Question for Coach/rugb/fish/OEM.....

[HD6]

what about MSU basketball lends itself to becoming a nationally elite program? We don't have elite facilities, our athletic budget is one of the lowest of all power conference teams, we don't have a reputation of putting players in the NBA, our recruiting base by and large doesn't put out elite talent on a yearly basis (2011 being an exception on paper so far), we don't have any long-standing tradition to build upon. What is the X factor that a new coach would be able to build upon.

The high school senior class of this year was 4 when we went to the Final Four. The only player they would know from that team is Erick Dampier. And the fact he went to MSU is probably the third thing they would know. What is this new coach you want so badly going to change about us that puts us in the elite?

 

[HD6]

what about MSU basketball lends itself to becoming a nationally elite program? We don't have elite facilities, our athletic budget is one of the lowest of all power conference teams, we don't have a reputation of putting players in the NBA, our recruiting base by and large doesn't put out elite talent on a yearly basis (2011 being an exception on paper so far), we don't have any long-standing tradition to build upon. What is the X factor that a new coach would be able to build upon.

The high school senior class of this year was 4 when we went to the Final Four. The only player they would know from that team is Erick Dampier. And the fact he went to MSU is probably the third thing they would know. What is this new coach you want so badly going to change about us that puts us in the elite?

 

[HD6]

what about MSU basketball lends itself to becoming a nationally elite program? We don't have elite facilities, our athletic budget is one of the lowest of all power conference teams, we don't have a reputation of putting players in the NBA, our recruiting base by and large doesn't put out elite talent on a yearly basis (2011 being an exception on paper so far), we don't have any long-standing tradition to build upon. What is the X factor that a new coach would be able to build upon.

The high school senior class of this year was 4 when we went to the Final Four. The only player they would know from that team is Erick Dampier. And the fact he went to MSU is probably the third thing they would know. What is this new coach you want so badly going to change about us that puts us in the elite?

 

[HD6]

what about MSU basketball lends itself to becoming a nationally elite program? We don't have elite facilities, our athletic budget is one of the lowest of all power conference teams, we don't have a reputation of putting players in the NBA, our recruiting base by and large doesn't put out elite talent on a yearly basis (2011 being an exception on paper so far), we don't have any long-standing tradition to build upon. What is the X factor that a new coach would be able to build upon.

The high school senior class of this year was 4 when we went to the Final Four. The only player they would know from that team is Erick Dampier. And the fact he went to MSU is probably the third thing they would know. What is this new coach you want so badly going to change about us that puts us in the elite?

 

[JxnDawg39211]

would bring MSU basketball to the next level. If anything, I think Stansbury has a least set a bar at MSU. Besides 1995 and 1996 there was basically no tradition until you go back to some of Babe McCarthy's teams in the '60s . The teams of the '70s and '80s were god awful, and until Richard Williams broke through with the 1991 team , there was really no success at MSU . </p>

Lets just say we did get a new coach at the end of this yearthat is currently at Nevada (ala Mark Fox ) , Kent State (Stan Heath ), Western Kentucky (Darren Horn, Dennis Felton)VCU (Anthony Grant) , South Alabama (Pelphrey)or some other mid major program to" take us to the next level". Im sorry but Roy Williams, Coach K, Jim Behiem, John Calipari , and Jim Calhoun will not be too interested in the position.

What makes you think that this new coach is going to recruit to MSU any better than what we are doing? What will he bring to the program that is going take us to a national championship? </p>

 

[Todd4State]

would be to cheat our asses off. Like UK.

We would need a Calipari to do that, and based on our history with Sidney, I don't know that that would be the way to go- unless we want to be the UNLV of the south.

 

[HD6]

*

 

[dosequisdawg]

Great post General. Waiting.....waiting......

 

[Coach34]

Our budget is up to 3 million now, and will continue to grow. I want to say I read where we were around 80th in the NCAA out of what, 330? So, budget-wise, we are in the top 25% of NCAA basketball. We are building a very nice indoor practice facility. Our program has more than enough resources to be successful

If budgets were the end all- we wouldnt be losing to Western Kentucky, who's budget is half ours. How has Butler built such a good program with a smaller budget? You think Richmond's budget is larger than ours? San Diego? </p>

Basketball is the easiest of the big 3 to have a winning program. You only need 5 starters. </p>

Nobody is saying weshould be an "elite" program. But it is also ridiculous to think we cant be a Sweet 16 or better from time to time. We have had 2 AA's in the last 6 years, we have all-conference players year after year. We are about to have the NCAA all-time blocks leader. We have very good college basketball players.

