College Basketball
I cannot believe that there are not more college basketball games on today. It seems we had more on TV last year at this time. Oddly there are a few pay for view games scheduled that seem very interesting. I guess they are pushing people towards buying the NCAA package in the future.
I hope people are noticing the A10. They are becoming a real NCAA producing conference. I will not be surprised if they get 3-4 teams in the tournament. Even the facilities and fan base of many of the schools is better. And the coaching is very good as well. Good to see the A10 back!
Saw John Celestine on TV last week. He was 100% better than the first time he was on. He has always been a quick learner and he now seems right at home. Great young man who everyone in Piscataway must be proud of.
Whats the deal with SHU Parking lots CHARGING ACCORDING TO GAME OPPONENT? That is so wrong. I also think it's the type of thing that could turn off potential fans on GP. $15 is not bad but to charge $20 is wrong when the cost was less a week earlier.
No matter what anyone says, Rutgers needs a practice facility and an overhaul of the RAC. It would do wonders for the team.
How long will it take for teams such as RU, SJU, and SHU to reach the NNCAA tournament? Here is what I think for each: SJU will be back in no less than 3 years. SHU could be back in 2. RU seems to be looking at longer than 3 years. Despite my predictions, each program needs stability to succeed. That's why all 3 Head Coaches need at least 4 more years to improve their programs.
Programs that usually go from being 8 and 17 to being an NCAA team the following season rarely do it by just getting a few new players. When you see teams change overnight you need to watch carefully because there are no real magicians in NCAA D1. Again I say building a program takes time, creating a team is much easier. Fans should want programs!
On another note I honestly feel none of the teams mentioned has recruited a true impact player. They have recruited great additions to current puzzles. Impact players rarely attend schools who do not seem NCAA bound. It is like a top 20 HS kid playing on an unknown AAU/Travel team. Just does not happen unless.......................... (please fill in the blanks). The days of players choosing Iona over Kentucky are over (Jeff Ruland). Even sons of coaches who are impact kids go to the power programs. So Coaching and TEAM CHEMISTRY are very important.
This is why you see upsets and teams like Bucknell doing so well.
One way of keeping impact players local is establishing GREAT RIVALRIES! I keep coming back to the triple header at the Pru Center. It would be a great thing for the area. SJU vs SHU should be a sell out at the Garden and the Pru Center. If 5,000 SJU fans come 25 miles and SHU gets its 7,000, the atmosphere should be great. If RU brings 5,000 35 miles to The Pru Center against SHU it should be a sellout. Ditto the return game at RU. Whats being done to get fans to travel locally?
Saw JR Inman did not start again. One great poster who I enjoy reading on the RU board did not even mention him in his game coverage post despite him leading the team in scoring with 11 on 5 for 10 shooting. Poster seems to have gone from loving JR in HS to being his biggest critic. I know it's frustration but wow! Also read where one poster said JR was a problem in HS. To that I say its mean to lie!!!! That's BS!!!! JR has always been a model kid. In fact too much a model kid. To lie on him and his coaches at St. Joe's is just wrong!!! If he is not playing as you like it is your right to be upset. But to lie? Sad.
And yes recruits will judge a school by how they treat kids they know. Especially the way they treat the leading scorer and rebounder. Take it to the bank!!!
lastly, do yo think FHJ does not wear red ties because folks on the RU board want him to wear them? Ditto sitting Griffin? UMMMMMMMMM
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday Jan. 5, 2008
Basketball Observations
I love looking at box scores of games played in NCAA D1. Interesting stuff besides the scoring column. Team assists, offensive rebounds, turn overs, and minutes played are very interesting statistics. But the main thing I have always look at is attendance figures.
Looking at recent box scores of similar type college programs show what happens with winning and marketing effort. I see that Marquette continues to draw well. They had 17,000 for a game against Siena of the MAAC Conference. 17,000!!!!!!! Now I know they are doing well and have been good for a number of years. But they were supported well going back to the Dick McGuire years. Why?
But before writing about why, let me give a quick Al McGuire story. Al was a heck of a recruiter who really hated being in the gym coaching practice from what I heard from a few friends including Dean the Dream Meminger, and Butch Lee, both from my old Harlem neighborhood. It seems he loved recruiting and getting the deal done. He was a working man's Rick Patino before Rick, recruiting wise. Not the glamour but results! AND HE GOT THE DEAL DONE!
Well when Al recruited Dean, Butch, Earl Tatum (Mt. Vernon), Pat Smith the 6 ft 5 Center, Rick Cobb, and others from the streets of NY, he did it with passion and understanding. But the big thing he did was use humor and charm. He charmed those kids into leaving NY for Wisconsin. And they did it with a smile. Here are two great lines from Al. He went to recruit Butch Lee in Harlem. Butch lived on 8th avenue around 150th street. Al pulled up and said he was scared to go into the building. But because he needed Butch so bad, he took a deep breath and did the safest thing he could think of. He put his wallet and watch in his sock and went and retrieved one of his most important recruits. I also remember the 6 ft 5 Center Pat Smith. Sports Illustrated did an article that said Pat could not hit a basket if the basket was the ocean. Well Al took Pat and a reporter to the nearest Lake or Ocean and had him throw a ball into the water as a rebuttal.
I gave those two stories to show the type of person it was who got Marquette on the map. I could give multiple Lou Carneseca stories as well. Both are Catholic Universities that play games off campus. St. Johns at one time packed the Garden just as Marquette packs the Bradley Center now.
