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(03-09-2023 03:55 PM)DuelingDragon Wrote:  Coach told me out of his own mouth that he should have taken the Kentucky job. He could have taken Wake Forest as well, if I recall correctly.

Can't disagree with him there. That's an opportunity of a lifetime. Glad he stayed though.

(03-09-2023 04:09 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 03:42 PM)bftb Wrote:  Personally, I think Andy wants to be at UAB and wants to retire in Birmingham, though I am sure there are a few jobs that might be tough for him to turn down. I think what he says about the Bartow legacy is sincere--and I know for a fact that he has almost a reverence for Coach.

By the way, Coach Bartow had many conversations over the years about other jobs, and basically agreed to take the Kentucky job in 1985, before changing his mind on the drive home from Lexington. And I know for a fact that he was always concerned about keeping himself relevant for other jobs. That was before agents and the big money that is thrown around today for coaches.

So don't act like if Andy talks to someone from another school he is somehow not living up to the Bartow standard.

I never said that, and if you think I did, you are twisting my words.

I said leaving after 3 years and trying to leave ASAP for the next big thing are not consistent with the Bartow Standard. And NO, I am not saying that is what AK is doing, but that is what the article insinuated, which is why I posted it.

Keeping yourself relevant for bigger jobs, even talking with people about open positions is fine. It means you are being successful.

There's a big difference there. It's about intent. I was surprised by the article, because it seemed different from everything I've heard and read about AK's intent with UAB. That's why I posted it - To get other's opinions.

I understand, and was not pointing that at you. There were a few people jumping to some very big conclusions based on a small paragraph in an article that also mentioned a dozen other coaches. It may be true, and it may not be. I don't automatically believe any of what the article said, just because it is in The Athletic.

(03-09-2023 04:23 PM)bftb Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 04:09 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 03:42 PM)bftb Wrote:  Personally, I think Andy wants to be at UAB and wants to retire in Birmingham, though I am sure there are a few jobs that might be tough for him to turn down. I think what he says about the Bartow legacy is sincere--and I know for a fact that he has almost a reverence for Coach.

By the way, Coach Bartow had many conversations over the years about other jobs, and basically agreed to take the Kentucky job in 1985, before changing his mind on the drive home from Lexington. And I know for a fact that he was always concerned about keeping himself relevant for other jobs. That was before agents and the big money that is thrown around today for coaches.

So don't act like if Andy talks to someone from another school he is somehow not living up to the Bartow standard.

I never said that, and if you think I did, you are twisting my words.

I said leaving after 3 years and trying to leave ASAP for the next big thing are not consistent with the Bartow Standard. And NO, I am not saying that is what AK is doing, but that is what the article insinuated, which is why I posted it.

Keeping yourself relevant for bigger jobs, even talking with people about open positions is fine. It means you are being successful.

There's a big difference there. It's about intent. I was surprised by the article, because it seemed different from everything I've heard and read about AK's intent with UAB. That's why I posted it - To get other's opinions.

I understand, and was not pointing that at you. There were a few people jumping to some very big conclusions based on a small paragraph in an article that also mentioned a dozen other coaches. It may be true, and it may not be. I don't automatically believe any of what the article said, just because it is in The Athletic.

Gotcha. sorry about that

AK may leave, but I would be shocked, especially this early into his UAB tenure. I'm of the opinion that he sticks around for a long time (at least 5-6 seasons).

The more I think about it, the more I think this would be the time to move along if any. Losing Jelly, Jemison, Ty Brewer, Buffen, and I think Gaines (just IMHO)…he’s facing a complete rebuild.

(03-10-2023 12:38 AM)blazr Wrote:  The more I think about it, the more I think this would be the time to move along if any. Losing Jelly, Jemison, Ty Brewer, Buffen, and I think Gaines (just IMHO)…he’s facing a complete rebuild.

Agree with this. It will be awhile before he has a team with this much talent, and a player as electric as Jelly. If he doesn't move on this year, I'm not sure when he does....and a lot of this may depend on whether or not he makes the Dance.

Going from Birmingham to Lubbock Tx? Ewwwww. Ick. No.

