New Coach

[milwsport]

The way the season finished gives us reason for optimism. As he has at times in the past, Jeter showed that he is not a man to be counted out or underestimated.

That being said, while there is reason for optimism that's all it is at this point. We are losing three guys who were major contributors over the stretch run, Franklin, Big Lumber and Avercamp. To their credit, the coaching staff took Avercamp and really developed him into a more solid player.

Yes we have people waiting in the wings, but it will take time for them to gel together and as had been mentioned we really need a good PG, but he will also take time to get used to the team.

I would agree that the future is brighter than it was at this time last year, but continued progress will take continued hard work. I think the coaches are up to it, but there are many factors beyond their control.

[ghostofdylan]

This has been mentioned before:

A team isn't jelling as much as you might think in November and December. Rather, I would say that it is establishing an on-court identity. By that, I mean it's demonstrating to the opponent, the officials and the fans the manner in which it's going to play.

The time for jelling is June, July, August, September and October. That's when the team is going through individual and team conditioning, training, OTAs, open gyms and the start of practice, which only officially begins around Oct. 15. Open gyms, I believe, can be monitored three hours a week once school starts. That's when guys get used to playing together.

[Rawls]

Mar 8, 2010 18:11:08 GMT -6 gman2 said:

Mar 7, 2010 20:04:59 GMT -6 Rawls said:

The crowds are also growing.

When our record is worse than the previous year, let me know.

Conference record 08-09 11-7, 09-10 10-8. Conference record this year worse than previous year, just letting you know

Crowds are not growing. just under 2800 per game this year, down from just under 3300 last year.

Last season this team started fast and ended poorly (except for the win against Butler). This season started out badly and ended with nice play. Coaching staff needs to prove they can out together a full season with their recruits. So far this hasn't happened.

Overall record is better this year. And when we're in a underrespected 'mid-major' as we are, noncon victories should count. And our place in the conference went up from 5th to 4th, quarterfinalist to semifinalist. I've never got why so many people discount the Madison/Marquette games (after we lose, of course, until then it's all about what a win could mean) because they 'don't count'. They do. Guaranteeing a tourney spot without having to win four games in March that negate the previous two-plus months.

As for attendance, my apologies. I was referring to the seasons of a couple years ago, when we couldn't even get three rows of students into the games when they were still free.

But my challenge is the same. Find a coach that can get a fanbase excited like BP (or even close to it), that's available, that can guarantee us 20 wins; right away, and a trip to the big dance. I haven't taken the time to look over candidates, but since Jeter is a liability to some people here, I'm sure we can find one.

I'm by no means a hardcore Jeter fan, but it's amongst the easiest things in the world to say we need a new coach. Saying we need a guy who can bring us this, that and the other thing. The problem is finding that guy.