(03-19-2019 09:02 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 08:57 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 08:54 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 08:49 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 06:57 AM)7 Wrote:  That just isn’t true. You don’t magically get better just because you were awful. That doesn’t make it an easier job to takeover.

And no, I literally said I don’t have strong feelings on him staying or going either way. If you can’t see he’s had a positive effect on the program though, you’re delusional. Has it been positive enough to warrant keeping his job? That’s clearly up for debate.

Considering how poor NIU’s b-ball history is since they re-entered the MAC, I would be a little surprise if he doesn’t get another year after their tournament run.

That's precisely what we're doing here.

Not really, just mostly people bitching until I come in and mention he’s had an overall positive impact on the program only to be accused of MM having some sort of blackmail on me lol.

I think if Monty was going to go, it would have happened by now. Really need to hope German, James, and Key all decide to stay for their final year now.

You could have hired just about anybody and it would have had a positive impact on the program, after Patton. That is not much of a reason to keep somebody.

This is just wrong, honestly. Not really any other way to put it. You could have said that about any of the last 3-4 Kansas football coaches by that logic, but that clearly wasn’t the case. Take any of the last 20 years of Rutgers basketball coaches, but that also wasn’t the case.

None of them were as bad as Patton.

(03-19-2019 10:02 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 09:12 AM)klake87 Wrote:  At this point, I don't think this all falls on Monty. We have been the EMU of basketball. Monty was an up and coming assistant from a winning program. He probably talks to Izzo all the time. This issue is bigger than just changing coaches. Novak was given along time to turn things around.

I don't think it all falls on Monty either. But Novak turned it around in about 4-5 years. Although record-wise, NIU's football team wasn't as bad as what Monty took over.

Ricardo Patton was kinda a big name. His problem is he did not like recruiting. When good players come to a game, there are 800 fans in a 6k stadium.

(03-19-2019 10:04 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 10:02 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 09:12 AM)klake87 Wrote:  At this point, I don't think this all falls on Monty. We have been the EMU of basketball. Monty was an up and coming assistant from a winning program. He probably talks to Izzo all the time. This issue is bigger than just changing coaches. Novak was given along time to turn things around.

I don't think it all falls on Monty either. But Novak turned it around in about 4-5 years. Although record-wise, NIU's football team wasn't as bad as what Monty took over.

Ricardo Patton was kinda a big name. His problem is he did not like recruiting. When good players come to a game, there are 800 fans in a 6k stadium.

From what I've heard, he didn't particularly like coaching either.

It's pretty simple. If a coach cannot turn around a basketball team in 8 years, there is something wrong with his recruiting and/or coaching abilities. And I do not consider a mediocre improvement to .500 a turn around. A turnaround is a winning team with a winning attitude and competing for the conference title every year.

(03-19-2019 01:04 AM)PrideinthePack2 Wrote:  In eight years under Monty the highest NIU has been seeded is #7 in the conference tournament.

This past MAC Tournament “run” has really made people delusional. This is still a bad program who loses a ton of experience going forward. If German is gone expect another #10 seed next year. Even if he comes back it’s doubtful they crack the Top 6.

The only people made "delusional" by this "run" are the people who are convinced that the "run" made a number of people into thinking he's been a fabulous coach that needs to be extended beyond his already too long contract.

Literally no one is saying he's done a great job while at NIU, yet some people are so freaked out by the excitement that was generated by them making the semi-finals of the MACT they feel the need to embelish and go on the attack so they can cement the narrative to where it was before the 4 game winning streak.

No one would be upset if they changed coaches today.

This "make up and argument and force people to take a side" tactic is tiresome.

(03-19-2019 10:49 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 01:04 AM)PrideinthePack2 Wrote:  In eight years under Monty the highest NIU has been seeded is #7 in the conference tournament.

This past MAC Tournament “run” has really made people delusional. This is still a bad program who loses a ton of experience going forward. If German is gone expect another #10 seed next year. Even if he comes back it’s doubtful they crack the Top 6.

The only people made "delusional" by this "run" are the people who are convinced that the "run" made a number of people into thinking he's been a fabulous coach that needs to be extended beyond his already too long contract.

Literally no one is saying he's done a great job while at NIU, yet some people are so freaked out by the excitement that was generated by them making the semi-finals of the MACT they feel the need to embelish and go on the attack so they can cement the narrative to where it was before the 4 game winning streak.

