(POST-GAME) Providence (MSG), Sat. Feb. 9, Noon, CBS SN, 570AM

[quote="Paultzman" post=321892][quote="Mike Zaun" post=321890][quote="redmanwest" post=321888]Most of that is not rocket science or deep revelation. But, it is exhausting to rehash the same issues over and over again. In the end, the limitations of the program, self-imposed or out of the school's control are what they are.

So, you either root for the team, given those limitations and hoping to see improvement, or you don't. Just rehashing over and over again the same issues helps nothing to make things better and just causes people to get angry or react harshly.

Once the season is over, whether success or failure, the admin will have to either address what they see as needing improvement or let it ride.

Either way, each fan has to decide if they want to root for the team or not on that basis.

Debate and discussion and divergent ideas and opinions is fine, but constant harping is, frankly, tedious.[/quote]

What do you expect to be posted on a fan forum for a team that has played like hot garbage compared to what they were supposed to be? Fans have every right to be frustrated. Of course win or lose we will root like hell for this program, but we are rooting for a program that we know in our hearts could be a lot better and a lot more consistent. Fans by in large have been extremely patient, perhaps even too patient in waiting for things to pan out with Mullin. If they don't pan out this year, who in their right mind expects them to next year with a worse roster? Would anyone bet money this team is better next year? If next year looked promising too and Ponds was staying a few more years, then maybe this season wouldn't be as frustrating. But we all know deep down this is our last real shot at being nationally relevant for probably another 4-6 years at the earliest. Frankly, I think it's tedious to see so many people being so cavalier over such incompetence. We can lose the next 500 games and some would be rationalizing it or re-framing it. That's exactly the culture that needs to be burned down around this program and I hope Cragg does.[/quote]

Mike, I believe most posters are frustrated with the inconsistency of the team. Many are convinced that Chris was bad choice, others support him strongly, while there seems to be a group on the fence who want to see the season play out.

I have my concerns about staff and would like to see a beefed up recruiting model, but respect positions differ. You can pound away with all your frustrations, but do you actually expect everyone to enthusiastically embrace your position that this is a lost cause? Not happening.

Be honest, if you are convinced this regime is not going to get job done, would you prefer they not make the dance and powers to be axe or put the heat on Mullin? I know you have organized a lot of fan support for games etc. but have you reached point of hoping for complete change sooner than later?[/quote]

Don't expect others to have the same views, I think I'm just surprised mine are in the minority still in the face of all the evidence so far. IMO the best case scenario would be for us to make the tourney and then Mullin shakes Cragg's hand and says he did all he could. Would we lose recruits? Yes...but it's not like we have Zion and college Durant committed for next year. If .500 in conference is tough to get with a very experienced and talented roster, is that our new ceiling? To maybe flirt with .500 every 4-5 years? Because we all know the refrain will be "we are building" or "we are the youngest team in America" every year in between. PC starts what 3 freshmen? G'Town lots of freshmen. No issues against us for them. I'm not enthusiastic about the maddening inconsistency at all. I'm simply demanding accountability. When everything else is in our favor and we are losing to nothing special teams, that's alarming (coming off huge win, home court, 80% chance to win according to ESPN). If I'm forced to put my money on the line, I would certainly not bet on Mullin this year or any year unless he hires a legitimate assistant who is a good coach who can also recruit. If he is resistant at all to this strong suggestion, that's even more alarming.
 
Every time we lose Mullin is a bad choice? The responses are just childish.

This is a flawed tournament team. Get over it. There is no size, there is no depth, there is no second ball-handler, and Simon kills spacing more than any player in college basketball.

Dixon was supposed to be the insurance policy but he didn’t have what it took between the ears and, unfortunately, that is something you can only realiably assess after coaching someone.

We have the most delusionally entitled fans in all of sports. Grow up.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=321895]Every time we lose Mullin is a bad choice? The responses are just childish.

This is a flawed tournament team. Get over it. There is no size, there is no depth, there is no second ball-handler, and Simon kills spacing more than any player in college basketball.

Dixon was supposed to be the insurance policy but he didn’t have what it took between the ears and, unfortunately, that is something you can only realiably assess after coaching someone.

