Cooper suspended for season - FromTheBlueSeats.com

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Kerry Rupp announced Monday that he has suspended junior forward Kenny Cooper for the remainder of the season for repeated violations of team rules.

“Unfortunately, Kenny is not willing to make the commitment necessary to remain a member of our team,” Rupp said in a statement released through the LA Tech Media Relations Department. “He will continue on scholarship for the remainder of the year which will allow him to concentrate on obtaining his degree.”

Cooper, a transfer from Oklahoma State University, averaged 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while making 15 starts for the Bulldogs this season.

Rupp said he would not comment any further on the matter at this time.
UNREAL:furious3::furious3::furious3:

No more words can express the disappointment in this team. I think Is there any way I can put a whole section of our board on ignore, I dont want to hear any more about our basketball team. It just gets me depressed.

One word. Transfer:bomb::furious3:

I have no idea what this is about, but you could see that Cooper was having an "anger management" issue several times throughout the season.

This is a real shame. The kid is extremely talented. If he could get a good dose of "want to" he would be unstoppable. I really hope he gets his act together whether he ever plays again or not.

Oh good Lord!:bomb:

The hits just keep on coming....he had already been suspended once for the Alaska deal if I recall.

Maybe Kyle Gibson can play Center too!

Typical, not surprised one bit.

So, anyone else been working on their hook-shot in case we get the call to help our alma mater?

(It's been a rough year for Tech MBB fans. Let's hope the move helps team chemistry and we can see some positives come at some point)

I have to say that this entire season really has been unacceptable...no other explanation or excuse.

Ouch

Where are all of the transfer defenders now? We only have one transfer of the "big three" still on the team.

There is a reason these guys transferred. More than likely, it wasn't because of the weather.

Let me add that I have seen nothing from Magnum that indicates he has issues off the court. Coop, however, was a big baby who cried everytime things didn't go his way.

I have thought all year that Coop needed to be benched, Rupp took it a step further. I like how he doesn't have much tolerance for these types of issues, BUT he shouldn't have taken the transfers to start with.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by touchdown123

Where are all of the transfer defenders now? We only have one transfer of the "big three" still on the team.

There is a reason these guys transferred. More than likely, it wasn't because of the weather.

Let me add that I have seen nothing from Magnum that indicates he has issues off the court. Coop, however, was a big baby who cried everytime things didn't go his way.

I have thought all year that Coop needed to be benched, Rupp took it a step further. I like how he doesn't have much tolerance for these types of issues, BUT he shouldn't have taken the transfers to start with.

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Coop is still on the team. This has nothing to do with transfers either.

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Originally Posted by Juice752

This has nothing to do with transfers either.

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How many transfers did we have? How many remain unsuspended on the team? I really don't know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juice752

Coop is still on the team. This has nothing to do with transfers either.

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What? No he isn't. Not being able to play and staying on scholarship "to finish his degree" is what I call off the team.

Lets do the math: 3 transfers to tech. People warn there is probably a reason they transfer. Other people say, "no, they didn't like the weather." 1 is thrown off, 1 is suspended indefinitely. So 2/3 are no longer allowed to dress out for games, both with behavioural issues.

There is no way you guys can convince me that those three transfers have been nothing but a absolute failure. We based last years miserable performance on the prospect of a legit next two years. We have nothing to show for it.

Bottom line: these 2 guys had issues, thats why they transferred, thats why we suck for a second season and probably a third.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juice752

Coop is still on the team. This has nothing to do with transfers either.

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I suspect that he hasn't been kicked off the team because Rupp's hoping he'll get his act together and still be able to contribute next year. If he transfers yet again, won't he lose his last year of eligibility? I'm guessing Rupp is thinking that will sink in with him and help to straighten him out.

Coop is out for the year. Read the release. I am not trying to influence you on anything. Your mind is already made up. My question is how many high school kids have not worked out? If Kenny was cut from Ok State your point my hold water but he left to come back closer to home.

We put alot of stock in these players, Rupp better have an answer. Too many (no longer on the team ) players. Transfers typically do not mesh well with returning players. I guess they all felt like they were walking in to become the "Tech Savior". Our basketball teams are becoming a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or are they already there???

A new blog entry has posted on FromTheBlueSeats.com.