No one would be upset if they changed coaches today.

This "make up and argument and force people to take a side" tactic is tiresome.

I want you to show me literally one person who has said he is a “fabulous coach that needs to be extended beyond his already too long contract.”

All I said was that he’s had a net psitiive impact at NIU and I don’t have strong feelings either way on him returning or not.

(03-19-2019 10:12 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's pretty simple. If a coach cannot turn around a basketball team in 8 years, there is something wrong with his recruiting and/or coaching abilities. And I do not consider a mediocre improvement to .500 a turn around. A turnaround is a winning team with a winning attitude and competing for the conference title every year.

From 2006-2012 NIU went 52-157. Since then, they’ve gone 82-80. That’s not “mediocre improvement.” That’s massive improvement. That’s going from winning 25% of your games to winning half your games.

There are people here who want to put up a statue for Joe Novak for having a similar career path to what Montgomery has done with a single great season thrown in the mix (where they didn’t win their division in the MAC...which is no longer good enough for this place either).

And again, I think an argument can be made Monty was a point A to point B coach and now they need a point B to point C coach, but to sit here and act like Monty is some bozo who hasn’t made massive improvements for the basketball program is just wrong. He took them from laughing stock to competitive.

(03-19-2019 11:38 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 10:12 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's pretty simple. If a coach cannot turn around a basketball team in 8 years, there is something wrong with his recruiting and/or coaching abilities. And I do not consider a mediocre improvement to .500 a turn around. A turnaround is a winning team with a winning attitude and competing for the conference title every year.

From 2006-2012 NIU went 52-157. Since then, they’ve gone 82-80. That’s not “mediocre improvement.” That’s massive improvement. That’s going from winning 25% of your games to winning half your games.

There are people here who want to put up a statue for Joe Novak for having a similar career path to what Montgomery has done with a single great season thrown in the mix (where they didn’t win their division in the MAC...which is no longer good enough for this place either).

7 this is you.

(03-19-2019 11:53 AM)klake87 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 11:38 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 10:12 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's pretty simple. If a coach cannot turn around a basketball team in 8 years, there is something wrong with his recruiting and/or coaching abilities. And I do not consider a mediocre improvement to .500 a turn around. A turnaround is a winning team with a winning attitude and competing for the conference title every year.

From 2006-2012 NIU went 52-157. Since then, they’ve gone 82-80. That’s not “mediocre improvement.” That’s massive improvement. That’s going from winning 25% of your games to winning half your games.

There are people here who want to put up a statue for Joe Novak for having a similar career path to what Montgomery has done with a single great season thrown in the mix (where they didn’t win their division in the MAC...which is no longer good enough for this place either).

7 this is you.

Usually is lol

(03-19-2019 11:28 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 10:49 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 01:04 AM)PrideinthePack2 Wrote:  In eight years under Monty the highest NIU has been seeded is #7 in the conference tournament.

This past MAC Tournament “run” has really made people delusional. This is still a bad program who loses a ton of experience going forward. If German is gone expect another #10 seed next year. Even if he comes back it’s doubtful they crack the Top 6.

The only people made "delusional" by this "run" are the people who are convinced that the "run" made a number of people into thinking he's been a fabulous coach that needs to be extended beyond his already too long contract.

Literally no one is saying he's done a great job while at NIU, yet some people are so freaked out by the excitement that was generated by them making the semi-finals of the MACT they feel the need to embelish and go on the attack so they can cement the narrative to where it was before the 4 game winning streak.

No one would be upset if they changed coaches today.

This "make up and argument and force people to take a side" tactic is tiresome.

I want you to show me literally one person who has said he is a “fabulous coach that needs to be extended beyond his already too long contract.”

All I said was that he’s had a net psitiive impact at NIU and I don’t have strong feelings either way on him returning or not.

My initial statement in my comment may not have been completely clear. You and I are probably on the same side in this "debate"...

