[Hold My Own]

I know it's been mentioned but I just wanted to get your take on when he took the time to shake the teams hand and how uninterested they seemed....maybe they just lack discipline but for whatever reason they're response just rubbed me the wrong way....I like RM and I like everything he's said and done while at LU...the team should show the respect he deserves, he shouldn't earn it.

I guess I'm also taking into account the greeting Hurricane Fan they gave him during the press conference....I dont really care if not everyone stood (they should have) but the players should have been the first to accept him


I'm afraid there is going to be a few in for a real wake up call...

[kel varson]

I know it's been mentioned but I just wanted to get your take on when he took the time to shake the teams hand and how uninterested they seemed....maybe they just lack discipline but for whatever reason they're response just rubbed me the wrong way....I like RM and I like everything he's said and done while at LU...the team should show the respect he deserves, he shouldn't earn it.

I guess I'm also taking into account the greeting Hurricane Fan they gave him during the press conference....I dont really care if not everyone stood (they should have) but the players should have been the first to accept him


I'm afraid there is going to be a few in for a real wake up call...

Have you been through a situation where your coach was fired? I'm sure the players were very loyal to Coach D and that is understandable. This is a tough situation for them. They are young men, many of whom are still immature. Give them time.

[TruthSlayer11]

Thats why they left the meeting with Barber laughing, someone told a joke but still, they laughed.


Oh, and I'm sure one of the players was depressed. Thats why he threw on the diamond ear rings for the press conference. Then again discipline seems to be the least of our problems. Let's hope they stay on the court to show a lack of discipline.

[hurricane fan]

Bottom line now is no different than I posted before...it was very disrespectful that they did not stand for RM. The guy holds their futures in his hands and they didn't even show him the respect to stand when he was announced? That is just unacceptable.

WANTED:

DISCIPLINE ON AND OFF THE COURT

[TruthSlayer11]

That's all I was trying to say. It's not a matter of being negative or anything. It's pretty obvious. It really started back with Woodson, when he'd yell over to the bench if he didnt like what was going on.


here's the good news!



IT'S A NEW DAY!

[FlameNForest]

In the press conference RM made mention of the players and then commented that TJ wasn't eligible yet, but as soon as he was he'd be an immediate starter. I noticed some of the players turning to each other at that point. I wonder if that rubbed many the wrong way already naming a guy a starter site unseen, even though it's pretty much a given he will start.

[Fumblerooskies]

Perhaps that team discipline is...
...the MOST of our problems. In many cases, take care of the discipline off the court and it will carry on onto the court. Be on time, where you are supposed to be, with many coaches, is rule one.

[Libertine]

I don't blame the players if they're less enthusiastic than we are at this point. They're going through a huge transition right now and I'm also very hesitant to label anything right now as lack of respect. From what I'm seeing w/ McKay, whatever team takes the floor in December will be his team.

[hurricane fan]

They're going through a huge transition right now and I'm also very hesitant to label anything right now as lack of respect.

Just the fact that someone showed up with earrings in tells you everything you need to know. That is a University Rule...not a Men's Basketball rule. I don't care if you are at a press conference or at Wal-Mart picking up Depends for your grandma....you shouldn't have earrings in. That's disrespect not only to your new coach, but to the rest of the student body and every faculty/staff member that represents LU.

[Fumblerooskies]

Again...
...discipline. Flaunting the Liberty Way? Yup...let's hope the new sherriff will get after them.

[Knucklehead]

Unfortunately I believe 1 or 2 still may leave. If they do, the team is better off without them. I agree that it showed a huge amount of disrespect to not stand up when he was talking to them.

[Bronx Bombers]

what is unfortunate about it if you think the team would be better off without them?

As far as the team "boycotting" the welcome applause, you can be sure that JB and JM noticed that. It shows no class whatsoever and continues to prove that although we have all the talent in the world here, there is much work to be done in the area of leadership and maturity. From what I've seen and heard of RM, he will have no problem addressing these obstacles.

