Great Effort, Unacceptable Loss

[Bravesfan]

What's unbelievable is saying we could beat Wisconsin or Michigan on a good night.

It's not that I disagree this is an unacceptable loss. It is, but it's a type of loss that will probably occur a few times with a team coming off a last place finish with a new coach and very little depth. These losses will happen. That doesn't make this type of loss acceptable, but bad losses will be expected with this team from time to time until Coach Ford can recruit his players and get his system into place.

My issue was with two of the posters above ripping into Geno four games into his new job after one bad loss, and ripping on him for not being "firm" enough with what he expects from his players. That's garbage! If people think he tolerates losing based on four games here, well they are sorely misguided! I think at the same time he is also realistic on what he has to work with here, and he knows he has to be patient.

I don't know how anyone could come away from his postgame interview with Snell and Adams and not think he's serious about turning things around, or that he does not know what he is doing. That's what set me off.

[Bravesfan]

Game 4 and Geno has yet to impress me as a coach! Can someone, ANYONE on the staff devise an offensive set in a half court offense other than feeding the post (which I like) and then the good old dribble drive penetration to the hoop? Is there any creativity on our staff??? anyone....anyone....Bueller...


On a positive note, I hope that Charonn Woods is getting a lot of academic scholarships. He has certainly earned the right to be compensated for his efforts as a Brave this year!

Ok. You be the coach Beninator. Go knock on Geno's door and tell him what he needs to do!

[shaunguth]

Let's not start ragging on Geno for a bad loss from a team that finished in last place last year and has does not have a deep bench. These losses will happen. And if we have a great night we can beat teams like Wisconsin and Michigan. Mediocre to average teams tend to do this, playing up or down to their competition. And as much as some here will not accept this, guess what, we are not a good team yet! It will take some time to establish consistent winning here, whether it takes half of this season, one year or two years and beyond.

For some people here to stab Geno in the back after one loss is disgusting! I know the team looked disorganized at times tonight, but that happens to everyone from time to time. Maybe some here forgot that very recently Duke squeaked by Belmont 91-90 and Michigan just got by W. Illinois 59-55! And on their respective home courts to boot! I guess that means their coaches can't coach and make excuses too!

Unbelieveable!

In no way am I "stabbing Geno in the back" for this loss. If the players make some freethrows, we probably win the game.

There are people elsewhere that believe we will not even be "close to being average" for at least three years. Just like this loss, that will be unacceptable as well.

[shaunguth]

And you're WAY out of line with your opinion here Gwright! See my above post. Guess what. WE WERE A LAST PLACE TEAM LAST YEAR! Let's see you wave your magic wand Gwright and make things better!

Didn't think so.

Yes....we were a last place team last season. Funny how things work out without your best player on the floor for an entire season!

[shaunguth]

Also, one of their players dropped 29 on us. Unexpectedly. This happens to Bradley a lot, and I'll never understand it, but anyway, take away either of those things, and Bradley wins pretty easy.

Right or wrong, people used to blame the coach for this.

[Bravesfan]

From watching the game, a couple of things happened that are reasons we lost. Prosser had an off night. It was like someone oiled up his hands, because if he touched it it went where he didn't want it to-- ALL NIGHT. Also, one of their players dropped 29 on us. Unexpectedly. This happens to Bradley a lot, and I'll never understand it, but anyway, take away either of those things, and Bradley wins pretty easy. Not an excuse, and we shouldn't lose to this team at home.

Anyway, Geno had to lose sometime, but I, for one, liked his post game remarks.

I agree. As I said on the chat fish, this was a bad loss, but one that will occur occasionally with a young team that lacks depth. But no one here is excusing it (not directed at you fish) either. I said before the season that we have to reestablish our home court advantage. That's still a work in progress, but I believe we will exceed our home win total from last year.

But what set me off above (since no Geno critics were on the chat) are posters here who blindly rip on Geno because "he did not offer a firm message of what was expected of his team"! That's utter rubbish! To base a coaches ability on four games is not only offbase, it's not even feasible this early in his first year! To make blanket statements like "I'm not impressed with our new coach" sounds to me like sports talk radio at its worst! These are the type of people who call in after a bad loss. All fluff and emotion, but no substance!

[Buesch N Chips]

Where has all of this "rallying behind the team in the face of adversity" been for the last 9 years? It's good to see the new regime has given some fans a realistic perspective, rather than looking for things to rip.

Go get those Badgers.

[Bravesfan]

In no way am I "stabbing Geno in the back" for this loss. If the players make some freethrows, we probably win the game.

There are people elsewhere that believe we will not even be "close to being average" for at least three years. Just like this loss, that will be unacceptable as well.

This was not directed at you. My posts were directed mainly to the first two posters in this thread. I think it will not take us three years to be a competitive team, and I agree tonight's loss was unacceptable. But not unexpected with what Geno has to work with either. Things will get better though, and maybe even as early as late this season, if our starters don't get burned out.

[Beninator]

Ok. You be the coach Beninator. Go knock on Geno's door and tell him what he needs to do!

Knock Knock

(Geno) Who's there?

Ben

Ben who?

After four games, 'been waiting to see some good baseline screens in your half court offense.

[Bravesfan]

Knock Knock

(Geno) Who's there?

Ben

Ben who?

After four games, 'been waiting to see some good baseline screens in your half court offense.

Okay, I'm sure Geno will take your advice to heart.

[Braves4Life]

You're a funny man Ben.

[Braves4Life]

On a positive note, I hope that Charonn Woods is getting a lot of academic scholarships. He has certainly earned the right to be compensated for his efforts as a Brave this year!

I agree Beni. This kid deserves a free ride one way or another. Just like Bradley took care of Willie Scott I hope they're taking care of Charron.

[Braves4Life]

In no way am I "stabbing Geno in the back" for this loss. If the players make some freethrows, we probably win the game.

Agreed shaun. What's up with that? This team better learn to shoot their free throws soon or it will be a LONG MVC season. I like most everything else I see; Geno has really introduced an exciting brand of play.

[Gwright]

And you're WAY out of line with your opinion here Gwright! See my above post. Guess what. WE WERE A LAST PLACE TEAM LAST YEAR! Let's see you wave your magic wand Gwright and make things better!

Didn't think so.

I'm going to waste 15 seconds of my life to respond to this.

Do two things, re-read what I said, and look up ad hominem.

[rsmit84]

Knock Knock

(Geno) Who's there?

Ben

Ben who?

After four games, 'been waiting to see some good baseline screens in your half court offense.

Was curious as to how people here would react after ONE loss. Must say this is pretty much exactly what I thought. The idea of a Coach Les supporter calling out someone for offensive sets and never changing anything up is laughable, especially after just four games. As for taking a step backwards because of fallout, how do you go backwards from last place? I suppose if we still had JL and SM we would be 4-0 instead of the terrible 3-1 we are right now, right?