NIU commit, Dontel Highsmith finishes 5th in Mr. Bball final voting. The four guys who finished before him are attending Iowa St, Michigan, Kentucky and Oakland. Congrats to Dontel, look forward to him being a huskie. Nader averaged 10.4 pts as a freshman and Dinnuno and Jake Anderson averaged just under 12 as freshman. I think Highsmith can do better as a freshman than any of those three.

(03-18-2013 09:18 PM)niu2222 Wrote:  NIU commit, Dontel Highsmith finishes 5th in Mr. Bball final voting. The four guys who finished before him are attending Iowa St, Michigan, Kentucky and Oakland. Congrats to Dontel, look forward to him being a huskie. Nader averaged 10.4 pts as a freshman and Dinnuno and Jake Anderson averaged just under 12 as freshman. I think Highsmith can do better as a freshman than any of those three.

And even with those decent freshman point averages, our record was abysmal. What is there to make us believe it will be any different next season?

Nothing, Im not trying to make you or anyone believe anything. Im just giving congrats to a future huskie. What you or I or Herbstreet think will not make a difference for any of our sports teams.

No guarantees obviously but id rather be 5-25 with a crazy-talented player coming in than have no talent coming in

why do you bother to read any NIU basketball related threads, dogfan? Your constant negativity is really getting old. It isn't funny, it isn't informative, it isn't constructive; it is just whining. We get it--you think horrible thoughts about NIU basketball. Not sure that makes you a fan, just a redundant complainer.

(03-18-2013 09:56 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  why do you bother to read any NIU basketball related threads, dogfan? Your constant negativity is really getting old. It isn't funny, it isn't informative, it isn't constructive; it is just whining. We get it--you think horrible thoughts about NIU basketball. Not sure that makes you a fan, just a redundant complainer.

You get a car!

(03-18-2013 09:56 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  why do you bother to read any NIU basketball related threads, dogfan? Your constant negativity is really getting old. It isn't funny, it isn't informative, it isn't constructive; it is just whining. We get it--you think horrible thoughts about NIU basketball. Not sure that makes you a fan, just a redundant complainer.

I guess you're right. I promise to change. NIU basketball is the greatest thing since sliced bread and Free Battery Day at the Grotto. Better??

(03-19-2013 07:11 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 09:56 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  why do you bother to read any NIU basketball related threads, dogfan? Your constant negativity is really getting old. It isn't funny, it isn't informative, it isn't constructive; it is just whining. We get it--you think horrible thoughts about NIU basketball. Not sure that makes you a fan, just a redundant complainer.

I guess you're right. I promise to change. NIU basketball is the greatest thing since sliced bread and Free Battery Day at the Grotto. Better??

Buying season tickets gives you the right to complain. think how much each home victory costs you. Your seats are then over $100 a ticket

(03-19-2013 07:58 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(03-19-2013 07:11 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-18-2013 09:56 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  why do you bother to read any NIU basketball related threads, dogfan? Your constant negativity is really getting old. It isn't funny, it isn't informative, it isn't constructive; it is just whining. We get it--you think horrible thoughts about NIU basketball. Not sure that makes you a fan, just a redundant complainer.

I guess you're right. I promise to change. NIU basketball is the greatest thing since sliced bread and Free Battery Day at the Grotto. Better??

Buying season tickets gives you the right to complain. think how much each home victory costs you. Your seats are then over $100 a ticket

My hope is that the new AD will not sit still and do what it takes to straighten this program as quickly as possible. We may be at the point where fans permanently stay away. Another 5 win season will almost guarantee that.

Adding up the costs of all my tickets, I paid over $100 per win. That will change next season.

I pay over a 100 for each NIU ftball team win. HASF, Season tickets, food, booze, Donations. The bball team should be in the 10-13 win category. We need more talent, which I am confident Monty will get. I am going to play the part of many of you bball haters. Take Lynch off of last years ftball team and we finish last in the MAC West. Take Harnish off the year before and we win 2-4 games. I am sorry folks but the stats say these things are true. I happen to love NIU Ftball and all NIU sports, so I dont have any fun pointing out negatives, but it seems many cant wait to say crap about the bball program. We all know its very bad, so how many different ways and times does it have to be stated?