It's not asking too much for our players to be able to run an offense, and set good, solid screens for people to get open shots.
It's not asking too much to have a team that respects their coach instead of looking right thru him during time-outs
It's not asking too much to have a coach that has a substitution pattern that makes sense

</p>

 

[Mstate11]

Coach34

 

[SallyStansbury]

And to be clear, are you suggesting that MS and the Southeast in general is not a good place to recruit basketball talent?
Especially considering that high schoolers can no longer go straight to the NBA. Is that what you are saying?</p>

 

[8dog]

you are using our budget being 80th as a reason to go to the Sweet 16 every now and then? You do realize that budget means we probably shouldn't ever make the tournament.

 

[HD6]

80th out of 330? That's awesome, glad to see we are so outperforming our budget. We are certainly better than the 80th best program overall.

If budgets were the end-all, LSU wouldn't be as terrible as they currently are. I think it says something for our coach that he has never had seasons as bad as LSU is currently having, or Arkansas had last year.

Did you say basketball was the easiest to have a winning program? What kind of program do we have now?

The current all time blocks leader in Division I went to Northeast Louisiana. What kind of program do they have?

Your last 3 questions are all observations. I think we could be better offensively, but the last two are just you seeing what you want to see.

I certainly would like to see more post-season success, but I don't think firing the coach that has put us in the postseason more than anyone else is the answer, especially when he is still having success.

Also, don't send me any more Facebook messages, I have no desire to ever deal with you outside the confines of this message board.

 

[SnakePlissken]

Our program has more than enough resources to be successful
</p>

Well, we are very successful right now.....with this coach, this budget, and our facilities we win the West, we win the SEC, we play in pre-season tournaments, we play in the NIT, and we play in the NCAA tournament almost annually. Just because we aren't having the the greater success that you desire year to year doesn't mean we aren't already a highly successful program.

 

[BriantheDawg]

Guess you have no real answers for what this new coach is going to bring to the table. How bout you other dubmasses? OEM? Thick? Fishwater? DumbassDawg? rugb? D@A? Please enlighten us on how we're just one good offensive genius of a coach away from being in the Elite 8 or Final 4 every year. We're all so anxiously waiting your answers.

 

[ckDOG]

Our program has more than enough resources to be successful
</p>

Well, we are very successful right now.....with this coach, this budget, and our facilities we win the West, we win the SEC, we play in pre-season tournaments, we play in the NIT, and we play in the NCAA tournament almost annually. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Just because we aren't having the the greater success that you desire year to year doesn't mean we aren't already a highly successful program.</span>

However, just because we are successful doesn't mean we can't take it to the next level. I've never understood why so many people take such great offense when people think we can change for the better - even though we currently enjoy a nice amount of success. Change isn't always a bad thing. Being content with what we have is a recipe for getting passed up by our competition. What's that cheesy saying: If you are coasting, you are going downhill. Well, there's some truth to that.

ETA: not necessarily directing this post just at you. I've just read this same thing multiple times today and it seems like a common thought amongst many people. Just using this post for a blanket reply to that thought.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Our budget is up to 3 million now, and will continue to grow. I want to say I read where we were around 80th in the NCAA out of what, 330? So, budget-wise, we are in the top 25% of NCAA basketball. We are building a very nice indoor practice facility. Our program has more than enough resources to be successful

If budgets were the end all- we wouldnt be losing to Western Kentucky, who's budget is half ours. How has Butler built such a good program with a smaller budget? You think Richmond's budget is larger than ours? San Diego? </p>

Basketball is the easiest of the big 3 to have a winning program. You only need 5 starters. </p>

Nobody is saying weshould be an "elite" program. But it is also ridiculous to think we cant be a Sweet 16 or better from time to time. We have had 2 AA's in the last 6 years, we have all-conference players year after year. We are about to have the NCAA all-time blocks leader. We have very good college basketball players.