But what happened to SJU? What is SJU doing to attract sell outs again. For that matter what is SHU doing to get large crowds. In fact what are SJU, SHU, and RU administrations doing to HELP The Head Coaches do a better job. Norm, Bobby, and Freddy should be involved in getting folks out to games, but it should be others doing the grunt work in that area. SJU has a new practice facility but still needs to do a few things marketing wise. After all "They Are St. Johns" (from We Are St. Johns that was popular years ago). RU needs the state and University to re-do the RAC. It's not that it is a bad arena. It 's just they need to make it more attractive with better sound and scoreboards and comfortable seating, etc. And as the many good fans on their message board keep wishing for, they need a practice facility. The RAC could stay at 9000 seats, Just improved. SHU has a great arena to play. Just needs assistance with marketing the program. I am still stunned they only had close to 7,000 for UConn after having a sell out for NC State.
Now I understand winning brings out fans. But 17,000 against Siena? What did Marquette do to average those type of numbers. Because win or lose, the bottom line is revenue. The days of just wanting a good team for the student body and alumni are over. Revenue from attendance and Alumni Contributions come in handy for the entire university. Add in concession percentages, and advertising revenue at games and the financial picture increases greatly. It is about making money. Marquette makes money. I would love to see a program have 4 great years in a row win wise with poor attendance. Yes NCAA Tournament money is nice, but 12,000 times the cost of season tickets times 16 home games is a great figure. make it 17,000 or 23,000 like at Kentucky and it is wonderful! It's also what makes an A10 program like Dayton attractive.
It is said because Marquette does not have big time football, all emphasis is on basketball. That alone explains how the resources are allocated. But they also put alot of effort into attracting fans both young and old. Not necessarily Marquette grads, just fans. ND does this well on a national level. Everyone wants to be a Marquette fan in Milwaukee Wisconsin, just as at one time all of the kids in NYC loved St. Johns.
Unfortunately many of the local teams are not going after the non attached potential fan base. Those are the everyday workers and youth who did not attend a school nor might they ever. But they could be supporters. With all the business and industry in the NY/NJ area, seats should be sold out way in advance. RU, SJU, and SHU should have seats to give out free that were purchased by large companies.
Well maybe I am just wishing too much. I really feel the tri state area will eventually get back to the days where we saw sold out college games and serious rivalries. After all the Knicks are bad and the Nets are just decent so there is room to attract the fans and their dollars. I still would love to see a RU, SJU, SHU triple Header at MSG or the PRU Center against Memphis, Duke, and UCLA next season!! Again, wishful thinking.
I love looking at box scores of games played in NCAA D1. Interesting stuff besides the scoring column. Team assists, offensive rebounds, turn overs, and minutes played are very interesting statistics. But the main thing I have always look at is attendance figures.
Looking at recent box scores of similar type college programs show what happens with winning and marketing effort. I see that Marquette continues to draw well. They had 17,000 for a game against Siena of the MAAC Conference. 17,000!!!!!!! Now I know they are doing well and have been good for a number of years. But they were supported well going back to the Dick McGuire years. Why?
But before writing about why, let me give a quick Al McGuire story. Al was a heck of a recruiter who really hated being in the gym coaching practice from what I heard from a few friends including Dean the Dream Meminger, and Butch Lee, both from my old Harlem neighborhood. It seems he loved recruiting and getting the deal done. He was a working man's Rick Patino before Rick, recruiting wise. Not the glamour but results! AND HE GOT THE DEAL DONE!
Well when Al recruited Dean, Butch, Earl Tatum (Mt. Vernon), Pat Smith the 6 ft 5 Center, Rick Cobb, and others from the streets of NY, he did it with passion and understanding. But the big thing he did was use humor and charm. He charmed those kids into leaving NY for Wisconsin. And they did it with a smile. Here are two great lines from Al. He went to recruit Butch Lee in Harlem. Butch lived on 8th avenue around 150th street. Al pulled up and said he was scared to go into the building. But because he needed Butch so bad, he took a deep breath and did the safest thing he could think of. He put his wallet and watch in his sock and went and retrieved one of his most important recruits. I also remember the 6 ft 5 Center Pat Smith. Sports Illustrated did an article that said Pat could not hit a basket if the basket was the ocean. Well Al took Pat and a reporter to the nearest Lake or Ocean and had him throw a ball into the water as a rebuttal.
I gave those two stories to show the type of person it was who got Marquette on the map. I could give multiple Lou Carneseca stories as well. Both are Catholic Universities that play games off campus. St. Johns at one time packed the Garden just as Marquette packs the Bradley Center now.
But what happened to SJU? What is SJU doing to attract sell outs again. For that matter what is SHU doing to get large crowds. In fact what are SJU, SHU, and RU administrations doing to HELP The Head Coaches do a better job. Norm, Bobby, and Freddy should be involved in getting folks out to games, but it should be others doing the grunt work in that area. SJU has a new practice facility but still needs to do a few things marketing wise. After all "They Are St. Johns" (from We Are St. Johns that was popular years ago). RU needs the state and University to re-do the RAC. It's not that it is a bad arena. It 's just they need to make it more attractive with better sound and scoreboards and comfortable seating, etc. And as the many good fans on their message board keep wishing for, they need a practice facility. The RAC could stay at 9000 seats, Just improved. SHU has a great arena to play. Just needs assistance with marketing the program. I am still stunned they only had close to 7,000 for UConn after having a sell out for NC State.
Now I understand winning brings out fans. But 17,000 against Siena? What did Marquette do to average those type of numbers. Because win or lose, the bottom line is revenue. The days of just wanting a good team for the student body and alumni are over. Revenue from attendance and Alumni Contributions come in handy for the entire university. Add in concession percentages, and advertising revenue at games and the financial picture increases greatly. It is about making money. Marquette makes money. I would love to see a program have 4 great years in a row win wise with poor attendance. Yes NCAA Tournament money is nice, but 12,000 times the cost of season tickets times 16 home games is a great figure. make it 17,000 or 23,000 like at Kentucky and it is wonderful! It's also what makes an A10 program like Dayton attractive.
