Re: For those who couldn't watch... -- Saint Peter's College Sports

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[> [> [> The future -- Sludge, Saturday, March 01, 12:43:49pm [1]

While the obvious need is for a big guy in the middle who can contibute immediately, reality dictates that we find a guard that can lead. Our current points are off guards, reasonably good shooters but lacking the talent (Leon), or mindset (Lampley), to play the lead position. Leon makes the effort but struggles with his passing and ball handling. Darrell is simply a two guard, masquerading in a point guard's body. The staff is aware of our needs and, in addition to looking/settling for another power forward (read: big guy that can rebound/play defense), has, as a priority, a big point (read: can see/pass over the double team), who sees the floor, can pass, handle, play defense and wants to be the man at crunch time. Although a lot to ask, this is one who has the potential to develop and grow into his role, albeit after suffering through some painstaking and challenging speed bumps. A Jasper Walker, Mike Frensley type come to mind.

In retrospect, the season has been disappointing for most, although many here have characteristically substituted more expectation in place of reality. Particularly frustrating is that we have been in a number of games at the end and lacked the ability/mind strength to close. The lack of focus, particularly at game break, has also been an obvious weakness. Much can be traced to the abundance of newcomers, playing three and sometimes four (plus Gooding), after Raul's injury/loss of confidence. No one in the league, save Canisius, has had to depend on so much youth. Even taking youth into account, the team has not shown much development, with defense, poor passing, and a general lack of smarts, being the major shortcomings. For those who wish to apply a more perfunctory answer; yes, the staff has also raised questions concerning teaching, strategy and tactics . Perhaps from lack of experience, but maybe more from directing a team that is still not able to absorb and execute much of what is taught.

The team will likely gain in the season's ahead. Unfortunately, lack of strength and experience up front, and leadership in the backcourt, will undoubtedly slow our progress. It's still early of course, and in a relatively weak conference, anything is possible for the future. A larger budget outlay, and a more positive Administration approach to athletics, can not hurt.

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[> [> [> [> Re: The future -- jajk, Saturday, March 01, 02:54:03pm [1]

Many of your recent posts imply that you are on the inside of this situation. If that is the case,I am even more concerned about the staff than I am from watching the games. It is distressing to see this team fall behind by ten or twelve points at the start of so many games. It is one question to ask when a player gets it. It is another to ask when a staff gets it. I find it hard to believe that the talent differential between this team and the rest of the MAAC this year was sufficient to explain away our record.

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[> [> [> [> [> Re: The future -- SPC Alum, Sunday, March 02, 03:57:02am [1]

Jajk, I simply agree with your comments.Fallng behind is one thing but losing close games is anther. It is of my opinion that close games are won and lost by the coach in the end with the decisions he makes. They discussed this on college gameday today on ESPN.To touch on Sludges comments about the need for a point guard. Can we hold the staff to task for not being able to land at least one pure pg in 2 years? I'm sorry but that position should be easier to recruit than a big man in te middle. Which is why I think the loss of Sowell will be felt the most. Sludge uses the excuse about youth, look at all the teams in the league and tell me about youth. You are right about one thing, time will tell next year and the year after that. There will be no more Jason Thompson, Charron Fisher and Loyola loses alot. We must show progress and I disagree that there has been some made. I hear a three year extension has been given. I'm no insider but I do know a few people there. What do you think about that if it is tue?

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Two points -- Cindy Crawford, Sunday, March 02, 07:18:04am [1]

In the two previous "close" losses,plays called at the end to win the games were very good.At Niagara, Raul missed an open three for the game winner, where he had time to be squared up. Against BU, Lampley missed an open drive to the hoop after beating his man on an isolation.
Secondly,Dunne has really only had one year of recruiting for a point guard because of his late hire the previous year.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Re: Two points -- Sludge, Sunday, March 02, 10:36:40am [1]

Good points Cindy. In both these cases it was the failure to exectute rather than poor strategy on the part of the staff.

Yes, Dunne has had realistically only one year to recruit. What I find amusing is that, only a few months back, most of the posters here were convinced that we had locked up a solid point in Leon, and a very athletic guard in Lampley who could transition into his new role. I even recall one of our posters beating the drums for Nick following his perfomance for Lincoln in the PSAL Championships. Likewise, in calling Lampley a great pickup for SPC.

In response to SPC Alum's comment on youth, who, aside from Canisius, which has been equally inept, has depended upon 3-4 Freshmen throughout the season? Manhattan comes closest with maybe 2-3, and see where they are this season. Maybe this tells us something. See the top performers; Loyola, Niagara, and Siena (young but EXPERIENCED); all have veterans leading their squads.

Too much emphasis, in my opinion, has been directed at the staff. There are many other factors that have and will continue to play a role in our development.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Re: The future -- NickD, Sunday, March 02, 06:41:50pm [1]

Yeah the 18 yr olds are running the team and responsible for our MISERABLE record. Besides making the tactable decisions the staff are the ones that recruited the players. In college the coaching is at least 85% of the game. Stop giving them the benefit of the doubt and blaming the players who are much more flawed then what most of us had hoped.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Re: The future -- petersfan, Monday, March 03, 09:33:39am [1]

With three guards under 5-11; 5-11 (maybe), 5-10 (maybe) & 5-8 and we are still looking for a lead guard! This tells the whole story!