|
Post by PantherNation on Mar 24, 2021 19:14:33 GMT -6
None of that has anything to do with blaming her for the program's decline. You're right. It has to do with being able to call her out for what she is... a whack job. One that should have better things to do than worry about a program who has hired 3 consecutive black coaches covering a span of over 15 years. In regards to the downfall of the program, that's easy. It started when Bruce Pearl left. We followed up our Sweet 16 run with an impressive first round win the next year. Then we went 9-22 the following season. Then 14-16 the season after that. Then things started to look up and we eventually got a regular season championship in 2010. Unfortunately, we ran into the hottest team in the country (Butler) and were stuck with an NIT bid, where we lost to Northwestern in the first round. The following season was another good one... but we lost to Butler again in the HL quarterfinals and ended up in the CBI, where we lost to TCI in the first round. Then we went 8-24 the following season. Things were looking down again... but then BAM we make the tournament in 2014! Momentum is back. Who cares that we lost to Villanova. It was just exciting for us to be back in the dance. There was a buzz around campus. Things were looking great. And then we get a postseason ban the following season. I'm not blaming anyone for how it all happened after Bruce Pearl left. That's the life of a mid-major. It's hard to be successful because as soon as you do something good, your coach is more than likely moving on up. But to say that our program was on the upswing prior to the last 5 seasons is just not true. We had a two year span of being a nationally recognized team and we didn't do anything to capitalize on that success. We fell into a world of mediocrity. No need to worry though. It happens to most Cinderella teams (George Mason, UMBC, FGCU, etc.). And it'll probably happen to Oral Roberts, North Texas, Eastern Washington, Abilene Christian, and all the other teams that are being talked about today. If you want to be relevant again, keep winning. Win on a regular basis. Wright State and Northern Kentucky have the right idea. If you win, you'll get noticed. Not only by the local community and students (who will come to the games) but also by bigger/better conferences.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of Bruce on Mar 24, 2021 19:24:29 GMT -6
The fact of the matter is that Lena Taylor's saber-rattling (which I supported in this instance) got us one year of Lavall Jordan, nothing more or less. It seems to me that many on this board still revere him for his HL Tourney run despite mediocrity at Butler with all those resources, and that's fine, because he represented us well in his short time here.
But let's be honest: Otzelberger is not Bruce Pearl v.2, which is what was being bandied about in the Spring of 2016. Were it not for Mike Daum, whom he inherited from Scott Nagy, he wouldn't be anywhere close to where he currently is. I can't honestly say his record would be much better after 5 years in Milwaukee than the 58-94 record we currently own. Baldwin has lost us a lot of games with stupidity, so perhaps there's 10-15 more wins there, but it's all conjecture.
|
|
|
Post by Duct_Tape_Pounce on Mar 24, 2021 19:28:34 GMT -6
I don’t think I really personally know anybody on this board, so I don’t know everyone’s background. I will say this, though: I’m a white guy, and I’m never going to experience racism in the way that a non-white person does, especially in a segregated city like Milwaukee. I know I’m privileged for not having to deal with racism (whether intentional or unintentional) the way that many others are. What may seem like an overreaction to someone with my background may be reasonable or important to somebody who experiences racism first hand. I don’t honestly think Amanda Braun or Mark Mone or anybody involved made their decisions based on race, but I also realize that it’s not a good look for the university to see the information coming out about how Amanda Braun and the athletic department were essentially sabotaging Rob Jeter in his last year(s) there.
On a lighter note, does anybody really believe that the difference between T.J. Otzelberger and Lavall Jordan is really the difference between a strong program and the program as it currently stands? Both coaches are high major coaches (both arguably lucked into those roles, but they were strong enough candidates to win the jobs without the huge D-1 head coaching success) and Lavall Jordan has at least had some success at Butler. I suppose we’ll see what Otzelberger does at Iowa State.
|
|
|
Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Mar 24, 2021 19:49:58 GMT -6
Lavall Jordan It seems to me that many on this board still revere him for his HL Tourney run despite mediocrity at Butler with all those resources, and that's fine, because he represented us well in his short time here. Just a Butler topic, I think he has done better than many have gave him credit for. Of course 1 ncaa/1 nit in his 4 years. 2020 was a lock for the tournament. This year was poor season. Yet, his team destroyed by injuries. 2021-22 he will need to rebound and I'm sure he will.
