Grading the MVC coaches

[tornado]

Creightion has had decent in-season success, but it's been a long time since they had any
appreciable post-season success, much to the consternation of many Bluejay fans.

Here is a nice summary story on Creighton under Dana Altman...
but the picture can only be seen by the premium subscription owners, although I can link you to it...
it is not very flattering...


the story itself (in 3 parts - plus interview) is generally positive but repeatedly makes mention of the dissatisfied fans...

http://creighton.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=951168

http://creighton.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=950790

Here are a few of the clips...

"(fans) screaming for success in the NCAA Tournament

...We've been close but close doesn't count. We've gotta do a better job (in the tournament).

Dana Altman might lack the showmanship of other coaches...

... Some find that boring in today's world of tabloid media stories and internet message boards ..

...In a lot of ways, the year was very successful and in some ways it wasn't as successful as we would have hoped."

[BradleyBrave]

Yes, JL made the Sweet 16, but he also had a lottery pick at center. He also was significantly below average before that year, and average since. It would be easy to argue that the Sweet 16 team underachieved for the better part of 2 seasons until the last 11-12 games of 2006. That team was arguably the most talented team the MVC has seen in the last decade, and the only one with an NBA 1st round pick in that time span. Yet the best they could muster was a 4th place league finish? I'm sorry, a fluke run in 2006 doesn't excuse an otherwise overwhelmingly average body of work. The record speaks for itself. I'm happy with the direction I think we're finally heading, but C is the grade. Could be better, Could be worse.

[electricmayhem]

Yes, JL made the Sweet 16, but he also had a lottery pick at center. He also was significantly below average before that year, and average since. It would be easy to argue that the Sweet 16 team underachieved for the better part of 2 seasons until the last 11-12 games of 2006. That team was arguably the most talented team the MVC has seen in the last decade, and the only one with an NBA 1st round pick in that time span. Yet the best they could muster was a 4th place league finish? I'm sorry, a fluke run in 2006 doesn't excuse an otherwise overwhelmingly average body of work. The record speaks for itself. I'm happy with the direction I think we're finally heading, but C is the grade. Could be better, Could be worse.

I'll say this again... I think missing the first 8 games hurt POB. I know they were non-con games, but it took him a few games to get his feet under him once he started playing.

With all due respect, I don't think you can use the fact that he was a lottery pick to deem the team underachievers. I happen to agree that Les has an overall average body of work, but POB hasn't panned out in the NBA, and if he hadn't had a monster game against Aaron Gray, he might not have been drafted at all, no matter what year he came out.

Plus, regarding the 4th place finish that year, didn't the league have four teams in the tournament that season? If memory serves me correctly, SIU, UNI, WSU and BU all made the dance, and all performed admirably. I suppose that lessens the sting of a 4th place league finish.