(03-19-2013 08:58 AM)niu2222 Wrote:  I pay over a 100 for each NIU ftball team win. HASF, Season tickets, food, booze, Donations. The bball team should be in the 10-13 win category. We need more talent, which I am confident Monty will get. I am going to play the part of many of you bball haters. Take Lynch off of last years ftball team and we finish last in the MAC West. Take Harnish off the year before and we win 2-4 games. I am sorry folks but the stats say these things are true. I happen to love NIU Ftball and all NIU sports, so I dont have any fun pointing out negatives, but it seems many cant wait to say crap about the bball program. We all know its very bad, so how many different ways and times does it have to be stated?

How do you know football would have bern worse. lynch woyld have started 2 years ago and we have no clue about mcentosh.we were not sure about lynch this year and he did better than harnish

dog"fan", many might prefer that you keep your money, take off your red and black and STAY HOME. The team, as well as those of us who enjoy basketball and like to anticipate improvement, might have a better experience if all your negativity were not in the building. It cannot be any fun for you, so why subject yourself (and others) to your misery and constant need to complain about the obvious.

A more constructive discussion might be, what do YOU think the AD can " do what it takes to straighten this program as quickly as possible?" As a fan, we can support the team and coaches, show up to root like the dickens for them to win, and, when possible, donate as much money as possible to improve the recruiting budget. What do you think the AD, coaches, players, and fans can do to improve the program? And try to avoid your too typical snarky, sarcastic, repetitive negative answers (also, enough with your dirty old man persona--we get that you like to promote yourself as perve but your disgusting attempts at pre-adolescent humor are getting old)

(03-19-2013 09:15 AM)cagy cager Wrote:  dog"fan", many might prefer that you keep your money, take off your red and black and STAY HOME. The team, as well as those of us who enjoy basketball and like to anticipate improvement, might have a better experience if all your negativity were not in the building. It cannot be any fun for you, so why subject yourself (and others) to your misery and constant need to complain about the obvious.

A more constructive discussion might be, what do YOU think the AD can " do what it takes to straighten this program as quickly as possible?" As a fan, we can support the team and coaches, show up to root like the dickens for them to win, and, when possible, donate as much money as possible to improve the recruiting budget. What do you think the AD, coaches, players, and fans can do to improve the program? And try to avoid your too typical snarky, sarcastic, repetitive negative answers (also, enough with your dirty old man persona--we get that you like to promote yourself as perve but your disgusting attempts at pre-adolescent humor are getting old)

Wow, what a great sense of humor! You must be a joy to live with!

I pay for my tickets and way more than you do in donations, so if I want to complain, I will. My complaints are out of sheer frustration with this program. I have been attending games for many, many years and the last several have been brutal. I would not complain if I saw improvement and hope. I see none. You are involved with the program, so I understand where you are coming from. You are trying to cover up your own frustration and embarrassment. Understood.

What would I do to fix the program? Pretty simple. Get a new coach. Since we can't/won't do that, there is little we can do until that happens. I am not sold on Monty's offensive "style". Maybe it's all he can do with the players we have, but who recruited most of those players? If there is improvement, there is hope. Has there been? No. There has been a regression since the prior season. So, I guess we should put all our hope for Highsmith to carry this team on his shoulders.

In the meantime, I will take your sage advice, save my money for season tickets next year, reduce the already stellar attendance by 4, and use my money for wild sessions at the Grotto. Unlike the games at the Convo, at least I'd walk out of the building with a smile on my face!

(03-19-2013 09:15 AM)cagy cager Wrote:  dog"fan", many might prefer that you keep your money, take off your red and black and STAY HOME. The team, as well as those of us who enjoy basketball and like to anticipate improvement, might have a better experience if all your negativity were not in the building. It cannot be any fun for you, so why subject yourself (and others) to your misery and constant need to complain about the obvious.

A more constructive discussion might be, what do YOU think the AD can " do what it takes to straighten this program as quickly as possible?" As a fan, we can support the team and coaches, show up to root like the dickens for them to win, and, when possible, donate as much money as possible to improve the recruiting budget. What do you think the AD, coaches, players, and fans can do to improve the program? And try to avoid your too typical snarky, sarcastic, repetitive negative answers (also, enough with your dirty old man persona--we get that you like to promote yourself as perve but your disgusting attempts at pre-adolescent humor are getting old)

No wonder our basketball team stinks...it's all because of fan negativity! It's certainly not our 35.85% FG shooting.

