The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

When it comes to basketball I'm more of a casual fan. I wouldn't know the difference between a 1 or a 5. I know put the ball in the basket by either a layup, jump shot or dunk and prevent the other team from doing the same. I get easily bored because of how long it takes for the last minute of a game to wind down. I've seen some games where the last minute takes close to 60 minutes in real time to complete. Basketball to me is a game that has way too many fouls to be called. What is wrong with some contact? With as many fouls as the officials call in a game, it appears to me they have become more divas than officials.

With that said, I pay more attention to the final score than the substance in between. At one point back in January, I think after the third conference game I stop checking the final score because things looked bleak. Well, to my surprise, I had on my Facebook newsfeed a post that said WMU was MAC West champions. So I came back and read the threads that showed as not having read or there were new posts.

I just want to say congratulations to Coach Hawkins and the whole men's basketball team. Congratulations on completing a tough season. Congratulations on turning the season around and showing what this team can be like over the next several seasons. Congratulations on winning the MAC West Division.

Thank you for not quitting on yourselves, like some of us fans (including myself) quit on this year's version of Broncos basketball.

Good luck and God bless in the MAC Tournament!

Hawks has done a remarkable job with a team composed largely of Freshman. It really frustrates me when you see posts in this forum suggesting he needs to be replaced by some 'young, exciting...' coach. Apparently some of our fans really don't have any concept what a treasure we have in Hawks.

He's arguably the smartest basketball HC in the MAC, he gets the most out of whatever talent he has. His recruiting focus is a lot like Bobby Knight's used to be-bring in role players/team players instead of hotshots. Bring in guys who excel at playing Defense-then have 3-4 guys on the program who can put the ball in the hoop when the opportunities arise.

My only criticism of Hawks is he needs to watch his weight a little more-can't be healthy carrying around that extra weight (hey, I'm above 60, I know the struggle with weight that occurs when your metabolism changes. It impacts all of us.). I want him to coach for WMU for many seasons to come, time to focus on this health a wee bit more. Maybe his wife can help him on that?

I completely agree with you. He is a championship caliber coach. What is the underlying reason why some people want one of the winningest coaches in program history gone?

(03-05-2017 02:47 PM)John52168 Wrote:  I completely agree with you. He is a championship caliber coach. What is the underlying reason why some people want one of the winningest coaches in program history gone?

Because young people today want instant gratification. Too many of them are ready to throw in the towel at the first onset of misfortune, they lack the resolve to stick it out.

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but the Millenials don't impress me with rare exceptions. Corey Davis is obviously an exception, as is Thomas Wilder. Those two guys don't know what quitting is, they'd look at you with a puzzled expression if you brought up the word 'quit'. That word is not in their lexicon.

(03-05-2017 02:52 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(03-05-2017 02:47 PM)John52168 Wrote:  I completely agree with you. He is a championship caliber coach. What is the underlying reason why some people want one of the winningest coaches in program history gone?

Because young people today want instant gratification. Too many of them are ready to throw in the towel at the first onset of misfortune, they lack the resolve to stick it out.

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but the Millenials don't impress me with rare exceptions. Corey Davis is obviously an exception, as is Thomas Wilder. Those two guys don't know what quitting is, they'd look at you with a puzzled expression if you brought up the word 'quit'. That word is not in their lexicon.

Okay. Thank you. I kind of thought that was what you meant. They need to learn about the philosophies of the Rooney's (Pittsburgh Steelers) and The Illitch's and/or Ken Holland (Detroit Red Wings). They don't make changes just to make changes. They stick with what they have and help there coaches when times get tough. Changing coaches all the time has never led to much if any success.

Right... 14 years = instant gratification.

(03-05-2017 04:07 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Right... 14 years = instant gratification.

Are you implying our program hasn't had success in 14 years?

(03-05-2017 04:19 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(03-05-2017 04:07 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Right... 14 years = instant gratification.

Are you implying our program hasn't had success in 14 years?

Don't worry about Hokeyness, Philly - he's got his panties in a huge wad that his former Master didn't take his flunky (BP) with him to Minnesota.

(03-05-2017 04:19 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(03-05-2017 04:07 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Right... 14 years = instant gratification.

Are you implying our program hasn't had success in 14 years?

We've had success, sure. We've also had the great benefit of playing in a very weak division.

I said it in other threads, I agree he should be commended for getting a lot out of very little. He is a very good coach and intelligent basketball mind. Great turn around this year but also had some to do with scheduling. Again, tallest midget. The West is always the weaker of the divisions but this year was absolutely the worst I have maybe ever seen it.

I understand it's apparently not a popular opinion right now but we're all entitled to our opinions and this is mine.

I'll leave you with this:
Cubit's head coaching record here was 57% in-conference and 52% overall. Hawk's record is 58% in-conference and 55% overall.

Actually, I think the MAC West had one of its' best years in quite some time this year. Not a real weakling in the bunch as in many past years. Some good streaks, some bad streaks by teams. The worst MAC West teams were all within 1 game of .500 based on overall records. Again, based on overall records, the East teams won 102 games, the West teams won 97. As opposed to many years, there were no dogs in the West this year. As opposed to most (I guess), I view winning the Division as an accomplishment, the attainment of one of the teams goals I assume. Particularly this year...Great recovery from a rough start. As another poster stated, those of us that have followed Bronco BB for many years, can really appreciate the success Hawk has brought to the program.