Phillip Nolan, C - UCONN

[austour]

 Why would Nolan Pick UNCONN if there is a good chance that they will not be able to play in the 2013 Torney

 

Because 4 big men have recently left the program and if he is eligible to play he will get minutes from day 1.
In addition stuttering Jim way very well be the best coach in the country and has put many a big man in the NBA that were not rated highly coming out of high school, like Hilton Armstrong, Jake Voskul, Emeka Okafor...
Can't fault the kids choice.

 

AND he's a four year player so missing out on the tourney one year is no biggie especially since STJ is not automatic either.

 

Thanks Austour for picking up on the immediate obvious which I missed.

 

No worries and you forgot the biggest stiff of them all that ended up having a decent NBA career after Calhoun, Travis Knight. Plus he also obviously made Josh Boone look a lot better than he deserved.

 

[redmannorth]

 Why would Nolan Pick UNCONN if there is a good chance that they will not be able to play in the 2013 Torney

 

Because 4 big men have recently left the program and if he is eligible to play he will get minutes from day 1.
In addition stuttering Jim way very well be the best coach in the country and has put many a big man in the NBA that were not rated highly coming out of high school, like Hilton Armstrong, Jake Voskul, Emeka Okafor...
Can't fault the kids choice.

 

AND he's a four year player so missing out on the tourney one year is no biggie especially since STJ is not automatic either.

 

Thanks Austour for picking up on the immediate obvious which I missed.

 

No worries and you forgot the biggest stiff of them all that ended up having a decent NBA career after Calhoun, Travis Knight. Plus he also obviously made Josh Boone look a lot better than he deserved.

 

Fair enough but Boone was highly rated coming out of high school.
I just listed a few players in order to attempt to make my point.

 

[bobre45]

Once upon a time in an innocuous fan board far far away there lived the great mayor dinkins and his band of merry posters who strove to ensure that their fan board remained a place where the same five astute and objective observers in their infinite wisdom decreed which posts contained value.

They lived by a simple code -- "In Lavin we trust." And for a time their fan board prospered and all was well. Recruits clambered to the program and their team realized success. All was harmonious on the fan board.

But then a dark storm approached. Three recruits were declared ineligible and the coach became ill. Players transferred and the team suffered through a dismal season. Following the disappointing season, the team's most valuable player declared for the nba.

From the dark and dank crevices of the fan board their emerged a foul troll who dared to dissent. His putrid venomous posts expressed concern and even went so far as to criticize the fan board's beloved program.

"Be gone filthy troll," the mayor and his men shouted. "You bring no value to this board uconn fan', they admonished. "Banish him moderators," they implored. "The folly of his ways will be apparent in the spring," they retorted. Indeed, the mayor once asked this coward to identify his seat number at MSG so that he the mayor himself could shut this creature up once and for all.

On occasion the troll would try in vain to disguise his intentions with flowery praise of the fan board's school. But the mayor and his band of merry posters could see past the scoundrel's web of deceit.

To the mayor's relief, the troll disappeared from the board for a spell and all appeared to return to normal. Prognostications of a top shelf recruiting class abounded. "This could be my best class ever," predicted the coach.

Then the recruits arrived. First branch then balamu and Sampson followed by borgault and Sanchez. Then hooper and finally wood. The mayor and his band celebrated their triumph.

In the midst of their elation, the troll reemerged with its slanderous posts. "But two of the recruits will likely not play and a third will play only half the season," it bellowed. "And we have no size," it screeched. Then, from the depths of its rotting brain, the troll hurled the most sickening, repulsive insult -- "Outside of Sampson this recruiting class is no better than norm Roberts' classes."

Well this was too much for the mayor and his virtuous followers. "If we can hurl insults at him one by one -- attack his character, his intelligence, his humor -- we may well rid ourselves of this creature once and for all," one of them posited. And so the anonymous vigilantes from their computers and iPads cast their verbal stones upon the troll.

"He is not witty," one quipped. "He probably does not even watch the recruits play," another challenged. "He lies dormant like a disease" only to reemerge to spew his "crap" the mayor posted, emboldened by his followers' insults.