Here’s the official release.Louisiana Tech men’s basketball coach Kerry Rupp announced Monday that he has suspended junior forward Kenny Cooper for the remainder of the season for repeated violations of team rules. “Unfortunately, Kenny is not willing to make the commitment necessary to remain a member of our team,” Rupp said in a statement released [...]http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?hos...ts&ref=&feed=1

Read the rest of it and comment on it here...

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Originally Posted by touchdown123

What? No he isn't. Not being able to play and staying on scholarship "to finish his degree" is what I call off the team.

Lets do the math: 3 transfers to tech. People warn there is probably a reason they transfer. Other people say, "no, they didn't like the weather." 1 is thrown off, 1 is suspended indefinitely. So 2/3 are no longer allowed to dress out for games, both with behavioural issues.

There is no way you guys can convince me that those three transfers have been nothing but a absolute failure. We based last years miserable performance on the prospect of a legit next two years. We have nothing to show for it.

Bottom line: these 2 guys had issues, thats why they transferred, thats why we suck for a second season and probably a third.

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When a true freshman gets kicked off a team are you going to suggest we stop bringing in high school students?

There are any number of reasons for a player to transfer. Some are probably indicators of future trouble, some are not.

You can't just say "all transfers are bad and we should stop taking them" because some didn't work out for us.

What did Coop do? If it was a matter of him crying when things didn't go his way, why didn't Rupp just bench him for a few games. Did he really deserve to be kicked off the team? Do we really have that many bad attitude players, or is Rupp hatchett happy?

Adrian and Oliverson are back in the rotation, where they should be. The rest of this year is gonna be fun!!!!!!

Did you know that there are several versions of the story about Chicken Little? I know you remember the chicken who was hit on the head by an acorn so she decided she needed to go tell the king that the sky is falling. Some versions of the fable end badly for Chicken Little while others end well.

Some may have believe that the sky is falling, but I'm not sure that it is. Only time will tell if this works out for the best in the short term and even more important - the long term.

It's possible that this suspension could turn out well for this season but, even if it does not result in a turnaround this season, I believe it will improve the future for the DAWGS.

Go DAWGS!!

Can we get some of those players back that Rupp cut last year for his super star jucos? Who was it that said the basketball team would recover before the football team?:bigcry::o:furious3:

Louisiana Tech forward Kenny Cooper was suspended Tuesday for the remainder of the season for repeatedly violating team rules.

More...

mfhon

RUSTON, La. -- Louisiana Tech forward Kenny Cooper was suspended Tuesday for the remainder of the season for repeatedly violating team rules.

Coach Kerry ...

More...

first; these werent jucos; they were transfers; splitting hairs; but there is a difference.

second; one word applies to this situation

SOFT.

We have already won more games than last year. It is an improvement. We might even reach .500! The fact remains that our "gamble" with the "Big Three" was a BIG RISK that did not pan out, but we did get a good one with Rolle. Everyone needs to settle down a bit. This program will not be turned around overnight. You guys are over-reacting.

Anybody who thinks guys like Coop and Rolle aren't worth the risk are detached from reality. There is not a program in the country (comparable to ours) that would have not brought these guys in! If any of you were the coach and you had the opportunity to land guys of this stature, you would've jumped on it or you're an idiot! This latest dismissal doesn't call me to question Rupp's discretion, it makes me want to applaud his testicular fortitude! That dude is hardcore!

I really haven't seen a coach with uncompromising principles of this nature in my lifetime!

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

Anybody who thinks guys like Coop and Rolle aren't worth the risk are detached from reality. There is not a program in the country (comparable to ours) that would have not brought these guys in! If any of you were the coach and you had the opportunity to land guys of this stature, you would've jumped on it or you're an idiot! This latest dismissal doesn't call me to question Rupp's discretion, it makes me want to applaud his testicular fortitude! That dude is hardcore!

I really haven't seen a coach with uncompromising principles of this nature in my lifetime!

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But can he coach?

Well I think that we saw last year that he can coach kids who are willing to learn. I think that we have an inability to learn... not the inability to coach.

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Originally Posted by DocMarvin362

Well I think that we saw last year that he can coach kids who are willing to learn. I think that we have an inability to learn... not the inability to coach.

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Doc, I respect you and your opinion, but what happend to last years kids who were willing to learn? We ran them off? 7 guys in 1 year is absurd!

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Originally Posted by Barkman

[/b]
But can he coach?