It is said because Marquette does not have big time football, all emphasis is on basketball. That alone explains how the resources are allocated. But they also put alot of effort into attracting fans both young and old. Not necessarily Marquette grads, just fans. ND does this well on a national level. Everyone wants to be a Marquette fan in Milwaukee Wisconsin, just as at one time all of the kids in NYC loved St. Johns.
Unfortunately many of the local teams are not going after the non attached potential fan base. Those are the everyday workers and youth who did not attend a school nor might they ever. But they could be supporters. With all the business and industry in the NY/NJ area, seats should be sold out way in advance. RU, SJU, and SHU should have seats to give out free that were purchased by large companies.
Well maybe I am just wishing too much. I really feel the tri state area will eventually get back to the days where we saw sold out college games and serious rivalries. After all the Knicks are bad and the Nets are just decent so there is room to attract the fans and their dollars. I still would love to see a RU, SJU, SHU triple Header at MSG or the PRU Center against Memphis, Duke, and UCLA next season!! Again, wishful thinking.
Friday, January 4, 2008
January 4th, 2008
Seton Hall Loses
Seton Hall lost a game last night to am emerging UConn team that seems to be getting better each game. Now this is not the UConn of old, but still a very good team with many highly rated recruits on the roster. Put this type of talent with good coaching and you win much more than you lose.
Again I looked at the UConn bench and saw Calhoun assisted by George Blaney (sp). Now Blaney has always been a very good coach but only an average recruiter. Put him with a legend and they will compete with anyone x and o wise. Smart move by UConn to hire him years ago. I would also bet he does little recruiting. Just works in the program. He probably does not know the names of the top 20 recruits in America, and he does not need to know. He is there to coach.
This brings up my usual observation about local BE teams. They need stronger staffs. Look at Syracuse, UConn, West Virginia, Louisville, and others. Not looking for folks to lose jobs, just think if an assistant moves on they could be replaced by a more experienced guy who might have been a HC in the past or a career assistant who could assist with all aspects of a program.
Back to SHU. Good to see Mike Davis play well. But even better to see him get good grades. Who Is That Women????? The women I am referring to is the academic advisor at SHU for the basketball program. I think her name is Robin Cunningham. She might just be the most well known academic advisor in America! I have read of her exploits for a few years now. Maybe she should write a "how to" book for folks to read. One thing for certain players attending SHU will have no excuse if they do not graduate. I know this first hand after watching a few female players from NYC who graduated and are doing great jobs as Teachers.
I love reading the RU and SHU message boards. One poster wrote on the SHU board that the Gonzone thing needs to stop. That's so funny the way they describe it. He comes flying out of the locker room shaking hands with energy etc. I will have to watch for that. There was one NCAA team that came out for warm-ups from the top of the arena shaking hands with fans. I guess all of this is done to get fans more involved.
Speaking of fans what happened with the attendance against UConn? 6,000 plus? Against NC State it was around 10,000. Did Brandon Costner have 4,000 friends and family members at the NC State game? How do you sell more tickets for NC State than UConn? And UConn brings fans! Maybe it was the cold weather. But last I looked the game was played indoors. SHU needs to do a better job developing the fan base. Heck go out and give away 2500 tickets with discount coupons for hotdogs and soda's.
I honestly feel SHU will be better in time. I do question teams with good talent and athletic ability not playing better defense. If teams played solid hard D and passed the ball around to open players, they would be in most games. Defense and rebounding are often associated with effort.
I wonder how the bus ride back to SHU was for your team? Hope it was a decent short trip back. Good thing about college basketball is you do not need to wait 7 days to play another game.
Seton Hall lost a game last night to am emerging UConn team that seems to be getting better each game. Now this is not the UConn of old, but still a very good team with many highly rated recruits on the roster. Put this type of talent with good coaching and you win much more than you lose.
Again I looked at the UConn bench and saw Calhoun assisted by George Blaney (sp). Now Blaney has always been a very good coach but only an average recruiter. Put him with a legend and they will compete with anyone x and o wise. Smart move by UConn to hire him years ago. I would also bet he does little recruiting. Just works in the program. He probably does not know the names of the top 20 recruits in America, and he does not need to know. He is there to coach.
This brings up my usual observation about local BE teams. They need stronger staffs. Look at Syracuse, UConn, West Virginia, Louisville, and others. Not looking for folks to lose jobs, just think if an assistant moves on they could be replaced by a more experienced guy who might have been a HC in the past or a career assistant who could assist with all aspects of a program.
Back to SHU. Good to see Mike Davis play well. But even better to see him get good grades. Who Is That Women????? The women I am referring to is the academic advisor at SHU for the basketball program. I think her name is Robin Cunningham. She might just be the most well known academic advisor in America! I have read of her exploits for a few years now. Maybe she should write a "how to" book for folks to read. One thing for certain players attending SHU will have no excuse if they do not graduate. I know this first hand after watching a few female players from NYC who graduated and are doing great jobs as Teachers.
I love reading the RU and SHU message boards. One poster wrote on the SHU board that the Gonzone thing needs to stop. That's so funny the way they describe it. He comes flying out of the locker room shaking hands with energy etc. I will have to watch for that. There was one NCAA team that came out for warm-ups from the top of the arena shaking hands with fans. I guess all of this is done to get fans more involved.
Speaking of fans what happened with the attendance against UConn? 6,000 plus? Against NC State it was around 10,000. Did Brandon Costner have 4,000 friends and family members at the NC State game? How do you sell more tickets for NC State than UConn? And UConn brings fans! Maybe it was the cold weather. But last I looked the game was played indoors. SHU needs to do a better job developing the fan base. Heck go out and give away 2500 tickets with discount coupons for hotdogs and soda's.
I honestly feel SHU will be better in time. I do question teams with good talent and athletic ability not playing better defense. If teams played solid hard D and passed the ball around to open players, they would be in most games. Defense and rebounding are often associated with effort.
