to Moore, who has). I'd like to see more of the ball finding him for spot-up 3s, and less of him trying to create in traffic. Unfortunately our offensive sets look nothing like Creighton or Nova which may be a problem for him.
Anthony Mattia
Well-known member
I'd like to see our guards drive and kick some instead of drive and force up something. That's where a guy like Cole could thrive.
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beast of the east
Active member
The great penetrators keep all of their options in their back pocket. The guys who start to drive with the singular purpose of shooting disregard their teammates nad put themselves in a position on the floor where the only remaining option is a forced layup.lawmanfan" post=412321 said:
The best guards instinctively tell teammates with words or not, "You get open and I'll get you the ball" When guards don't do that, 4 guys stand around watching one guy force it up.