"done" a few weeks ago. But, they are worse than I feared. Don't see them winning another game this season. Maybe they can beat the (formerly) worst team in the league tomorrow, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Why our best players are leaving is a question that needs to be answered. I just don't have a good feeling about Nikola and Marco being back and we don't have anything else.

There is nothing in sports more rewarding than an overachieving team and nothing more disappointing and disheartening than an underachieving team. This team has underachieved from day one and that includes the coaches and players. Only a time or two in my 45 years as a fan have my expectations been so far off. Picked to win the conference and we will most likely end up losing 8 strait games and have one of the 10 worst records in modern times.

Well, we are not the only team that is bleeding players these days. Kids have chalked this one up to dismal history and are moving on to better things.

(02-21-2021 07:36 PM)Karl B Wrote:  There is nothing in sports more rewarding than an overachieving team and nothing more disappointing and disheartening than an underachieving team. This team has underachieved from day one and that includes the coaches and players. Only a time or two in my 45 years as a fan have my expectations been so far off. Picked to win the conference and we will most likely end up losing 8 strait games and have one of the 10 worst records in modern times.

That's what makes it so disappointing to me. I really feel that I have always had pretty realistic expectations for our team and program overall. I guess maybe it was the disappointment of not having a postseason last year (when we were really good) and my wanting so much for our fans and players to complete the "unfinished business" from last season. I felt like everything pointed to us having a great season and most "experts" predicted we would. At the moment, I don't believe it is hyperbole to say we are the worst team in the league. Just not sure how we turn it around by next season.

Quite a depressing season honestly.

I’m happy I watched the women play (and win) though.

Have not seen the team in person, but watching this team now, and earlier in the year, obviously the defectors have hurt tremendously, but I also see what I saw when Platt lost his team. I believe you can stick a fork in this team. I think this is what you get when you let financial investors select the coach. Just my thoughts.[/align]

(02-22-2021 03:27 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  Have not seen the team in person, but watching this team now, and earlier in the year, obviously the defectors have hurt tremendously, but I also see what I saw when Platt lost his team. I believe you can stick a fork in this team. I think this is what you get when you let financial investors select the coach. Just my thoughts.[/align]

We don't always agree on all things having to do with LR basketball. But, I can't disagree with any of your points.

(02-22-2021 03:55 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-22-2021 03:27 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  Have not seen the team in person, but watching this team now, and earlier in the year, obviously the defectors have hurt tremendously, but I also see what I saw when Platt lost his team. I believe you can stick a fork in this team. I think this is what you get when you let financial investors select the coach. Just my thoughts.[/align]

We don't always agree on all things having to do with LR basketball. But, I can't disagree with any of your points.

Me either.

I wasn't sure if hiring a former NBA head coach (and a razorback for that matter) was a good idea. I thought I was proven wrong last year. Unfortunately, 3 was the magic number for my early suspicions. A lot rebuilding to do now (with or without Walker).

I'm just flat out done with this season and appears the team is too. The clock's ticking and the seat is warming up...

(02-22-2021 07:12 PM)TrojanTeen2 Wrote:  I wasn't sure if hiring a former NBA head coach (and a razorback for that matter) was a good idea. I thought I was proven wrong last year. Unfortunately, 3 was the magic number for my early suspicions. A lot rebuilding to do now (with or without Walker).

I'm just flat out done with this season and appears the team is too. The clock's ticking and the seat is warming up...

I guess that I still held the delusional belief that having an ex-hog as our coach would bring media attention and increased fan interest. Sidney did seem to bring increased crowds and interest, initially, but it was also the year we moved into Alltel Arena so it is hard to separate that. Darrell was also supposed to bring financial support with him- I have no idea if any of that came to pass. Regardless, I no longer believe hiring an ex-hog will lead to any noticeable increase in interest or fan support. I did like the fact that Darrell seemed to love Little Rock and believed he would stay here even if he was very successful. The fact that he was an ex-NBA coach did not really faze me one way or the other.

However, looking back, I do wish that Chasse Conque, was allowed to select our coach. That was his job, not the job of a chancellor, who was pushed out of his position soon afterwards. I would not like to be in our current AD's shoes right now. He did not hire this coach either. I honestly don't know what the right move would be at the moment. I really don't see a firing taking place in this Covid year. I wouldn't be shocked if Darrell left on his own, which I guess would solve half the problem (who to hire next would be the other half). What's hard for me to believe is that just a few months ago I never would have thought that talk of a coaching change would be a topic on this board in late February.

Let's all face the facts. Walker is a terrible coach. Frankly he didn't have to finish the job last year with COVID. I had my doubts he could get them to the dance last year. Walker is a retread plain and simple. If they don't fire him at the end of the season next year will be another wasted year to add to all of the other wasted years Trojan fans have had to endure. Enough is enough.

(02-23-2021 08:42 PM)UALR92 Wrote:  Let's all face the facts. Walker is a terrible coach. Frankly he didn't have to finish the job last year with COVID. I had my doubts he could get them to the dance last year. Walker is a retread plain and simple. If they don't fire him at the end of the season next year will be another wasted year to add to all of the other wasted years Trojan fans have had to endure. Enough is enough.

92, you are obviously a number of years younger than me, but have also been a fan for a very long time. I put a lot of stock in your opinion. I guess I am still somewhat ambivalent about calling Darrell a "terrible" coach, but I am very concerned where we are at this point. I started wondering "How good were we last year?". I looked back and we won 7 of our 21 wins by 3 points or less. We won 2 or 3 more by 4/5 points, but I picked 3 points because that is literally one bucket. Sometimes, winning close games is a sign of good coaching, but I bet Markquis won, at least, half of those close games by himself. I think it is fair to say we would have lost most of those 7 games without Markquis and/or Kamani (maybe even without Jaizec). So, I guess what I am saying is that our current struggles are not all that surprising with those players gone. When one player leaves you can blame the player. But, when a bunch of players start abandoning ship you have to look at the coach. So with regard to keeping players on board, "terrible" may be the appropriate word. I think Darrell does know the game, but it appears that his ability to relate to players (a big part of coaching) is a serious problem.

I still think that a big part of the problem this year may just be the fact that it is this year. The whole world is out of sync. If Darrell cannot get the players to play for him, then that is indeed a problem, but I would need more of a sample than we have thus far to conclude that. And if his inability to relate just means he is not willing to put up with nonsense, then more power to him. I would say we need one more year to get a safe answer to the question. I think we have seen he can recruit.

(02-24-2021 09:08 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  I still think that a big part of the problem this year may just be the fact that it is this year. The whole world is out of sync. If Darrell cannot get the players to play for him, then that is indeed a problem, but I would need more of a sample than we have thus far to conclude that. And if his inability to relate just means he is not willing to put up with nonsense, then more power to him. I would say we need one more year to get a safe answer to the question. I think we have seen he can recruit.

You are likely the voice of reason at this time. I cannot see a change being made after this crazy year. If Darrell no longer wants the "headache" and chooses to retire that is another story. Next season looks to be "tough" regardless, but a couple of the "right" grad transfers could change that pretty quickly. Hiring and firing coaches, has never been my job, and I'll be there supporting the team one way or the other.