For the first time since Brady's 3rd season, I think Matt is actually in a position that if he leaves it would be more likely due to accepting a higher level job at another school - versus being released.

No, I don't think it would be a Larranaga or Smart move to a major conference but I could see interest by a lower level A10, or perhaps AAC or CUSA. Perhaps he could get a promotion from a school moving to a new conference and opening a new arena on 81.

It seems to me he's matured the last 5 years as a coach. This team is not his most talented. There are no Bowles, or Cooke's on this team. But they seem to be playing well without the drama we've seen in the past.

The only game I've seen in person this year was our worst game of the year - the home loss against UT-Martin. Strangely enough I liked what I saw from the team. No NBA possible players, but a lot of players rating 6, 7, 8, 8.5 on the CAA 1-10 scale.

That win in the NCAA play-in game against a 150-180 caliber team meant little to me. Some will hate me saying this, but it was a hair embarrassing to be in the play in.

This year's team appears to be to be a top 80 caliber team that "could" still improve "significantly" higher. It seems to be the best "team" Brady has had, even though not as talented as some others.

If this team get's into the NCAA tournament - it would have chance to advance.

I could give a list of what I think were to many obvious mistakes the last 5 or 6 years, but these last two years he's righted the ship and deserving of new options if this season unfolds like I think it could.

I started a thread before the Football playoff game saying I was more optimistic about basketball that football post season wise. So far, I not changing that opinion.

When Matt started at JMU "I" think he envisioned JMU as a quick/small step to something better. I think he's actually feeling more attached to JMU than was the case the first few years.

No matter what happened - I like the direction and finally to be a real top 80 team, or perhaps much better. Right now he has a better team than ODU & GMU, and pretty comparable to RU in Richmond. Now those ODU and GMU are struggling a bit right now, but gotta give credit where it's due.

Good Job the last two years Matt Brady.

I'm truly torn. The JMU fan in me wants JMU basketball to reach new heights but I'm still concerned that Brady is not the right coach to do it. If he stays I really hope this is the start of a consistent turn around in the program and not another "up" waiting for a plunge. We have yet to prove ourselves against top 50 teams and if we're going to elevate our program we need a coach who is going to do more than coach technique (such as the energy, charisma, and progressiveness needed). This is year 8 and I think the admin needs to be standing by with their hands on the plug for the foreseeable future.

If he were to take a better job, there is no doubt he leaves the program in better shape than when he got here.
If I were Brady, I would find it hard to leave. As hard as he has worked to get the program to this point, I would want to enjoy that success.
He has put this program in position to be successful... not only this season, but years to come. I do feel this season was the turning point. Now time to finally move in the right direction.

Matt is light years ahead of where he was when he first came to JMU. The turning point was not this year. The turning point is when Matt hired Mike to be his top assistant. Matt is a good game coach. He had a few holes in how to run a program. Matt was smart enough to listen to Mike's wisdom and realize that there was room for him to grow as a coach. Others may have let their ego and pride get in the way but not Matt.

I am and always have been a supporter of Matt. There were moments of doubt but I always saw a guy who truly knew the game and how it should be played. I would like to see Matt at JMU for years to come. While he has not achieved Larranaga success, he has turned around what was a dismal program. IMO, He deserves to be extended and receive an increase in salary. The guy has earned it.

Think it would take at least a couple NCAA tourney wins/upsets to draw attention, but if another school wants him and is willing to pay, JMU will need to ante up or lose him. Fans also need to show up to games so the admin can justify an increase if he keeps winning.

these threads are a waste of a click. grow up.

(01-26-2016 10:40 PM)Dukes2Space Wrote:  these threads are a waste of a click. grow up.

Interesting response...

The response makes absolutely no sense to me.

(01-26-2016 08:42 PM)Dukester Wrote:  For the first time since Brady's 3rd season, I think Matt is actually in a position that if he leaves it would be more likely due to accepting a higher level job at another school - versus being released.

No, I don't think it would be a Larranaga or Smart move to a major conference but I could see interest by a lower level A10, or perhaps AAC or CUSA. Perhaps he could get a promotion from a school moving to a new conference and opening a new arena on 81.

