East Carolina

[jacobkdoyle]

Just a couple things on this. First, I dont really care whether you value Chad's opinion or not but I can tell you with 100% certainty that the staff does not read nor does it care what Chad writes about. Personally I find Chad to be very objective in his assessment of the bearcats but I assure you he does not write just what he thinks the staff wants to hear. Second I dont think the bearcats progress has anything to do with the change in coach. They are running the EXACT same system. They are getting better because they are gaining in game experience together. They are getting more comfortable with each other. They are becoming more comfortable with the system they are running. This is what happens when you develop. We lost to Marshall and Presbyterian and went to the sweet 16. Last year we lost to New Mexico and got blown out by Xavier only to rise to 7th in the country and a conference championship. As the season goes on teams get better. Seven new players and everyone who is returning has a new role. It was going to take time for them to gel. Saying we are playing better because of Larry Davis is just as short sighted as saying because of Larry Davis we got blown out by VCU. Neither are true. Larry is implementing Mick's system. He deserves credit for keeping the ship on the right track which I think everyone expected he would do. Bottom line is this team is developing and I think there is reason to be optimistic no matter who the coach is.

I agree Jack. If you are on the floor thinking about who the coach is, and that changes how you play in any way, then you wouldn't make it to high major D-1 basketball in the first place. And it isn't like Mick has no say in what is going on.

 

[bearcat jeff]

The team is playing well and players are coming around. To root against a player, or for a player to fail, is beyond my comprehension. Things have been really good since the board has been rid of agitators. With the time I have available on here I'm going to do whatever I can to ensure that threads aren't hijacked by other agitators. Hopefully the point is well taken I sincerely don't enjoy that part of my role.

 

[PakMan]

Just a couple things on this. First, I dont really care whether you value Chad's opinion or not but I can tell you with 100% certainty that the staff does not read nor does it care what Chad writes about. Personally I find Chad to be very objective in his assessment of the bearcats but I assure you he does not write just what he thinks the staff wants to hear. Second I dont think the bearcats progress has anything to do with the change in coach. They are running the EXACT same system. They are getting better because they are gaining in game experience together. They are getting more comfortable with each other. They are becoming more comfortable with the system they are running. This is what happens when you develop. We lost to Marshall and Presbyterian and went to the sweet 16. Last year we lost to New Mexico and got blown out by Xavier only to rise to 7th in the country and a conference championship. As the season goes on teams get better. Seven new players and everyone who is returning has a new role. It was going to take time for them to gel. Saying we are playing better because of Larry Davis is just as short sighted as saying because of Larry Davis we got blown out by VCU. Neither are true. Larry is implementing Mick's system. He deserves credit for keeping the ship on the right track which I think everyone expected he would do. Bottom line is this team is developing and I think there is reason to be optimistic no matter who the coach is.

While that does account for the majority of the improvement, the suddenness of it sways me to thinking that there is something about Larry Davis that has also contributed. I think its okay to say that without making an indictment on Mick. I support Mick and think he really knows basketball. But whether its the players playing more loose or the tempo of practice, substitution patterns, whatever it is, I believe that Coach Davis' ascension has contributed to the improved play.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

While that does account for the majority of the improvement, the suddenness of it sways me to thinking that there is something about Larry Davis that has also contributed. I think its okay to say that without making an indictment on Mick. I support Mick and think he really knows basketball. But whether its the players playing more loose or the tempo of practice, substitution patterns, whatever it is, I believe that Coach Davis' ascension has contributed to the improved play.

I think it is the players stepping up. Remember when Yancy was suspended and our offense went off for a few games? We even scored over 100 I think. It wasn't bc Yancy was out and that made us better. It was guys playing with a greater focus. Caupain pretty much said that last night in postgame.

