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Post by PantherU on Dec 1, 2021 13:33:27 GMT -6
In our proposal, do we require the university to pursue a coach who will use a specific style of basketball, or do we only propose they hire the coach they believe will be the most successful?
Further: if the answer is yes, describe your preferred style of play for debate
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 1, 2021 16:33:07 GMT -6
Because Milwaukee is a major market and enjoys various major pro and collegiate sports, the Panther men's program always has been and will likely forever continue to be a small fish in a big pond. Therefore, when it comes to style of play, DIFFERENTIATE. This is one of the many things I liked about Bruce Pearl. While Bo Ryan took his swing offense and the perception of slow, boring basketball to Madison, Pearl came in with an aggressive style of play on both ends of the court that wore opponents down. He trusted key players to call their own substitutions, and somehow made it work. He self-promoted such coaching philosophies, and fans watching his teams play knew they were in for an entertaining show compared to what they would see elsewhere in the market.
The point is, do something different. Be entertaining. The style of play has been criticized by some on this board as not necessarily conducive to winning, but if the program is entertaining and draws genuine interest of fans over an extended period, who cares? I'd gladly take Eastern Kentucky's current style of play and whatever record (3-3 vs D1 including 3 point loss at West Virginia) comes with that.
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Post by BBFran on Dec 1, 2021 17:56:59 GMT -6
You know what style we should play? Winning basketball. I don’t care if it’s run and press, Bennett-style or something in between. Neither do the fans. Win and they’ll come back. But btw, any attempt to play up-tempo or press will not differentiate us at all from the Bucks or MU, and it’s almost the hardest way to win in college ball because of the athletes it requires.
Give us Bo Ryan style basketball again with skilled players and great team defense and you know what will happen? We will win and the VAST majority of fans will love it.
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 1, 2021 18:39:17 GMT -6
You know what style we should play? Winning basketball. I don’t care if it’s run and press, Bennett-style or something in between. Neither do the fans. Win and they’ll come back. But btw, any attempt to play up-tempo or press will not differentiate us at all from the Bucks or MU, and it’s almost the hardest way to win in college ball because of the athletes it requires. Give us Bo Ryan style basketball again with skilled players and great team defense and you know what will happen? We will win and the VAST majority of fans will love it. Of course. Winning basketball is the ultimate preference. What fan would not be most energized if the Panthers would enter conference play tomorrow night undefeated? That is a no brainer. But the Proposal contemplates much more detail than that. Every opponent that the Panthers play also wants to win. Only one team wins any one game. Only one team in a conference wins the season and conference championships. At GCU, where I am a season ticket holder, I see the results of marketing and creating a game experience. Two years ago, the team's play was quite ugly during what turned out to be Dan Majerle's final season as coach. But fans kept coming and the game day experience was still outstanding. For various reasons, all programs are different. One cannot take the exact same approach as the other and expect the same successful result. I get that. But there is value in a program that develops it's own niche. Having a reputation for playing an exciting style is one of many elements that could help market a program and energize a fan base. Obviously, it would have to be executed well enough to have a competitive team. We have seen it work here. It was not THAT long ago. It can happen again!
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Post by BBFran on Dec 1, 2021 19:02:13 GMT -6
The problem is that you are pigeon-holing what kind of play is “exciting.” One of the most exciting basketball games I ever saw in a lifetime of seeing them ended 29-24. Conversely, the run and gun/press style that a lot of low majors try to play is mind-numbingly boring in its lack of discipline.
Again, just give me good basketball. There are a few programs that can achieve it with high octane tempos, but the highest likelihood of it almost always requires a disciplined, measured, non-gimmicky approach to both offense and defense.
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 1, 2021 20:15:19 GMT -6
Fair enough Fran. It is a matter of personal preference. I was never entertained more watching basketball than during the Pearl era, but we do not need to go any further into that debate here. The purpose of these Proposal forums is to offer our input. You and I have done that. Hopefully other fellow posters will as well.
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 1, 2021 20:19:42 GMT -6
And for what it's worth, I would prefer crisply played 1-0 pitchers dual decided in extra innings over a 13-10 slugfest marred by mass pitching changes and fielding errors. So to some extent, I can relate your basketball comment. I am not sure a majority of the general public can though.
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Post by Spirit of Bruce on Dec 2, 2021 18:38:14 GMT -6
I'm with Fran. Winning basketball.
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Post by 73withharoldlee on Dec 3, 2021 14:38:22 GMT -6
Tough defense and great fundamentals on both ends of court. Athletes who are quick, with great hands. Bo Ryan type recruits.
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Post by PantherU on Dec 4, 2021 14:19:53 GMT -6
Tough defense and great fundamentals on both ends of court. Athletes who are quick, with great hands. Bo Ryan type recruits. I too have a strong desire to see the return of tough defense. I don't know if that's directly due to coaching style, but I think including "a candidate who will recruit and coach a strong defensive team" isn't a bad idea, since it can be a simple as a short line.
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Post by Cactus Panther on Dec 4, 2021 16:58:10 GMT -6
The more I think about this, style of play is low on the list of priorities for a head coach. Hiring a winner regardless of style is indeed so much more important. I have a preference from a sports-spectating view point, but I do want the program to compete for titles first and foremost.
As I have stated in other threads, do not overcomplicate the proposal. Emphasize the most important criteria. The other stuff will take care of itself.
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Post by Cactus Panther on Jan 2, 2022 9:54:35 GMT -6
This is not necessarily a style of play but more of a strategic element. Put guys at the lane when taking free throws. I hate when a coach plays all five guys back and doesn't give his team a chance for an offensive rebound.
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Post by PantherU on Jan 2, 2022 17:52:23 GMT -6
This is not necessarily a style of play but more of a strategic element. Put guys at the lane when taking free throws. I hate when a coach plays all five guys back and doesn't give his team a chance for an offensive rebound. Statistically, your chance at an offensive rebound is pretty low to begin with. That number craters further when you're shooting free throws. Most of the game this is fine; take the low opportunity to get the board. But if you're a poor transition defense team, you don't want to give the other team an opportunity to run the ball and have numbers while your best post defenders are stuck.
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