Thank you 7 for staying objective. Until the students show up and the alumni drive from the suburbs for NIU basketball, Monty, as well as any coach replacing him, will lose far more recruiting battles than the few they will win. Throw in history/tradition(12), budget/resources(11) and media exposure(12) any coach will have a problem keeping the arrow pointing up.

p.s. I am old school and do not like how the three point shot has affected the college game. It should be moved out to the NBA distance. I enjoy Monty's offense and love when German drives the basket, Thorpe's floaters and the feeds to Bradley as he works to the basket and scores with either hand.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is how I would rank the top 25 going into the tourney

1. Gonzaga
2. Virginia
3. Texas Tech
4. Michigan State
5. Houston
6. Tennessee
7. Duke
8. Michigan
9. North Carolina
10. Buffalo
11. Wofford
12. Kentucky
13. Wisconsin
14. Virginia Tech
15. Nevada
16. Cincinnati
17. Purdue
18. Iowa State
19. Utah State
20. Auburn
21. Louisiana State
22. VCU
23. Florida State
24. Belmont
25. Kansas State

The Sweet 16

South

Virginia
Tennesseee
Purdue
Wisconsin

West

Gonzaga
Michigan
Texas Tech
Florida State

East

Michigan State
Duke
Virginia Tech
Louisiana State

Midwest

Houston
Auburn
North Carolina
Wofford


And for bracket purposes, isn't it hard to imagine your champion wont be either Gonzaga or Virginia?

(03-19-2019 12:53 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Here is how I would rank the top 25 going into the tourney

1. Gonzaga
2. Virginia
3. Texas Tech
4. Michigan State
5. Houston
6. Tennessee
7. Duke
8. Michigan
9. North Carolina
10. Buffalo
11. Wofford
12. Kentucky
13. Wisconsin
14. Virginia Tech
15. Nevada
16. Cincinnati
17. Purdue
18. Iowa State
19. Utah State
20. Auburn
21. Louisiana State
22. VCU
23. Florida State
24. Belmont
25. Kansas State

Clue. Try using the new thread button.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(03-19-2019 01:02 PM)pantone1935 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 12:53 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Here is how I would rank the top 25 going into the tourney

1. Gonzaga
2. Virginia
3. Texas Tech
4. Michigan State
5. Houston
6. Tennessee
7. Duke
8. Michigan
9. North Carolina
10. Buffalo
11. Wofford
12. Kentucky
13. Wisconsin
14. Virginia Tech
15. Nevada
16. Cincinnati
17. Purdue
18. Iowa State
19. Utah State
20. Auburn
21. Louisiana State
22. VCU
23. Florida State
24. Belmont
25. Kansas State

Clue. Try using the new thread button.

GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this thread needed some saving haha. plus it shows NIU got better because they beat a top 10 national team in the Bulls! I have to say, Buffalo is the best MAC team of all time. I know Kent fans will disagree, but they get the nod!

(03-19-2019 11:38 AM)7 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 10:12 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It's pretty simple. If a coach cannot turn around a basketball team in 8 years, there is something wrong with his recruiting and/or coaching abilities. And I do not consider a mediocre improvement to .500 a turn around. A turnaround is a winning team with a winning attitude and competing for the conference title every year.

From 2006-2012 NIU went 52-157. Since then, they’ve gone 82-80. That’s not “mediocre improvement.” That’s massive improvement. That’s going from winning 25% of your games to winning half your games.

There are people here who want to put up a statue for Joe Novak for having a similar career path to what Montgomery has done with a single great season thrown in the mix (where they didn’t win their division in the MAC...which is no longer good enough for this place either).

You really think that Monty has done similarly to Novak? What are you smoking?

After the first 3 bad years, which Monty also had, his conference records were 5-3, 4-3, 4-3, 7-1, 6-2, 7-1, 6-2, 5-3, 1-6. And had the one year they were ranked for a while.

While Monty never has been above .500 even once.

(03-16-2019 12:27 PM)BDB5yp Wrote:  We still finished with an average record, and there’s a 30% chance Geno will choose to go Pro this year. He could come back to make another run at a MAC championship, but everything points to him being done with NIU. Dude has senioritis and he’s not a senior yet. It would be great for the strength of the program but I don’t see it.

He might be and most likely is done with NIU. However, I doubt that he will be successful in the NBA.

(03-19-2019 04:58 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(03-19-2019 11:38 AM)7 Wrote:  From 2006-2012 NIU went 52-157. Since then, they’ve gone 82-80. That’s not “mediocre improvement.” That’s massive improvement. That’s going from winning 25% of your games to winning half your games.
There are people here who want to put up a statue for Joe Novak for having a similar career path to what Montgomery has done with a single great season thrown in the mix (where they didn’t win their division in the MAC...which is no longer good enough for this place either).

