If a player doesn't want to be here or thinks a better opportunity exists, be my guest to leave.

We had seven players join the team in 2019 as Freshman with free tuition, room, food, and cost of attendance stipends.

Surely they had enough sense to realize Rowe was unlikely to be retained, even at JMU.

Both assistants left prior to the season:

2019 – Rob Summers – to Cleveland State
2019 – Tim Johnson – to Furman

Side note with respect to transfers, it is expected the NCAA will pass the proposed legislation regarding 1-time transfers no longer needing to sit out a year prior to the upcoming '20-'21 school year. Meaning, any transfers that take place this spring may result in immediate eligibility for all, not just those who have graduated. So, if this expected passage goes through and is in fact immediately effective, these 500 or so folks in the portal will not have to sit out a year - same for WBB and FB.

(03-23-2020 05:31 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Side note with respect to transfers, it is expected the NCAA will pass the proposed legislation regarding 1-time transfers no longer needing to sit out a year prior to the upcoming '20-'21 school year. Meaning, any transfers that take place this spring may result in immediate eligibility for all, not just those who have graduated. So, if this expected passage goes through and is in fact immediately effective, these 500 or so folks in the portal will not have to sit out a year - same for WBB and FB.

Obviously that would hurt us for football but I don't think so badly... JMU football will always be attractive to guys transferring down for more playing time and as a program where you're going to win a lot of games and have the chance to play for a championship. For basketball though, this would be absolutely huge this year with at least two of our better players transferring out.

I wonder if with everything going on if that rule change will get pushed back- they haven't officially voting on it's implementation yet. Who knows maybe the NCAA views the added flexibility (given the current quarantine) as a benefit to the student athletes during this anxious time but I think you'd likely have a feeding frenzy during a time when coaches have no direct contact with their players.

My guess is that may be tabled to be implemented after a normal off season. I've felt all along if JMU was concerned with player retention/continuity and trying for optimal timing in terms of new arena, contract buyout of Rowe, new higher level contract for a new coach, and just out of fairness to Rowe with the minimal progress year over year from 17-18 to 18-19 that retaining Coach Rowe was the right move last off season. I thought we would definitely lose those guys last off season had we fired Coach Rowe because they would be more traditional transfers with 2 years of eligibility left (not to mention the incoming recruiting class). On the existing guys I didn't expect rising Seniors to transfer out with the new arena on the horizon. I just didn't anticipate that they would have many options. Maybe they are hoping for the immediate transfer rule to go into effect and/or trying to graduate early in the meantime.

After going through the season that we did some would argue it really wouldn't have mattered either way (retaining Rowe or firing Rowe last year) - but I do value that there is some talent across the roster. I believe there is something to work with for a good coach. I don't think Coach Byington is just saying that to be nice or respectful of Louis Rowe or the players or because he thinks that what Jeff Bourne wants to hear. They had shown some flashes at times, beaten some decent teams along the way, and were picked to finish 4th in the conference by their peers. I think coaches who are around players and have recruiting connections know that there is something to work with so even though it's out of our control as fans but I'd just as soon as have less attrition and more retention going into next year. Sometimes a new voice is needed and the shot in the arm that a team needs. Clearly this season got away from them in a bad way- I honestly felt like they would continue the small trend upwards making for a difficult decision to retain Rowe or let him go. Either way we are in a better place now. Go Dukes!

(03-23-2020 05:31 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Side note with respect to transfers, it is expected the NCAA will pass the proposed legislation regarding 1-time transfers no longer needing to sit out a year prior to the upcoming '20-'21 school year. Meaning, any transfers that take place this spring may result in immediate eligibility for all, not just those who have graduated. So, if this expected passage goes through and is in fact immediately effective, these 500 or so folks in the portal will not have to sit out a year - same for WBB and FB.

My fear on this legislation, with regard to basketball, is that the non P5s will become glorified farm teams. The mid & low majors don't often get freshman that can excel right away. It takes some time to adjust to the college level and improve. I think it will be devastating to fans of those schools to lose guys once they develop.

Dwight Wilson enters transfer portal.

(03-23-2020 10:53 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

Yup!

Bring me 2-17 in CAA play, and I say best of luck elsewhere.

New coach, new arena, new players, new start.

Nary a tear shed. Wish them all well.

NEXT!!!

It's a nervous time for everyone. I'd just suggest these kids give the coach a chance before making reactive decisions. If they have any hopes of playing European ball, they could use some good coaching (something they haven't gotten).

(03-24-2020 06:09 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:53 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

Yup!

Bring me 2-17 in CAA play, and I say best of luck elsewhere.

New coach, new arena, new players, new start.

Nary a tear shedded. Wish them all well.

NEXT!!!

-1

It should not be a nervous time as we have an obvious upgrade in coach coming in if the players will listen and follow.

There was dissension on the staff last year which led to confusion with the players. You had a new offense installed preseason only to be abandoned at the start of league play. Christmas actually gained weight during the year. I think Wilson did too. Players confidence was at an all time low.

It was a train wreck as it always is in a coach’s win or lose your job season.

A little different thought on our players. I continue to see posters using the word "talent" in describing many of them. I do not see talent, I see athleticism. A basketball talent would be hitting extremely high percentages of three pointers, free throws, have a gift for being in the right place for takeaway, or have extreme passing abilities, etc. We don't have that, we have guys who can run and jump. There's nothing wrong with being athletic at all, but the "athletic" Michael Jordan had to wait until the best years were behind the "talented" Larry Bird before Jordan made it to the championship game. What I'm saying is we need some talent to go along with these athletes.