 

[LeftyRose]

Just a couple things on this. First, I dont really care whether you value Chad's opinion or not but I can tell you with 100% certainty that the staff does not read nor does it care what Chad writes about. Personally I find Chad to be very objective in his assessment of the bearcats but I assure you he does not write just what he thinks the staff wants to hear. Second I dont think the bearcats progress has anything to do with the change in coach. They are running the EXACT same system. They are getting better because they are gaining in game experience together. They are getting more comfortable with each other. They are becoming more comfortable with the system they are running. This is what happens when you develop. We lost to Marshall and Presbyterian and went to the sweet 16. Last year we lost to New Mexico and got blown out by Xavier only to rise to 7th in the country and a conference championship. As the season goes on teams get better. Seven new players and everyone who is returning has a new role. It was going to take time for them to gel. Saying we are playing better because of Larry Davis is just as short sighted as saying because of Larry Davis we got blown out by VCU. Neither are true. Larry is implementing Mick's system. He deserves credit for keeping the ship on the right track which I think everyone expected he would do. Bottom line is this team is developing and I think there is reason to be optimistic no matter who the coach is.

Jack, here's what I don't understand about the "development" argument. Are we the only team developing? Is NC State developing? How about SMU? Should we credit LD even more, because the "development light switch" turned on when he started running practices?

I'm not saying the difference is LD, yet. But, I don't understand why some people are so quick to dismiss the potential of his impact. I think that's unfair to LD. Let's watch a few more games first.

Looking back, LD did a pretty good job at Furman. 47.2% winning percentage but that's a tough job. He had winning seasons his last three years. Furman's had one winning season in nine years since. The coach before him had a 37.0% winning percentage. The two coaches after him have winning percentages of 37.4% and 27.9%, respectively.

When Coach K sat out half the year in the nineties, Pete Gaudet led the team to a 4-15 record. It makes a difference.

 

[LeftyRose]

Not sure the inspiration behind benching Shaq, but it's three years in the making. Finally, I saw a coach show that kid some tough love. I chuckled watching the press conference, his nostrils were flaring when the question was asked. And, I'm a big Shaq fan, but, more than anyone, he needs to earn his minutes. Way too much potential to be at 10.8 PER.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

Reading some of the comments just blows me away. Remember when coach K {Duke} hurt his back and the team just lost half the games that year after his back surgery. What a great job for Cronin to have a great coach to step in to his rule to keep this team on top again.This team will do very well, looking for a March run. My room is already booked in Vegas. GO BEARCATS! make me money.

 

[jbreeds1]

No offense, but I value your opinion even less than hearing from L-T.

This about wraps it up. Enjoy the site for the few people here that have a brain. So long...

If this guy wants to make it in the sports writing business he needs to have thicker skin than this. Not saying I don't enjoy his insight and "insider" knowledge, but wow, step away from the cliff dude. There's always gonna be haters, my man.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Simply amazing this debate is even taking place. Especially since all involved in the program are very clear that Mick Cronin is intimately connected day to day with the direction of everything going on. Let's not over complicate things here. This is a team and all involved are sold out to the success of the program from the players to the staff and nobody more than Coach Cronin who said his goal was to make Larry Davis coach of the year. That is why we're seeing improvement, because everyone is working together to make it happen.

 

[JackBauer151]

Jack, here's what I don't understand about the "development" argument. Are we the only team developing? Is NC State developing? How about SMU? Should we credit LD even more, because the "development light switch" turned on when he started running practices?

I'm not saying the difference is LD, yet. But, I don't understand why some people are so quick to dismiss the potential of his impact. I think that's unfair to LD. Let's watch a few more games first.

Looking back, LD did a pretty good job at Furman. 47.2% winning percentage but that's a tough job. He had winning seasons his last three years. Furman's had one winning season in nine years since. The coach before him had a 37.0% winning percentage. The two coaches after him have winning percentages of 37.4% and 27.9%, respectively.

When Coach K sat out half the year in the nineties, Pete Gaudet led the team to a 4-15 record. It makes a difference.

I'll try to take your points in order. First, yes NC State and SMU are developing. Of course they are developing. Wins and losses are not the only indication of that. NC State was beating the 3rd ranked team in the country on the road in the second half tonight. Talent, chemistry, experience, and familiarity all play a role. My point was it's the same system. I wasnt diminishing the job Larry has done, I was simply pointing out that he is just picking up where Mick left off. Second, the "development light switch" (Whatever that is) started with Mick Cronin when we beat #19 SDSU at home. I just dont see the necessity in making the comparison because as you said it's such a small sample size. If UC does well no doubt Larry should receive praise. However my point is that he shouldnt be looked as some new guru that made some drastic turn around. He is running the same system UC has been running. We just are getting better at it. If you have the opinion the players are playing looser because of LD that's your prerogative. I think the more simple answer is we just are getting more comfortable in what we are running. Nothing about that assumption diminishes the job LD is doing. It just doesnt over hype it.

