Tennessee Tech at Lamar - aftermath

[austin badbyrd]

If this team can protect the ball they will win a lot of games. The three-point shooting has improved, but there's too much inconsistency defensively. True, height is an issue but I seem to remember some of Billy Tubbs' teams that were height-challenged and were successful. Not quite ready to write this team off just yet, but they must improve a whole lot, play consistent defense, cut down on turnovers, and Mitchell MUST play a whole lot more in control.

 

Positives: the comeback; Hillard is a beast - no question he is the leader; 3-point shooting

Negatives: rebounding (not as much); turnovers (a whole lot); inconsistent play from some

 

 

I'm sure there are other ideas/suggestions/complaints out there.

 

As I said about Woodard, we as fans demand a commitment to excellence from our team and this is no different.

[coachacola]

They have no business losing at home to teams like this. That's part of the reason I did not bother to start a game thread, and I probably won't for any of their games. Once again Lamar is headed to the very bottom of the D1 rankings!

[LUFAN]

This team is terrible and anyone that says they aren't are just hoping. They play mediocre defense and they are the mat undisciplined team I have ever seem. They get momentum and then take a quick shot or make another dumb mistake. I am very disappointed in pk. He was supposed to bring a disciplined style of basketball. I haven't seen yet. He has no fire on the sidelines. Pk needs to lead this team. He isn't and they play leaderless. I will not attend another game until this changes. It is terrible to watch and I will not support it anymore.

[geezer]

Sorry to hear that you won't support the basketball team, unfortunately you and about 5000 others in the Golden Triangle are among the reasons it is hard to get better recruits to come here. LU should be playing in front of at least 7000 fans every game. Don't miss understand me, I am frustrated with the performance of last years team and this team so far, but not attending the games isn't going to help improve things. PK got more out of the team that he inherited than I expected which probably raised my expectations further than they should have been. Last years recruiting class stunk as did the season. This years recruits are better but your right in that a player leader has not shown up and whether it is the coaches, the players or both somebody needs to step up.

[LUFAN]

Geezer,

I am still supporting the cards through the tough times. I just cannot make myself sit through the kind of games played the last couple of times we went. It is terrible and we are probably the one of the worst teams in the country again. It is not a talent issues this year. It is coaching issue. They are undisciplined and they run the motion offense like they have no idea what is going on. It is terrible. Then they rush poor shots. They do not move well enough to get open looks, and we have to because we are undersized. Like I said. I was all for PK coming here because I thought he would bring a disciplined well played game of basketball to LU but I havent seen it yet. We turn the ball over a ton. Look at how many times are passes were picked off because our guys werent coming back to the ball. I am not very optimistic about this team. I think we may with the way we are playing we will win 5-6 games this year. I hope they wake up and start playing but I dont think it is gonna happen.

[geezer]

Like I said I am just as frustrated with the programs performance as anyone. I just don't believe letting them play in front of 1500 or less attendees is going to change anything except continue the perception of the Golden Triangle only supporting high school sports and winners. I wasn't that thrilled with PKs performance at Tech, but thought he was a better game coach than Rock and hoped with his connections he could recruit here. I am not that big of a fan of the motion offense but agree these guys don't run it very well. I was unable to attend yesterdays game but looking at the stats half of the turnovers came from one player, one of last years guys, and the turnovers doesn't account for the forced shots I am sure he and others took. Yesterday is the only game I have missed, but based on what I have seen there are only two players from last years team that should be here now and it is none of the guards.

[LAZEEK]

http://www.12newsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=24227132

 

Well I am assuming that PK is talking about me during this press conference. I have been in his assistants ears for months now about Bosha from HJ. LU came to watch him play ONE game this year. McNeese, Southern and NW State have been to several games. PK may be right that "I have no clue", but as a season ticket holder, a fan and a huge supporter of PK and his staff I can tell you that after watching LU the last 12 years that I "have enough clue" to know that Bosha can play for LU and make a significant impact. I also know that you cannot let a player go to another school in your conference. The Hancock's (from Kountze) hurt LU for many years that they were at NW State. On top of that you have Zeno (West Brook) and Weisbrod (Nederland) both going to UNO next season.

[geezer]

Zeek, one question, would Bosha play for LU if offered? I think the post game interview actually showed some of PK's frustration also. I really don't think PK is arrogant, but every team needs another piece to be better or stay at the top. The surest way to loose your job as a coach is to think you have the perfect set of players and not look hard enough for the next better guy.

[geezer]

One other comment concerning PK and his statement of not needing one different player. In college ball one great player can carry a team. I won't say that Larry Bird was all that Indiana State had the year they made the run to loose to Magic Johnson and MSU in the NCAA finals but without him they probably wouldn't have gotten to the sweet sixteen.

[LAZEEK]

Geezer I'm not sure at this point. He is getting other looks now from other SLC and other schools. But I am not sure what your point is?

[geezer]

Just curiosity concerning him. As for PK, there may be a little heat that he is feeling and I understand his stance on not playing cupcakes and padding the record, but I don't think not winning in non-conference helps develop the program either. I don't have enough background on most of our players but I know that knowing how to win is something that takes on the court leadership and some confidence that comes with some successes.

[LAZEEK]

You would think that a coach or coaching staff would want some insight on players that might be interested in playing for a certain university. If a player was not good enough to play for LU I would not be pushing for LU to recruit him. LU has missed out on several players the last 10 or so years that could have helped LU out big time, and also helped in putting more butts in the seats. And I understand that players don't put butts in the seats.........W's do!!! If Bosha was not getting significant looks from colleges better than LU, I would not be pushing LU to sign him.

[geezer]

Zeek, I do understand where your coming from as several of LU's all time greats were local area kids, the last in my opinion be James Gulley out of Newton. As I am sure you know he played head up with one of the great NBA players in Karl Malone and did more than just hold his own. I believe if Gulley had wanted to he could have had a long career in the NBA himself. A 6-5 point or shooting guard would be a great add to LU.

[Redbirds]

I have been a LU fan for years. I just learned of this site, and it is a great addition to LU athletics. I go to most of the football and basketball games. It is really disappointing to see the demise in attendance. I know that wins will help get more people out to support it. After reading on here tonight I read several reasons why they think it is down. Why is it our teams are losing? Is it the recruiting, the coaching or what? From what I have seen so far this season is that our hoop coaches just sit on the bench, they are not up coaching their players like other coaches are. We are outmatched at every position, which tells me recruiting is an issue. I thought that the intensity of the Tennessee Tech players was much higher than LU players. Just my thoughts. Glad to be on the board.