It's not asking too much for our players to be able to run an offense, and set good, solid screens for people to get open shots.
It's not asking too much to have a team that respects their coach instead of looking right thru him during time-outs
It's not asking too much to have a coach that has a substitution pattern that makes sense

</p>

You are a walking contradiction.
-If our budget is 80th and we finish top 20 or top 30 every other year (by making the 2nd rd of the NCAA's) then we are far outperforming our budget.
-Although Richmond, San Diego, and WKUhave upset wins over us, how many years have they made the2nd rd of the NCAA's over the last 8 years? One upset does not make them a better program than us.
-You say the SEC is a 6th rate conference and wins shouldn't matter in conference, yet you say we have good players b/c they've madethe all conference team???

Our players aren't nearly as good as you think they are, I don't know why people constantly refer to all this "talent" we have and expect us to be 19-0.
You say it shouldn't be too much to ask to have "success." Define success? Finishing in the top 25 every other year, top 40 consistently when there are 344 teams in DI isn't success? We're consistently in the top 10% of all of college basketball. What you did say that I agreed with is that it's not hard for a low budget team to be good in basketball since you only have to have a few players. So theoretically, Butler has just as much or more of a chance to be good as we do, as do most of the other 344 teams in DI basketball. Yet we still finish in the top 10%

 

[SnakePlissken]

I know it wasn't necessarily directed at me but the only open/alternative the critics are offering is "fire Stans". If we were mediocre then we wouldn't be winning the West most years and winning not only the SEC overall but the SECT as well. With the NC's and final fours of Arkansas, how would you describe their program? They've fired two of the last three coaches and may wind up firing the third. If Arkansas can't get it right, with their national history and money, how do WE do it?

 

[SLUdog]

and I understand your position on MSU BB expectations. However, does it seriously not bother you how we did not make better runs when we were clearly in the top 1-2 teams in the SEC under Stans. Remember Butler? We lost in Birmingham (practically a home game in NCAAT). We went 14-2 and won the SEC Championship and still couldn't make it to the Sweet 16. (yeah, I know bad seeding against Texas). <div>
</div><div>I agree with you that Stans should stay as long as he wins more than he loses and goes to NCAAT most of the time, but it does seem that we underachieved on a regular basis. It also seems very often that we don't have much of an offensive game plan. I guess I'm somewhere in between you and Coach34. </div>

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Our program has more than enough resources to be successful
</p>

Well, we are very successful right now.....with this coach, this budget, and our facilities we win the West, we win the SEC, we play in pre-season tournaments, we play in the NIT, and we play in the NCAA tournament almost annually. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Just because we aren't having the the greater success that you desire year to year doesn't mean we aren't already a highly successful program.</span>

However, just because we are successful doesn't mean we can't take it to the next level. I've never understood why so many people take such great offense when people think we can change for the better - even though we currently enjoy a nice amount of success. Change isn't always a bad thing. Being content with what we have is a recipe for getting passed up by our competition. What's that cheesy saying: If you are coasting, you are going downhill. Well, there's some truth to that.

ETA: not necessarily directing this post just at you. I've just read this same thing multiple times today and it seems like a common thought amongst many people. Just using this post for a blanket reply to that thought.

And what guarantees us something better with a change?

I, likewise am not directing this at you but I read it in your post and multiple posts on this board. There seems to be some self assurance among many that we would automatically do better by changing our head coach. We could in fact end up like Arkansas who went from being a national powerhouse to an also-ran.

Change is good and inevitable, but changing just because you think you will suddenly do better and go farther in the NCAA is bordering on being ridiculous in my opinion.

 

[ckDOG]

would be to evaluate our long term strengths/weaknesses, evaluate our assistant's strengths/weaknesses, part ways with the coaches that can't improve our weaknesses, and find somebody that has no prior coaching experience with Rick to come in and work on areas we need improvement. Other than conceptually, I have no idea who would fit that mold name-wise. But, I think a new coach that hasn't been groomed under Rick would give us a great chance to bring in different ideas all the while preserving the core of what Rick and staff have excelled at while here (solid recruiting and intense defense) over the years. Cleaning house would be a bad idea. But trimming the fat and getting in some new blood would be a smart/low-risk move.

 

[SLUdog]

just sayin'. I think that's the main sticking point. So do you believe our current coach gets everything out of the players he's recruited? It's possible that Stans has overachieved with little talent. I don't see it that way, but it's possible. If this team doesn't win 11 or more SEC games I think we've underachieved this year.