(03-10-2023 03:06 AM)BlazintheAtl1 Wrote:  

(03-10-2023 12:38 AM)blazr Wrote:  The more I think about it, the more I think this would be the time to move along if any. Losing Jelly, Jemison, Ty Brewer, Buffen, and I think Gaines (just IMHO)…he’s facing a complete rebuild.

Agree with this. It will be awhile before he has a team with this much talent, and a player as electric as Jelly. If he doesn't move on this year, I'm not sure when he does....and a lot of this may depend on whether or not he makes the Dance.

Sure, about the timing. But if your reason for coming to UAB was to restore the Bartow Standard, then bailing out at the most important part of the process — sustainability with roster overhaul moving to the AAC — wouldn’t exactly fit that storyline at all.

(03-10-2023 08:20 AM)DragonClaw Wrote:  Going from Birmingham to Lubbock Tx? Ewwwww. Ick. No.

Right? It’s McCasland’s if he wants it. Just a drive from East Texas to West Texas.

Also, UAB has turned over the roster every year AK has been here and we’ve been pretty successful. I like the incoming players we have on paper, and we still have some important pieces returning. I actually can’t see Gaines leaving next year, where is he going? UAB will essentially be his team and he could really shine if he got a little more composed in the off-season.

Yep. AK has turned over the roster every year. We have a solid core of good returning players, the juco guys we are getting look legit good, and he always gets some good transfers. If we picked up another under the radar jelly type, we could be quite good again..

The team certainly didn’t play like there was any coaching change rumors swirling around…

Also don’t forget the transfer rules changed — Gaines cannot transfer without sitting out. If he leaves it would be to turn pro and that would be a bad decision. It will be his team to lead next year so no reason to leave.

(03-10-2023 09:45 AM)DuelingDragon Wrote:  Also don’t forget the transfer rules changed — Gaines cannot transfer without sitting out. If he leaves it would be to turn pro and that would be a bad decision. It will be his team to lead next year so no reason to leave.

Yep. That’s exactly what I meant by where is he going. I’m not saying he is Jelly, or ever will be, but he could have that type of career arc if he keeps working hard and developing. He is a way better shooter today than he was in November, and he has embraced the role he has been given at this point. I think he could have an incredible season next year if he worked on the few flaws in his game.

Don't we also have two very highly touted JUCO gents joining us next year as well?

We do.

Gaines really only has to do one main thing to live up to his potential…

Cut down on turnovers, make better decisions, and play more composed. In the games he has done those things, he has looked really good.

And yes, I realize those are three things, but they are all lumped together.

(03-10-2023 10:02 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  Gaines really only has to do one main thing to live up to his potential…

Cut down on turnovers, make better decisions, and play more composed. In the games he has done those things, he has looked really good.

And yes, I realize those are three things, but they are all lumped together.

Haha! It’s all good.

Gaines needs to cut down on driving into the lane with no where to go, stop the jumping in the air without a plan and especially break that really bad habit of throwing the against the grain one-handed pass. He gets away with that a decent amount of the time in cusa but believe me when I tell you that pro players will eat that garbage alive. That is a 360 dunk for Ja Morant on the other end. Every. Single. Time.

(03-10-2023 10:49 AM)DuelingDragon Wrote:  Gaines needs to cut down on driving into the lane with no where to go, stop the jumping in the air without a plan and especially break that really bad habit of throwing the against the grain one-handed pass. He gets away with that a decent amount of the time in cusa but believe me when I tell you that pro players will eat that garbage alive. That is a 360 dunk for Ja Morant on the other end. Every. Single. Time.

He has a bad habit, on clear display last night, of taking any defensive rebound he gets and running to the other end of the court as fast as he can, with no clear purpose, and no matter how many defenders are there. I saw him do it at least 3 times last night - against 2, 3 or even 4 defenders. Our guys weren't even past half court barely.. I can't remember if it resulted in any box score turnovers, but it is a head-shaking bad habit that rarely, rarely results in anything positive and almost always plays to the other team's advantage.

He ended up having a good game, but it started off rough for him.

If he is turning the ball over and doing dumb things against UNT, it will send us home. AK has shown he will not bench him. The only time he as was against Charlotte when he turned the ball over like 3 times in a row late in the game.

EG's early crazy turnover in the first half led to a Rice run of 8 straight points. I threw my hat, as usual, when he did that.