Dog fan yoy have the right to complain. you have donated way more then cagy will ever. you support niu athletics financially and by attending events. you have supported niu thru thick and thin.

(03-19-2013 09:13 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(03-19-2013 08:58 AM)niu2222 Wrote:  I pay over a 100 for each NIU ftball team win. HASF, Season tickets, food, booze, Donations. The bball team should be in the 10-13 win category. We need more talent, which I am confident Monty will get. I am going to play the part of many of you bball haters. Take Lynch off of last years ftball team and we finish last in the MAC West. Take Harnish off the year before and we win 2-4 games. I am sorry folks but the stats say these things are true. I happen to love NIU Ftball and all NIU sports, so I dont have any fun pointing out negatives, but it seems many cant wait to say crap about the bball program. We all know its very bad, so how many different ways and times does it have to be stated?

How do you know football would have bern worse. lynch woyld have started 2 years ago and we have no clue about mcentosh.we were not sure about lynch this year and he did better than harnish

I still question the comparison between the two. They are different types of players, Lynch is definitely more athletic, but I also felt Harnish is by far the smarter of the two and less prone to mistakes. While Lynch had better numbers, Harnish put us on the path to success.

You can't see we would have had "X" number of victories without Lynch or Harnish without saying what QB we would have had in place of them.

I'm starting to agree with DF about MM's playing style and I'm not sure he's able to get the best out of the players. But I'll wait until we see how they do next year, with at least one player that we know is very talented. And a little more experience around him.

interesting that in addition to relishing in being a deviant, degenerate debauchee, you are clairvoyant. But, like with most of your negative opinions, you are wrong on all fronts. I have a well developed sense of humor when things are funny. You are not funny--oh, when I was in 5th grade and loved bathroom humor, you would have been a riot. As an adult, I go more for the likes of George Carlin, Bill Maher, Billy Crystal, Bill Cosby, Lewis Black and Larry David but can also enjoy Eddie Murphy, Sarah Silverman and even a little Dice Clay...Those folks show intellectual prowess that escapes you. Believe me, I laugh like hell every day but never at your childish attempts at "humor."

The fact that you can state (without any facts) that you pay "way more than you do in donations,", is so laughable that my accountant would probably think you were funny. I, too, have attended "games for many, many years" and I will see you two manys and raise you too more (as in many, many, many, many--since 1969) and the last several have been brutal. I would not complain if I saw improvement and hope. I see none.

Again you are woefully mistaken when you say "You are involved with the program"--just not true, I buy season tickets, go to as many games as my schedule allows, talk Huskie sports and basketball with numerous other alums (many of whom actually played sports at NIU) and do see improvement. Then again, I have been fortunate to have been exposed to some of the nuances of what makes a team improve so, perhaps, I can see incremental steps you miss cuz you are too busy focusing on the weaknesses. I like to try to see what kids do right, not rail about what they cannot do or do wrong...same with coaches--it ain't easy trying to recruit to a losing program with extremely low attendance especially when some of the few who are there seem to be there to blame and gripe rather than support.

We got a new coach in Judson and many couldn't wait to see him leave. We replaced him with Patton and we all know how that turned out. There is nothing after 1 full recruiting class to suggest Monty cannot turn this around--when you are in such a hole, patience is the key. Coach K had guys like you wanting his ass fired after a few years--Novak's teams were the worst in the nation....to believe Monty can't get this righted is to believe no one can.

When you say "I am not sold on Monty's offensive "style" it suggests to me that you know very little about offensive basketball schemes. I doubt you could even properly, in basketball terms, explain his "style." I am not sure anyone should listen to such an ill-informed opinion but at least you could be specific. What "style" would you advocate with this group of players? What part did injuries/suspensions/defections play in the slower than desired growth? I don't see the "regression" you describe...this year NIU was in many games to the end--couldn't close the deal but were battling to the end. They never gave up and that is a mark of a good coach. With two guys that started quitting the team mid-year, and having lost 20 games for the 7th year in a row, these kids busted their butts right to the end and were on the verge of winning their last two games on the road. Had a 17 point lead at Ball U and had two shots in the last 5 seconds at EMU to win it and go to Cleveland...that speaks improvement to me with such young players....you ignore that upperclassmen win in this league and we had NO seniors.

