(01-27-2019 12:51 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(01-26-2019 05:41 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  This is a mismatched program against Division I competition. Maybe basketball should move down to Division II or possibly Division III. They've used all the current excuses before for losing: young and inexperienced, just a player or two away, new coach and players not fitting. I'm not buying it anymore. JMU doesn't care about winning at basketball and they're starting to look like an embarrassing investment to their sponsors.

Not picking on you, Jackson, but has it taken some folks 25-30 YEARS to finally see this?!?

My goodness, My graceness. Really?!?

I listened to this trash in the car while NOT going to the convo, but actually doing something productive by going to freaking Lowe's.

Schit makes me sad.

Sad.

Maybe harder to let go for us old guys who attended JMU when it was a "basketball school" in the 80s. I didn't give up, but the administration obviously did. You're right, it's sad.

As bad as this season has been, it's actually getting worse.

1. Dukes up by 18 at Drexel and lose by 5 for a 23 point in-game swing.
2. Dukes lose to Hofstra by 17 at home in a game they weren't really in in the second half..
3. Dukes fall down by 20 at home to NE, 68-48, before a late game run to make things appear better than they were with the 10 point final margin.
4. It's the same story, though, as the entire Rowe tenure in that players free lance on offense and defense without any structure and with horrid spacing, forcing dribble drives and one-on-one plays on offense and with constant breakdowns on defense. Yesterday, the color man said that Roland must have eaten his Wheaties given his prolific shooting. It wasn't that at all as many times he was left wide open in the corner or on the wing for uncontested shots. This, from a player that's a terrific shooter given his season percentages from three (about 44%) and the free throw line (more than 90%). On defense, NE did not allow dribble drive penetration as they formed a human wall around the basket, like one sees UVA (pack line defense) and the Golden State Warriors utilize.
5. I was thinking the other day as a thought experiment what it might look like if a competent coach replaced Rowe at the helm for a two week period (say someone like a Rick Pitino to keep Longhorn amused) to install competent offensive and defensive schemes and what that might look like with this group. I think we'd see very quick improvement and much different results going forward.
6. Dudley was saying yesterday that in preparing for the game he had studied game statistics from both teams and couldn't come up with the reasons for JMU's futility. See point 4 above.
7. I saw one bright spot yesterday, however, and it was the play of Zach Jacobs. I think he's staring to develop and can become a good player with the right coaching. Not to pick on the announcing team, but they gave the player of the game to the wrong player (should have been Jacobs instead of Parker).
8. We're looking at maybe 2 or 3 more wins the rest of the way at this point in what's become a dismal season.
9. Having seen the CAA now, Hofstra is clearly the best team. I would rate Charleston next and then NE. Pusica's play has dropped off considerably, perhaps because of injury. Delaware is the surprise team so far, it would seem.

Good analysis 84. We suck because our schemes suck. We need a real coach who can hire seasoned assistants.

I still think Rowe comes backs for another season.

(01-27-2019 12:14 PM)Rock House Duke Wrote:  Good analysis 84. We suck because our schemes suck. We need a real coach who can hire seasoned assistants.

I still think Rowe comes backs for another season.

My basketball fandom, which was at a very high level from 1982-2000 is on life support right now. Barely has a pulse. Each season, I keep thinking maybe this will be the year we turn the corner. It's like Lucy, who always pulls the football way from Charlie Brown. I can't take another season of futility.

My hunch is that the administration may be more willing to make a change after this year than we all thought. I expected the team to make progress this year. On the high end, I saw us contending for a CAA title. On the low end, I saw us as a middle of the pack team. The loss at Elon was concerning. The back to back wins against Towson and Charleston were encouraging.

With JMU now halfway through CAA play and sitting alone in the basement, I am thinking we are destined for the play in game and another early exit. If that happens, there is going to be overwhelming pressure on JMU to make a change now.

The toughest part of the decision is that Lou is exactly the type of person you would want running your program. Honest, kind, engaging and he recruits good kids who seem to do well in the classroom. In three years, there have been no off the court issues. The alumni, the players and locals all like Lou. All of the intangibles that are important to a university.

To date, I see Lou as someone whose strengths may not play to the head coach position. I see what the rest of you see. Turnovers, poor defense and an offense that goes stagnant at times during the game.

This season makes me feel sad not angry because I have gotten to know Lou a little bit. I wanted him to succeed and be our coach for many years to come. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of winning that must take place to encourage people to attend the games. Without some reasonable level of winning, there is no revenue nor interest in the program. Without interest, the school is left with no other chioce but making a change.