I wonder how the bus ride back to SHU was for your team? Hope it was a decent short trip back. Good thing about college basketball is you do not need to wait 7 days to play another game.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Rutgers Basketball and Teaneck HS
Rutgers Basketball
I know some people will say I am just a big JR Inman fan and they are right. I am so much a fan that I get upset when I feel he does not play hard. I have been very critical of JR at points this and last season. Despite all of this I remain confident that he can play well, is the best option on the Rutgers team, and also is the MOST UNSELFISH!!!!!
I have read on some basketball boards I am a FHJ guy. That's funny because last season I was attacked for being anti FHJ. But really I love FHJ and what he brings to the table. Just did not like the way they brought him in to replace Gary Waters. Thought it was very unprofessional. I also questioned FHJ's choice of assistants based on what I thought he needed to be successful. Believe it or not Head Coaches who are successful tend to have good assistants. Even John Wooden had Denny Crum. But FHJ??? I really like his vision for RU and I think he has great potential!
Now last night was a different story. The decision to not start your number 1 scorer and rebounder was as bone headed as keeping a kid in the starting line-up who just shoots bricks and does little else. Here is a kid who does all you ask him to do, a good citizen, playing out of position, etc. And you take him out if the starting line-up! Whats the world coming to? The kid with the bad stats, under sized, laughing on the bench, somewhat selfish, continues to start. Why? Maybe its because of ego? Maybe too many people are calling for him to be benched but FHJ does not want it to seem he is not his own man? So he takes JR out of the starting line-up on a national TV game!
Stevie Wonder was watching and commented to Jose Feleciano, "Do You See What FHJ Is Doing? I Cannot believe what I am seeing." Coaches all over America are scratching their head about that move. But if its a disciplinary issue I agree. But just to do this is wrong.
RU was coming off a win!!!! A WIN!!!!!! Why change? Was he attempting to motivate a kid who already is not that hungry? Did he think JR would come out and tear it up? Why not start him the 2nd half? Just real questionable stuff.
Well since FHJ did his thing allow me to do mine. RUTGERS is a selfish team!!!!!!!!!! Especially the guards. Rave if you wish about the RU guards but you are not going anywhere allowing them to play like they are in the NY Entertainers league. Even little, and I mean little, Mike Coburn is looking to get his. Courtney nelson has looked for his points since the day he arrived back in NJ after being a A10 bench player getting limited minutes at Richmond. Farmer at one time looked to make plays the best he could but never really learned to be a PG. But he tried and was decent. Now folks are raving that he is doing so well the past few games. They base it off scoring! I have noticed that when your guards hit a shot early, passing becomes non existent. No one on RU passes the ball and that includes Chandler who has game, but plays only looking at the basket. He rarely passes. Do not believe me? Check the assist stats and than see if you can find out where each assist went scoring wise. You will see passes to jump shooters or breaks. NO DRIBBLE PENETRATION and kick outs. I watched in horror as Coburn had a great kick out opportunity to JR and forced one up. Little freshmen playing like he is the star. JR should have collared him in the locker room if FHJ did not. He should know better. Really, RU has terrible guard play. If Coburn would make plays and look for the open man, if Nelson passed with meaning, If Farmer shot when open and looked to pass, and if Chandler realizes its more to the game than scoring, RU would be a better team. I also think JR needs to continue to rebound but play with a purpose, The big guy needs to get touches, etc.
Now to the fans on various boards. First they say JR needs to look at the basket. Than they say he needs to be aggressive. FHJ decides to not start him for whatever reason and he try's to come out aggressive but mentally he is disappointed by the treatment. Yet he rebounds but has little bounce in his legs. hard to get alot from a YOUNG (20) man who is experiencing adversity without understanding the reason behind it. Mentally he was shot! Than fans question him stating he just wanted to win and work with the Coaches PHILOSOPHY. Folks questioned his attitude behind his statement. The kid is 20 and still in college for Pete's sake. Give him a break. Fans should have been upset at the questionable treatment he received from FHJ.
Lastly each kid has a different personality. Knowing JR as FHJ does, should have allowed him to know the JR experiment would backfire offensively. I knew from the tip that he would suffer because he was not prepared mentally. I just hoped he would rebound, and he did. Yet the RU fans are giving him heck over his performance and comments.
Rutgers want to do better? PASS THE BALL AROUND, let a guard take the ball out and get JR up the court for a pass option, PASS THE BALL AROUND MORE, Run the ball up a bit more because of the lack of an inside game and lack of big man strenghth, and PLAY HARD D.
In closing this portion of my post I want to again say I believe in FHJ, and JR. I just think FHJ blew it big time with alot of stuff against SF. And to keep Griffin in as a starter is nothing short of ego.
Finally, Inman had 14 rebounds and 8 points. But as a team you had around 5-6 assists. Thats the larger picture. 5-6 assists. And the odd thing is JR had 2 of your 6 assists!!!!!!! 8 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists despite mental games. Again, if he did somthing that FHJ is not discussing I apoligise. But if not???
Teaneck, HS and Teaneck, NJ
I am on a roll today lol. My man John Cano emailed me some interesting stuff yesterday. This was supposed to be the main blog piece today but I am so upset with the JR thing it had to go first.
Teaneck is a nice community close to the GW bridge that has a HS that has turned out a number of D1 players a few years back. As a former Teaneck resident it hurts me to see the program has become just a team. Years ago they were known nationally and always in the mix for a state championship. Lately, despite having the same coach, they have become just a team in Bergen County, a place not normally known for turning out alot of D1 players.
Though I wonder if Curtis March, the coach who at one time was one of the best in the state, still has the fire and desire, it seems other factors are also associated with the Teaneck fall. Oddly it took me time to realize the great job Curtis March was doing. He was great!!!!! Now he is just coaching because it seems many in the town has pushed kids elsewhere believe it or not.