We have the most delusionally entitled fans in all of sports. Grow up.[/quote]

We're not a tournament team yet.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=321895]Every time we lose Mullin is a bad choice? The responses are just childish.

This is a flawed tournament team. Get over it. There is no size, there is no depth, there is no second ball-handler, and Simon kills spacing more than any player in college basketball.

Dixon was supposed to be the insurance policy but he didn’t have what it took between the ears and, unfortunately, that is something you can only realiably assess after coaching someone.

We have the most delusionally entitled fans in all of sports. Grow up.[/quote]

Marillac, I respect you and I really do consider you guys my brothers since we ride and die with the same program, but calling the fanbase "delusional" and "entitled" is ludicrous and that's the mindset I'm talking about. If demanding more than being under .500 and nearly 30 games under .500 in Big East play is considered "delusional" and "entitled", then you must not have any expectations. If expecting to beat the worst Big East team at home in front of 17,000+ after being billed as a legit tournament team and Big East Champ contender is asking too much, then I'm not sure what to tell you. I never expected to be undefeated at home, but losing to the worst teams in our conference at home 3x already is ridiculous. I don't think it's being "entitled" to have expectations. You shouldn't settle for being the bridesmaid...you should want to be the bride, or what's the point? Our fanbase has been among the best in the country this year showing up. Unfortunately it has had no impact.
 
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This team needs to play one game at a time. No looking ahead. One game, one task.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=321895]Every time we lose Mullin is a bad choice? The responses are just childish.

This is a flawed tournament team. Get over it. There is no size, there is no depth, there is no second ball-handler, and Simon kills spacing more than any player in college basketball.

Dixon was supposed to be the insurance policy but he didn’t have what it took between the ears and, unfortunately, that is something you can only realiably assess after coaching someone.

We have the most delusionally entitled fans in all of sports. Grow up.[/quote]

Are you sure that they're a tournament team? You'd think they are, yet they're only 5-6. At 9-9, they'll need 2 wins in the b.e. wins, sad thing is they're 0-2 at msg so they probably wouldn't win 2.
The team on. Lavins last team had more heart then this team.
Starting Tuesday we'll see if they're contenders or pretenders.

Time is running out, lets see what they got.
 
[quote="Knight" post=321903]This team needs to play one game at a time. No looking ahead. One game, one task.[/quote]

And respect every opponent
 
At 9-9 we wouldn’t need two BET wins to make tournament. At 5-6 we are in all brackets, if we go 9-9 that means we would have a winning record down the stretch for a resume that already has us in.

In my opinion, 10-8 is safely into the field, 9-9 we’d be in a play in game most likely. 9-9 plus one big east tournament win we’d be in safely.

My advice to the posters that are freaking out about the team and the staff, id definitely wait. Definitely hold off. Because I expect us to beat butler Tuesday, and then if we beat nova Sunday it’d be one of the best weeks for the program and the providence game would all the sudden be minimized in our minds

Going 2-1 in this homestand was a good outcome for us. Until we go 0-3 or 1-2 I’m not gonna freak out
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=321914]At 9-9 we wouldn’t need two BET wins to make tournament. At 5-6 we are in all brackets, if we go 9-9 that means we would have a winning record down the stretch for a resume that already has us in.

In my opinion, 10-8 is safely into the field, 9-9 we’d be in a play in game most likely. 9-9 plus one big east tournament win we’d be in safely.

My advice to the posters that are freaking out about the team and the staff, id definitely wait. Definitely hold off. Because I expect us to beat butler Tuesday, and then if we beat nova Sunday it’d be one of the best weeks for the program and the providence game would all the sudden be minimized in our minds

Going 2-1 in this homestand was a good outcome for us. Until we go 0-3 or 1-2 I’m not gonna freak out[/quote]

If you stop and think about it, we're probably right where we should be when last week started. We just took the long way around, to get there, and Saturday was obviously a disappointment.

Palm had us as an 8 this morning. However, he went on "Inside College Basketball" on Saturday Night, and said that he is basically not counting our losses to Depaul and Providence, because of the injuries (provided that Heron comes back strong - Ponds has already passed that test). The others really have not seen it that way, hence why we were always about 2 seeds lower on their brackets.