There is something that bothers me a little when I attend and watch the games. Does anyone else notice that during huddles- Rowe and his staff huddle by half court and the players just sit and rest? Sometimes the coaches come over after chatting for a few sometimes they don't. Don't get me wrong there are times where it's more of a huddle that I would expect- players sit and Rowe addresses them with a white board- but not every time. Is this how other programs handle timeouts/stoppages? I admittedly don't pay as close attention to other college teams but I would think with this group (young coach, etc.) they would use every huddle to talk Xs and Os with the players not just among the coaches.

(01-27-2019 11:10 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  As bad as this season has been, it's actually getting worse.

1. Dukes up by 18 at Drexel and lose by 5 for a 23 point in-game swing.
2. Dukes lose to Hofstra by 17 at home in a game they weren't really in in the second half..
3. Dukes fall down by 20 at home to NE, 68-48, before a late game run to make things appear better than they were with the 10 point final margin.
4. It's the same story, though, as the entire Rowe tenure in that players free lance on offense and defense without any structure and with horrid spacing, forcing dribble drives and one-on-one plays on offense and with constant breakdowns on defense. Yesterday, the color man said that Roland must have eaten his Wheaties given his prolific shooting. It wasn't that at all as many times he was left wide open in the corner or on the wing for uncontested shots. This, from a player that's a terrific shooter given his season percentages from three (about 44%) and the free throw line (more than 90%). On defense, NE did not allow dribble drive penetration as they formed a human wall around the basket, like one sees UVA (pack line defense) and the Golden State Warriors utilize.
5. I was thinking the other day as a thought experiment what it might look like if a competent coach replaced Rowe at the helm for a two week period (say someone like a Rick Pitino to keep Longhorn amused) to install competent offensive and defensive schemes and what that might look like with this group. I think we'd see very quick improvement and much different results going forward.
6. Dudley was saying yesterday that in preparing for the game he had studied game statistics from both teams and couldn't come up with the reasons for JMU's futility. See point 4 above.
7. I saw one bright spot yesterday, however, and it was the play of Zach Jacobs. I think he's staring to develop and can become a good player with the right coaching. Not to pick on the announcing team, but they gave the player of the game to the wrong player (should have been Jacobs instead of Parker).
8. We're looking at maybe 2 or 3 more wins the rest of the way at this point in what's become a dismal season.
9. Having seen the CAA now, Hofstra is clearly the best team. I would rate Charleston next and then NE. Pusica's play has dropped off considerably, perhaps because of injury. Delaware is the surprise team so far, it would seem.

When we play man- which we often do- we play too far off the guards, wings- they get 2-3 steps of a drive before we pick them up and by then they are in the lane.The outcome is usually a made shot, a foul by us, late help and an easy pass for a score, or late help followed by a miss that the other team has an easy shot at a rebound and demoralizing put back.

Way too many easy shots by the other team. At times we dig in and play sound defense for a posession or two but the guys don't have the focus nor the motor to keep that going all game.

I like Lou Rowe and I am too saddened that JMU mbb lines up in last place in a weakened CAA (no ODU/VCU/GMU). This post is not directed at Lou.

King is close to retirement. Bourne may not be far behind. Are they going to make a bold move with a mbb coach or are they more likely to squat claiming the incumbents should make the long term decision on a coach opening a $90M arena? Alger with no King to tell him what to do is discomforting, this is a president that is openly anti-COA so expecting any bold athletic move led by Alger is .000005%.

My prediction is a squat followed by retirements followed by Duke Club members wondering how a 25,000 student university with an ample budget and an energized fan base gets so little from the flagship sports.

A new arena with 8,500 seats could end up being the worst decision of all time

Are sponsors pulling out yet?

(01-27-2019 09:20 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 12:51 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(01-26-2019 05:41 PM)JacksonHall Wrote:  This is a mismatched program against Division I competition. Maybe basketball should move down to Division II or possibly Division III. They've used all the current excuses before for losing: young and inexperienced, just a player or two away, new coach and players not fitting. I'm not buying it anymore. JMU doesn't care about winning at basketball and they're starting to look like an embarrassing investment to their sponsors.

Not picking on you, Jackson, but has it taken some folks 25-30 YEARS to finally see this?!?

My goodness, My graceness. Really?!?

I listened to this trash in the car while NOT going to the convo, but actually doing something productive by going to freaking Lowe's.

Schit makes me sad.

Sad.

The bar is so low for "some".

It's not the refs, and it's not the youth.

There is no reason in the world this team should be worse than the last two years, and those teams were bad.

Maybe Deez is right - if this is the bar, perhaps we should open a 2,000 seat arena. We can call it the Dac south.