Though Teaneck could contend for a group 3 championship this season, check out the Teaneck kids at other schools. Javae Gilchrist was MVP for Queen of Peace in a Christmas tournament, Lance Brown was MVP was MVP for Patterson Catholic in a Christmas tournament, Aaron Brown plays a big role for St. Benedict's, And the big kid on Patterson Catholic Trevor Cummings (?) all are from Teaneck and normally would be playing for the Highwaymen.
I just imagine them with the current players on Teaneck. And keep in mind Teaneck is a Town with a small council and 1 large High School. Nice homes and manicured lawns. Great facilities including the number one youth basketball facility in NJ, The Richard Rodda Center with two very nice gyms.
Curtis will hopefully have the energy to get Teaneck back or allow another person with the same vision he had years ago to take over. Teaneck should be better but it takes hard work and commitment.
I know some people will say I am just a big JR Inman fan and they are right. I am so much a fan that I get upset when I feel he does not play hard. I have been very critical of JR at points this and last season. Despite all of this I remain confident that he can play well, is the best option on the Rutgers team, and also is the MOST UNSELFISH!!!!!
I have read on some basketball boards I am a FHJ guy. That's funny because last season I was attacked for being anti FHJ. But really I love FHJ and what he brings to the table. Just did not like the way they brought him in to replace Gary Waters. Thought it was very unprofessional. I also questioned FHJ's choice of assistants based on what I thought he needed to be successful. Believe it or not Head Coaches who are successful tend to have good assistants. Even John Wooden had Denny Crum. But FHJ??? I really like his vision for RU and I think he has great potential!
Now last night was a different story. The decision to not start your number 1 scorer and rebounder was as bone headed as keeping a kid in the starting line-up who just shoots bricks and does little else. Here is a kid who does all you ask him to do, a good citizen, playing out of position, etc. And you take him out if the starting line-up! Whats the world coming to? The kid with the bad stats, under sized, laughing on the bench, somewhat selfish, continues to start. Why? Maybe its because of ego? Maybe too many people are calling for him to be benched but FHJ does not want it to seem he is not his own man? So he takes JR out of the starting line-up on a national TV game!
Stevie Wonder was watching and commented to Jose Feleciano, "Do You See What FHJ Is Doing? I Cannot believe what I am seeing." Coaches all over America are scratching their head about that move. But if its a disciplinary issue I agree. But just to do this is wrong.
RU was coming off a win!!!! A WIN!!!!!! Why change? Was he attempting to motivate a kid who already is not that hungry? Did he think JR would come out and tear it up? Why not start him the 2nd half? Just real questionable stuff.
Well since FHJ did his thing allow me to do mine. RUTGERS is a selfish team!!!!!!!!!! Especially the guards. Rave if you wish about the RU guards but you are not going anywhere allowing them to play like they are in the NY Entertainers league. Even little, and I mean little, Mike Coburn is looking to get his. Courtney nelson has looked for his points since the day he arrived back in NJ after being a A10 bench player getting limited minutes at Richmond. Farmer at one time looked to make plays the best he could but never really learned to be a PG. But he tried and was decent. Now folks are raving that he is doing so well the past few games. They base it off scoring! I have noticed that when your guards hit a shot early, passing becomes non existent. No one on RU passes the ball and that includes Chandler who has game, but plays only looking at the basket. He rarely passes. Do not believe me? Check the assist stats and than see if you can find out where each assist went scoring wise. You will see passes to jump shooters or breaks. NO DRIBBLE PENETRATION and kick outs. I watched in horror as Coburn had a great kick out opportunity to JR and forced one up. Little freshmen playing like he is the star. JR should have collared him in the locker room if FHJ did not. He should know better. Really, RU has terrible guard play. If Coburn would make plays and look for the open man, if Nelson passed with meaning, If Farmer shot when open and looked to pass, and if Chandler realizes its more to the game than scoring, RU would be a better team. I also think JR needs to continue to rebound but play with a purpose, The big guy needs to get touches, etc.
Now to the fans on various boards. First they say JR needs to look at the basket. Than they say he needs to be aggressive. FHJ decides to not start him for whatever reason and he try's to come out aggressive but mentally he is disappointed by the treatment. Yet he rebounds but has little bounce in his legs. hard to get alot from a YOUNG (20) man who is experiencing adversity without understanding the reason behind it. Mentally he was shot! Than fans question him stating he just wanted to win and work with the Coaches PHILOSOPHY. Folks questioned his attitude behind his statement. The kid is 20 and still in college for Pete's sake. Give him a break. Fans should have been upset at the questionable treatment he received from FHJ.
Lastly each kid has a different personality. Knowing JR as FHJ does, should have allowed him to know the JR experiment would backfire offensively. I knew from the tip that he would suffer because he was not prepared mentally. I just hoped he would rebound, and he did. Yet the RU fans are giving him heck over his performance and comments.
Rutgers want to do better? PASS THE BALL AROUND, let a guard take the ball out and get JR up the court for a pass option, PASS THE BALL AROUND MORE, Run the ball up a bit more because of the lack of an inside game and lack of big man strenghth, and PLAY HARD D.
In closing this portion of my post I want to again say I believe in FHJ, and JR. I just think FHJ blew it big time with alot of stuff against SF. And to keep Griffin in as a starter is nothing short of ego.
Finally, Inman had 14 rebounds and 8 points. But as a team you had around 5-6 assists. Thats the larger picture. 5-6 assists. And the odd thing is JR had 2 of your 6 assists!!!!!!! 8 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists despite mental games. Again, if he did somthing that FHJ is not discussing I apoligise. But if not???
Teaneck, HS and Teaneck, NJ
I am on a roll today lol. My man John Cano emailed me some interesting stuff yesterday. This was supposed to be the main blog piece today but I am so upset with the JR thing it had to go first.