(03-24-2020 09:35 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  A little different thought on our players. I continue to see posters using the word "talent" in describing many of them. I do not see talent, I see athleticism. A basketball talent would be hitting extremely high percentages of three pointers, free throws, have a gift for being in the right place for takeaway, or have extreme passing abilities, etc. We don't have that, we have guys who can run and jump. There's nothing wrong with being athletic at all, but the "athletic" Michael Jordan had to wait until the best years were behind the "talented" Larry Bird before Jordan made it to the championship game. What I'm saying is we need some talent to go along with these athletes.

I remember very well those Celtics -Bulls series back in 86 and 87. Basically, Boston didn't worry much about Jordan being a 1 man show, because they knew they had them outmanned everywhere else. I believe he averaged 40 pts in both series and Chicago never won a game.

Well said BP. You can’t recruit a bunch of good athletes, throw a ball at ‘em and say go play. Athleticism doesn’t necessarily equate to talent.

(03-24-2020 12:06 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(03-24-2020 06:09 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:53 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

Yup!

Bring me 2-17 in CAA play, and I say best of luck elsewhere.

New coach, new arena, new players, new start.

Nary a tear shedded. Wish them all well.

NEXT!!!

-1

Hotrod, if the football team was 1-7 in the CAA and players transferred out would you not feel the same way? Just curious why you disagree with Dunk.

To me it says that the players weren't here for JMU, they were here for Rowe. That's the only thing that makes sense about it. The team is at rock bottom and the team has nowhere to go but up at this point.

(03-24-2020 10:26 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(03-24-2020 12:06 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(03-24-2020 06:09 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:53 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(03-23-2020 10:50 AM)Deacon Danny Wrote:  Dwight Wilson into the portal.

https://twitter.com/highlightreel_/statu...9807432710

I like it. Coach B going to have plenty of scholarships to work with.

Yup!

Bring me 2-17 in CAA play, and I say best of luck elsewhere.

New coach, new arena, new players, new start.

Nary a tear shedded. Wish them all well.

NEXT!!!

-1

Hotrod, if the football team was 1-7 in the CAA and players transferred out would you not feel the same way? Just curious why you disagree with Dunk.

Not speaking for Hotrod, but for myself, I don't like it when we respond with a student/player leaving JMU with an "I like it" or Ariana Grande-style "NEXT". Show some damn class and be an adult. When Greg Jones transferred out, a lot of us here wished him well and thanked him for his time and contributions. We didn't say he sucked and didn't deserve to be here.

The attitude of "if you don't want to be here then p!$$ off" is completely antithetical with JMU and its community. I know I felt like I belonged the minute I set foot on campus. I still feel like I belong when I make my too infrequent trips back. So did a lot of others on here. When I was a student, I never understood why some of my classmates and friends transferred; why didn't they like JMU as much as I did? Everyone has their own reasons for doing so be they athlete or not.

As for Darius Banks and Dwight Wilson, I do wish they would have stayed. They showed flashes of great talent, and I would have liked to have seen what they could have accomplished under this new coaching staff. If they are just exploring options or "re-opening their recruitment" as some say, then I leave it to Coach B to determine whether he wants them to return. During his introductory remarks, he said he wanted to try and convince DB to stay; DW entered the portal after those remarks, so I'm not sure if the same holds true, but it is a reasonable assumption. If they are truly done with JMU, then I thank them for their time here and contributing to the Harrisonburg community. Thank you for doing things the right way, and I wish it would have been more successful in the standings. Best of luck to your future, gentlemen.

(03-25-2020 07:50 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  Not speaking for Hotrod, but for myself, I don't like it when we respond with a student/player leaving JMU with an "I like it" or Ariana Grande-style "NEXT". Show some damn class and be an adult. When Greg Jones transferred out, a lot of us here wished him well and thanked him for his time and contributions. We didn't say he sucked and didn't deserve to be here.

The attitude of "if you don't want to be here then p!$$ off" is completely antithetical with JMU and its community. I know I felt like I belonged the minute I set foot on campus. I still feel like I belong when I make my too infrequent trips back. So did a lot of others on here. When I was a student, I never understood why some of my classmates and friends transferred; why didn't they like JMU as much as I did? Everyone has their own reasons for doing so be they athlete or not.

As for Darius Banks and Dwight Wilson, I do wish they would have stayed. They showed flashes of great talent, and I would have liked to have seen what they could have accomplished under this new coaching staff. If they are just exploring options or "re-opening their recruitment" as some say, then I leave it to Coach B to determine whether he wants them to return. During his introductory remarks, he said he wanted to try and convince DB to stay; DW entered the portal after those remarks, so I'm not sure if the same holds true, but it is a reasonable assumption. If they are truly done with JMU, then I thank them for their time here and contributing to the Harrisonburg community. Thank you for doing things the right way, and I wish it would have been more successful in the standings. Best of luck to your future, gentlemen.

Always remember the message board fanboy internet tough guy rule of thumb...

1. Any S-A who transfers out of your beloved university to another school is an idiot.
2. Any S-A who transfers out of a another school to your beloved university is a genius.

(03-24-2020 12:11 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  It should not be a nervous time as we have an obvious upgrade in coach coming in if the players will listen and follow.

There was dissension on the staff last year which led to confusion with the players. You had a new offense installed preseason only to be abandoned at the start of league play. Christmas actually gained weight during the year. I think Wilson did too. Players confidence was at an all time low.

It was a train wreck as it always is in a coach’s win or lose your job season.

Put yourself in a 21 year old's shoes and it is a nervous time. The coach that brought them in is gone. They are also probably at home for the first time in a while and realize they may be homesick or maybe they are still in Harrisonburg and feeling alone with the online classes. To say this is business as usual is head in sand mentality.

Anyone who isn't 100% in should be 100% out, it's that simple. No time to coddle grown men who feel they are too good for this program.