I`m deliberately making this statement before the conference tournament because I don't believe the post season results effect the issue. A fact that is different than some previous seasons where it has been NCAA tournament or bust.

No matter what happens down the stretch I can't consider this season anything other than a smashing success for Steve Forbes. When you factor in the degree of difficulty, 21 wins and a 2nd place conference regular season finish (even in a watered down SOCON) is an outstanding accomplishment. For reasons unknown, ETSU fans have held expectations for Forbes first year in excess of what a reasonable fan base would normally have for a first year coach taking over a program that posted a 62-65 record in the preceding 4 seasons. Given the number of new faces who had never played with each other, not to mention having never been coached by Forbes, an average season was a reasonable expectation.

There are only 2 coaches in ETSU history who have posted more regular season wins in their first season than Steve Forbes: Alan LeForce & Murry Bartow (Barry Dowd won 22 games his first year but from what I can tell those wins included the post season). Unlike Forbes, LeForce and Bartow both inherited basketball teams that won the conference and reached the NCAA tournament in the previous season. Even if ETSU doesn't win another game, Forbes will have posted the 3rd best start to a coaching career in ETSU history.

Now, none of the above means that Forbes will become a legend or that fans should crown him as the greatest coach in ETSU history. As first season go, there's no way around judging this year as anything other than a success.

What say you?

And he did it while inheriting remnants of a team that had a losing record. His turnaround and Coach Ford's at TSU were both incredible this season. Nothing to be ashamed of, but he's got to find some guys that can play to replace them with.

Sports Monster guys saying this morning that they felt he should have received "Coach of Year" for SoCon. Several callers agreed.

Agree with everything. Additionally lets not forget that he signed Ge'Lawn and Deuce late in the year. In my opinion Ge'Lawn could start at PG at any mid-major in the country and Forbes was able to convince him to come to ETSU. Then there is Hanner and Tevin Glass. We haven't seen those two play yet but I have a feeling they will make a pretty big impact as well.

(03-02-2016 10:00 AM)Bucster Wrote:  Agree with everything. Additionally lets not forget that he signed Ge'Lawn and Deuce late in the year. In my opinion Ge'Lawn could start at PG at any mid-major in the country and Forbes was able to convince him to come to ETSU. Then there is Hanner and Tevin Glass. We haven't seen those two play yet but I have a feeling they will make a pretty big impact as well.

That's another factor, there was limited opportunity for player development prior to the season. Most coaches get a calendar year to build a team into their image. In Forbes case, the development has occurred almost exclusively DURING the regular season when everything else is going on (game planning, recruiting, class, travel, etc).

Winning in year 1 is incredibly difficult if you don't inherit an already developed team.

Unequivocal success worthy of Coach of Year honors. Regardless, we're now on a promising trajectory.

I could not agree more. Coach has done an incredible job with what he had to work with and has greatly over achieved in my book. I cannot wait to see the new talent next and see how far we can extend the season this year.

(03-02-2016 09:50 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  And he did it while inheriting remnants of a team that had a losing record. His turnaround and Coach Ford's at TSU were both incredible this season. Nothing to be ashamed of, but he's got to find some guys that can play to replace them with.

One small nit to pick, didn't we go 16-14 last year? I know two of those wins were non Div I but that is still 500.
but if we are going to give Forbes 21 wins with two non Div I teams in there we gotta give Bartow his 16 wins last year.

I think Forbes did great, had some up and down at beginning of the year but this was the first year I think the team actually did gel late and not just get better because we started playing in Conference and the level of competition went down, in years past I always thought that was what happened. (Bartow with his +60% Conference record and his sub 40% OOC (Div I).

Just think if we had got that big kid from Pitt as well? I think he is averaging 13pt 11 rebounds for UNC-C.

(03-02-2016 11:39 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  I think Forbes did great, had some up and down at beginning of the year but this was the first year I think the team actually did gel late and not just get better because we started playing in Conference and the level of competition went down, in years past I always thought that was what happened. (Bartow with his +60% Conference record and his sub 40% OOC (Div I).

Just think if we had got that big kid from Pitt as well? I think he is averaging 13pt 11 rebounds for UNC-C.

I was also looking at Uchebo recently. The Bucs would surely be in 1st place this season if Uchebo had joined the team. Glad to see him excel in his senior year, though, Bucs or not.

(03-02-2016 11:48 AM)shampoo Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:39 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  I think Forbes did great, had some up and down at beginning of the year but this was the first year I think the team actually did gel late and not just get better because we started playing in Conference and the level of competition went down, in years past I always thought that was what happened. (Bartow with his +60% Conference record and his sub 40% OOC (Div I).

Just think if we had got that big kid from Pitt as well? I think he is averaging 13pt 11 rebounds for UNC-C.

I was also looking at Uchebo recently. The Bucs would surely be in 1st place this season if Uchebo had joined the team. Glad to see him excel in his senior year, though, Bucs or not.

Thinking about it though the problem is, Wasn't Bello last man in? Or maybe even Guyn.. Don't see how we could have ended up with all 3 (and TJ).

(03-02-2016 11:51 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:48 AM)shampoo Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:39 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  I think Forbes did great, had some up and down at beginning of the year but this was the first year I think the team actually did gel late and not just get better because we started playing in Conference and the level of competition went down, in years past I always thought that was what happened. (Bartow with his +60% Conference record and his sub 40% OOC (Div I).

Just think if we had got that big kid from Pitt as well? I think he is averaging 13pt 11 rebounds for UNC-C.