It seems to me he's matured the last 5 years as a coach. This team is not his most talented. There are no Bowles, or Cooke's on this team. But they seem to be playing well without the drama we've seen in the past.

The only game I've seen in person this year was our worst game of the year - the home loss against UT-Martin. Strangely enough I liked what I saw from the team. No NBA possible players, but a lot of players rating 6, 7, 8, 8.5 on the CAA 1-10 scale.

That win in the NCAA play-in game against a 150-180 caliber team meant little to me. Some will hate me saying this, but it was a hair embarrassing to be in the play in.

This year's team appears to be to be a top 80 caliber team that "could" still improve "significantly" higher. It seems to be the best "team" Brady has had, even though not as talented as some others.

If this team get's into the NCAA tournament - it would have chance to advance.

I could give a list of what I think were to many obvious mistakes the last 5 or 6 years, but these last two years he's righted the ship and deserving of new options if this season unfolds like I think it could.

I started a thread before the Football playoff game saying I was more optimistic about basketball that football post season wise. So far, I not changing that opinion.

When Matt started at JMU "I" think he envisioned JMU as a quick/small step to something better. I think he's actually feeling more attached to JMU than was the case the first few years.

No matter what happened - I like the direction and finally to be a real top 80 team, or perhaps much better. Right now he has a better team than ODU & GMU, and pretty comparable to RU in Richmond. Now those ODU and GMU are struggling a bit right now, but gotta give credit where it's due.

Good Job the last two years Matt Brady.

He will be coaching a CUSA school soon

Nation, with respect to Larranaga, he did not achieve overnight success, as some might think. Look at his record at Bowling Green, where he toiled for years, achieving a record not a ton above .500. That experience, of course, paid quick dividends later at Mason and then Miami.

(01-27-2016 12:16 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Nation, with respect to Larranaga, he did not achieve overnight success, as some might think. Look at his record at Bowling Green, where he toiled for years, achieving a record not a ton above .500. That experience, of course, paid quick dividends later at Mason and then Miami.

Larranaga, Wainwright, there are plenty of examples of good well respected coaches where it takes a little time for them to get to the next level. I think Brady's personality fits JMU. As much as folks would like to see a personality like Bruce Pearl in Harrisonburg it never matched to me. Guys who are slick, charismatic, etc. tend to be fast and loose with the rules as well. I think Brady is a good guy but what do I know outside of observing him from a far.

(01-26-2016 08:42 PM)Dukester Wrote:  For the first time since Brady's 3rd season, I think Matt is actually in a position that if he leaves it would be more likely due to accepting a higher level job at another school - versus being released.

No, I don't think it would be a Larranaga or Smart move to a major conference but I could see interest by a lower level A10, or perhaps AAC or CUSA. Perhaps he could get a promotion from a school moving to a new conference and opening a new arena on 81.

It seems to me he's matured the last 5 years as a coach. This team is not his most talented. There are no Bowles, or Cooke's on this team. But they seem to be playing well without the drama we've seen in the past.

The only game I've seen in person this year was our worst game of the year - the home loss against UT-Martin. Strangely enough I liked what I saw from the team. No NBA possible players, but a lot of players rating 6, 7, 8, 8.5 on the CAA 1-10 scale.

That win in the NCAA play-in game against a 150-180 caliber team meant little to me. Some will hate me saying this, but it was a hair embarrassing to be in the play in.

This year's team appears to be to be a top 80 caliber team that "could" still improve "significantly" higher. It seems to be the best "team" Brady has had, even though not as talented as some others.

If this team get's into the NCAA tournament - it would have chance to advance.

I could give a list of what I think were to many obvious mistakes the last 5 or 6 years, but these last two years he's righted the ship and deserving of new options if this season unfolds like I think it could.

I started a thread before the Football playoff game saying I was more optimistic about basketball that football post season wise. So far, I not changing that opinion.

When Matt started at JMU "I" think he envisioned JMU as a quick/small step to something better. I think he's actually feeling more attached to JMU than was the case the first few years.