[TallyW]

I certainly hope to see more in that area. LU can't allow student athletes to believe they are bigger than the University. This is a small-team sport... you only need 8 solid players to make this program happen at a high level. Our guys need to know that the coach is in charge and he won't take that attitude. I'm hoping this is just immaturity and a carry over effect of the last few weeks... One thing is for sure, LU hasn't invested in any player more than they just put into this coach... we know who will win any battles of attitude from here on out. The players need the coach more than he needs them right now... that may not have been true over the last year or two... but it is the case today.

[Bronx Bombers]

I'm hoping this is just immaturity and a carry over effect of the last few weeks...

IMO it is more of a carry-over from the previous head coach not teaching respect and discipline...

[TallyW]

The players need the coach more than he needs them right now... that may not have been true over the last year or two... but it is the case today.

Unfortunately this is why I wrote the above sentence... I agree Bronx.

[HenryGale]

I don't blame the players if they're less enthusiastic than we are at this point. They're going through a huge transition right now and I'm also very hesitant to label anything right now as lack of respect. From what I'm seeing w/ McKay, whatever team takes the floor in December will be his team.

Lib...as a point of reference, what was the FB teams reaction with Rocco?

[Libertine]

I don't blame the players if they're less enthusiastic than we are at this point. They're going through a huge transition right now and I'm also very hesitant to label anything right now as lack of respect. From what I'm seeing w/ McKay, whatever team takes the floor in December will be his team.

Lib...as a point of reference, what was the FB teams reaction with Rocco?

Initially, the reaction was mixed. A lot of guys welcomed him enthusiastically and a lot of guys kind of waited it out to see who this new guy was going to be. It didn't take long for Rocco to win most of that second group over but it wasn't instantaneous. That's why I'm hesitant to label anything with the players as disrespect right now.

[TDDance234]

I think McKay has that same "likeability" as Rocco does. Once he wins these guys over, I think the discipline will soon follow.

[NJLibertyboy]

I'm not worried. I agree, it shows disrespect when they didn't stand. But I can understand why they are less than excited about this new coach.

Any player will tell you that they would love to have the same coach, strategy, game plan all four years. it keeps things predictable and comfortable (Unless your coach is really really bad, which I don't think RD was). When you take away a coach, a game plan you have had to a few years, it forces change, and change in athletics can be uncomfortable. I can understand their attitudes.

[NJLibertyboy]

Agreed TD.

[TDDance234]

Any player will tell you that they would love to have the same coach, strategy, game plan all four years. it keeps things predictable and comfortable (Unless your coach is really really bad, which I don't think RD was). When you take away a coach, a game plan you have had to a few years, it forces change, and change in athletics can be uncomfortable. I can understand their attitudes.

And you look at it that way, these players just lost their mentor -- the guy they went too for advice, on and off the court. Surely, some of them will keep on contact with RD but moving ahead and putting their trust in "the new guy" right away isn't logical to expect. I agree they could have shown the respect in standing to recognize the new coach but at the same time, I don't blame them for not standing. If the players want to push RM out and ignore his overtures at getting to know them, then that is disrespect and has no place on this team.

[Libertine]

If the players want to push RM out and ignore his overtures at getting to know them, then that is disrespect and has no place on this team.

McKay's got a five-year deal. Scholarships are only good for one. Two guesses at who'd be out.

[TDDance234]

If the players want to push RM out and ignore his overtures at getting to know them, then that is disrespect and has no place on this team.

McKay's got a five-year deal. Scholarships are only good for one. Two guesses at who'd be out.

Absolutely. The one's who aren't willing to connect -- get on the bus or get left behind.

[hurricane fan]

If the players want to push RM out and ignore his overtures at getting to know them, then that is disrespect and has no place on this team.

McKay's got a five-year deal. Scholarships are only good for one. Two guesses at who'd be out.

That's exactly why they should have shown him more respect yesterday.

[Fumblerooskies]

In some cases, respect and discipline must the taught...
...from what I have heard, that has not been the case at times over the past 5 years.