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I wouldn't mind grinding it out with you on here. Where would you like to start?

In my opinion, his offensive attack (which varies according to the opponent and development of his team) yields very good shots (open shots).

His defensive strategy is excellent--the numbers don't lie.

We're missing scoring consistency from the 1 and 3. That said, I think the 3 will continue to improve. I really don't expect consistent scoring from the 1 this year. We saw some pretty good numbers from the 5 (Cooper) UNLESS he was guarded by a physical player. Coop got a LOT of touches. I actually think if Rolle gets that many touches close to the basket--he'll produce more points.

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

I wouldn't mind grinding it out with you on here. Where would you like to start?

In my opinion, his offensive attack (which varies according to the opponent and development of his team) yields very good shots (open shots).

His defensive strategy is excellent--the numbers don't lie.

We're missing scoring consistency from the 1 and 3. That said, I think the 3 will continue to improve. I really don't expect consistent scoring from the 1 this year. We saw some pretty good numbers from the 5 (Cooper) UNLESS he was guarded by a physical player. Coop got a LOT of touches. I actually think if Rolle gets that many touches close to the basket--he'll produce more points.

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I will go along with you
#1 You never want your PG to be a scorer, that is why he is pg
#2If your offense attack varies based on your opponent means you are the reaction rather than the action.
#3 I hope you are right with Rolle more touches should=more points(law of avg)
#4 You will never build a program when your place is a revolving door! If Rupp is the teacher everyone on here says he is why not sign younger kids and develop them and next year would be year 3 of their development. We will basicly be rebuilding next year also. Players leave big time programs and go to a smaller school for two reasons
1. Cant play with the competition at that school(big 12, SEC)
2. Problems
The exceptions leave a big time school or big time conference for another big time program. Every time a player chooses to transfer lets see who else is offering.

#5 As for the numbers don't lie, the only numbers that matter is your record, if you are giving up 58 ppg and you only score 57, you lose.

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Originally Posted by DrumDawg

first; these werent jucos; they were transfers; splitting hairs; but there is a difference.

second; one word applies to this situation

SOFT.

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Guyton and Jackson are jucos that Rupp brought in last year. He cut some local players so these jucos could get their scholarships. Rupp's recruiting looks a lot like Jerry Loyed's. He doesn't recruit a player unless he is at least 1000 miles away. He's even recruited 2 players out of Canada and would have another one if he could qualify. This is certainly not helping to bring out the local fans. At least Richard brought in some local kids. I don't think Rupp is going to build a program at Tech. I say we cut him loose after this season and bring in somebody that can recruit high school kids from La. and the surrounding states and win with them like we did in the 80's and early 90's. We don't have a single player on the team from La. now that Cooper has been suspended.

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Originally Posted by DONW

Can we get some of those players back that Rupp cut last year for his super star jucos? Who was it that said the basketball team would recover before the football team?

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I'll start with this:

Players removed from the roster at the end of last season:

Brandon Mims - currently averaging 3 points a game for a division III school.

Orren Tims - the 4th option on his junior college team. He is not a division one player.

Drew Washington - kicked off the NAIA school he went to less than one month into the season for the same crap he pulled here. Please stop saying we should have kept him.

Dwayne Lathan - bad kid. Noticed that his dad failed to mention that he still has a six game suspension from the NCAA that he has to serve AFTER he sits out his transfer year when he went crying to the Newsstar.

Removed for Discipline:
Jamel White
J.C. Clark
Kenneth Cooper
I know the head coach gets the final decision on who to sign or who not to offer a scholarship too but it’s interesting to me that of all the guys removed only one (white) falls under our current staff.
Mims, Tims, Washington, and Lathan were all Richard signees.
Clark and Cooper were both here because of Renie Bailey. If you remember Bailey no longer is on staff.
This is a cleaning that program needed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DONW

Guyton and Jackson are jucos that Rupp brought in last year. He cut some local players so these jucos could get their scholarships. Rupp's recruiting looks a lot like Jerry Loyed's. He doesn't recruit a player unless he is at least 1000 miles away. He's even recruited 2 players out of Canada and would have another one if he could qualify. This is certainly not helping to bring out the local fans. At least Richard brought in some local kids. I don't think Rupp is going to build a program at Tech. I say we cut him loose after this season and bring in somebody that can recruit high school kids from La. and the surrounding states and win with them like we did in the 80's and early 90's. We don't have a single player on the team from La. now that Cooper has been suspended.