Teaneck is a nice community close to the GW bridge that has a HS that has turned out a number of D1 players a few years back. As a former Teaneck resident it hurts me to see the program has become just a team. Years ago they were known nationally and always in the mix for a state championship. Lately, despite having the same coach, they have become just a team in Bergen County, a place not normally known for turning out alot of D1 players.
Though I wonder if Curtis March, the coach who at one time was one of the best in the state, still has the fire and desire, it seems other factors are also associated with the Teaneck fall. Oddly it took me time to realize the great job Curtis March was doing. He was great!!!!! Now he is just coaching because it seems many in the town has pushed kids elsewhere believe it or not.
Though Teaneck could contend for a group 3 championship this season, check out the Teaneck kids at other schools. Javae Gilchrist was MVP for Queen of Peace in a Christmas tournament, Lance Brown was MVP was MVP for Patterson Catholic in a Christmas tournament, Aaron Brown plays a big role for St. Benedict's, And the big kid on Patterson Catholic Trevor Cummings (?) all are from Teaneck and normally would be playing for the Highwaymen.
I just imagine them with the current players on Teaneck. And keep in mind Teaneck is a Town with a small council and 1 large High School. Nice homes and manicured lawns. Great facilities including the number one youth basketball facility in NJ, The Richard Rodda Center with two very nice gyms.
Curtis will hopefully have the energy to get Teaneck back or allow another person with the same vision he had years ago to take over. Teaneck should be better but it takes hard work and commitment.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wednesday January 2, 2008
Everyone would be surprised at the people who have been reading this blog. I have emails from a number of college guys I know. In fact I received 2 yesterday asking me some interesting questions I will not share at this time. But here are a few items that will provide some insight at recruiting and rewards.
Years ago my man Larry told me a few stories about his exploits on the recruiting trail as the lead Assistant for a university that would become number 1 in America. He recruited three special players including the number 1 HS player in America. Well the huge recruiting battle was not really for the number 1 HS player in America. It was for one of the others.
The players recruitment was handled by his Mom who was a nice Women according to Larry. But the battle to get him was fierce between Larry's school and a current Big East School. In fact Sports Illustrated wrote years ago about Larry and the Head Coach of the BE school coming close to fighting in the living room of the players home.
Both programs were attempting to show love in there own way to get the player to sign. Larry and his Head Coach went first and as they were leaving the BE school, who at the time was not in the Big East (not sure the BE was established), showed up for their presentation. After they finished both programs were told the family would decide the next morning at a specific time and invited both back to the home at the assigned time. Well when morning came Larry and his boss decided to go an hour early because they did not trust the other team. And to no ones surprise when they arrived there was the other Coaches parked outside trying to get another face to face before the final decision.
Needless to say an argument between Larry and the other Head Coach took place and they had to be separated. The family decided to bring in each program again. According to Larry, the BE team increased their love significantly to the point the Mother, the nice women she was, had a smile on her face. But despite that love increase, they got their man with their own love, and an opportunity to be part of something new and special. Though the Mother had a smile on her face for them as well.
Well folks that's an example of how recruiting was years ago. Recent years has brought about a change including AAU and Travel Team Coaches more involved than ever. Remember I applaud this based on the large number of HS Coaches who just coach to collect a paycheck. But despite my love for a number of AAU guys I know, there are still things going on across America that needs to be addressed. Many of the things provide an unfair advantage for some colleges, high schools, and AAU/Travel programs.
Relationships are great to have but many fail to realize that most college coaches really could care less about the coaching staff at the Montclare Timberwolfs, or the Brooklyn Hawks, both names I hope do not exist. Nor do they really care about most high schools or the coaches.
It's so funny when you see AAU/Travel guys trying to hang with the big boys. Now there are some exceptions to the rules, but most know that good players have multiple advisers and in staff meetings they go over in detail who will be calling the shots. No real secretes! These coaches know how important it is to stay in touch with potential decision makers or people with some influence. Many schools have lost kids by not having their homework done. I still laugh at how one particular BE Head Coach kind of mentioned to a potential recruits HS coach, "I sure wish I had an opening on my staff because I would snatch you up right away." The HS coach in question was horrible but had a very good player on his roster. Well the kid was pushed by the HS coach to the BE school because he thought he would eventually be hired. So recruiting is alot of nurturing, or should I say butt kissing. Some do it better than others.
I mentioned exceptions to the rules. Guys like John Chaney would never do anything illegal because he felt they would come right at him. As good as Temple was, he did it the old fashioned way, with hard work. Also, in the NYC Tri-State Area, schools like Rutgers and SHU have genuine intentions and great relationships. They also do everything above board. Ditto St. Johns who at one time had a great legal payment system with housing. At the time kids who played at St. Johns received a housing allowance based on the cost of living in Jamaica Estates, which is very upper middle class. They also received regular federal grants if they were eligible. Remember it WAS LEGAL because St. Johns did not have dorms. They attracted many kids. Some purchased Auto's and commuted, others just lived it up. I always felt when St. Johns got the beautiful dorms it would hurt the basketball team. But all three teams do it correctly from what I have witnessed. Plus they are genuine with their relations with people. Norm, FHJ, Gonzo, Jim Carr, DG, Dermon, CC, and others have established relationships that they will always have.
Now lets talk about some things others do. I cannot go into detail but I will say even some of the most squeaky clean programs have ways of getting things done based on War Chests. Ivy schools even get things done via a powerful alumni network. No scholarships but the recent decision by Harvard to pay full costs for kids in need make them a future Ivy contender. In the past a kid who was very good would choose a school like Stanford or Northwestern. With full aid, Harvard will attract better players. Tommy A. always is in the right place it seems lolol.
Many national programs with money encourage local businesses to sponsor tournaments and games on their campus as a way to get potential recruits there. How about employment opportunities for parents and relatives? What about secrete discount hotel deals for travel teams and parents when games and tournaments are held near there campus? How about discount car deals for that Toyota or even Firebird (from years ago). But you guys know about all of this I am sure.