Wait, I think you just swerved into something.

Instead of this now 25 YO steaming pile of poo, lets do something new for a change!

You want JMU fans to show up?

Instead of setting the bar so low, let’s just start playing the games IN a bar!

It’d be a little tight, and there’d be the dodging of some obstacles, but what the hell difference is that gonna make in the end?

That way we could get a rowdy crowd, may even have the first sellouts in forever, and even if we still suck eggs we can douse the taste of chronic
lose-fluenza along the way.

I like it! Who’s got the number of that place that used to be O’Tooles but they changed the name (but not the menu)?


SMDH

I made my first visit to the Convo Saturday in honestly decades. A few thoughts...

My daughter is a sophomore at JMU and goes to every football game. After going to Frisco the last 2 years I got season tickets for the first time this season. I told her we were visiting and going to a basketball game. It was her first. Same for her friends!

I am one of those old guys that witnessed the basketball success in the early 80’s. I tried to explain to her that the Convo was full on a regular basis. And REALLY loud! I used to sit on press row and laugh when players on opposing teams would scream at each other trying to communicate over the roar of the crowd. It was great and such a home court advantage. Cue Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days!

As for the game, the crowd was better than I expected. But they never got a lot to cheer about. As always the Pep Band is awesome!

As for the team, they don’t seem to be very well coached. I don’t want to pile on HCLR but he looks lost out there. There is no apparent offensive scheme. Way too much one-on-one play. Defense is not much better.

Banks had a terrible game and Lewis a was not much better. They need to be our strengths! Not sure why Phillips didn’t play until the 2nd half but he got his money’s worth with 3 quick fouls. Beyond that very little inside presence.

On a bright note I think Parker looks like a legit point guard. Composed, smart and plays hard. Jacobs also had a nice game. That’s about it for the bright notes! Did I mention the Pep Band?!

Talent wise this team should have better results. It’s frustrating that we are stuck in this rut. I don’t see any reason we can’t have successful football AND basketball programs.

My guess is we will have to ride with this through next season and if there is not significant improvement there will be a new coach heading into the opening of the new arena. Which is probably a good thing.

One other bright note...Coach Cignetti and staff looked great! Go Dukes!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(01-27-2019 01:12 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  My hunch is that the administration may be more willing to make a change after this year than we all thought. I expected the team to make progress this year. On the high end, I saw us contending for a CAA title. On the low end, I saw us as a middle of the pack team. The loss at Elon was concerning. The back to back wins against Towson and Charleston were encouraging.

With JMU now halfway through CAA play and sitting alone in the basement, I am thinking we are destined for the play in game and another early exit. If that happens, there is going to be overwhelming pressure on JMU to make a change now.

The toughest part of the decision is that Lou is exactly the type of person you would want running your program. Honest, kind, engaging and he recruits good kids who seem to do well in the classroom. In three years, there have been no off the court issues. The alumni, the players and locals all like Lou. All of the intangibles that are important to a university.

To date, I see Lou as someone whose strengths may not play to the head coach position. I see what the rest of you see. Turnovers, poor defense and an offense that goes stagnant at times during the game.

This season makes me feel sad not angry because I have gotten to know Lou a little bit. I wanted him to succeed and be our coach for many years to come. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of winning that must take place to encourage people to attend the games. Without some reasonable level of winning, there is no revenue nor interest in the program. Without interest, the school is left with no other chioce but making a change.

The situation makes all that know Lou and support JMU sad.

What made me mad was the decision to hire Lou as Head coach at that point. To be in this position was easy to predict, which many of us did. We were putting a popular alum in very likely position to fail. When he failed, it put fans and the school in position to have a short leash. Such a poor choice. The school could not get the talent they wanted at head coach, so they took the easy way out and hired a former athlete that was very popular, but his coaching experience/success was marginal at best.

(01-27-2019 11:10 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  As bad as this season has been, it's actually getting worse.

