Oakland University

[playazonly2]

many of the players were at Judges on Saturday night??? Are you serious??
That is how this team treats a loss, by going out and getting drunk.
There is no commitment by anyone on this team, nobody cares about winning. we are 2-7 and losing to low quality teams, but no one on the team obviously cares, as they are more concerned with going on after the game, than what is going on during the game. Personalities off the court represent how you play on the court. and we are 2-7, and best case scenario, 3-10 after missouri st., YSU, and wisconsin.

[JimmyLemke]

i think you're reading too much into this, playazonly2.

I'm actually pretty sure best case scenario is 5-7...

[pantherpanther]

playazonly2 said:

many of the players were at Judges on Saturday night??? Are you serious??
That is how this team treats a loss, by going out and getting drunk.
There is no commitment by anyone on this team, nobody cares about winning. we are 2-7 and losing to low quality teams, but no one on the team obviously cares, as they are more concerned with going on after the game, than what is going on during the game. Personalities off the court represent how you play on the court. and we are 2-7, and best case scenario, 3-10 after missouri st., YSU, and wisconsin.

Who said they were getting drunk? And quite frankly, what is so wrong with them going out together and letting off a little steam? We all think we know so much as fans, but put yourself for one moment in those guy's shoes. Do you think they like being 2-7? Do you think they like sucking (for a lack of better word)? I mean damn they are young men, and I for one certainly don't see what is wrong with them taking some time out after being away for 5 days, to go out. They know full well that they have a responsibility to improve, to dig themselves out of this mess...but geez give them time to breathe for a second.

[pantherhoops]

I'm not sure you can get all over these guys for going out to Judges after the game. It is not rare to see our basketball players out in public. Name any great player that we have had in the past six years and somebody has seen them out in a bar. In the past it was most likey O'Danny's. After a game win or lose, if there is a day off following the game they have a right to go out. If it was the night before a game then yes I could see a problem with them being out at a local watering hole, but they are people too.
I know plenty of people that would like to go out a little bit after a rough day. It's a good way to relax and let off some steam. Nobody said they were getting drunk, they just said they were sharing a few laughs. As long as they are representing the University in a positive way it doesn't matter if they are in a bar or where ever else they choose to unwind.

[pantherdon]

Really man.
Give them a chance to chill after a tough loss.
Not everyone functions best under preasure.
And, don't forget they're still college kids who like to have fun.

I really find it hard to blame Avery for his play on Saturday.
He had the hot hand, and he stepped up.
He also made a couple great dishes to the wide open post came away with a steal and a block.
If we would have won the game, we would all be praising him.

[brewtownbrian]

I agree. I mean they are 20-something year old guys who are in college. I'd honestly be worried if they were never seen out at bars.

Just because they are on the school's basketball team doesn't mean they can't go to a bar and do what every other (most every other) person their age does.

I mean come on. As long as they're not being drunken pricks or getting into trouble with the law...who cares? I think we've established that playazonly2 cares, but not many others.

[famouspnthrfan]

I'd also like to add that they didn't get there until about midnight and very few of them even seemed to be drinking at all. Honestly, it seemed like they were there only to hang out with fellow students and maybe have a few drinks...

[jhart05]

I think the bigger question would be why the f--k would they go to Judges?!?!?!

Unless you're looking to pick up underage chicks, there's no reason to step into that place. The floor was always dirty and slimy from people spilling their cheap beer. And it was full of dunkin idiots. At least when I was dragged there years ago, that was the case. Maybe it's changed in the past few years, I don't know.

[jhart05]

And I've got no problem with them going out after a loss.

What are they supposed to do? Sit in their dorm/apartment and sulk about it? What good does that do? None, that's what.

[formerseasonticketholder]

Freak,
I normally like a lot of what you've got to say, but it's hard for me to wrap my head around the idea of not playing Avery Smith when he's playing the way he has so far this season. Unless there's a serious academic or discipline issue, I think he's got to play until somebody else shows they're going to do better.

I believe that right now, Avery is the only Panther with a double-digit per game scoring average. From what I've seen to date, getting him into the flow of the game gives the Panthers the best chance to win. Pulling Avery off the floor doesn't make sense to me, either for the short or long term.

[ArtVandelay]

jhart05 said:

I think the bigger question would be why the f--k would they go to Judges?!?!?!

Unless you're looking to pick up underage chicks, there's no reason to step into that place. The floor was always dirty and slimy from people spilling their cheap beer. And it was full of dunkin idiots. At least when I was dragged there years ago, that was the case. Maybe it's changed in the past few years, I don't know.

Ha Classic post. Judges hasn't improved and has no reason to since their main clients are underage anyways. I'm not mad at players for going to a bar after the game, I'm just embarrassed that they have such horrible taste.

Judges? WHY?!?!?!!?!?

Art Vandelay

[dylanrocks]

Paige is averaging 11.4 points per game. That, of course, would include his season-opening outburst against Radford. I believe that Avery is fine right where he is. Off the bench and in a 25-minute-a-game role. Here's the issue: Avery, who's likely never going to shoot like he did again, needs to remember that there are four other players on the court. That having been said, it's not Avery who needs to get his minutes slashed.

[formerseasonticketholder]

thanks for the correction on Paige dr.
I don't know that I think anyone on the team needs to have their minutes slashed, but I would like to see a few more players demand more minutes through improved play the way Kevin Massiah and Avery have.
Based on your previous comments along these lines, I'm thinking you're referring to Al, but I'm not sure if that's what you mean because his minutes have already been decreasing as Charlie asserts himself more.
Paige seems to be limiting his own minutes with foul trouble at this point. The only real option for a drastic reduction in PT seems to be Ricky Franklin, but who would those minutes go to if not Ricky? Thornton or Gentry? Or possibly Skinner or Mauldin?
I'm not sure cutting Ricky's minutes is a good idea, just trying to get into your mindset and see where it leads.

[uwmfutbol]

"we are 2-7 and losing to low quality teams"

I have a bone to pick with that. Central Michigan is the only loss I would consider embarrassing. UAB, Oakland, TTU, Washington State (I don't care if they're a bottom feeding Pac10 team, they'd be competitive in the HL), Michigan, UNI? These are low quality teams?

And regarding the players going out drinking after a game. Who cares? As long as they're not too hung over to practice the next day (assuming they do practice--I have no idea), and they're not getting into trouble, who cares?

Regarding the players' performaces, the only player that is really disappointing me is Ricky. His shooting has got to improve. I think he'll be really good once he gets everything figured out, but in the meantime he's gotta improve that.

Oh yeah, Charlie Swiggett is awesome. I can't wait to see him play as a senior.

[fan]

uwmrotty said:

jhart05 said:

Ha Classic post. Judges hasn't improved and has no reason to since their main clients are underage anyways. I'm not mad at players for going to a bar after the game, I'm just embarrassed that they have such horrible taste.

Judges? WHY?!?!?!!?!?

Art Vandelay

Easiest answer ever. Its cheap for those who do pay. The place is rockin with tail on Thursdays and its close enough to the school where everyone there thinks of them as an uber-celebrity. Its nothing new. The team was there the last 2 years when I was there. Ladies would line up for an opportunity to get near them.

Thats why.