But what has stunned me recently is the ticket exchange programs run by many colleges. Final 4 tickets are very expensive to everyone not receiving through the NCAA lottery, NABC, or participating schools. Tickets to the Saturday double header can be $1000 or more per ticket. I have heard a rumor that there are certain folks who get those tickets and are able to sell them at a huge profit since they get them free. Nice reward for having good players in your program. I even heard that a few travel coaches act as actual ticket brokers. So imagine getting 12 tickets from 6 programs recruiting your players and you can sell them for $1,000 each. That's $12,000!! Remember, I got this from a source and have no details on who actually does this. But it seems possible.
Which brings me back to the advantages of being a big money college program or a sponsored travel or HS team.
The big money schools can do so much with large recruiting budgets. They can only watch kids they are recruiting so many times. But at an AAU or Travel team tournament, they can be all over the place. They also are blessed with great equipment for mail merges, special mailings, video production, etc. They can make a kid who is their 250th option feel he is the number one priority.
Now how do I get a great HS Program to participate in my tournament being held in Sycamore Kansas? UMMMMMMMM! Sponsored programs on the HS and Travel level always participate where the sponsor feels they can get the most exposure. And as a sponsored team, there is always a budget for equipment, travel, etc.
This was just a small piece I wanted to do to provide some insight into the real recruitment world.
Years ago my man Larry told me a few stories about his exploits on the recruiting trail as the lead Assistant for a university that would become number 1 in America. He recruited three special players including the number 1 HS player in America. Well the huge recruiting battle was not really for the number 1 HS player in America. It was for one of the others.
The players recruitment was handled by his Mom who was a nice Women according to Larry. But the battle to get him was fierce between Larry's school and a current Big East School. In fact Sports Illustrated wrote years ago about Larry and the Head Coach of the BE school coming close to fighting in the living room of the players home.
Both programs were attempting to show love in there own way to get the player to sign. Larry and his Head Coach went first and as they were leaving the BE school, who at the time was not in the Big East (not sure the BE was established), showed up for their presentation. After they finished both programs were told the family would decide the next morning at a specific time and invited both back to the home at the assigned time. Well when morning came Larry and his boss decided to go an hour early because they did not trust the other team. And to no ones surprise when they arrived there was the other Coaches parked outside trying to get another face to face before the final decision.
Needless to say an argument between Larry and the other Head Coach took place and they had to be separated. The family decided to bring in each program again. According to Larry, the BE team increased their love significantly to the point the Mother, the nice women she was, had a smile on her face. But despite that love increase, they got their man with their own love, and an opportunity to be part of something new and special. Though the Mother had a smile on her face for them as well.
Well folks that's an example of how recruiting was years ago. Recent years has brought about a change including AAU and Travel Team Coaches more involved than ever. Remember I applaud this based on the large number of HS Coaches who just coach to collect a paycheck. But despite my love for a number of AAU guys I know, there are still things going on across America that needs to be addressed. Many of the things provide an unfair advantage for some colleges, high schools, and AAU/Travel programs.
Relationships are great to have but many fail to realize that most college coaches really could care less about the coaching staff at the Montclare Timberwolfs, or the Brooklyn Hawks, both names I hope do not exist. Nor do they really care about most high schools or the coaches.
It's so funny when you see AAU/Travel guys trying to hang with the big boys. Now there are some exceptions to the rules, but most know that good players have multiple advisers and in staff meetings they go over in detail who will be calling the shots. No real secretes! These coaches know how important it is to stay in touch with potential decision makers or people with some influence. Many schools have lost kids by not having their homework done. I still laugh at how one particular BE Head Coach kind of mentioned to a potential recruits HS coach, "I sure wish I had an opening on my staff because I would snatch you up right away." The HS coach in question was horrible but had a very good player on his roster. Well the kid was pushed by the HS coach to the BE school because he thought he would eventually be hired. So recruiting is alot of nurturing, or should I say butt kissing. Some do it better than others.
I mentioned exceptions to the rules. Guys like John Chaney would never do anything illegal because he felt they would come right at him. As good as Temple was, he did it the old fashioned way, with hard work. Also, in the NYC Tri-State Area, schools like Rutgers and SHU have genuine intentions and great relationships. They also do everything above board. Ditto St. Johns who at one time had a great legal payment system with housing. At the time kids who played at St. Johns received a housing allowance based on the cost of living in Jamaica Estates, which is very upper middle class. They also received regular federal grants if they were eligible. Remember it WAS LEGAL because St. Johns did not have dorms. They attracted many kids. Some purchased Auto's and commuted, others just lived it up. I always felt when St. Johns got the beautiful dorms it would hurt the basketball team. But all three teams do it correctly from what I have witnessed. Plus they are genuine with their relations with people. Norm, FHJ, Gonzo, Jim Carr, DG, Dermon, CC, and others have established relationships that they will always have.
Now lets talk about some things others do. I cannot go into detail but I will say even some of the most squeaky clean programs have ways of getting things done based on War Chests. Ivy schools even get things done via a powerful alumni network. No scholarships but the recent decision by Harvard to pay full costs for kids in need make them a future Ivy contender. In the past a kid who was very good would choose a school like Stanford or Northwestern. With full aid, Harvard will attract better players. Tommy A. always is in the right place it seems lolol.
Many national programs with money encourage local businesses to sponsor tournaments and games on their campus as a way to get potential recruits there. How about employment opportunities for parents and relatives? What about secrete discount hotel deals for travel teams and parents when games and tournaments are held near there campus? How about discount car deals for that Toyota or even Firebird (from years ago). But you guys know about all of this I am sure.
