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Post by Iceman on Jan 8, 2011 20:03:19 GMT -6
What was with the starting lineup tonight? Sounded like we went with a small lineup.
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coachk
Freshman Member
Posts: 22
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Post by coachk on Jan 8, 2011 21:20:24 GMT -6
The most disappointing road trip of the year, to lose to two teams that have not won 10 games this year combined. The SIUEgame we gave up 19 pts in a 5 minute OT period.
Too much emphasis on offense, & no emphasis on defense for a coach who prides his teams on the matchup zone. Coach Boots said he thought the team was playing the best D of the season before the break.
Now we head into the conference play with two disappointing losses. We need to regroup to get some wins, and confidence going into the Great West play.
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Post by Iceman on Jan 8, 2011 21:25:01 GMT -6
Yeah Boots was not happy about the D. Yeah 19 points in OT is way too many points to give up. Some were free throws they kept making when we had to foul, but they outscored us something like 10-2 to start the OT and that was without their two big guys according to Swain. We better get the D figured out for conference.
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Post by yotemeal on Jan 9, 2011 10:58:19 GMT -6
I was sort of off the grid during both the Longwood game and the SIU-E game, so I guess I'll offer my comments now. On paper, bad losses. There are 345 D-I men's basketball teams in this country. The most recent Sagarin ratings have SIU-E at 326 and Longwood at 327. FYI - we're 281. Deep breaths. Short term, I expect will we regain focus for the conference season. Long term, I expect we will do the things necessary to compete next season in a much harder Summit League.
I was pleasantly surprised to see we shot 18-20 from the ft line in the Longwood game! Of course, we shot only 60 percent from the line in the SIU-E game.
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Post by Yote 53 on Jan 9, 2011 16:12:05 GMT -6
How come nobody (Coyote Fan) is coming on here and suggesting we need a new head coach? The same arguments apply here as they apply to Coach Ed, a D2 coach that is now at a D1 school, bad losses agaisnt teams we should beat, program is regressing, blah, blah, blah. These two losses are bad losses. The slide started against those NAIA schools. Yes, the Coyotes won those games, but they did not play well.
I am not suggesting the basketball program needs new leadership, I think Coach Boots is a good coach and he'll pull the team out of this funk. But, we need to get A LOT better or we are going to get embarassed in the Summit next year. The basketball program is supposed to be the crown jewel of this athletic dept with its winning tradition. These types of losses should not happen.
I am also suprised at the lack of discussion in this section of the board. I thought USD was supposed to be a basketball school, at least that's what I've been told (by some of you). The lack of discussion around here suggests otherwise.
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Post by yotemeal on Jan 9, 2011 17:37:05 GMT -6
How come nobody (Coyote Fan) is coming on here and suggesting we need a new head coach? The same arguments apply here as they apply to Coach Ed, a D2 coach that is now at a D1 school, bad losses agaisnt teams we should beat, program is regressing, blah, blah, blah. These two losses are bad losses. The slide started against those NAIA schools. Yes, the Coyotes won those games, but they did not play well. I am not suggesting the basketball program needs new leadership, I think Coach Boots is a good coach and he'll pull the team out of this funk. But, we need to get A LOT better or we are going to get embarassed in the Summit next year. The basketball program is supposed to be the crown jewel of this athletic dept with its winning tradition. These types of losses should not happen. I am also suprised at the lack of discussion in this section of the board. I thought USD was supposed to be a basketball school, at least that's what I've been told (by some of you). The lack of discussion around here suggests otherwise. Bad losses, yes, but to be fair, individual game results don't mean nearly as much in basketball as they do in football. One bad football loss can cost a team a bid to the playoffs, whereas basketball teams are allowed several mulligans throughout what is a much longer season (in low major conferences, in fact, it's really just about winning the conference tournament, as at-large bids to the Big Dance are rare). From an attendance standpoint, obviously football is USD's biggest draw. No argument there. But basketball deserves equal attention. Coach Boots has done a tremendous job continuing a winning tradition. The man's record at USD is 465-182! (.719)
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coachk
Freshman Member
Posts: 22
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Post by coachk on Jan 9, 2011 19:00:53 GMT -6
I think we all can agree that Boots will be the coach at least until his son graduates, even if he does not have another 20 win season. Should we not get a twenty win season in this year & the next two, then I would look for some pressure to be brought to bear from the administration & fans.
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Post by GoYotes on Jan 9, 2011 20:15:12 GMT -6
wow
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Post by yotemeal on Jan 9, 2011 21:46:18 GMT -6
Lest anyone assumes otherwise, I am a supporter of Coach Boots and Coach Meierkort. Just wanted to make certain that's clear. I personally find absurd the notion of Coach Boots being on the hot seat. I don't think that seat is even room temperature. In my mind, it's cold to the touch. He's a great coach.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
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Post by usdlaw on Jan 9, 2011 22:02:34 GMT -6
Bad losses but that happens like yotemeal said. Boots is here to stay until he wants to retire in my opinion, the man has earned that, and don't forget the huge success last year. Two losses mean nothing in the big picture. I mean we lost to augie a few times in the NCC days, and that was never good. It happens.
As far as comparing posters there are three reasons for less posts during bb 1. Coyote fan has gone missing 2. Yote53 u r a football guy, but we appreciate your comments in bb too 3. Usdfbalum is a football guy too
Add the total posts of the three of you and it is more than others combined.
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Jan 10, 2011 2:04:22 GMT -6
Sorry for my lack of posts, but still getting situated in Mitchell. I have had time to check the posts but not post.
