(11-26-2024 11:16 AM)Frank Grimes Wrote: (11-26-2024 10:50 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote: (11-26-2024 09:48 AM)BlazerGreen Wrote: (11-26-2024 09:35 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote: I know this is known already… but damn.
Vermont lost to Merrimack by 14 points. Merrimack is 1-5 and was literally doubled up on the score board by Butler. They also lost to mighty UMASS-Lowell.
How in the hell did we let that team almost run us off the court in our first game AT HOME? Jesus wept. I have no words…
AK has done one of the worst jobs in the country and that is no exaggeration. He took an NCAA team and pre-season AAC favorite and turned them into a low major.
If anyone actually gave a f*ck about UAB athletics, he would be being crucified for his pitiful effort. The weakest link on this team walks the sidelines.
I will agree that AK is a good coach - at certain times of the year and in certain situations. But too many folks here and UAB folks in general are WAY too willing to give him a pass on damn near everything.
If he was not a star player under Gene Bartow, would we be so willing to give him a blind pass?
I often call out the fanbase for having a cult-like following when it comes to Clark/Vincent… but I can admit that I’m in that same boat with AK. I probably don’t hold him accountable like I do Dilfer, Clark, or Vincent. I love that he is an alum. I love that he played under the father of UAB athletics. I love that he knows the history of this program and what we expect. This team obviously hasn’t lived up to expectations, and most of that probably does fall on AK, but it’s hard for me to think of ever replacing him (obviously no one here is suggesting, at least I don’t think, but just saying).
AK would have to get the program into a pretty crappy situation for me to want a change… but I’d realllly like to be relevant again on a national stage once every 3-4 years and that hasn’t really happened yet. Yes, we’ve made the tournament, but winning a game or two there would be nice.
I think you described the exact boat I am in, but I am obviously a little more willing to criticize AK. He's a good coach, but has vastly underperformed in certain areas.
1. No regular season conference championships. Not even really close yet.
2. No at large bids. Not even really close yet.
3. No tournament wins. Not close against Houston (excusable, obviously), somewhat close against SDSU.
4. Our team starts out like absolute crap every year - no matter how many returning players we have, how much talent we have, how much experience, how easy the schedule is, etc.
Positives: A couple of tournament wins with relatively easy draws (no UNT in 22, no Memphis or FAU last year - or even SMU, Charlotte, or UNT).
A nice NIT run in 23 where we had maybe the most deep and talented UAB team that I've seen since the Mike Anderson years, which was a disappointment - bc see #1 and # 2. We weren't even close with THAT team.
So overall Mike Anderson still >>> than AK, and it hasn't even really been close yet in my opinion.
I still say take the UAB affiliation away from AK, and most people would be A LOT harder on him than they are.