|
|
|
Post by ghostofdylan on Mar 24, 2021 20:15:20 GMT -6
I truly miss our Butler friends on this board. (Truthfully, I miss a lot of our former posters and fans). I hear that LJ is a wonderful man, but he is just 69-55 over four years as the head coach at Butler. I would love to get their input on this.
|
|
|
Post by steveisback on Apr 19, 2021 9:32:08 GMT -6
Does anyone know when the Practice Facility will be built? Or is it now once again, an "IF". Was this held up by obstructionism once again in our wonderful legislature
|
|
|
Post by 73withharoldlee on Apr 19, 2021 9:46:42 GMT -6
Good Question. Have been wondering when construction to begin. Small progress at UWM always appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Pantherholic on Apr 19, 2021 9:51:16 GMT -6
Does anyone know when the Practice Facility will be built? Or is it now once again, an "IF". Was this held up by obstructionism once again in our wonderful legislature The original plan was for it to be completed in 2023. It's safe to assume that's been delayed. The last published update was they were in the midst of choosing an architect. Delaying it might actually be a smarter move for the time being given the insane construction costs in the home construction/renovation market right now.
|
|
|
Post by steveisback on Apr 19, 2021 10:00:41 GMT -6
Waited far too long already! No guarantee construction costs wont be even higher down the road. 2023? Man!!!! Shows how much pull we have. This already scaled back from original version is minimalistic in scope . Have always had to hope for some crumbs to fall off U W Madison budget priorities, ie, whatever they want regarding athletics, but now the crumbs are even hard to come by if at all.....we have to live on fumes
|
|
|
Post by 73withharoldlee on Apr 19, 2021 11:34:59 GMT -6
Why does a university with a great School of Architecture need to hire an architect? Stupid question, forgive me.
|
|
|
Post by steveisback on Apr 19, 2021 12:40:54 GMT -6
Occam's Knife for sure fella
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on Apr 19, 2021 15:31:03 GMT -6
Why does a university with a great School of Architecture need to hire an architect? Stupid question, forgive me. This is the same Architecture school that originally designed their gleaming new building in the giant L shape to have the elevators only on one far tip of the L. The university has got an active committee that is in the middle of the design process - basically they're at the step of deciding what exactly is going to go inside the building. Carmel Builders did a nice job on the lockers before, maybe they'll get a bid in this time.
|
|
|
Post by chipanthers45 on Apr 19, 2021 19:41:52 GMT -6
Why does a university with a great School of Architecture need to hire an architect? Stupid question, forgive me. This is the same Architecture school that originally designed their gleaming new building in the giant L shape to have the elevators only on one far tip of the L. Let's not forget the outdoor stairway that is absolutely awesome in the winter! In fairness that probably was my favorite building to have a class in as it was a quick walk to the Gasthaus and one of the few that wasn't way too hot or way too cold.
|
|
|
Post by PantherU on Apr 20, 2021 13:11:14 GMT -6
This is the same Architecture school that originally designed their gleaming new building in the giant L shape to have the elevators only on one far tip of the L. Let's not forget the outdoor stairway that is absolutely awesome in the winter! In fairness that probably was my favorite building to have a class in as it was a quick walk to the Gasthaus and one of the few that wasn't way too hot or way too cold. Seriously why is the HVAC such sh*t on most of campus? I was either falling asleep in a lecture because it's so warm or bundling up because it's so cold and then falling asleep in my bundle of warmth. All right maybe I'm the one with the problem.
|
|
|
Post by skrapheap on Apr 20, 2021 16:19:39 GMT -6
Let's not forget the outdoor stairway that is absolutely awesome in the winter! In fairness that probably was my favorite building to have a class in as it was a quick walk to the Gasthaus and one of the few that wasn't way too hot or way too cold. Seriously why is the HVAC such sh*t on most of campus? I was either falling asleep in a lecture because it's so warm or bundling up because it's so cold and then falling asleep in my bundle of warmth. All right maybe I'm the one with the problem. Not so much an issue in the newer buildings, but in the older buildings on campus, of which there are many, the age of the buildings figures heavily in the hot/cold problems. The older buildings on campus are more than 100 years old, and were built before HVAC was really a thing. I work in Mitchell Hall, on which the University spent a lot of money on an HVAC project about 10 years ago. Right after they finished, I heard someone from the physical plant saying if they really wanted to make the HVAC good, they'd have to spend a whole lot more money replacing windows and doors, and not just because the windows are out-sized. A big part of the problem is that the older buildings are historic landmarks, so any new windows and doors have to have the character of the items they are replacing, which adds greatly to the cost.
|
|