1. Dukes up by 18 at Drexel and lose by 5 for a 23 point in-game swing.
2. Dukes lose to Hofstra by 17 at home in a game they weren't really in in the second half..
3. Dukes fall down by 20 at home to NE, 68-48, before a late game run to make things appear better than they were with the 10 point final margin.
4. It's the same story, though, as the entire Rowe tenure in that players free lance on offense and defense without any structure and with horrid spacing, forcing dribble drives and one-on-one plays on offense and with constant breakdowns on defense. Yesterday, the color man said that Roland must have eaten his Wheaties given his prolific shooting. It wasn't that at all as many times he was left wide open in the corner or on the wing for uncontested shots. This, from a player that's a terrific shooter given his season percentages from three (about 44%) and the free throw line (more than 90%). On defense, NE did not allow dribble drive penetration as they formed a human wall around the basket, like one sees UVA (pack line defense) and the Golden State Warriors utilize.
5. I was thinking the other day as a thought experiment what it might look like if a competent coach replaced Rowe at the helm for a two week period (say someone like a Rick Pitino to keep Longhorn amused) to install competent offensive and defensive schemes and what that might look like with this group. I think we'd see very quick improvement and much different results going forward.
6. Dudley was saying yesterday that in preparing for the game he had studied game statistics from both teams and couldn't come up with the reasons for JMU's futility. See point 4 above.
7. I saw one bright spot yesterday, however, and it was the play of Zach Jacobs. I think he's staring to develop and can become a good player with the right coaching. Not to pick on the announcing team, but they gave the player of the game to the wrong player (should have been Jacobs instead of Parker).
8. We're looking at maybe 2 or 3 more wins the rest of the way at this point in what's become a dismal season.
9. Having seen the CAA now, Hofstra is clearly the best team. I would rate Charleston next and then NE. Pusica's play has dropped off considerably, perhaps because of injury. Delaware is the surprise team so far, it would seem.

All spot-on.

I was very encouraged by the play of Zach Jacobs and he actually reminds me of former JMU player....Clayton Ritter.......dude looked lost for 1.5 years. I hope he can play his last 2 seasons like Ritter did....Dude was a handful as a junior and senior.

I noticed that NE had 4 guys in the box during the game -- two along the baseline a bit wider than the two guys in the paint, almost like a trapezoid. This prevents dribble drive penetration and basically follows the tenets of Bennett's pack line defense. Here's a little video with a good explanation; and I'm surprised more teams don't play this way. Requires a lot of effort, of course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xicOzvbB6A

And while I'm beating a dead horse here, I would suspect that Rowe's offense most closely resembles a 4 out, 1 in dribble drive offense with kick outs for threes: https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/o...fense.html

https://www.coachesclipboard.net/4Out1In...fense.html

(01-27-2019 08:56 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 01:12 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  My hunch is that the administration may be more willing to make a change after this year than we all thought. I expected the team to make progress this year. On the high end, I saw us contending for a CAA title. On the low end, I saw us as a middle of the pack team. The loss at Elon was concerning. The back to back wins against Towson and Charleston were encouraging.

With JMU now halfway through CAA play and sitting alone in the basement, I am thinking we are destined for the play in game and another early exit. If that happens, there is going to be overwhelming pressure on JMU to make a change now.

The toughest part of the decision is that Lou is exactly the type of person you would want running your program. Honest, kind, engaging and he recruits good kids who seem to do well in the classroom. In three years, there have been no off the court issues. The alumni, the players and locals all like Lou. All of the intangibles that are important to a university.

To date, I see Lou as someone whose strengths may not play to the head coach position. I see what the rest of you see. Turnovers, poor defense and an offense that goes stagnant at times during the game.

This season makes me feel sad not angry because I have gotten to know Lou a little bit. I wanted him to succeed and be our coach for many years to come. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of winning that must take place to encourage people to attend the games. Without some reasonable level of winning, there is no revenue nor interest in the program. Without interest, the school is left with no other chioce but making a change.

The situation makes all that know Lou and support JMU sad.

What made me mad was the decision to hire Lou as Head coach at that point. To be in this position was easy to predict, which many of us did. We were putting a popular alum in very likely position to fail. When he failed, it put fans and the school in position to have a short leash. Such a poor choice. The school could not get the talent they wanted at head coach, so they took the easy way out and hired a former athlete that was very popular, but his coaching experience/success was marginal at best.

DNR Article on Lou

Simply nobody in the world I would want more to succeed than Lou. So much class & heart. Why? I just don't know why? He was placed in a position to lose. This is such a tough position. He's how we all wish we were.

Dog gone it......

I've not given up, but the light at the end of the tunnel is not real bright.

(01-30-2019 03:19 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 08:56 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 01:12 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  My hunch is that the administration may be more willing to make a change after this year than we all thought. I expected the team to make progress this year. On the high end, I saw us contending for a CAA title. On the low end, I saw us as a middle of the pack team. The loss at Elon was concerning. The back to back wins against Towson and Charleston were encouraging.

With JMU now halfway through CAA play and sitting alone in the basement, I am thinking we are destined for the play in game and another early exit. If that happens, there is going to be overwhelming pressure on JMU to make a change now.

