CSNbbs

http://northernstar.info/sports/article_...0f31a.html

WOW
I don't know how I feel about how this went down.

There is always a right way and wrong way to handle a situation. Looking back, heaven knows there were a ton of situations I knew I could have handled better. MM looks bad on this one...to quote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade..."He chose poorly."

(04-12-2012 02:05 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: [ -> ]http://northernstar.info/sports/article_...0f31a.html

WOW
I don't know how I feel about how this went down.

Well, add in that MM went around the locker room after the last game and told Miller in front of everyone that he was an important part of the program and he wanted him back. Then, a couple of days later, had the individual meeting where he yanked the scholarship.

Not too classy, in spite of whatever positive things he accomplished this year. He didn't handle this well. Whether Miller was truly a D1 basketball player or not is irrelevant. He treated that kid like crap at the end.

One person's view of the story so far.

Hmmmm. I read the story-- which is essentially Miller's dad's version of things. It provides NO detail at all about any meeting between MM and Zach Miller. So, I'm not sure that there is any problem here. I don't really see one. If MM came in and swept out, for example, Tyler Storm, I would think that's a problem. But Zach came in to the program knowing there was a new coach, and knowing the new coach is not the guy that recruited him. He had a year to show what he could do (that's all that he is guaranteed) and he did. I don't mean to be mean, but did he show he was a good D1 point guard? I didn't see it, and more importantly, MM didn't see it. So, he apparently was told he didn't figure in future plans. He was told this privately, where he could just choose to say that "I decided to seek opportunities elsewhere." What is wrong with that?
Instead his dad throws out some hand granades on the way out!
That's how the Miller's chose to handle the situation. I am not going to fault them for that either, but I just don't see that MM could have done much differently. (Other than put a kid on the bench that he didn't feel belonged there, and filling up a scholarship that he could use instead to get a player he really thinks he can use.)

I think I'm going to have to pat MM on the back on this one. Tough choice, but the right choice.

"Scott said a reason why Montgomery wanted Zach off the team was to open up a scholarship spot because Montgomery was trying to make room for two point guards to bring in as transfer students from other schools."

So who are these two point guards?

1st year coach is going to have some growing pains. I'm sure he learned from this situation.

Also, 5 years ago or before, you never heard why player were released from their scholly or why they are transferring in the media. You might have heard by word of mouth around campus why someone left, but it was never in print....at any institution. It's nice to get some info on stories that were previously hushed-hushed.

Yea, I agree. This seems like a learning opportunity for MM. It may not have been handled the best way, but in the end, it was probably the best for both parties involved.

(04-12-2012 02:05 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: [ -> ]http://northernstar.info/sports/article_...0f31a.html

WOW
I don't know how I feel about how this went down.

I do not like this on many levels. The program needs to be rebuilt from the foundation up. Integrity is a key ingredient of pouring a solid foundation. This will not go over well at all with HS coaches in Illinois. Bad mistake from my perspective.

This is the icky stuff that happens in college sports. Kids jump ship (especially at NIU lately), and sometimes coaches make them walk the plank. You have to accept it at some level. It's going to happen.

There's really no nice way to handle the situation. I'm not sure how I would handle it if I were Montgomery. He's been around the game for a while, so you'd think he'd have a better idea of how to handle it than me. I'd probably just drop the anvil on them and wish them the best, which seems about how Monty handled it.

I can also see why the Miller's would be upset. If it went down the way they said (there is always room for another point of view or just a different perspective of the same events), it seems harsher than necessary.

Then for Compher to try and smooth that over? That's a joke. There's no recovering from that break.

The interesting part in all of this to me....does Monty have control over his roster? I wonder how Compher and he are getting along after this. It might not matter much, honestly, but it's interesting.

I'm not really on anybody's side in this...maybe I've calloused. I'm not sure there is enough info to really pick a side.

I felt pretty sure some guys would get forced out (or leave of their own accord) after this year, because Monty was struggling just to get enough bodies, let alone good players.

In all reality, MM's honeymoon is over and he better start showing some results. The clock in Compers hands has started ticking after this public embrasment.

http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-baskb...12aaa.html

I guess this answers my question.

It seems we got this guy for Miller

It looks like MM is no better than Patton. So much for all the love given to MM by this board. Compher must be infuriated by this public fiasco. Sure won't help future recruiting. Reality is right--MM might not be around too long if he doesn't produce soon.

Not this guy again...

I've been here all along. Thanks for asking though.

sounds like monty did the right thing albeit possibly the less than right way....overall, though, who is kidding whom? no one who know basketball would think you could win with this kid at the point. if the coach/father was just a coach he could surely see this but his paternal instincts overrode his ability to be objective and see his kid couldn't hack the mac...heck, kid was lucky to get year paid for...I am not sure he will help this Hinsdale team--they have a pretty good program....time will tell, but who will dad blame if the kid doesn't do well in Michigan?

don't see this affecting Compher/MM relationship--compher knew the rules (you can't just yank the schollie) and MM is still learning...also, other than dad's take (he was not in the initial meeting if i read it right) which is hearsay, do we actually know that Monty actually said he was taking the schollie or did the kid deduce that after the fact?

(04-12-2012 05:34 PM)chazb2 Wrote: [ -> ]I've been here all along. Thanks for asking though.

didn't mean to be a jerk but you typically bring up only the negative stuff.

Seems like recently the negative stuff is all there is at NIU. What is going on at NIU when all our dirty laundry gets aired in public. First volleyball and now bball. It is NOT good when the AD has to rein in the bball coach.

(04-12-2012 05:46 PM)chazb2 Wrote: [ -> ]Seems like recently the negative stuff is all there is at NIU. What is going on at NIU when all our dirty laundry gets aired in public. First volleyball and now bball. It is NOT good when the AD has to rein in the bball coach.

The "public" outside of NIU sports fans and maybe some really hardcore MAC fans don't really care about this stuff.

This stuff happens all the time and we occationally think that we are above it then we realize that our crap stinks too.

(04-12-2012 05:52 PM)HuskieJohn Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-12-2012 05:46 PM)chazb2 Wrote: [ -> ]Seems like recently the negative stuff is all there is at NIU. What is going on at NIU when all our dirty laundry gets aired in public. First volleyball and now bball. It is NOT good when the AD has to rein in the bball coach.

The "public" outside of NIU sports fans and maybe some really hardcore MAC fans don't really care about this stuff.

This stuff happens all the time and we occationally think that we are above it then we realize that our crap stinks too.

Disagree--You don't think the high school coaches all around Chicagoland hear of this stuff and are influenced by it.