My guess is, at present, we'll be hovering between "last four byes", and "last four in."
 
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[quote="Mike Zaun" post=321902][quote="Marillac" post=321895]Every time we lose Mullin is a bad choice? The responses are just childish.

This is a flawed tournament team. Get over it. There is no size, there is no depth, there is no second ball-handler, and Simon kills spacing more than any player in college basketball.

Dixon was supposed to be the insurance policy but he didn’t have what it took between the ears and, unfortunately, that is something you can only realiably assess after coaching someone.

We have the most delusionally entitled fans in all of sports. Grow up.[/quote]

Marillac, I respect you and I really do consider you guys my brothers since we ride and die with the same program, but calling the fanbase "delusional" and "entitled" is ludicrous and that's the mindset I'm talking about. If demanding more than being under .500 and nearly 30 games under .500 in Big East play is considered "delusional" and "entitled", then you must not have any expectations. If expecting to beat the worst Big East team at home in front of 17,000+ after being billed as a legit tournament team and Big East Champ contender is asking too much, then I'm not sure what to tell you. I never expected to be undefeated at home, but losing to the worst teams in our conference at home 3x already is ridiculous. I don't think it's being "entitled" to have expectations. You shouldn't settle for being the bridesmaid...you should want to be the bride, or what's the point? Our fanbase has been among the best in the country this year showing up. Unfortunately it has had no impact.[/quote]

I don’t ride and die with any sports team, DMX. I cheer for St. John’s and the Mets and I know full well they will disappoint me 9/10 seasons. I’ve made my peace with that. What I can’t get over is the constant negativity from fans.

The only joy this program offers is hope, but you and your posse are the the sworn enemies of it. You guys make these forums unenjoyable and unreadable after any loss or hint bad news.

Go skiing. Take up scuba diving. Travel. Get laid. It’s just sports man.
 
[quote="Knight" post=321903]This team needs to play one game at a time. No looking ahead. One game, one task.[/quote]

It’s an epiphany: 7 to go, and 1 at a time No looking ahead.
 
[quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=321912]Rumble in the Garden:

[URL]https://www.rumbleinthegarden....ence-three-takeaways-muscles-14-point-victory[/URL][/quote]

Thanks JSJ. Best summary to date!
The coaches can prove they understand scouting and preparation if they correct the following defensive defect which has plagued the team:
". On several occasions Keita was found chasing one of the Friar guards 20 feet from the basket while Ponds fronted a Friar big under the basket. When teammates tried to assist, the corner wing was open and, as the game progressed, the Friar wings became hot, rarely missing these open shots."

HOW your players switch is preparation and coaching. Mullin and staff need to show they grasp this issue and correct it.....FAST!
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=321932][quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=321912]Rumble in the Garden:

[URL]https://www.rumbleinthegarden....ence-three-takeaways-muscles-14-point-victory[/URL][/quote]

Thanks JSJ. Best summary to date!
The coaches can prove they understand scouting and preparation if they correct the following defensive defect which has plagued the team:
". On several occasions Keita was found chasing one of the Friar guards 20 feet from the basket while Ponds fronted a Friar big under the basket. When teammates tried to assist, the corner wing was open and, as the game progressed, the Friar wings became hot, rarely missing these open shots."

HOW your players switch is preparation and coaching. Mullin and staff need to show they grasp this issue and correct it.....FAST![/quote]


I have been the biggest critic regarding our switching. Here's Keita outside following a guard who is driving to the basket, oops he falls behind. What a surprise! Watch the Virginia Cavaliers as their big man switches on to a guard but gets back to pick up his man. Now there is the difference in coaching defense.
 
[quote="JackofVirginia" post=321935][quote="Class of 72" post=321932][quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=321912]Rumble in the Garden:

[URL]https://www.rumbleinthegarden....ence-three-takeaways-muscles-14-point-victory[/URL][/quote]

Thanks JSJ. Best summary to date!
The coaches can prove they understand scouting and preparation if they correct the following defensive defect which has plagued the team:
". On several occasions Keita was found chasing one of the Friar guards 20 feet from the basket while Ponds fronted a Friar big under the basket. When teammates tried to assist, the corner wing was open and, as the game progressed, the Friar wings became hot, rarely missing these open shots."