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Don,

You can't just recruit local kids like you did in the 80's and 90's. AAU basketball has changed that. The Jay Jackson's and Von Wafer's that went to Tech then now go to Texas Tech and Florida State. We signed Josh Brown from Ruston last year but he didn't qualify. He'll be back in 2010 after being at a junior college. Otherwise name a good local kid that we should have signed last year. Storm Warren went to LSU. The two kids at Carroll went to Ole Miss. It's hard to beat BCS head to head.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TECHLAX

We have already won more games than last year. It is an improvement. We might even reach .500! The fact remains that our "gamble" with the "Big Three" was a BIG RISK that did not pan out, but we did get a good one with Rolle. Everyone needs to settle down a bit. This program will not be turned around overnight. You guys are over-reacting.

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bullshit.

bullshit.

bullshit.

the coaches talked about how we took our lumps last season but that this season was going to be much better. we were going to compete for the wac title in 08-09 and go dancing in 09-10.

most of us bought into that bullshit. by that definition, it was going to be turned around overnight. we redshirted our supposed best player last season while three savior transfers also sat out. those four players were going to make is an immediate player in the conference and eventually nationally. the coaching staff truly believed that. when i watched practice before the season and expressed a few of my concerns to one of the assistant coaches, he told me point-blank that i had nothing to worry about. they honestly believed it.

boy, were they wrong. dead wrong.

rolle, while incredibly talented, struggles to stay out of foul trouble as it is. there's no way he can play center, where he's now needed because kenny cooper did something so terrible so many times that it caused him to be suspended for the season. and the way rupp talked (allowing him to stay on scholarship "so he can graduate"), he's not expected back next season. of course, we all know what happened with jamel white, who couldn't even make it to his first game with the dawgs. and olu ashoulu hasn't been nearly as good as advertised, even with a redshirt season to develop. he has a lot of offensive potential, but he's struggled to find a position (he's a 4 who wants to be a 2) and also does not compete very well on the defensive end of the floor. his minutes have been limited somewhat, but he's lucky he's playing for rupp and not keith richard, because his liability on the defensive end wouldn't have allowed him to even sniff the court.

these coaches took a major chance, selling it as they were standing on principle, by sending four players packing during the offseason (when, in reality, the coaches just didn't think they were good enough). that gamble has been a total failure. and the coaches have to be held accountable at the end of the season. we put up with six losses last year because of this year and next year. so far, this year has been a failure. don't tell me, "well, we've won more games." hell yeah, we have. look at the talent on the bench last year and how that hamstrung the 07-08 team. well, that talent didn't make that big of a difference this year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawg04

Don,

You can't just recruit local kids like you did in the 80's and 90's. AAU basketball has changed that. The Jay Jackson's and Von Wafer's that went to Tech then now go to Texas Tech and Florida State. We signed Josh Brown from Ruston last year but he didn't qualify. He'll be back in 2010 after being at a junior college. Otherwise name a good local kid that we should have signed last year. Storm Warren went to LSU. The two kids at Carroll went to Ole Miss. It's hard to beat BCS head to head.

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one thing i've been wondering, speaking of local kids, where did davarius dunn end up? i thought he was going to baylor, but he's not there. did we not recruit him? did he not qualify and have to go juco? i know that's a major deal in north louisiana (i.e. josh brown).

No clue where davarius dunn went. I know his grades were an issue. Maybe Baylor placed him in a prep school?

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

bullshit.

bullshit.

bullshit.

the coaches talked about how we took our lumps last season but that this season was going to be much better. we were going to compete for the wac title in 08-09 and go dancing in 09-10.

most of us bought into that bullshit. by that definition, it was going to be turned around overnight. we redshirted our supposed best player last season while three savior transfers also sat out. those four players were going to make is an immediate player in the conference and eventually nationally. the coaching staff truly believed that. when i watched practice before the season and expressed a few of my concerns to one of the assistant coaches, he told me point-blank that i had nothing to worry about. they honestly believed it.

boy, were they wrong. dead wrong.