Will the troll be cowed by the mayor and his merry posters? To be continued.

 

Two comments - first,last year was a disappointing season in whose eyes? Frankly, they had an excellent seaon; if you think otherwise you should re-think your expectaions and basketball acumen. If you already know next year's team is goiung to be poor, how could you have expected last year's to be better than they were? Second, and I have asked this before, you call this year's recruits "Norm recruits" as an insult yet they did just fine with the proper coaching, so clearly the problem was not with the ability of the recruits.

 

Sorry but this was exactly two comments too many. By any measurable standard last season was a disaster after all the hoopla over our top three class. Going through an entire year watching an assistant flogging a pitifully undermanned team was hardly my idea of an "excellent season." Even Lavin avoided making the scene while sitting in the same building. Do you really think that would have been the case if it really was that excellent? Acumen, schmacumen. And then there was the unnecessary loss of our prized recruit for the lack of manpower which had been foolishly cast off and the realization that Lindsey was a total sham at the point. His departure was never really explained but it certainly had nothing to do with excellence. So, yes I did expect last year's team to be better and everything fell apart. How you can spin that into a successful season is beyond baffling.

 

[redmanwest]

 I would not call it "successful" per se, but it was a big step in the right direction. And even with all the problems (lack of depth, defections, ineligibility, coach's illness etc. etc. etc.), you had to see the extremely talented base that will now be a year older and wiser, and the depth and talent coming in. We had some very good games last year for a young, undermanned team. Yes, we also had a few ugly ones. Last year was going to be hard in any event, with all the youth and new faces (which was Roberts' doing), but was exacerbated by the problems enumerated. But, the light at the end of the tunnel was very apparent.

 

[bamafan]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

[logen]

Once upon a time in an innocuous fan board far far away there lived the great mayor dinkins and his band of merry posters who strove to ensure that their fan board remained a place where the same five astute and objective observers in their infinite wisdom decreed which posts contained value.

They lived by a simple code -- "In Lavin we trust." And for a time their fan board prospered and all was well. Recruits clambered to the program and their team realized success. All was harmonious on the fan board.

But then a dark storm approached. Three recruits were declared ineligible and the coach became ill. Players transferred and the team suffered through a dismal season. Following the disappointing season, the team's most valuable player declared for the nba.

From the dark and dank crevices of the fan board their emerged a foul troll who dared to dissent. His putrid venomous posts expressed concern and even went so far as to criticize the fan board's beloved program.

"Be gone filthy troll," the mayor and his men shouted. "You bring no value to this board uconn fan', they admonished. "Banish him moderators," they implored. "The folly of his ways will be apparent in the spring," they retorted. Indeed, the mayor once asked this coward to identify his seat number at MSG so that he the mayor himself could shut this creature up once and for all.

On occasion the troll would try in vain to disguise his intentions with flowery praise of the fan board's school. But the mayor and his band of merry posters could see past the scoundrel's web of deceit.

To the mayor's relief, the troll disappeared from the board for a spell and all appeared to return to normal. Prognostications of a top shelf recruiting class abounded. "This could be my best class ever," predicted the coach.

Then the recruits arrived. First branch then balamu and Sampson followed by borgault and Sanchez. Then hooper and finally wood. The mayor and his band celebrated their triumph.

In the midst of their elation, the troll reemerged with its slanderous posts. "But two of the recruits will likely not play and a third will play only half the season," it bellowed. "And we have no size," it screeched. Then, from the depths of its rotting brain, the troll hurled the most sickening, repulsive insult -- "Outside of Sampson this recruiting class is no better than norm Roberts' classes."

Well this was too much for the mayor and his virtuous followers. "If we can hurl insults at him one by one -- attack his character, his intelligence, his humor -- we may well rid ourselves of this creature once and for all," one of them posited. And so the anonymous vigilantes from their computers and iPads cast their verbal stones upon the troll.

"He is not witty," one quipped. "He probably does not even watch the recruits play," another challenged. "He lies dormant like a disease" only to reemerge to spew his "crap" the mayor posted, emboldened by his followers' insults.

