Its Over---Now What?

[wizard1]

Thank God it's over---Now a few comments.

Of course everyone pretty well agrees the problem this year was a complete lack of talent that could compete at a D1 level. Great kids but KW is 100% correct. Can't shoot, pass, play strong inside, rebound, or play defense.

Except for Lemon, none of the returnees will start next year once the season is underway---They simply are not good enough for this level.

Geno appears to be doing a good job under the circumstances but he really needs to crank up the recruiting between now and the start of next season. IMO, he needs to recruit a big that is a true 5, has good hands, and can play-----Then, a super shooter who can either play the point or is big enough to play the 3 when needed.

Given this, we could play NW at the 4 since he is an excellent mid-range shooter and can help inside. With the new big at the 5, Pickett and WE could play the 3 and/or spell NW. Once the first few early season games are over, Bell should be able to start at the point, hopefully. Lemon would be the 2 but he must spend max. time in the off season intensly working on his 3 point shot and mid-range jump-stop shot. A new shooter could spell WL or spell TP and WE at the 3 when needed, if he has enough size.

The key to all of this IMO, is for Bell to start at the point and for Geno to recruit a big to play the 5 and a shooter to come off the bench.

[Buesch N Chips]

Can't shoot, pass, play strong inside, rebound, or play defense.
Geno appears to be doing a good job under the circumstances.

These statements seem to be contradictory.

[wizard1]

Good Job by Geno

B & C---These statements are not contradictory at all. Geno has done a good job of keeping things together under very bad circumstances. Read KWs column and you will see some of what I am referring to. I do not believe what has happened is a reflection of anything other than the talent problem.
I also believe that we need to give Geno some time to rebuild before jumping to any conclusions. Lets see how he recruits in the off season and how we do next year.

[Dub]

I think we had decent talent the last 2 years. Not at our highest level, but not the worst in the league.

[tornado]

...Can't shoot, pass, play strong inside,...

Sometimes it seems easy to tell who has talent and who doesn't - and it's not always that easy.....the circumstances play a part....

This reminds me of a few years ago when Chris Lowery ran off one of his best returning players the year he landed his big recruiting class...(Hare, Dillard, Roundtree, Booker) ...didn't need the kid any more -- was well sett for years into the future...

He told Brandon Wood to take a hike and get lost because compared to the studs he had just landed, Wood couldn't shoot, pass, or play inside...

In the end Wood went to Valpo, became their best player - then transferred this year to Michigan State - where he's now a starter, a KEY player, and one of their best players...
And while Michigan State & Brandon Wood are going dancing - Chris Lowery is just now completing his 4th successive record-breaking bad season and going .....we don't know...

[SFP]

Wizard I disagree with a good deal of your post and agree with parts. The one area I disagree is that every player except WL is not DI level talent. The short is that with a few adjustments of where they play, a PG, a shooter and a true big these players we have would look so much better in a supporting role. I also believe the DSE is a very good DI player, PERIOD! I'm not going to argue the merits of the rest of the players I believe that are good enough....

[Beninator]

Wizard I disagree with a good deal of your post and agree with parts. The one area I disagree is that every player except WL is not DI level talent. The short is that with a few adjustments of where they play, a PG, a shooter and a true big these players we have would look so much better in a supporting role. I also believe the DSE is a very good DI player, PERIOD! I'm not going to argue the merits of the rest of the players I believe that are good enough....

+1 Well said SFP!

[Boiler]

Wizard I disagree with a good deal of your post and agree with parts. The one area I disagree is that every player except WL is not DI level talent. The short is that with a few adjustments of where they play, a PG, a shooter and a true big these players we have would look so much better in a supporting role. I also believe the DSE is a very good DI player, PERIOD! I'm not going to argue the merits of the rest of the players I believe that are good enough....

DSE is a D-I player. Agreed.

...but saying he's "a very good D-I player" is a bit of a stretch.

[wily coyote]

I think we had decent talent the last 2 years. Not at our highest level, but not the worst in the league.

Not sure if you saw any games in person but if you did we were watching different games. We were the worst in the league the last two years and that's a documented fact. See the results where we finished and that will give you a pretty good idea about our talent level. The good news I hope, is in the future. We shall see.

[SFP]

Not sure if you saw any games in person but if you did we were watching different games. We were the worst in the league the last two years and that's a documented fact. See the results where we finished and that will give you a pretty good idea about our talent level. The good news I hope, is in the future. We shall see.

Overall yes but not having the right mix of players was even more catastrophic.

[bradleybraves1]

I think we had decent talent the last 2 years. Not at our highest level, but not the worst in the league.

Two different coaches tried to win with this "talent" and both failed... We did NOT have decent talent. Hopefully, Coach Ford will change that!

[Bravesfan]

Thank God it's over---Now a few comments.

Of course everyone pretty well agrees the problem this year was a complete lack of talent that could compete at a D1 level. Great kids but KW is 100% correct. Can't shoot, pass, play strong inside, rebound, or play defense.

Except for Lemon, none of the returnees will start next year once the season is underway---They simply are not good enough for this level.

Geno appears to be doing a good job under the circumstances but he really needs to crank up the recruiting between now and the start of next season. IMO, he needs to recruit a big that is a true 5, has good hands, and can play-----Then, a super shooter who can either play the point or is big enough to play the 3 when needed.

Given this, we could play NW at the 4 since he is an excellent mid-range shooter and can help inside. With the new big at the 5, Pickett and WE could play the 3 and/or spell NW. Once the first few early season games are over, Bell should be able to start at the point, hopefully. Lemon would be the 2 but he must spend max. time in the off season intensly working on his 3 point shot and mid-range jump-stop shot. A new shooter could spell WL or spell TP and WE at the 3 when needed, if he has enough size.

The key to all of this IMO, is for Bell to start at the point and for Geno to recruit a big to play the 5 and a shooter to come off the bench.

That's a lot of "what ifs" for next year's team. We don't know yet how quickly these recruits will develop. And to say that no one other than WL will start next year is a bit premature, not to mention not even true when so many players were playing out of place. We need to see what he has in the preseason before we sit everyone down from this year. But I am optimistic as usual that we should be at least a bit more competitive next year.

[Chico]

This season is over. Next season Geno and his staff will turn things around.

[Bravesfan]

Oh, in regards to the title of this thread, now what? Let the coaches work on the recruiting full force, and let all the fans relax for awhile and forget this season.

[KMart]

I'm really hoping that Bell will be able to start at point guard next year so Geno can build the team around him. I feel really sorry for DS. He got recruited by Les, honored his commitment to the school once Geno was hired and rode the bench most of the season. I really hope he gets a shot next year, or goes somewhere he can play. Besides that, let the rebuilding process begin. Good luck Geno.