- November 27th, 2010, 12:06 pm
#331035
Granted I have not been here in awhile, but this game really gets to me. Yes, Baylor is one of the better teams we have played. The problem is we are not any closer to competing with elite teams then we were 13 years ago. We have been waxed by ODU, UT, Duke, LSU and Baylor, just to name a few. IMO, the foundation was laid YEARS ago and it is time to start actually BUILDING something. We only have 2 wins in 13 appearances in The Big Dance. It is great that we have been there so many times, but only 2 wins??? Where are the wins against quality opponents? Where are the 'competitive losses' to quality opponents? If you look at the regular season scores against top teams a decade ago, and the scores against top quality opponents the last few years is there much of a difference? Has the gap been closed much?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are a dynasty in the Big South. But is that enough? We have proven we are soo far from being an elite Women's team to think otherwise is kool aid drinking. The proof is that we are excited about being ranked in the top 25 of the MID MAJOR poll. And then not only the top 5 of the poll!! Seriously? Then we throw up losses against Creighton, where we managed a whopping 35 points and College of Charleston. Yes we are without Brown, but if you are an "elite" team you should handle inferior competition like that without a player of Browns caliber. Then ask yourself how much of a difference would she have made against Baylor? My answer: Not much. Which goes to my point, we are nowhere NEAR being an elite team. The question is WHY?
We have not had elite caliber guards since the "Twins". Crystal Peace, Stephanie Walker and that group were close but they didnt play much. The guards we do have compound their lack of athleticism with the ability to turn the ball over. A previous poster said that if you are not athletic, you can still be effective by NOT turning the ball over. With our athletic guards, well they turn the ball over as well. Does no one on the staff know how to coach point guards? Turnovers have been a problem for over a decade.
We actually have more athletes on the team then I can remember. However, from top to bottom we are not as athletic as "elite" teams. The better your athletes the better defensive pressure you can put on the ball. The more defensive pressure the more opportunity for easy baskets on the other end. When have we had the ability to really pressure the opponents guards?
Shooting. How long ago was it when we beat UVa with a 3 in the corner? How was THAT for fun!! Now let's look at our shooting percentages outside the paint. Heck, take Feenstra's numbers out and look at our shooting percentages overall. Not what you would call an elite number either. This years shooters are either irratic or too slow of foot. (See above about athleticism) Instead it seems our strategy is to revert to Big East basketball of the 80's and throw it up and keep rebounding until we can make a lay up. How many Top 25 teams implement THAT strategy?
Finally, community support. Where is the PR for this program? Where are the team camps filled to overflowing? Have we been doing our best to capitalize on the success of the program? Where are the 'human interest' stories? As one of my professors used to say "You need to toot your own horn when no one else is doing it for you"
What is tough, is I like Coach Green. Solid guy, running a solid program. I am not "calling for his head" either. Am I a spoiled fan? Maybe. Would Charleston Southern kill for our record? Sure. But I am more concerned about LU's program. I want to be a national power. IMO winning the Big South is no longer a big deal. Making the Sweet 16, competing and beating top teams and making the Top 25 should be our goals and used as a measuring stick. If we are holding other coaches accountable for their success or lack there of when do we start doing the same for the women's team. If we feel that dominating the Big South is the best we can do then great. If we think we can do better then, let's start holding people accountable for those expectations. Ok, have at it. I will now return to my "secure, undisclosed location" until I feel the need to vent again. Our to defend this post!
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are a dynasty in the Big South. But is that enough? We have proven we are soo far from being an elite Women's team to think otherwise is kool aid drinking. The proof is that we are excited about being ranked in the top 25 of the MID MAJOR poll. And then not only the top 5 of the poll!! Seriously? Then we throw up losses against Creighton, where we managed a whopping 35 points and College of Charleston. Yes we are without Brown, but if you are an "elite" team you should handle inferior competition like that without a player of Browns caliber. Then ask yourself how much of a difference would she have made against Baylor? My answer: Not much. Which goes to my point, we are nowhere NEAR being an elite team. The question is WHY?
We have not had elite caliber guards since the "Twins". Crystal Peace, Stephanie Walker and that group were close but they didnt play much. The guards we do have compound their lack of athleticism with the ability to turn the ball over. A previous poster said that if you are not athletic, you can still be effective by NOT turning the ball over. With our athletic guards, well they turn the ball over as well. Does no one on the staff know how to coach point guards? Turnovers have been a problem for over a decade.
We actually have more athletes on the team then I can remember. However, from top to bottom we are not as athletic as "elite" teams. The better your athletes the better defensive pressure you can put on the ball. The more defensive pressure the more opportunity for easy baskets on the other end. When have we had the ability to really pressure the opponents guards?
Shooting. How long ago was it when we beat UVa with a 3 in the corner? How was THAT for fun!! Now let's look at our shooting percentages outside the paint. Heck, take Feenstra's numbers out and look at our shooting percentages overall. Not what you would call an elite number either. This years shooters are either irratic or too slow of foot. (See above about athleticism) Instead it seems our strategy is to revert to Big East basketball of the 80's and throw it up and keep rebounding until we can make a lay up. How many Top 25 teams implement THAT strategy?
Finally, community support. Where is the PR for this program? Where are the team camps filled to overflowing? Have we been doing our best to capitalize on the success of the program? Where are the 'human interest' stories? As one of my professors used to say "You need to toot your own horn when no one else is doing it for you"
What is tough, is I like Coach Green. Solid guy, running a solid program. I am not "calling for his head" either. Am I a spoiled fan? Maybe. Would Charleston Southern kill for our record? Sure. But I am more concerned about LU's program. I want to be a national power. IMO winning the Big South is no longer a big deal. Making the Sweet 16, competing and beating top teams and making the Top 25 should be our goals and used as a measuring stick. If we are holding other coaches accountable for their success or lack there of when do we start doing the same for the women's team. If we feel that dominating the Big South is the best we can do then great. If we think we can do better then, let's start holding people accountable for those expectations. Ok, have at it. I will now return to my "secure, undisclosed location" until I feel the need to vent again. Our to defend this post!
"I wish I knew how to quit you"
"I'm Half The Man I Used To Be" Stone Temple Pilots
"I'm Half The Man I Used To Be" Stone Temple Pilots
--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP
And "doing what I do" I run into him and the Lady Flames from time to time.
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