 

[SnakePlissken]

I think we need to reevaluate the assistants coaching strengths/weaknesses and not worry about losing a "great recruiter" on the staff. A "great assistant coach" will be able to recruit the necessary players.

 

[JxnDawg39211]

In the past 5 years , there has been 3 4or5 star recruits come out of Mississippi: Ravern Johnson, Romero Osby, and Malcolm White. I wouldnt consider that a hotbed for recruiting. Yes I know the 2011 is class is sick. Check out these rosters. Its not loaded with players from MS

Ole Miss Roster - 1 player from MS who is a walkon
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td class="odd" align="right">3 </td><td class="odd">Bogan, Will </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-1 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">172 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="odd">Caldwell, Idaho (Vallivue HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">2 </td><td class="even">Buckner, Reginald </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">233 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Fr. </td><td class="even">Memphis, Tenn. (Manassas HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">52 </td><td class="odd">Cranston, DeAundre </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-9 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">260 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Sr. </td><td class="odd">Orlando, Fla. (Daytona Beach CC) (Evans HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">23 </td><td class="even">Gaskins, Trevor </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">210 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="even">Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">32 </td><td class="odd">Graham, Zach </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-6 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">218 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Jr. </td><td class="odd">Suwanee, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">5 </td><td class="even">Halford, Michael </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">196 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="even">Ridgeland, Miss. (St. Andrew's Episcopal) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">1 </td><td class="odd">Henry, Terrance </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-9 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">202 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="odd">Monroe, La. (Carroll HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">31 </td><td class="even">Holloway, Murphy </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-7 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">230 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="even">Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">14 </td><td class="odd">Polynice, Eniel </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">222 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Jr. </td><td class="odd">Sarasota, Fla. (Booker HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">44 </td><td class="even">Riley, DeAngelo </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-9 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">245 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Jr. </td><td class="even">Memphis, Tenn. (Southwest Tennessee CC) (Kirby HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">12 </td><td class="odd">Warren, Chris </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-10 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">168 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">Jr. </td><td class="odd">Orlando, Fla. (Dr. Phillips HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even" align="right">24 </td><td class="even">White, Terrico </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">213 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="even">Memphis, Tenn. (Craigmont HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd" align="right">20 </td><td class="odd">Williams, Nick </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="right">225 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">So. </td><td class="odd">Mobile, Ala. (Indiana) (LeFlore Prep Academy) </td></tr></tbody></table>
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">MSU Roster-
</td><td class="odd player-name">Ravern, Osby , Turner,1 Redshirt , 2 Walkons</td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left"></td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle"></td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle"></td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle"></td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle"></td><td class="odd"></td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">2 </td><td class="even player-name">Ravern<span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow" wordlookup="Ravern">http://www.mstateathletics.com/View...&DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=1244481&Q_SEASON=2009</span> Johnson </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-7 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">175 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="even">Lyon, MS (Coahoma County HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">3 </td><td class="odd player-name">Dee Bost </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">170 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L </td><td class="odd">Concord, NC (Hargrave Military Academy) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">4 </td><td class="even player-name">Twany Beckham </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">190 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L </td><td class="even">Louisville, KY (New Hampton [NH] School) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">5 </td><td class="odd player-name">Romero Osby </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">230 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L </td><td class="odd">Meridian, MS (Northeast Lauderdale HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">10 </td><td class="even player-name">Shaunessy Smith </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-6 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">195 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS </td><td class="even">Macon, MS (Noxubee County HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">12 </td><td class="odd player-name">Charles Parker </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-10 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">154 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS </td><td class="odd">McKinney, TX (McKinney HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">15 </td><td class="even player-name">Riley Benock </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">180 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="even">Battletown, KY (Meade County HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">20 </td><td class="odd player-name">Taylor Luczak </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">220 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L </td><td class="odd">Glen Falls, NY (Glen Falls HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">21 </td><td class="even player-name">Baxter Price </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-9 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">145 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS </td><td class="even">Brandon, MS (Northwest Rankin HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">22 </td><td class="odd player-name">Barry Stewart </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">170 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Sr. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">3L </td><td class="odd">Shelbyville, TN (Shelbyville Central HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">24 </td><td class="even player-name">Kodi Augustus </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">220 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="even">Baton Rouge, LA (Maine Central Institute) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">25 </td><td class="odd player-name">Phil Turner </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">170 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="odd">Grenada, MS (Grenada HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">30 </td><td class="even player-name">Wendell Lewis </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">C </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">240 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS </td><td class="even">Selma, AL (Selma HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">32 </td><td class="odd player-name">Jarvis Varnado </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-9 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">230 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Sr. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">3L </td><td class="odd">Brownsville, TN (Haywood HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">33 </td><td class="even player-name">Brandon Bolen </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">G </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">195 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="even">Madison, MS (Madison-Ridgeland Academy) </td></tr><tr><td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">45 </td><td class="odd player-name">Elgin Bailey </td><td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-8 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">265 </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr. </td><td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L </td><td class="odd">New Orleans, LA (Belaire HS) </td></tr><tr><td class="even shirt-number" align="right">50 </td><td class="even player-name">John Riek </td><td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">F </td><td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">7-1 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">242 </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr. </td><td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS </td><td class="even">Khartoum, Sudan (IMG Academy [FL]) </td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[ckDOG]

