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I have no issue with 30+ wins and being a top 5 team being the "gold standard". The peak is good enough but we need to have more peak talent years so a 10 min meltdown doesn't ruin a chance that comes along every 3-4 years.

(11-02-2018 08:18 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 07:33 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Not sure why pulling are pulling their hair out. This is a rebuild year-- going to be more about seeing guys like Logan Johnson, Keith Williams, and Trevor Moore develop. We lost three very good players that have logged most of the production for the past 3-4 years. We just didn't recruit well enough the past two years to keep the train a-rollin the year after those guys left.

Bolded, this was a concern raised as soon as everyone was driving home from Nashville last spring. Arguably, Evans was a surprise departure. But with two productive starters in Clark and Washington graduating, it begged the question why some four star, "ready now" player wasn't in the fold with a veteran coaching staff.

I think it's a reasonable argument that the players didn't take this game seriously and there were a lot of distractions with the opening of the arena. So I'm not going to overreact to last night's performance. But the nagging concern about this group's inability to score certainly wasn't put to rest.

Win next Wednesday and Tusculum will be a distant memory.

The recruiting really is hard to explain. Especially given what Memphis and Xavier were able to assemble with first year head coaches. We are rarely in on any of those types of guys. Just sucks that this staff either can't sell this program that we all love so much or choose not to go after those kind of guys.

(11-02-2018 08:56 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 08:18 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 07:33 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Not sure why pulling are pulling their hair out. This is a rebuild year-- going to be more about seeing guys like Logan Johnson, Keith Williams, and Trevor Moore develop. We lost three very good players that have logged most of the production for the past 3-4 years. We just didn't recruit well enough the past two years to keep the train a-rollin the year after those guys left.

Bolded, this was a concern raised as soon as everyone was driving home from Nashville last spring. Arguably, Evans was a surprise departure. But with two productive starters in Clark and Washington graduating, it begged the question why some four star, "ready now" player wasn't in the fold with a veteran coaching staff.

I think it's a reasonable argument that the players didn't take this game seriously and there were a lot of distractions with the opening of the arena. So I'm not going to overreact to last night's performance. But the nagging concern about this group's inability to score certainly wasn't put to rest.

Win next Wednesday and Tusculum will be a distant memory.

The recruiting really is hard to explain. Especially given what Memphis and Xavier were able to assemble with first year head coaches. We are rarely in on any of those types of guys. Just sucks that this staff either can't sell this program that we all love so much or choose not to go after those kind of guys.

This staff recruits certain types of guys and stays away from others. This staff is not going to put effort into 5-star and high 4-star recruits anymore.


Speaking of which... remember when we were told this guy (a local) wasn't any good?

Fran Fraschilla‏Verified account @franfraschilla · 2h2 hours ago

Have seen 20+ teams practice this month and a half & best long-term @NBA prospect I’ve seen is 6-11 @TexasMBB freshman, Jaxson Hayes. Pterodactyl wingspan. Son of NFL coach & former KC Chief, Jonathan Hayes.

(11-02-2018 09:11 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 08:56 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 08:18 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 07:33 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Not sure why pulling are pulling their hair out. This is a rebuild year-- going to be more about seeing guys like Logan Johnson, Keith Williams, and Trevor Moore develop. We lost three very good players that have logged most of the production for the past 3-4 years. We just didn't recruit well enough the past two years to keep the train a-rollin the year after those guys left.

Bolded, this was a concern raised as soon as everyone was driving home from Nashville last spring. Arguably, Evans was a surprise departure. But with two productive starters in Clark and Washington graduating, it begged the question why some four star, "ready now" player wasn't in the fold with a veteran coaching staff.

I think it's a reasonable argument that the players didn't take this game seriously and there were a lot of distractions with the opening of the arena. So I'm not going to overreact to last night's performance. But the nagging concern about this group's inability to score certainly wasn't put to rest.

Win next Wednesday and Tusculum will be a distant memory.

The recruiting really is hard to explain. Especially given what Memphis and Xavier were able to assemble with first year head coaches. We are rarely in on any of those types of guys. Just sucks that this staff either can't sell this program that we all love so much or choose not to go after those kind of guys.

This staff recruits certain types of guys and stays away from others. This staff is not going to put effort into 5-star and high 4-star recruits anymore.


Speaking of which... remember when we were told this guy (a local) wasn't any good?

Fran Fraschilla‏Verified account @franfraschilla · 2h2 hours ago

Have seen 20+ teams practice this month and a half & best long-term @NBA prospect I’ve seen is 6-11 @TexasMBB freshman, Jaxson Hayes. Pterodactyl wingspan. Son of NFL coach & former KC Chief, Jonathan Hayes.

There's a reason he was getting interest from big time schools. I dont think Mick eve sent a letter or stopped by campus. Not sure why they spend so much time recruiting in Canada and California when there always plenty of good players down the road.