rolle, while incredibly talented, struggles to stay out of foul trouble as it is. there's no way he can play center, where he's now needed because kenny cooper did something so terrible so many times that it caused him to be suspended for the season. and the way rupp talked (allowing him to stay on scholarship "so he can graduate"), he's not expected back next season. of course, we all know what happened with jamel white, who couldn't even make it to his first game with the dawgs. and olu ashoulu hasn't been nearly as good as advertised, even with a redshirt season to develop. he has a lot of offensive potential, but he's struggled to find a position (he's a 4 who wants to be a 2) and also does not compete very well on the defensive end of the floor. his minutes have been limited somewhat, but he's lucky he's playing for rupp and not keith richard, because his liability on the defensive end wouldn't have allowed him to even sniff the court.

these coaches took a major chance, selling it as they were standing on principle, by sending four players packing during the offseason (when, in reality, the coaches just didn't think they were good enough). that gamble has been a total failure. and the coaches have to be held accountable at the end of the season. we put up with six losses last year because of this year and next year. so far, this year has been a failure. don't tell me, "well, we've won more games." hell yeah, we have. look at the talent on the bench last year and how that hamstrung the 07-08 team. well, that talent didn't make that big of a difference this year.

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Yes. Over-reacting.

Had all the players this staff brought in stuck I think this would be a very good team. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way. Everyone, the players, coaches and fans were confident that Tech would compete for the WAC with the team intact. The team has fallen apart because of some "bad seeds". Now we are playing with what we've got...not much. All expectations are out now that the players that those expectations were built on are out. Again, even with the turmoil, we have already won more games than last year. With the problems, I would call that progress. I am certainly not happy with the way this season is going but I am not going to jump off a bridge about it. This team will continue to improve with quality players with character, and if they stop improving before they get to the tourney consistently, then we can jump form the bridge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

one thing i've been wondering, speaking of local kids, where did davarius dunn end up? i thought he was going to baylor, but he's not there. did we not recruit him? did he not qualify and have to go juco? i know that's a major deal in north louisiana (i.e. josh brown).

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawg04

No clue where davarius dunn went. I know his grades were an issue. Maybe Baylor placed him in a prep school?

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http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/2...34/1006/SPORTS

Ya are acting like a bunch of girls. It seems to me every time I get on this board to view whats going on at Tech this bunch is arguing. If YA whould shut up and help the team of your choice by donating or by volunteering your time Tech would be a better place and this board would sure be a better place to read. Thats my 2 cents worth.

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Originally Posted by Dawgpix

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/2...34/1006/SPORTS

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Timo that article was about his brother Lace not Davarious.

Preaching to the choir about donating on this board.....


If we had kept the original 4 guys, we'd STILL STINK. The guys weren't good players.

We TRIED to land local players. We signed the Ruston kid and went after Storm.

What I wish is that D.J. Wright, Juevol Myles, and Arrez Henderson had qualified.


Rolle, Guyton, and DJackson have worked out so far with good results. The ballot is still out on how well this coaching staff can develop talent. They APPEARED to do well last year with guys that would hustle and listen but it appears that this year we haven't done as well.

We seem to be recruiting more HS guys at this point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barkman

I will go along with you
#1 You never want your PG to be a scorer, that is why he is pg
#2If your offense attack varies based on your opponent means you are the reaction rather than the action.
#3 I hope you are right with Rolle more touches should=more points(law of avg)
#4 You will never build a program when your place is a revolving door! If Rupp is the teacher everyone on here says he is why not sign younger kids and develop them and next year would be year 3 of their development. We will basicly be rebuilding next year also. Players leave big time programs and go to a smaller school for two reasons
1. Cant play with the competition at that school(big 12, SEC)
2. Problems
The exceptions leave a big time school or big time conference for another big time program. Every time a player chooses to transfer lets see who else is offering.

#5 As for the numbers don't lie, the only numbers that matter is your record, if you are giving up 58 ppg and you only score 57, you lose.

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My thing with the 1 is that we need consistency both in assists and scoring. We haven't seen that this season--which is not too much of a surprised considering the circumstances.

Rupp doesn't really "vary" his offense, I shouldn't have used that word. He "tweaks" it according to the gameplan and it has evolved some according to the development of his players.

I'm still saying there's not a coach in the country that would've turned down Rolle (or Coop for that matter). I really don't mind Rupp's purging of the roster. I like his two jucos (Guyton, Jackson). In fact, the successful teams from the WAC dip into the juco ranks for a couple of players each year.