You really think that Monty has done similarly to Novak? What are you smoking?
After the first 3 bad years, which Monty also had, his conference records were 5-3, 4-3, 4-3, 7-1, 6-2, 7-1, 6-2, 5-3, 1-6. And had the one year they were ranked for a while.
While Monty never has been above .500 even once.

Thank you 007!
Did not want to be the only person letting 7 know that comparing Monty to Joe Novak is a singularly insane concept.
Do not compare football and basketball since getting one, two or three quality recruits can completely change a basketball program which is why they are referred to as recruits (simple plural) for hoops and a recruiting class for football. To suggest Monty has elevated the basketball program to the same extent Novak did with football is beyond questionable.

Seriously 7, where do you get your information from?
That 82-80 mark you noted is nothing but being selective math! Every single significant measure of his record minus home games which include Carthage, Rockford, Aurora, Judson, St. Joseph's IN, Eureka, IU Northwest, Chicago State, Olivet Nazarene, UI Springfield, St. Francis IL, and Illinois Tech, -- overall, conference, away, neutral, MAC post-season -- is under .500.

Monty's eight-season records are as follows:
Overall: 105-150 (.412)
MAC regular season: 51-89 (.364)
MAC Post-season: 2-4 (.333)


2011-12 / NIU 5-26 ---- h 4-11 / a 1-14 / n 0-1
MAC 3-13 ---- h 3-5 / a 0-8
2012-13 / NIU 5-25 ---- h 3-11 / a 2-14
MAC 3-13 ---- h 1-7 / a 2-6
2013-14 / NIU 15-17---- h 10-7 / a 5-9 / n 0-1
MAC 8-10 ---- h 5-4 / a 3-6
2014-15 / NIU 14-16 ---- h 10-5 / a 4-11
MAC 8-10 ---- h 4-5 / a 4-5
2015-16 / NIU 21-13 ---- h 17-1 / a 3-10 / n 0-2 ****
MAC 9-9 ---- h 8-1 / a 1-8
2016-17 / NIU 15-17 --- h 9-8 / a 6-9
MAC 7-11 --- h 3-6 / a 4-5
2017-18 / NIU 13-19 --- h 11-4 / a 1-13 / n 1-2
MAC 6-12 --- h 6-3 / 0-9
2018-19/ NIU 17-17 --- h 10-6 / a 5-9 / n 2-2
MAC 7-11 --- h 4-5 / a 3-6

Overall / 105-150 (.412) h 75-53 / a 27-89 / n 3-8
MAC 51-89 (.364) --- h 34-36 / a 17-53

**** -- Indicates the single worst schedule in NIU men's basketball history. Monty's one shining year began with the team 16-3 overall and 5-1 in the MAC for the first 19 games. The last 12 of that season saw NIU 4-8 overall and 4-8 in MAC play. Yes, 7, that's also being selective. Only at NIU with an AD like STF is such mediocrity allowed.

I have been a Monty critic this year. But like 7 no strong feelings either way if he should stay or go. Part of me wants to hope Monty has found the fire again. I am sure it was tough for him to see so many top recruits fall apart. I now change my get rid of Monty mantra and hope he can keep this momentum going. The end of the year gave me renewed enthusiasm for NIU basketball. Let's hope Monty is fired up too. Maybe he needs to go back to his MSU roots to find that passion again along with the end of season Huskie run. Maybe this year was a turning point. Maybe I am just a hopeful Huskies diehard.

(03-19-2019 11:13 PM)MMBOANIU Wrote:  I have been a Monty critic this year. But like 7 no strong feelings either way if he should stay or go. Part of me wants to hope Monty has found the fire again. I am sure it was tough for him to see so many top recruits fall apart. I now change my get rid of Monty mantra and hope he can keep this momentum going. The end of the year gave me renewed enthusiasm for NIU basketball. Let's hope Monty is fired up too. Maybe he needs to go back to his MSU roots to find that passion again along with the end of season Huskie run. Maybe this year was a turning point. Maybe I am just a hopeful Huskies diehard.

Not to make light of a serious issue, but, these look like the words of a battered spouse.