The Longwood and SIU-Edwardsville losses are BAD losses no doubt about it, and there needs to be a change of leadership. However, that leadership isn't the coaching side, it's with the PG side. USD needs the old Kendall Cutler, and I am sure we will see him again. He is probably still recovering from getting a concussion and stuck in New York basically.
It's plain and simple that Louie and Jake are not even close to point guards, sorry to say it, but they are not. Louie is back-up option at best, but I hope this team has a true PG coming in next year.
Also, Jake and Louie need to become more consistent, ESPECIALLY from the free throw line. Their shot is off.
We knew there would be growing pains with Gruis and Rico, and I do like those two.
This year is going to be a growing process too because of the lack of depth inside and at the one. I think the team was doing so well there for a bit we kind of forgot that.
In the end, Boots is probably going to retire when Jordan graduates, and that is just a guess from me. He has earned the right to JoePa it here basically.
Coyotefan has gone missing, and no I didn't ban him, he just chooses to ignore the board.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
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Post by usdlaw on Jan 10, 2011 8:58:56 GMT -6
I got to thinking about this, road games are tough to win, usually no matter the location. The fact that we lost to two teams we maybe shouldn't have isn't that alarming, but what hurts is both were losses. In the NCC days we were usually pretty happy to split on the road. I think that will be the same case in the Summit. You win at home and split on the road. if you do that you usually are at the top or near the top of the league every year. So with that said, we can bounce back all we need is to sweep our next two road games, and of course, take care of business at home. Plus, at the D1 mid major level, it's all about the post season tournament anyway. Has the Summit league ever received an at large bid?
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Post by Yote 53 on Jan 10, 2011 9:16:15 GMT -6
I am glad I could help stimulate the conversation here on the basketball side of things. I don't have the math down, but I remember thinking we had to win these last two games to have a decent shot at a 20 win season. I think that goal is gone. Winning the Great West is next on the list.
I am trying to broaden my horizons beyond football this year as a posted earlier this season. I've been following the scores and even went to the LMU game. I plan on coming to a couple of conference games this season as my schedule allows. The team and the athletice dept needs the support. The team is much better than in the D2 days but the support is lacking.
The Coyotes still have to get A LOT better if we are going to compete in the Summit next year. When I say compete, I mean fight for at least the final spot in the conference tourney. We have to make the conference tourney, anything less is unacceptable and would really set the program back. It is not asking too much to finish 8th out of a 10 team conference. There cannot be a conference tourney in Sioux Falls with SDSU in it and USD watching from the bleachers. That scenario would really set not only the basketball program back, but the entire athletic dept. Based on game results so far this year I don't think USD could finish in the top 8 in the Summit. We've lost to some pretty bad teams with bad RPI's.
A couple of us were talking this weekend and the basketball team has a real problem. There is almost no interest for the team on campus. None. Student attendance is embarassing to say the least. At least with the football program you can sense a buzz and students show up (for at least half the game, but that's another discussion). The apathy is so bad around the basketball program right now it is toxic. I cannot fault the team for this, they did win their conference last year. What the program needs is two things, win the conference this year, and win a big-time signature game next season. The win against Minnesota in football changed the mindset in that people now believe that USD is D1 worthy and we now expect to win. Basketball needs that same boost in the arm.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
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Post by usdlaw on Jan 10, 2011 9:50:37 GMT -6
Good thoughts. I'm not sure we're 8th out of 10 - Centenary is terrible. I would have to think we can beat some teams in the league right now. We did beat Wyoming and LMU, not exactly two terrible teams. I think if we were in the Summit right now we would do well at home, and struggle on the road. The Dome is a tough place to play. The only reason not to get a new BB facility is because the Dome is so tough on opposing teams. Consistent depth perception is often lost shooting in the Dome for opposing teams.
As far as students, completely agree, although to give them a small ounce of credit - most of the games were over X-mas break. I EXPECT better student attendance next week. In my mind, student attendance starts with the football team. They need to be there in the front row yelling, screaming and showing off weird outfits in big bodies. If fellow student athletes don't support other student athletes, how can you expect the rank and file.
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Post by yotemeal on Jan 10, 2011 10:55:58 GMT -6
It should also be noted, and correct me if I'm wrong, but USD will play a conference schedule next season, but it will not yet be eligible to participate in the Summit League Tournament, so we will be spectators regardless of regular-season success. Going forward, yes, I agree that it would sting to have the tourney in our backyard and not participate, especially if SDSU is in the mix. I imagine that feeling is mutual.
I actually think USD is currently equipped to be quite competitive in the Summit. We'll take some punches, but I think we're capable of delivering a few as well. While we're still left with the bad taste of the Longwood and SIUE losses, let us not forget this team has already shown the ability to defeat Summit-quality teams.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, while the players and coaches are playing for the now, to win the great west (which they should...and I'll continue to support)...this fan is looking forward to feeling part of a legitimate league. The Great West is filled with orphan schools, and while it's served our short-term needs, we're ready for the next step. And I'm hopeful that next step translates to increased fan support. Not only does the Summit offer better competition, but in the mix are some historic regional foes, i.e., SDSU and NDSU. So while some might ask, "What's the difference between hosting NJIT (Great West) and IPFW (Summit)?" there are two key considerations: 1) IPFW is a more quality product; and 2) new meets old, i.e., IPFW might as well be Mankato or UNO; we'll be in a conference with regional, historic rivals fighting for a spot in the conference tournament. Conference games should matter much more to the casual fan (because we'll see better basketball across the board and everything relates back to our bitter rivals). This same analysis applies to football.
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