Will the troll be cowed by the mayor and his merry posters? To be continued.

 

Two comments - first,last year was a disappointing season in whose eyes? Frankly, they had an excellent seaon; if you think otherwise you should re-think your expectaions and basketball acumen. If you already know next year's team is goiung to be poor, how could you have expected last year's to be better than they were? Second, and I have asked this before, you call this year's recruits "Norm recruits" as an insult yet they did just fine with the proper coaching, so clearly the problem was not with the ability of the recruits.

 

Sorry but this was exactly two comments too many. By any measurable standard last season was a disaster after all the hoopla over our top three class. Going through an entire year watching an assistant flogging a pitifully undermanned team was hardly my idea of an "excellent season." Even Lavin avoided making the scene while sitting in the same building. Do you really think that would have been the case if it really was that excellent? Acumen, schmacumen. And then there was the unnecessary loss of our prized recruit for the lack of manpower which had been foolishly cast off and the realization that Lindsey was a total sham at the point. His departure was never really explained but it certainly had nothing to do with excellence. So, yes I did expect last year's team to be better and everything fell apart. How you can spin that into a successful season is beyond baffling.

 

Well, the difference is you bought into all the hoopla because you just don't know any better; building a program is a process, not getting one class and rolling the balls out. So excellent is a relative terms for those who understand the concept of a process, not for those "whiners" who fall apart when the ice cream happens to drop out of the cone onto the ground. As for the rest of your comments, you may be getting your mail in Pa. but your mind still resides somewhere out in that vast universe of ours.

 

[Marillac]

Once upon a time in an innocuous fan board far far away there lived the great mayor dinkins and his band of merry posters who strove to ensure that their fan board remained a place where the same five astute and objective observers in their infinite wisdom decreed which posts contained value.

They lived by a simple code -- "In Lavin we trust." And for a time their fan board prospered and all was well. Recruits clambered to the program and their team realized success. All was harmonious on the fan board.

But then a dark storm approached. Three recruits were declared ineligible and the coach became ill. Players transferred and the team suffered through a dismal season. Following the disappointing season, the team's most valuable player declared for the nba.

From the dark and dank crevices of the fan board their emerged a foul troll who dared to dissent. His putrid venomous posts expressed concern and even went so far as to criticize the fan board's beloved program.

"Be gone filthy troll," the mayor and his men shouted. "You bring no value to this board uconn fan', they admonished. "Banish him moderators," they implored. "The folly of his ways will be apparent in the spring," they retorted. Indeed, the mayor once asked this coward to identify his seat number at MSG so that he the mayor himself could shut this creature up once and for all.

On occasion the troll would try in vain to disguise his intentions with flowery praise of the fan board's school. But the mayor and his band of merry posters could see past the scoundrel's web of deceit.

To the mayor's relief, the troll disappeared from the board for a spell and all appeared to return to normal. Prognostications of a top shelf recruiting class abounded. "This could be my best class ever," predicted the coach.

Then the recruits arrived. First branch then balamu and Sampson followed by borgault and Sanchez. Then hooper and finally wood. The mayor and his band celebrated their triumph.

In the midst of their elation, the troll reemerged with its slanderous posts. "But two of the recruits will likely not play and a third will play only half the season," it bellowed. "And we have no size," it screeched. Then, from the depths of its rotting brain, the troll hurled the most sickening, repulsive insult -- "Outside of Sampson this recruiting class is no better than norm Roberts' classes."

Well this was too much for the mayor and his virtuous followers. "If we can hurl insults at him one by one -- attack his character, his intelligence, his humor -- we may well rid ourselves of this creature once and for all," one of them posited. And so the anonymous vigilantes from their computers and iPads cast their verbal stones upon the troll.

"He is not witty," one quipped. "He probably does not even watch the recruits play," another challenged. "He lies dormant like a disease" only to reemerge to spew his "crap" the mayor posted, emboldened by his followers' insults.

Will the troll be cowed by the mayor and his merry posters? To be continued.