I know that. But, I would embrace change only to the point where it preserves our core strengths and improves on areas we lack. That's all I want to see.

I also know what we've had over a decade's worth of completed seasons with Rick at the helm now and we pretty much know what we are going to get year in and year out. Assuming the results will suddenly improve only by maintaining the status-quo is also bordering on
being ridiculous in my opinion.

 

[PosterFormerlyKnownAsRFAA]

figure out how to get over that hump. The delivery method of the message is the biggest problem with his, and a few others, argument. I'd be willing to bet that this offseason, basketball will be the one being looked at in detail. With football and baseball seemingly headed in the right direction, you'll likely see the basketball program being looked at this offseason. That will NOT involve, and should not, involve firing Stansbury. MSU would lose that battle if they fired Stansbury right now.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I know that. But, I would embrace change only to the point where it preserves our core strengths and improves on areas we lack. That's all I want to see.

I also know what we've had over a decade's worth of completed seasons with Rick at the helm now and we pretty much know what we are going to get year in and year out. Assuming the results will suddenly improve only by maintaining the status-quo is also bordering on
being ridiculous in my opinion.

Yes, a ridiculous status quo of 20+ win seasons and post season tournament berths.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

would be to evaluate our long term strengths/weaknesses, evaluate our assistant's strengths/weaknesses, part ways with the coaches that can't improve our weaknesses, and find somebody that has no prior coaching experience with Rick to come in and work on areas we need improvement. Other than conceptually, I have no idea who would fit that mold name-wise. But, I think a new coach that hasn't been groomed under Rick would give us a great chance to bring in different ideas all the while preserving the core of what Rick and staff have excelled at while here (solid recruiting and intense defense) over the years. Cleaning house would be a bad idea. But trimming the fat and getting in some new blood would be a smart/low-risk move.

This is a good plan IMO and is probably something that the Ninja has already put on the books as a possibility.

 

[Coach34]

80th out of 330? That's awesome, glad to see we are so outperforming our budget. We are certainly better than the 80th best program overall.- teams outperform their budgets all the time, this is nothing spectacular

If budgets were the end-all, LSU wouldn't be as terrible as they currently are. I think it says something for our coach that he has never had seasons as bad as LSU is currently having, or Arkansas had last year.- I'd take LSU over us the last 10 years- 3 SEC titles, a Sweet 6 season, a Final Four season...and they are only 2 wins behind us in SEC wins the last 10 years (make sure and read it correctly this time)- an SEC West title in basketball is like being the tallest midget

Did you say basketball was the easiest to have a winning program? What kind of program do we have now?- we have a slightly above-average program- evenwith a losing record vs the other power conferences (12-19), an embarrassing record vs the top 25, and constant losses to mid-majors each season

The current all time blocks leader in Division I went to Northeast Louisiana. What kind of program do they have?

