Well, I am really old school. Since I am from the class of 1968 I have been a fan since day one of us being Division One in men's basketball. Obviously this year has been a disappointment, but viewing this board day by day has only made me want to vomit by the way opinions are expressed even if valid. I assume most of the people posting are Grads of Fairfield. That would imply most have forgotten or never appreciated the values of a Jesuit education. As big a fan of FU basketball as I am, let's keep things in perspective. This is a game and not a life or death thing. Also, if the MAAC is a joke, what does that say about us . We were a founding member. Finally, let's drop all talk about leaving a conference for quite a while until we dominate it. Pax vobiscum.
Also, if the MAAC is a joke, what does that say about us . We were a founding member.
Not much. :-)
You know I would agree with you if this was just a game, but, let's be real here. Sid is being paid more than $400K and the University spends $2M annually on the basketball program. The result this year was the worst record in Fairfield basketball history and a major financial loss for the University. While, yes, this is a game, you and I and everybody on this board knows that there is whole lot more at stake here. The basketball program is suppose to be a major platform by which to promote the University and Fairfield basketball is essentially nonexistent right now.
And the MAAC tournament being played in that destination spot Springfield and on computer only ESPN3 isn't helping either. Just look at the national exposure our sister West Coast Conference and fellow Jesuit schools are getting by playing there tournament in Las Vegas and on national TV ESPN2. I think our criticisms of the MAAC are very much justified.
Going into next year, I feel comfortable with only two spots PG and SF.
KJ has shown that he can do the most difficult and most important part of his position -- run a team, make good decision and protect the ball. He needs to become an effective shooter and a much, much better free throw shooter, we know. That's his off-season mission. But you can't dismiss the huge growth he's had this season. And note that he can defend, post up and hit the boards. Joey D has been high on him for more than a month. He feels that KJ is the real deal.
Marcus also grew his game, last night not withstanding. We know he's got to hit the boards more for us, attack the rim more and be better with the ball in his hands. But he has had a heck of a sophomore season and still has room to expand his game. Steve Smith showed he can shoot at times. He came in with a high school body, that's nobody's fault. He can get stronger and quicker. He's got the size to play inside a bit and just needs to build on the other parts of his game.
While I do think that Marcus/Sidibe/Rose will play major roles next year, the issue on this team still remains the same.....And that is we need to have a better Guard play. And it's not just a little better guard play, it needs to be guards that are some of the best in the MAAC. Here is what needs to happen:
- We need Jerome Segura to be a "Special Player". He is a PG that we so deparately need. He also brings the Quickness and Ballhandling that is missing from this team.
- Rose has to expand his game to include either a short jumper or outside shot. He played really well as a Frosh PG with no consistent running mate, but in all reality we also need a true PG on this team, and Rose will be even better.
- We need a JUCO guard that can score a lot of points and play the 2G and/or 3G. Preferably a 6-4 to 6-6 type of player. All signs point to us getting one
- We need one 2G/shooter that emerges from Tyler Nelson, Jenkins, Chappell or Johnston. and not strikeout like we did this year with Grennan, Davis, Jenkins and Chappell.
- And Marcus has to improve his handle, and he can be great. We cannot have a player at the 3 position that struggles with his handle.
Good guard will make everyone better on this team, and that should result in significant improvement. The ONLY difference between last years 19 win team, and this years 7 win team, is that we did not replace Needham, Wade and Nickerson. Not even close.
Agreed about our guards JS. The MAAC is a guard's league. Did we miss Derek Needham much this season? More that we ever could have imagined. Great back courts usually translate into great teams (see IONA/MANHATTAN).
Last Edit: Mar 10, 2014 19:53:20 GMT -5 by HawkStag
Agreed about our guards JS. The MAAC is a guards league. Did we miss Derek Needham much this season? More that we ever could have ever imagined. Great back courts usually translate into great teams (see IONA/MANHATTAN).
With 5 guards coming in, and with the high praise I was hearing about these players I never dreamed we would miss Needham so much. Not one of these 5 guards came to division 1 ready to play. I am not saying they are not going to be good players before all is said and done, but none were ready to be impact players. We needed 2 players who could contribute right off if we wanted to compete, including a scorer. Next year, we still need that.
As bad as our record was, we are in my mind only 2 players away from a solid team. I hope we get them both, but don't count on it
Last Edit: Mar 9, 2014 14:54:29 GMT -5 by reindeerfan
Gee, we have had some people denigrating some of our new recruits and now you are hoping that we loose next year! I see you are only 23. We're you the head of the Young Republicans on campus?
68' go drink some prune juice and go to bed. I'm sure you havnt seen a game all year since they're now streaming online and that can be tough to figure out.
We live in a reactionary, impatient world, so I'm not surprised people give up on players and coaches rather quickly. I'm cautiously optimistic that one of our recruits will pan out as a freshman, Amadou will rebound after his sophomore slump year, KJ will continue to have a solid assist to turnover ratio (which is the most important thing with your pg), and Marcus will be more confident in asserting himself next year. I think we'll see the Stags somewhere in the 4-8 range next year, but we're probably two years out from championship contention. If we finish in the bottom three again, then I could see Sydney being fired.
I think we lack the toughness that Cooley recruited and instilled in his team, which has been frustrating, as fans, because we see the team wilting in late game situations. However, let's keep in mind that Paul Cormier was the last coach to lead us to the tourney, so Sydney isn't the only coach not to get us where we want to be.
Finally, we need all the fans we can get. This board is great without people trying to stake their claim to who was here first.
What really is needed is more fans, especially getting them after this record breaking losing season of 25 losses. Stag alumni of any and all ages, AARP Stag fans, young Stag fans, Stag students, recent Stag grads and anyone willing to go to Bridgeport to watch Stag Basketball next season. VADE CERVOS!
Post by sandervandorn on Mar 10, 2014 9:09:20 GMT -5
" We live in a reactionary, impatient world, so I'm not surprised people give up on players and coaches rather quickly. I'm cautiously optimistic that one of our recruits will pan out as a freshman, Amadou will rebound after his sophomore slump year, KJ will continue to have a solid assist to turnover ratio (which is the most important thing with your pg), and Marcus will be more confident in asserting himself next year. I think we'll see the Stags somewhere in the 4-8 range next year, but we're probably two years out from championship contention. If we finish in the bottom three again, then I could see Sydney being fired.
I think we lack the toughness that Cooley recruited and instilled in his team, which has been frustrating, as fans, because we see the team wilting in late game situations. However, let's keep in mind that Paul Cormier was the last coach to lead us to the tourney, so Sydney isn't the only coach not to get us where we want to be."
Great point, as tough as this year was on the fans and on the players bad years do happen. Sometimes things don't pan out. I think that Sydney has a plan, but that toughness is indeed lacking. People have to remember, Sydney is a young coach, and has only played and was only the headcoach in one conference. He is going to have some growing pains as well.
Next year, however, is critical. The MAAC does indeed lose a lot of talent, and alot of the teams that do return talent we were neck and neck with (AKA losing 5 heartbreakers). If the Stags improve, a top 5 finish is very possible, and quite frankly I think a top 5 finish is an acceptable expectation next year.
We live in a reactionary, impatient world, so I'm not surprised people give up on players and coaches rather quickly.
I think there's sometimes a contradiction in thought here on this message board - it's alright to give up on Davis & Grennan (and potentially others) but SJ gets a pass hoping that he'll do better? There are parallels between them - all had success at prior places - which is what brought them here. Davis & Grennan struggle and they're out. SJ struggles and gets a pass. The big difference - scholarships are renewed on an annual basis. SJ has a l/t commitment.