 

This is incredible!

 

[Class of 72]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

This was almost an all freshman team with 6, and at most, 7 players all season. We had terrible outside shooting and zero bench. Yet, four losses were decided by 4 points or less. Two other losses were by 10 or less. If the four losses were wins this freshman team would have been 17-15 and likely gone to the NIT. That would have been a pretty good season in my book but the Nurideen fiasco and Stith disappearance made for bad chemistry and lowered expectations. Had Sampson and Pelle qualified, winning 20 games for a brand new team would have been an excellent season. The team will only get better.

 

[bobre45]

Once upon a time in an innocuous fan board far far away there lived the great mayor dinkins and his band of merry posters who strove to ensure that their fan board remained a place where the same five astute and objective observers in their infinite wisdom decreed which posts contained value.

They lived by a simple code -- "In Lavin we trust." And for a time their fan board prospered and all was well. Recruits clambered to the program and their team realized success. All was harmonious on the fan board.

But then a dark storm approached. Three recruits were declared ineligible and the coach became ill. Players transferred and the team suffered through a dismal season. Following the disappointing season, the team's most valuable player declared for the nba.

From the dark and dank crevices of the fan board their emerged a foul troll who dared to dissent. His putrid venomous posts expressed concern and even went so far as to criticize the fan board's beloved program.

"Be gone filthy troll," the mayor and his men shouted. "You bring no value to this board uconn fan', they admonished. "Banish him moderators," they implored. "The folly of his ways will be apparent in the spring," they retorted. Indeed, the mayor once asked this coward to identify his seat number at MSG so that he the mayor himself could shut this creature up once and for all.

On occasion the troll would try in vain to disguise his intentions with flowery praise of the fan board's school. But the mayor and his band of merry posters could see past the scoundrel's web of deceit.

To the mayor's relief, the troll disappeared from the board for a spell and all appeared to return to normal. Prognostications of a top shelf recruiting class abounded. "This could be my best class ever," predicted the coach.

Then the recruits arrived. First branch then balamu and Sampson followed by borgault and Sanchez. Then hooper and finally wood. The mayor and his band celebrated their triumph.

In the midst of their elation, the troll reemerged with its slanderous posts. "But two of the recruits will likely not play and a third will play only half the season," it bellowed. "And we have no size," it screeched. Then, from the depths of its rotting brain, the troll hurled the most sickening, repulsive insult -- "Outside of Sampson this recruiting class is no better than norm Roberts' classes."

Well this was too much for the mayor and his virtuous followers. "If we can hurl insults at him one by one -- attack his character, his intelligence, his humor -- we may well rid ourselves of this creature once and for all," one of them posited. And so the anonymous vigilantes from their computers and iPads cast their verbal stones upon the troll.

"He is not witty," one quipped. "He probably does not even watch the recruits play," another challenged. "He lies dormant like a disease" only to reemerge to spew his "crap" the mayor posted, emboldened by his followers' insults.

Will the troll be cowed by the mayor and his merry posters? To be continued.

 

Two comments - first,last year was a disappointing season in whose eyes? Frankly, they had an excellent seaon; if you think otherwise you should re-think your expectaions and basketball acumen. If you already know next year's team is goiung to be poor, how could you have expected last year's to be better than they were? Second, and I have asked this before, you call this year's recruits "Norm recruits" as an insult yet they did just fine with the proper coaching, so clearly the problem was not with the ability of the recruits.

 

Sorry but this was exactly two comments too many. By any measurable standard last season was a disaster after all the hoopla over our top three class. Going through an entire year watching an assistant flogging a pitifully undermanned team was hardly my idea of an "excellent season." Even Lavin avoided making the scene while sitting in the same building. Do you really think that would have been the case if it really was that excellent? Acumen, schmacumen. And then there was the unnecessary loss of our prized recruit for the lack of manpower which had been foolishly cast off and the realization that Lindsey was a total sham at the point. His departure was never really explained but it certainly had nothing to do with excellence. So, yes I did expect last year's team to be better and everything fell apart. How you can spin that into a successful season is beyond baffling.