My "sage advice" would be to support the team for a change or ignore it but quit bitching about the obvious. Or, when it gets turned around, don't jump on the bandwagon if all you have done was criticize the efforts of the good men coaching and the good kids playing.

(03-19-2013 10:13 AM)cagy cager Wrote:  interesting that in addition to relishing in being a deviant, degenerate debauchee, you are clairvoyant. But, like with most of your negative opinions, you are wrong on all fronts. I have a well developed sense of humor when things are funny. You are not funny--oh, when I was in 5th grade and loved bathroom humor, you would have been a riot. As an adult, I go more for the likes of George Carlin, Bill Maher, Billy Crystal, Bill Cosby, Lewis Black and Larry David but can also enjoy Eddie Murphy, Sarah Silverman and even a little Dice Clay...Those folks show intellectual prowess that escapes you. Believe me, I laugh like hell every day but never at your childish attempts at "humor."

The fact that you can state (without any facts) that you pay "way more than you do in donations,", is so laughable that my accountant would probably think you were funny. I, too, have attended "games for many, many years" and I will see you two manys and raise you too more (as in many, many, many, many--since 1969) and the last several have been brutal. I would not complain if I saw improvement and hope. I see none.

Again you are woefully mistaken when you say "You are involved with the program"--just not true, I buy season tickets, go to as many games as my schedule allows, talk Huskie sports and basketball with numerous other alums (many of whom actually played sports at NIU) and do see improvement. Then again, I have been fortunate to have been exposed to some of the nuances of what makes a team improve so, perhaps, I can see incremental steps you miss cuz you are too busy focusing on the weaknesses. I like to try to see what kids do right, not rail about what they cannot do or do wrong...same with coaches--it ain't easy trying to recruit to a losing program with extremely low attendance especially when some of the few who are there seem to be there to blame and gripe rather than support.

We got a new coach in Judson and many couldn't wait to see him leave. We replaced him with Patton and we all know how that turned out. There is nothing after 1 full recruiting class to suggest Monty cannot turn this around--when you are in such a hole, patience is the key. Coach K had guys like you wanting his ass fired after a few years--Novak's teams were the worst in the nation....to believe Monty can't get this righted is to believe no one can.

When you say "I am not sold on Monty's offensive "style" it suggests to me that you know very little about offensive basketball schemes. I doubt you could even properly, in basketball terms, explain his "style." I am not sure anyone should listen to such an ill-informed opinion but at least you could be specific. What "style" would you advocate with this group of players? What part did injuries/suspensions/defections play in the slower than desired growth? I don't see the "regression" you describe...this year NIU was in many games to the end--couldn't close the deal but were battling to the end. They never gave up and that is a mark of a good coach. With two guys that started quitting the team mid-year, and having lost 20 games for the 7th year in a row, these kids busted their butts right to the end and were on the verge of winning their last two games on the road. Had a 17 point lead at Ball U and had two shots in the last 5 seconds at EMU to win it and go to Cleveland...that speaks improvement to me with such young players....you ignore that upperclassmen win in this league and we had NO seniors.

My "sage advice" would be to support the team for a change or ignore it but quit bitching about the obvious. Or, when it gets turned around, don't jump on the bandwagon if all you have done was criticize the efforts of the good men coaching and the good kids playing.

Were the guys that were quitting mid-year players that MM recruited? It's possible there's a psychological element here that the coach is missing. IDK, just saying. I think we'll find out next year.

Pick any q-back on our roster. Lynch was what 80% of our offense. I know we would not have beaten Toledo, WMU, Ballstate, Kansas, Army. Monty is not re-inventing the wheel, NIU runs alot of the same things as Indiana, Michigan St. and others. The guys are getting open shots, but they arent making them. If guys make some shots our record will be better, if not it wont. A non 20-loss season is what I expect for next year. If that doesnt happen, you tell Monty he has one more year and thats it without a lot of progress. Everytime I say something positive about bball, I dont understand why people have to say something negative. It seems it would be easier not to say anything!