 

[AZ BEARCAT]

I'll try to take your points in order. First, yes NC State and SMU are developing. Of course they are developing. Wins and losses are not the only indication of that. NC State was beating the 3rd ranked team in the country on the road in the second half tonight. Talent, chemistry, experience, and familiarity all play a role. My point was it's the same system. I wasnt diminishing the job Larry has done, I was simply pointing out that he is just picking up where Mick left off. Second, the "development light switch" (Whatever that is) started with Mick Cronin when we beat #19 SDSU at home. I just dont see the necessity in making the comparison because as you said it's such a small sample size. If UC does well no doubt Larry should receive praise. However my point is that he shouldnt be looked as some new guru that made some drastic turn around. He is running the same system UC has been running. We just are getting better at it. If you have the opinion the players are playing looser because of LD that's your prerogative. I think the more simple answer is we just are getting more comfortable in what we are running. Nothing about that assumption diminishes the job LD is doing. It just doesnt over hype it.

VERY WELL SAID.

 

[Scheids21]

Love the post Jack. I've been trying to explain this to some of my friends as well. Three years in a row we've had new roles for players that have struggled early on, then put it together around new years. Davis is doing a great job, but he is just implementing what Mick already has in place.

 

[cincrulz11]

Simply amazing this debate is even taking place.

Yes it is, and crap like this is why everybody is leaving here.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

Yes it is, and crap like this is why everybody is leaving here.

People are going to have these kind of "wild" opinions in any fan base or message board. All you can do is explain your position or ignore. Jack broke it down nicely and that's all you can ask for. Instead of getting mad at the poster, it does better imo for the future to give them a proper explanation instead of belittling their opinion and treating a fellow fan like they are a lost cause. Nothing wrong with the debate. There is something wrong with being disrespectful to other people (like LeftyRose to Chad), however.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Simply amazing this debate is even taking place. Especially since all involved in the program are very clear that Mick Cronin is intimately connected day to day with the direction of everything going on. Let's not over complicate things here. This is a team and all involved are sold out to the success of the program from the players to the staff and nobody more than Coach Cronin who said his goal was to make Larry Davis coach of the year. That is why we're seeing improvement, because everyone is working together to make it happen.

I don't think anybody has mentioned this yet, but this is a huge opportunity for Larry Davis. If he does a good job this year, no doubt he will start to see some good offers pop up to leave/become a head coach again. He has done an outstanding job as an assistant, so even though it would be tough to lose him, it would be well-deserved.

 

[cincrulz11]

People are going to have these kind of "wild" opinions in any fan base or message board. All you can do is explain your position or ignore.

The wild opinions have been the same since Mick got here. People don't want explanations, they want to piss people off. The ignore feature is great, but useless when everybody quotes those guys anyway.


I think debate is awesome. If LD is the only reason (he's not) that the offense is doing better, even that could be a great thing for the team because maybe Mick will see LD should be more involved when he gets back. Anything that will help make Mick better is great for the UC Bearcats. There is nothing wrong with that at all.


But to go on and on about the ridiculous stuff that is written here, it becomes tiresome and makes getting to the good stuff not worth the time. When you see the better posters leave and 4 guys arguing back and forth in every thread, it's boring.

 

[BCM]

The better posters, when they loudly pronounce they are leaving and that their mere presence here was a privilege we were all lucky we enjoyed, don't come off as better to me. Maybe more conceited, if anything. Someone quietly disappearing is much more class to me.

Board etiquette 101:
Do NOT hold the board hostage "do this and I will leave! I reallllly mean it this time!" or people will be glad when you do so.

 

[bearcat jeff]

It's all fairly simple. 1) Don't argue over things that in the end don't matter. 2) Don't take yourself or your opinions so seriously. 3) Respect for yourself and others. If we all do those three things this will be a really good board again.