 

Well, the difference is you bought into all the hoopla because you just don't know any better; building a program is a process, not getting one class and rolling the balls out. So excellent is a relative terms for those who understand the concept of a process, not for those "whiners" who fall apart when the ice cream happens to drop out of the cone onto the ground. As for the rest of your comments, you may be getting your mail in Pa. but your mind still resides somewhere out in that vast universe of ours.

 

As others have said as well a 13-19 season with the loss of our MVP, the outing of Lindsey, the loss of Pelle and even Stith cannot in any alternate reality you may be living in be counted as an excellent season. Top programs like UK know all about the process of replacing entire starting teams and it is because they are excellent that they can do it. We, on the other hand have difficulty attracting a decent center because we are not. We may have had some bad luck along the way but that doesn't buy you a thing in the recruiting wars. Neither do manpower miscalculations and playing people out of position to cope with such problems. I'll tell you one thing - another 13-19 year will take quite a toll and people who whisper about excellent seasons will find it hard to find an audience.

 

[usguard]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

This was almost an all freshman team with 6, and at most, 7 players all season. We had terrible outside shooting and zero bench. Yet, four losses were decided by 4 points or less. Two other losses were by 10 or less. If the four losses were wins this freshman team would have been 17-15 and likely gone to the NIT. That would have been a pretty good season in my book but the Nurideen fiasco and Stith disappearance made for bad chemistry and lowered expectations. Had Sampson and Pelle qualified, winning 20 games for a brand new team would have been an excellent season. The team will only get better.

 

Yes would have could have your right but I am not looking at last yr I am looking at the present and feel pretty good about what coach has recruited. Although hope we do get a true center but time is a ticking

 

[logen]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

You can call it whatever you want, so will I. IMO, if it's only about the numbers you might as well root for the Globetrotters. I think it was a great season. As for your logic, every season has to be judged on its merits against expectations. Should we be better next year; absolutely. Therefore are my expectations higher record wise, well, yeah.

 

[boo haarvey]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

You can call it whatever you want, so will I. IMO, if it's only about the numbers you might as well root for the Globetrotters. I think it was a great season. As for your logic, every season has to be judged on its merits against expectations. Should we be better next year; absolutely. Therefore are my expectations higher record wise, well, yeah.

 

It's one thing to be an optimistic fan. It's quite another to categorize a 13 win season as "excellent" and "great" and then boldly contend that anyone who disagrees is lacking in basketball acumen.

By your logic, a terrible season is transformed into a great season simply b/c that team exceeded expectations. Take the extreme example of a team that is predicted to finish last in the Big East and not win a single game. The season is played and the team wins three games and finishes tied for last. Did the team exceed expectations? Yes. Was the season an unmitigated disaster? Absolutely.

Without attributing blame to anybody, look at last year's season for us -- the ineligible players, the transfers, Coach's illness. Did Dunlop and the players do an outstanding job given their limitations? Yes. Is there reason to believe we will be back on track in no time? Reasonable minds can differ. Was last season an umitigated disaster? Absolutely.

 

[SI1996]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

You can call it whatever you want, so will I. IMO, if it's only about the numbers you might as well root for the Globetrotters. I think it was a great season. As for your logic, every season has to be judged on its merits against expectations. Should we be better next year; absolutely. Therefore are my expectations higher record wise, well, yeah.

 

It's one thing to be an optimistic fan. It's quite another to categorize a 13 win season as "excellent" and "great" and then boldly contend that anyone who disagrees is lacking in basketball acumen.

By your logic, a terrible season is transformed into a great season simply b/c that team exceeded expectations. Take the extreme example of a team that is predicted to finish last in the Big East and not win a single game. The season is played and the team wins three games and finishes tied for last. Did the team exceed expectations? Yes. Was the season an unmitigated disaster? Absolutely.

Without attributing blame to anybody, look at last year's season for us -- the ineligible players, the transfers, Coach's illness. Did Dunlop and the players do an outstanding job given their limitations? Yes. Is there reason to believe we will be back on track in no time? Reasonable minds can differ. Was last season an umitigated disaster? Absolutely.

