(01-29-2022 10:23 PM)GFlash68 Wrote: (01-29-2022 08:22 PM)axeme Wrote: I’d like to note before it gets forgotten how our coach, who’s been dealt such a difficult hand this year, has had some games where his coaching has clearly been the difference and the opposing coaches have not had answers to our game plan and in-game changes. The Akron and EMU games stand out as prime examples. Sendy just out coached Groce and Heath in both those games which you can tell by how confused and defeated those teams were. To some extent, this was true in the Toledo game and today as well when we put the clamps on the guys who were hurting us. Some games, it’s just about which players on which team get hot at the right time and coaching strategy doesn’t have a lot to do with it. Carry just took over today and that’s not coaching, that’s just talent. The Akron game was similar but they had no defensive answers and didn’t know what to do.
I know people like to jump on Sendy when we lose, but I’d argue our losses haven’t really been coaching issues as much as personnel problems. As this team gets healthy and the main rotation gets settled, I appreciate the great job Sendy does, and I don’t think there’s a better coach in the conference. (In fairness, I think the jury is still out on Boals. He’s done very well so far.) I sure wouldn’t trade Sendy, though. I think he’s outstanding.
I like this team’s chances in February and March. We’re sitting in 4th place and are 2-1 vs. the three teams ahead of us.
Axe, thank you, thank you. I have spent an hour after this game forming a post like yours with the same support. You saved me the effort and did a much better job than I could do. Sendy is the best proven coach in this league. He treats his players fairly, and he develops their talent. Some on this board have been less than supportive with their comments. You can knit pick any facet of coaching because it is very complex. Sendy gets the big picture with the best of them.
No coach is perfect, let's start with that.
But in Senderoff's case, this year, let's understand first, he has not had his projected starting lineup from the beginning of the season until now. And if the lineup for the jump ball you see now is far from typical Kent.
Second, without looking it up I would guess Kent has not had the same starting lineup more than four straight games since the start of the second semester, if not all year.
Third ... and this is huge ... for a team that has relied/prided itself on senior leadership for decades, I would venture to say JHam and TBeck have not been up to standard in that department, evidenced by the fact both are in/out of the starting lineup and are both inconsistent performers as well. The fact both are transfers may be a small factor but not the only factor. The problem is, next in line for leadership is another transfer (Carey) and a juco (Jacobs).
And this means the 'leadership' must come from the coaching staff. That's a heavy lift this day and age.
The positive sign is Garcia and VCD have put together a couple of games that offer hope if they can continue. Gio returned and hopefull his shot will as well. If one of the bigs starts to show something then .....
From this view, if Kent goes .500 over the final 10 regular season games that would be huge. Then what happens at Gund Arena happens.