The toughest part of the decision is that Lou is exactly the type of person you would want running your program. Honest, kind, engaging and he recruits good kids who seem to do well in the classroom. In three years, there have been no off the court issues. The alumni, the players and locals all like Lou. All of the intangibles that are important to a university.

To date, I see Lou as someone whose strengths may not play to the head coach position. I see what the rest of you see. Turnovers, poor defense and an offense that goes stagnant at times during the game.

This season makes me feel sad not angry because I have gotten to know Lou a little bit. I wanted him to succeed and be our coach for many years to come. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of winning that must take place to encourage people to attend the games. Without some reasonable level of winning, there is no revenue nor interest in the program. Without interest, the school is left with no other chioce but making a change.

The situation makes all that know Lou and support JMU sad.

What made me mad was the decision to hire Lou as Head coach at that point. To be in this position was easy to predict, which many of us did. We were putting a popular alum in very likely position to fail. When he failed, it put fans and the school in position to have a short leash. Such a poor choice. The school could not get the talent they wanted at head coach, so they took the easy way out and hired a former athlete that was very popular, but his coaching experience/success was marginal at best.

DNR Article on Lou

Simply nobody in the world I would want more to succeed than Lou. So much class & heart. Why? I just don't know why? He was placed in a position to lose. This is such a tough position. He's how we all wish we were.

Dog gone it......

I've not given up, but the light at the end of the tunnel is not real bright.

I know I've been one of the most vocal on my displeasure, but as I've said before I don't dislike Rowe. I dislike what he's done with the program so far and just don't see him magically turning this around. I listened to the entire press conference and liked him even more. I appreciate the fact that he acknowledges things aren't good.
After hearing that press conference I'm convinced more now than ever that he isn't going anywhere. He could lose every single game from here on out and our admin will keep him for at least another year.
The problem is I'm not buying it any more. I understand that his guys have only been in the system for 2 years, but there is zero improvement not just from a team standpoint, but an individual as well. Players are making the same mistakes they were a year ago and the team has not improved.

(01-30-2019 03:19 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 08:56 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-27-2019 01:12 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  My hunch is that the administration may be more willing to make a change after this year than we all thought. I expected the team to make progress this year. On the high end, I saw us contending for a CAA title. On the low end, I saw us as a middle of the pack team. The loss at Elon was concerning. The back to back wins against Towson and Charleston were encouraging.

With JMU now halfway through CAA play and sitting alone in the basement, I am thinking we are destined for the play in game and another early exit. If that happens, there is going to be overwhelming pressure on JMU to make a change now.

The toughest part of the decision is that Lou is exactly the type of person you would want running your program. Honest, kind, engaging and he recruits good kids who seem to do well in the classroom. In three years, there have been no off the court issues. The alumni, the players and locals all like Lou. All of the intangibles that are important to a university.

To date, I see Lou as someone whose strengths may not play to the head coach position. I see what the rest of you see. Turnovers, poor defense and an offense that goes stagnant at times during the game.

This season makes me feel sad not angry because I have gotten to know Lou a little bit. I wanted him to succeed and be our coach for many years to come. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of winning that must take place to encourage people to attend the games. Without some reasonable level of winning, there is no revenue nor interest in the program. Without interest, the school is left with no other chioce but making a change.

The situation makes all that know Lou and support JMU sad.

What made me mad was the decision to hire Lou as Head coach at that point. To be in this position was easy to predict, which many of us did. We were putting a popular alum in very likely position to fail. When he failed, it put fans and the school in position to have a short leash. Such a poor choice. The school could not get the talent they wanted at head coach, so they took the easy way out and hired a former athlete that was very popular, but his coaching experience/success was marginal at best.

DNR Article on Lou

Simply nobody in the world I would want more to succeed than Lou. So much class & heart. Why? I just don't know why? He was placed in a position to lose. This is such a tough position. He's how we all wish we were.

Dog gone it......

I've not given up, but the light at the end of the tunnel is not real bright.

Don’t get me wrong I root for Lou and like him but I’m not sure I feel bad for him. He was given an opportunity to be a head coach in a pretty solid league and JMU also committed to COA and he has a new arena to use with recruits. It wasn’t an awful situation when he took the job and it’s gotten better since. It’s in his hands to will and coach the team to wins on the floor and I doubt he won’t get a 4th year to do it. He probably more than tripled his income even though relatively speaking the head position isn’t paying what Jmu should. He’s a hard worker and is tryingand I have no doubt that he wants JMu to be good pretty badly he just hasn’t figured out yet how to do it. For these reasons I’m not feeling sorry for Lou Rowe- he’s received a fair shot at this.