 So which one was it? An outstanding job given their limitations? Or a umitigated disaster?

 

[redmannorth]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

You can call it whatever you want, so will I. IMO, if it's only about the numbers you might as well root for the Globetrotters. I think it was a great season. As for your logic, every season has to be judged on its merits against expectations. Should we be better next year; absolutely. Therefore are my expectations higher record wise, well, yeah.

 

It's one thing to be an optimistic fan. It's quite another to categorize a 13 win season as "excellent" and "great" and then boldly contend that anyone who disagrees is lacking in basketball acumen.

By your logic, a terrible season is transformed into a great season simply b/c that team exceeded expectations. Take the extreme example of a team that is predicted to finish last in the Big East and not win a single game. The season is played and the team wins three games and finishes tied for last. Did the team exceed expectations? Yes. Was the season an unmitigated disaster? Absolutely.

Without attributing blame to anybody, look at last year's season for us -- the ineligible players, the transfers, Coach's illness. Did Dunlop and the players do an outstanding job given their limitations? Yes. Is there reason to believe we will be back on track in no time? Reasonable minds can differ. Was last season an umitigated disaster? Absolutely.

 

I could not disagree more with you but there is absolutely no point in attempting to change your views.

 

[redmanwest]

Despite the twists and turns, it is absolutely ridiculous to say that last season was an unmitigated disaster. That's just foolish.  You need to put the season in perspective and context, and by that means, the season was a good stepping stone, and leaves a lot to be optimistic about. That would not equate to an unmitigated disaster. In fact, with the sheer fact that the team had so many new players, a 13 win season should have been reasonable to be expected. With the twists and turns, a 13 win season could be seen as a miracle.

 

[Marillac]

Despite the twists and turns, it is absolutely ridiculous to say that last season was an unmitigated disaster. That's just foolish.  You need to put the season in perspective and context, and by that means, the season was a good stepping stone, and leaves a lot to be optimistic about. That would not equate to an unmitigated disaster. In fact, with the sheer fact that the team had so many new players, a 13 win season should have been reasonable to be expected. With the twists and turns, a 13 win season could be seen as a miracle.

 

Dead on. Any coaching staff in the country was going to take a hit after losing nine seniors and a freshman starter. Wins and losses were immaterial and the staff knew that. This year was about the small things...anticipating and reacting instead of thinking about rotations, learning you can't recklessly drive the ball like in high school, gelling as a team, getting tougher, boxing out, defense, sharing the ball, thinking 2-3 steps head on offensive, running a break, etc.

How can people be so short-sighted? 2011-2012 wasn't about winning a few more games in 2011-2012, it was about laying a foundation for a team that could win A LOT of games in spring of 2014 and 2015.

 

[MCNPA]

Despite the twists and turns, it is absolutely ridiculous to say that last season was an unmitigated disaster. That's just foolish.  You need to put the season in perspective and context, and by that means, the season was a good stepping stone, and leaves a lot to be optimistic about. That would not equate to an unmitigated disaster. In fact, with the sheer fact that the team had so many new players, a 13 win season should have been reasonable to be expected. With the twists and turns, a 13 win season could be seen as a miracle.

 

Dead on. Any coaching staff in the country was going to take a hit after losing nine seniors and a freshman starter. Wins and losses were immaterial and the staff knew that. This year was about the small things...anticipating and reacting instead of thinking about rotations, learning you can't recklessly drive the ball like in high school, gelling as a team, getting tougher, boxing out, defense, sharing the ball, thinking 2-3 steps head on offensive, running a break, etc.

How can people be so short-sighted? 2011-2012 wasn't about winning a few more games in 2011-2012, it was about laying a foundation for a team that could win A LOT of games in spring of 2014 and 2015.