Memphis and Xavier have done nothing yet with their new guys. Cronin recruits a specific type of player and has gotten us quite a few 4-star players. Our program reilies on developing players and keeping continuity by having the same players for 3-4 years. We'd be a top 5 team this year if Evans had returned and will still be a top 25 team - and likely a top 5 team next year.

I don't get all this negativity. I enjoy watching players develop and improve their games. I enjoy watching teams where I see the same players year after year because we aren't living off 1-and-dones. The resulting 30 win seasons are nice too.

This year we will be fine and easily a top-25 team. The first month or so will be a little rough as players get used to their new roles and playing together. But we have plenty of talent. Scott had a bad game last night, but was a top scorer at the scrimmage and vs Notre Dame. Even last night in a bad game, he had 10 rebounds, was disruptive on D and showed a previously unseen ability to drive to the rim.

(11-02-2018 09:31 AM)skyblade Wrote:  Memphis and Xavier have done nothing yet with their new guys. Cronin recruits a specific type of player and has gotten us quite a few 4-star players. Our program reilies on developing players and keeping continuity by having the same players for 3-4 years. We'd be a top 5 team this year if Evans had returned and will still be a top 25 team - and likely a top 5 team next year.

I don't get all this negativity. I enjoy watching players develop and improve their games. I enjoy watching teams where I see the same players year after year because we aren't living off 1-and-dones. The resulting 30 win seasons are nice too.

This year we will be fine and easily a top-25 team. The first month or so will be a little rough as players get used to their new roles and playing together. But we have plenty of talent. Scott had a bad game last night, but was a top scorer at the scrimmage and vs Notre Dame. Even last night in a bad game, he had 10 rebounds, was disruptive on D and showed a previously unseen ability to drive to the rim.

I think it's 50/50 whether or not we'll be a top 25 team this year. If things go perfect maybe we can be a top 15 team. There are plenty of question marks this year.

(11-02-2018 09:38 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-02-2018 09:31 AM)skyblade Wrote:  Memphis and Xavier have done nothing yet with their new guys. Cronin recruits a specific type of player and has gotten us quite a few 4-star players. Our program reilies on developing players and keeping continuity by having the same players for 3-4 years. We'd be a top 5 team this year if Evans had returned and will still be a top 25 team - and likely a top 5 team next year.

I don't get all this negativity. I enjoy watching players develop and improve their games. I enjoy watching teams where I see the same players year after year because we aren't living off 1-and-dones. The resulting 30 win seasons are nice too.

This year we will be fine and easily a top-25 team. The first month or so will be a little rough as players get used to their new roles and playing together. But we have plenty of talent. Scott had a bad game last night, but was a top scorer at the scrimmage and vs Notre Dame. Even last night in a bad game, he had 10 rebounds, was disruptive on D and showed a previously unseen ability to drive to the rim.

I think it's 50/50 whether or not we'll be a top 25 team this year. If things go perfect maybe we can be a top 15 team. There are plenty of question marks this year.

Inside scoring will be the biggest one.

(11-02-2018 09:31 AM)skyblade Wrote:  Memphis and Xavier have done nothing yet with their new guys. Cronin recruits a specific type of player and has gotten us quite a few 4-star players. Our program reilies on developing players and keeping continuity by having the same players for 3-4 years. We'd be a top 5 team this year if Evans had returned and will still be a top 25 team - and likely a top 5 team next year.

I don't get all this negativity. I enjoy watching players develop and improve their games. I enjoy watching teams where I see the same players year after year because we aren't living off 1-and-dones. The resulting 30 win seasons are nice too.

This year we will be fine and easily a top-25 team. The first month or so will be a little rough as players get used to their new roles and playing together. But we have plenty of talent. Scott had a bad game last night, but was a top scorer at the scrimmage and vs Notre Dame. Even last night in a bad game, he had 10 rebounds, was disruptive on D and showed a previously unseen ability to drive to the rim.

I have no problem with players like Tre Scott. He is a great role player that would fill a nice niche alongside a more talented offensive player. Mick is wanting him to be our go to scoring big, which he is not. It's like the Lakers trying to build around Rick Fox instead of Shaq and Kobe, but Rick Fox was still a key player on some great teams.

One thing I liked very much last night was the defensive play of Keith Williams. His on-the-ball defense was very good and his rotations/switches were excellent.

I don't get why no one thinks Scott can play offense. He has shown the ability to make jump shots, drive the ball and shoot free throws. He has as much offensive ability as Clark had as a junior. And he is an excellent passer. He just needs time to get used to his expanded role. The team is built around Cumberland and Broome. Scott just needs to be a third scoring option and he is more then capable of that.

I am more worried about finding a third guard/forward who can score. Someone who can give Cumberland and Broome a rest without our offense dropping off. Keith Williams seems to have the skills, but he needs them to come together in games.