I was also looking at Uchebo recently. The Bucs would surely be in 1st place this season if Uchebo had joined the team. Glad to see him excel in his senior year, though, Bucs or not.

Thinking about it though the problem is, Wasn't Bello last man in? Or maybe even Guyn.. Don't see how we could have ended up with all 3 (and TJ).

Not sure. I'm sure the coaches would have figured something out if Uchebo had committed. Moot point, though, I guess!

(03-02-2016 11:56 AM)shampoo Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:51 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:48 AM)shampoo Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 11:39 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  I think Forbes did great, had some up and down at beginning of the year but this was the first year I think the team actually did gel late and not just get better because we started playing in Conference and the level of competition went down, in years past I always thought that was what happened. (Bartow with his +60% Conference record and his sub 40% OOC (Div I).

Just think if we had got that big kid from Pitt as well? I think he is averaging 13pt 11 rebounds for UNC-C.

I was also looking at Uchebo recently. The Bucs would surely be in 1st place this season if Uchebo had joined the team. Glad to see him excel in his senior year, though, Bucs or not.

Thinking about it though the problem is, Wasn't Bello last man in? Or maybe even Guyn.. Don't see how we could have ended up with all 3 (and TJ).

Not sure. I'm sure the coaches would have figured something out if Uchebo had committed. Moot point, though, I guess!

yeah and it is fun to dream. Just think, twin Tower it with him and PJ in at the same time? The middle is closed..

The coaching staff really improved throughout the season as well. We are much better coached now than we were in November. Kudos to the staff for the tweaks they made along the way.

Tuoyo wouldn't have known what hit him. But I think HMP & PJ will pull his pants down next year.

I think Forbes has done a great job. I wish his offensive style was more organized, but I do believe that he got the most out of what he had this year. I haven't thought that about an ETSU team in a long time.

My only caution is my memory of Bartow's first year. His team won a lot of games in a row, in much the same manner winning lots of close games. I thought he was great, and I liked his personality. Over time, that perception changed a lot.

(03-02-2016 05:10 PM)etsubuc Wrote:  I think Forbes has done a great job. I wish his offensive style was more organized, but I do believe that he got the most out of what he had this year. I haven't thought that about an ETSU team in a long time.

My only caution is my memory of Bartow's first year. His team won a lot of games in a row, in much the same manner winning lots of close games. I thought he was great, and I liked his personality. Over time, that perception changed a lot.

I don't think Bartow was a bad coach exactly. I think he burnt out. He didn't have passion for coaching anymore and it completely affected his abilities.

I agree with Bartow's loss of passion, but I think Forbes et al. have demonstrated already the ability to recruit, plug players in the right spots, and develop them. Bartow recruited some solid guards, but the only real post player I recall was Ike Brown - who my dad actually turned on to ETSU through having played with Brown's father years ago - and Ike was not developed properly. He got the block record of his own sweat and talent. Jurkin was technically Bartow's recruit, but it was an assistant's work and I doubt PJ would have left the bench regularly or averaged even 5 min/game this year under Bartow.

(03-02-2016 05:10 PM)etsubuc Wrote:  My only caution is my memory of Bartow's first year. His team won a lot of games in a row, in much the same manner winning lots of close games. I thought he was great, and I liked his personality. Over time, that perception changed a lot.

Look at the team Bartow got when he came here vs what Forbes had.
Bartow had a team coming off an NCAA appearance and had played well enough to get the coach the Penn St job. A second place finish in the conference and only 20 wins would have been a bad year with that talent.

(03-02-2016 07:18 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-02-2016 05:10 PM)etsubuc Wrote:  My only caution is my memory of Bartow's first year. His team won a lot of games in a row, in much the same manner winning lots of close games. I thought he was great, and I liked his personality. Over time, that perception changed a lot.

Look at the team Bartow got when he came here vs what Forbes had.
Bartow had a team coming off an NCAA appearance and had played well enough to get the coach the Penn St job. A second place finish in the conference and only 20 wins would have been a bad year with that talent.

That's exactly right. I've noted many a time how bartow's greatest 'work' was that first year he was here, to not try to meddle with success, and let the team (Wadood, Fields, Smith, Nuckles, Rhoda, Anthony, et al) almost be on auto-pilot, and having Scott Wagers still there. The team floundered badly the next year, with the departure of Wadood and Fields - but also with bartow putting his touches on the team. Tim Smith was a great player, but letting him run wild and saying "it's Timmy's team" straitjacketed us and we became predictable, etc., etc. The pitfalls we all know about.

I knew, literally, within about 1/3 of his second year here that he didn't have what it takes. I couldn't stand his demeanor, nor more importantly, his bench coaching (or should I say lack thereof).

I honestly don't remember bartow having more passion at the beginning than at the end. Clearly the last few years he was just trying to hold onto his job with those "we won 20" seasons. And the "it all comes down to 3 days in March" mantra drove me nuts.

All *that* said........Forbes is indeed a breath of very fresh air - in virtually all respects. This season is already a success by almost any measure, but the losses to Charleston Southern and UNC-Asheville still sting. I'm not sure I'd say "wildly" successful, but certainly "very" successful. It's been like emerging from the desert or the wilderness - not being able to see how to get out.

So, as others have said: THANK YOU! to Drs. Noland and Sander!!

[Also, I'm betting we only have Forbes one more year, assuming we'll be as successful next year as the cards **may** be lining up (although plugging the hole left by Guyn will be a tall order). Hope I'm wrong.]