 

Exactly right. Staff still has a big class this year due to rebuilding. I don't blame staff for wanting to use st of the ships and build that foundation. After this 2102 we'll be a lot re stable roster-wise and be able to cherry-pick talent instead of doing 5-position overhauls. From now on it should be 2-4 men recruiting classes. It was a daunting task Lavin had, and it included a year on the sideline with cancer. All-in-all Id say we're looking in very good shape entering Lavin's third season. Roster will be reported with at least 6 top 60 players and a few other top 125 kids and JC AA's. Nice foundation to have moving forward. Not nearly a disaster that some make it out to be and handled just about as well as could have been considering all the bad breaks we had.

 

[Season of Glass]

Last season was what it was: the first step in the rebuilding process after 9 or 10 seniors graduated. The upcoming season will be another step in the rebuilding process.

After all that happened – prostate cancer, eligibility issues, defections, 19 loses – it would be hard to say that last season was a "success." However, that's not to say that the season didn't have value and we can't appreciate the unbelievable job Dunlap did under trying circumstances; the flashes of shear brilliance from Moe; the maturation of players like Phil, D'Angelo, Amir and Sir'Dom; and the grit and determination of GG.

With only 5 returning players and Branch eligible end of December, Lavin needed to add depth and fill roles on the roster. Saving scholarships doesn't seem necessary with the way rosters are so fluid due to transfers, grades, and opting for the pros. We lost three scholarships last season, Moe, Lindsey and Stith. Who's to say we won't lose another three this upcoming season?

 

[boo haarvey]

For those saying last year was a good or successful season because it met reasonable expectations than by that logic fans of a program should be happy to recruit all 2 star type players-have low expectations of winning 10 to 12 games-meet those expectations and everything is honkey doree. 13-19 is not a good season. My expectations were not higher and the team did as well as it could under the circumstances and the program had to accept that it is what it is but let's not call 13-19 a good season.

 

You can call it whatever you want, so will I. IMO, if it's only about the numbers you might as well root for the Globetrotters. I think it was a great season. As for your logic, every season has to be judged on its merits against expectations. Should we be better next year; absolutely. Therefore are my expectations higher record wise, well, yeah.

 

It's one thing to be an optimistic fan. It's quite another to categorize a 13 win season as "excellent" and "great" and then boldly contend that anyone who disagrees is lacking in basketball acumen.

By your logic, a terrible season is transformed into a great season simply b/c that team exceeded expectations. Take the extreme example of a team that is predicted to finish last in the Big East and not win a single game. The season is played and the team wins three games and finishes tied for last. Did the team exceed expectations? Yes. Was the season an unmitigated disaster? Absolutely.

Without attributing blame to anybody, look at last year's season for us -- the ineligible players, the transfers, Coach's illness. Did Dunlop and the players do an outstanding job given their limitations? Yes. Is there reason to believe we will be back on track in no time? Reasonable minds can differ. Was last season an umitigated disaster? Absolutely.

 So which one was it? An outstanding job given their limitations? Or a umitigated disaster?

 

Both -- As of October, 2011, we had the number two recruiting class and Lavin was the toast of the college basketball world. Then three of our prized recruits were declared ineligible, our coach went down and two of our players transferred. We won 13 games and were crushed in a fair number of our losses. To add icing to the cake, our most valuable player declared for the draft. If I would have predicted that this would have happened in October, I think everyone would agree that the results would equate to disaster.

The depleted team competed admirably, but make no mistake the season was a disaster. Best case scenario, it's going to take two to three years to get back to the level we were anticipating last October. On fear that some of the zealots on here will become apoplectic, I won't share with you the worst case scenario.

 

[fuchsia]

 Getting back to the level we were anticipating last October in two or three years does not make sense to me. Last year we anticipated lots of talented freshmen, a JUCO AA, and a JUCO point guard. We lost 2 of the freshmen before enrollment and the JUCO point guard after after a semester. Amir arrived and then we lost our one upper classman with STJ experience. I anticipated 17 wins last year. Without the loss of the 3 players I think I would have been close. I anticipate better this year because we have lots of playing time experience on the floor and we have depth and we are bringing talented frosh and jucos again. Would have liked to see Moe and Jakarr on the same floor for STJ but we are already ahead of what I anticipated last year.