No matter what happened - I like the direction and finally to be a real top 80 team, or perhaps much better. Right now he has a better team than ODU & GMU, and pretty comparable to RU in Richmond. Now those ODU and GMU are struggling a bit right now, but gotta give credit where it's due.

Good Job the last two years Matt Brady.

I think the focus of this thread should be on the improvements Brady has made and the progress of the program and less about speculating if he would move up. IMO I think if JMU is fair with him and the team continues to perform he will get extended and stay at JMU. I don't have him sized up as someone who is looking to move up but the fact that this is even being discussed along with a chance for an at large if we run the table are all good signs for the state of the basketball program.

Brady has made improvements- he's found a good balance in terms of the student athletes that he recruits to come to JMU, the system that he runs, and even things like scheduling. He's gotten better at trying to engage the student body and fans (something that probably doesn't come as naturally to him). He's as good a game coach as there is in the league.

To me the recruiting balance/continuity is the big difference- more of a focus on four year players (Brady has shown that he can spot talent and develop players that buy in) which has created continuity and stability. I agree that they have a top 75 team this year with potential to get even better and the great news is that next years team should be at the same level or better. In hindsight we may say that the "lame duck" recruiting year was Brady's best in terms of the stability that it brought the program. I think that recruiting effort (along with several interviews that Brady gave during the JMU Tournament run as his contract was set to expire) showed what he is all about as a coach and as a man.

One last thought- let's not underestimate the talent on this roster. You mentioned that there is no Cooke on this team. Curry was always as highly regarded if not more than Cooke. Curry takes a back seat to no one and is a very talented player at a premium position. He has acquitted himself well in head to head matchups against the POY favorite Green as well. The other players are talented and skilled. Don't underestimate this group. They have a redshirt player in Snowden who is very talented as well, Kangni with development has the potential to be very good as do the two incoming recruits.

Agree - props to Brady and the team.

Having talent, doesn't mean it shows up every night on the court. Having opportunity, doesn't mean taking advantage of it. We are now consistently seeing players staying in the program and getting better during their time here. Consistency, it the key going forward. Stay in the range of 22 to 25 wins per year, top 2 or 3 in the league and we'll continue to get recruits. If we're able to hold onto Brady, we can likely more easily stay within this range. If not, he and the team have gotten to the point where this is a legitimate expectation for any successor.

Next step will likely be a surge resulting from a new arena. It would be great to have strong talent in place, good recruits coming in, and solid coaching. With more attendance and game time excitement, MBB might finally break the post-Lefty era for good.

(01-27-2016 07:32 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:   I agree that they have a top 75 team this year with potential to get even better and the great news is that next years team should be at the same level or better.

One last thought- let's not underestimate the talent on this roster. You mentioned that there is no Cooke on this team. Curry was always as highly regarded if not more than Cooke. Curry takes a back seat to no one and is a very talented player at a premium position. He has acquitted himself well in head to head matchups against the POY favorite Green as well. The other players are talented and skilled. Don't underestimate this group. They have a redshirt player in Snowden who is very talented as well, Kangni with development has the potential to be very good as do the two incoming recruits.

Confused by your post. You don't foresee a drop off next year while Brady figures out who can successfully run the point? Morgan, McLean and the freshman are all unknowns.

boy, I love the love fest for Brady. it would be interesting if someone could dig up the Brady bashing threads. As I recall, there were many haters and only a few of us who had faith in Matt. Dukes84, NJDuke97 & JMU98 were about the only believers I remember.

All that said, a win Thursday would go a long way. This is the biggest meaningful home game in a long time.

whoa whoa whoa - ive been a true believer as well.

So PG, if I were to look, I wouldn't find any posts from you doubting if Brady is the right guy for the JMU job?

(01-26-2016 10:40 PM)Dukes2Space Wrote:  these threads are a waste of a click. grow up.

Did you mean to put this in a Dukeman thread? Did you think it was Dukeman?

(01-27-2016 10:43 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  So PG, if I were to look, I wouldn't find any posts from you doubting if Brady is the right guy for the JMU job?

you are free to search, but I will save you some time, you wont find any.

I believe you. I just can't understand how anyone who's not Matt Brady himself never had one doubt...