HOW your players switch is preparation and coaching. Mullin and staff need to show they grasp this issue and correct it.....FAST![/quote]


I have been the biggest critic regarding our switching. Here's Keita outside following a guard who is driving to the basket, oops he falls behind. What a surprise! Watch the Virginia Cavaliers as their big man switches on to a guard but gets back to pick up his man. Now there is the difference in coaching defense.[/quote]

Jack, you see this issue from a coach's perspective. We don't have any "natural" coaches on this team. Yes, they were well coached players but none ever showed any inclination to coach or that they had the technical skills to coach.
This is where losing Slice, and not replacing him with a technically superior assistant coach has hurt this program. Also, having an assistant with only transfer recruiting skills is killing us.
I sense that if there is no upgrade in staff our fans will rebel vocally next season forcing a change that both the AD and President will not be able to ignore. All it will take is two boosters to pull the plug.
 
[quote="JackofVirginia" post=321935][quote="Class of 72" post=321932][quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=321912]Rumble in the Garden:

[URL]https://www.rumbleinthegarden....ence-three-takeaways-muscles-14-point-victory[/URL][/quote]

Thanks JSJ. Best summary to date!
The coaches can prove they understand scouting and preparation if they correct the following defensive defect which has plagued the team:
". On several occasions Keita was found chasing one of the Friar guards 20 feet from the basket while Ponds fronted a Friar big under the basket. When teammates tried to assist, the corner wing was open and, as the game progressed, the Friar wings became hot, rarely missing these open shots."

HOW your players switch is preparation and coaching. Mullin and staff need to show they grasp this issue and correct it.....FAST![/quote]


I have been the biggest critic regarding our switching. Here's Keita outside following a guard who is driving to the basket, oops he falls behind. What a surprise! Watch the Virginia Cavaliers as their big man switches on to a guard but gets back to pick up his man. Now there is the difference in coaching defense.[/quote]

There was a defensive strategy used years ago that has fallen out of favor for some reason. The big, in this case Keita plays on the high side of the pick to force the dribbler to go around on the high side. This theoretically allows the guard enough time to go underneath to emerge on the other side in good position. The weakness is if the player setting the pick rolls while Keita is out high. In that case, you would try to pinch help from the corners to help cover the paint. Yes, you leave the corner three open, but then you are forcing them to execute a big catching the ball on the move, not travelling and delivering an accurate pass. Better that than a blind switch where you wind up with Keita on a guard and Ponds on a big.
 
Why do I hate losing to Cooley and Providence so much?

It has to do with them beating us multiple times in the first game of the Big East Tournament to send us home deflated and defeated. Plus, Cooley has said some things I don't like.

Here's hoping that payback comes and we get them in that first BET game and kick the stuffing out of them, to solidify our chances and squash theirs.
 
Anyone who watched that game this weekend should be praying we are on the opposite side of the BET bracket that the friars are on.

Horrible matchup, no way around it. Marquette, Nova, Creighton, and yes, Seton Hall, are all much better matchups for us
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=321914]At 9-9 we wouldn’t need two BET wins to make tournament. At 5-6 we are in all brackets, if we go 9-9 that means we would have a winning record down the stretch for a resume that already has us in.

In my opinion, 10-8 is safely into the field, 9-9 we’d be in a play in game most likely. 9-9 plus one big east tournament win we’d be in safely.

My advice to the posters that are freaking out about the team and the staff, id definitely wait. Definitely hold off. Because I expect us to beat butler Tuesday, and then if we beat nova Sunday it’d be one of the best weeks for the program and the providence game would all the sudden be minimized in our minds

Going 2-1 in this homestand was a good outcome for us. Until we go 0-3 or 1-2 I’m not gonna freak out[/quote]

Not beating Butler if they play with no energy like vs. P.C.
Hope they come to play instead of punking out.
 
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