Your last 3 questions are all observations. I think we could be better offensively, but the last two are just you seeing what you want to see.- I'm not the only one that sees them

I certainly would like to see more post-season success, but I don't think firing the coach that has put us in the postseason more than anyone else is the answer, especially when he is still having success- ask Rebel fans if they miss Cutcliffe- 2 Cotton Bowls and a #6 preseason ranking have seemingly worked out

Also, don't send me any more Facebook messages, I have no desire to ever deal with you outside the confines of this message board.- dont worry, jokes like that are only funny the first time

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

I really have no idea, and i know some of you have a lot of time on your hands, could you look it up?

 

[saltslugs]

Whenever we play quick teams we are in big trouble--don't have an inside scorer and our offensive plan is bad. It doesn't help that we don't have any great dribblers. But we just don't swing the ball quickly enough. The defense is set before we make the next pass.<div>
</div><div>If we can get this sorted out, then we'll be a really good team. Pretty much everything else, in my opinion, looks good. </div><div>
</div><div>Coach, do you think that we have enough dribblers/passers to make an elite 8-like run this year?</div>

 

[Coach34]

our top Underachiever

Thats what kills me, all I hear from the Sheep is about "how much Stansbury wins"- yet one top 25 finish in 11 years

 

[Mstate11]

The current all time blocks leader in Division I went to Northeast Louisiana. What kind of program do they have?

The all time blocks leader in Division I went to......Louisiana Monroe. Just sayin.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

Basketball is the easiest of the big 3 to have a winning program. You only need 5 starters.

If this was true, Auburn, Georgia & Arkansas would have a consistent top 25 basketball program. So would South Carolina.

Allthe aforementionedschools have larger fanbases & more money than MSU (Arkansas & USC even have better basketball facilities). Somebody needs to tell these schools to stop losing in basketball "because all you need is five starters."

I would love for you to go to an Auburn booster meeting & tell them: "Gentlemen, basketball is the easiest of the big 3 to have a winning program. You only need 5 starters." They would laugh you out of the room.

It's as hard to maintain a winning program in basketball as it is in football & baseball.

You need to find another backdoor method of bashing Stansbury than the "only need 5 starters" ********.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Coach, do you think that we have enough dribblers/passers to make an elite 8-like run this year?

One senior leader is scared of a top 25 ranking and the other is quoted as saying "you gotta at least give us credit for being in the game the way we shot"

Credit is like respect as a great philosopher once put it. "Somebody doesnt give you respect, you take it"

 

[OEMDawg]

I already responsed yesterday to your same lame argument. If you want to go with the status quo, by all means, let's just become a Sun Belt team. We could dominate that conference, win 20 games a year and play in the tournament which is what you are apparently happy with.

Once again EIGHT SEC teams made the NCAA Sweet Sixteen from 200-2009, and "lowly" Vandy and LSU did it twice each. I don't expect Final Four. But I expect that if we are going to win the SEC West and compete for the overall title, I damn sure expect more than 8 or 9 seeds each year.

I find it funny that suddenly you and others of your ilk use excuses about recruiting when we have the mighty RECRUITER. Isn't that what he's built his reputation on? You mean to tell me that Rick Stansbury is no longer outrecruiting South Carolina, Vandy, Auburn, Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU, and Arkansas?

 

[topbulldawg]

our top Underachiever

Thats what kills me, all I hear from the Sheep is about "how much Stansbury wins"- yet one top 25 finish in 11 years

In 2002, we finished #16.
In 2003, we finished #20.
In 2004, we finished #8.

http://www.appollarchive....easons.cfm?seasonid=2008

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

our top Underachiever

Thats what kills me, all I hear from the Sheep is about "how much Stansbury wins"- yet one top 25 finish in 11 years

In 2002, we finished #16.
In 2003, we finished #20.
In 2004, we finished #8.

http://www.appollarchive....easons.cfm?seasonid=2008

 

[SLUdog]

but seriously we didn't make it beyond the 2nd round anytime.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Just b/c we didn't make it beyond the 2nd rd didn't mean we weren't a top 10 team in probably two of those years. Three of our losses were pretty huge upsets, and one game doesn't define your season.

And to whoever said they are sick of 8 seeds, that would make us anywhere from the 28th-32nd best team in the nation. That's not bad, actually in the top 9 % of all of college basketball. We're at that level consistently, and for those who want to be better, we've also had a 5 seed or better on a couple of occasions as well. That shows how good we were over the course of those entire seasons, instead of judging the season on one game in which we were upset</p>