But what has stunned me recently is the ticket exchange programs run by many colleges. Final 4 tickets are very expensive to everyone not receiving through the NCAA lottery, NABC, or participating schools. Tickets to the Saturday double header can be $1000 or more per ticket. I have heard a rumor that there are certain folks who get those tickets and are able to sell them at a huge profit since they get them free. Nice reward for having good players in your program. I even heard that a few travel coaches act as actual ticket brokers. So imagine getting 12 tickets from 6 programs recruiting your players and you can sell them for $1,000 each. That's $12,000!! Remember, I got this from a source and have no details on who actually does this. But it seems possible.
Which brings me back to the advantages of being a big money college program or a sponsored travel or HS team.
The big money schools can do so much with large recruiting budgets. They can only watch kids they are recruiting so many times. But at an AAU or Travel team tournament, they can be all over the place. They also are blessed with great equipment for mail merges, special mailings, video production, etc. They can make a kid who is their 250th option feel he is the number one priority.
Now how do I get a great HS Program to participate in my tournament being held in Sycamore Kansas? UMMMMMMMM! Sponsored programs on the HS and Travel level always participate where the sponsor feels they can get the most exposure. And as a sponsored team, there is always a budget for equipment, travel, etc.
This was just a small piece I wanted to do to provide some insight into the real recruitment world.
Recruiting Nips
Recruiting
Saw Quintrell Thomas on TV with St. Patrick's. I now feel he will get good minutes at Kansas. He was a man in the game I saw. Tough on the blocks and a true inside player with great potential. He looked like the type of kid who would have made a HUGE difference for RU.
Watched Paris Bennett play as well. he remains a good talent but seems to have drooped off a bit. But he will be a good player for someone. Just hope he chooses the correct college program
Dexter Strickland is the clean-cut All American player the so called squeaky clean programs want (If there is really such a thing). He has a great attitude and game. I was kind of disapointed that he was not more in control of his team in the lost they just suffered. He needs to step up and demand the ball/ But he has all the ingredients to be great. I also always felt he was tough as well. I need to watch him just a bit more to have a better take on him in that area.
A surprise was Kevin Boyle. He really has game and deserves his spot on St. Patrick. He also PASSES the ball, which is unusual these days. I really like him!! I wonder if he can still dance like he could when he was around 10. I still remember him dancing at games during music breaks.
St. Patrick's lost to a good team from Houston that is not even ranked nationally. But they were good! I also thought they brought more pressure to St. Pats than any team I have seen except St. Anthony;s. Yates has been good for many years. It seemed the refs did all they could to give St. Patrick's the W. But Anthony Jones and his Yates HS teamates would not be denied.
Back to young Mr. Boyle. I can see him at a place like Davidson one day.
Anthony Jones is better than his top 50 ranking from what I saw.
A few people were upset when Quintrell left HS in Newark (Science?) fpr St. Patrick's. My question is would he be the player he is today, entertaing many offers prior to committomg to Kansas? I doubt it!!!
Saw Quintrell Thomas on TV with St. Patrick's. I now feel he will get good minutes at Kansas. He was a man in the game I saw. Tough on the blocks and a true inside player with great potential. He looked like the type of kid who would have made a HUGE difference for RU.
Watched Paris Bennett play as well. he remains a good talent but seems to have drooped off a bit. But he will be a good player for someone. Just hope he chooses the correct college program
Dexter Strickland is the clean-cut All American player the so called squeaky clean programs want (If there is really such a thing). He has a great attitude and game. I was kind of disapointed that he was not more in control of his team in the lost they just suffered. He needs to step up and demand the ball/ But he has all the ingredients to be great. I also always felt he was tough as well. I need to watch him just a bit more to have a better take on him in that area.
A surprise was Kevin Boyle. He really has game and deserves his spot on St. Patrick. He also PASSES the ball, which is unusual these days. I really like him!! I wonder if he can still dance like he could when he was around 10. I still remember him dancing at games during music breaks.
St. Patrick's lost to a good team from Houston that is not even ranked nationally. But they were good! I also thought they brought more pressure to St. Pats than any team I have seen except St. Anthony;s. Yates has been good for many years. It seemed the refs did all they could to give St. Patrick's the W. But Anthony Jones and his Yates HS teamates would not be denied.
Back to young Mr. Boyle. I can see him at a place like Davidson one day.
Anthony Jones is better than his top 50 ranking from what I saw.
A few people were upset when Quintrell left HS in Newark (Science?) fpr St. Patrick's. My question is would he be the player he is today, entertaing many offers prior to committomg to Kansas? I doubt it!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Seton Hall Wins and What's coming Wednesday might surprise you.
Seton Hall Wins
SHU won on New Years Eve against Delaware State. Delaware State is better than its record but the game seemed never in doubt. I just wanted to point out something that stood out.
SHU had 17 assists as a team. That's over the 13 or so they average. Harvey had 6 which is very good. Its a nice sign when a team passes the ball in a game such as this. These are usually stat stuffer games and players often tend to play selfish in these games.
For Wednesday
Wednesday's blog entry will be somewhat controversial. I am going to talk a bit about how a few AAU guys and HS coaches get it done and make side money. Just want folks to know the entire picture. Also will talk about what some colleges do to get players. Even some you would least suspect. Hopefully it will be a good read. I was stunned when I learned a few things from a source I had not spoken to in quite some time.
SHU won on New Years Eve against Delaware State. Delaware State is better than its record but the game seemed never in doubt. I just wanted to point out something that stood out.
SHU had 17 assists as a team. That's over the 13 or so they average. Harvey had 6 which is very good. Its a nice sign when a team passes the ball in a game such as this. These are usually stat stuffer games and players often tend to play selfish in these games.
For Wednesday
Wednesday's blog entry will be somewhat controversial. I am going to talk a bit about how a few AAU guys and HS coaches get it done and make side money. Just want folks to know the entire picture. Also will talk about what some colleges do to get players. Even some you would least suspect. Hopefully it will be a good read. I was stunned when I learned a few things from a source I had not spoken to in quite some time.
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