Nobody will convince me that the dismissal of Coop isn't hardcore! I respect him for it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

bullshit.

bullshit.

bullshit.

the coaches talked about how we took our lumps last season but that this season was going to be much better. we were going to compete for the wac title in 08-09 and go dancing in 09-10.

most of us bought into that bullshit. by that definition, it was going to be turned around overnight. we redshirted our supposed best player last season while three savior transfers also sat out. those four players were going to make is an immediate player in the conference and eventually nationally. the coaching staff truly believed that. when i watched practice before the season and expressed a few of my concerns to one of the assistant coaches, he told me point-blank that i had nothing to worry about. they honestly believed it.

boy, were they wrong. dead wrong.

rolle, while incredibly talented, struggles to stay out of foul trouble as it is. there's no way he can play center, where he's now needed because kenny cooper did something so terrible so many times that it caused him to be suspended for the season. and the way rupp talked (allowing him to stay on scholarship "so he can graduate"), he's not expected back next season. of course, we all know what happened with jamel white, who couldn't even make it to his first game with the dawgs. and olu ashoulu hasn't been nearly as good as advertised, even with a redshirt season to develop. he has a lot of offensive potential, but he's struggled to find a position (he's a 4 who wants to be a 2) and also does not compete very well on the defensive end of the floor. his minutes have been limited somewhat, but he's lucky he's playing for rupp and not keith richard, because his liability on the defensive end wouldn't have allowed him to even sniff the court.

these coaches took a major chance, selling it as they were standing on principle, by sending four players packing during the offseason (when, in reality, the coaches just didn't think they were good enough). that gamble has been a total failure. and the coaches have to be held accountable at the end of the season. we put up with six losses last year because of this year and next year. so far, this year has been a failure. don't tell me, "well, we've won more games." hell yeah, we have. look at the talent on the bench last year and how that hamstrung the 07-08 team. well, that talent didn't make that big of a difference this year.

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I completely agree. This is Rupps second year and we are back at phase one.

None of his plans, NONE, have worked out. He built this team on JuCos and transfers. He ran off the only highschool players he had. Yea, maybe they weren't lights out, but they were 4 year players.

I am not saying that he shouldn't discipline his players, I like his commitment to principles. My problem is with what was said last year. "Wait til next year." Well, its next year, and we suck.

Nobody is overreacting. This is a different situation than the football loss at army (when people were making 4-8 predictions). ALL OF OUR SUPPOSED GOOD PLAYERS (save 2, who haven't been great) are off the team.

One more thing, if y'all really think Kenny is coming back next year, get a grip. He was probably kept on scholarship so he can graduate and not hurt our scholarship count. He is gone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluecrew

Timo that article was about his brother Lace not Davarious.

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Thanks for the correction, foxie.:icon_wink:

I don't know the particulars, but agree in principle with Coach Rupp.

I kicked several great players off my girls' summer BB team...one of them starts for her HS team and recently had her picture in the Times as "Sports Hero of the Week" after she scored 30 pts in a game. Never doubted she could play, which is why I recruited her in the first place, but too many disruptions to the team.

I also had a kid that played soccer, baseball and basketball for me years ago in youth leagues, and that we were always at odds...early on. Other coaches allowed him to rule the roost because he was such an awesome athlete. I didn't. The first time I took his uniform from him and told him to leave, his eyes were like this: :shocked2: When he came to understand I was the boss, he wasn't, we got along great. And we won all kinds of championships in all three sports together. To this day, he hugs me, calls me coach, and we talk as friends, who respect each other. He's 33 with his own kids now. (GAWD! I'm getting old!)

I support Coach Rupp doing what he has to to get and maintain control of his team. Those players that make the grade will be great student-athletes.

It is the lack of player development that is worrying me. Olu, Magum and Cooper all have raw talent and could be great players if they were getting the proper instruction. Maybe this will be what Mag and Olu need to step their game up.

As far as the bad season, I am as disappointed as anyone, with the talent we have there is just no excuse. Its not like we are in the Big East, or losing to great teams. This team has every bit as much talent as the days of Gerrod Henderson, Tiger, and Cole, but those guys refused to lose. This team seems to be surprised to win. I am going to the game Sat. vs Idaho and expect this team to come out fired up. If they dont fight with their backs to the wall, then we have bigger problems.

All that being said, I do think KG is a good player who could take over a game if he could get a little help on offense. All is not lost, we just have to pull off a couple on the road now and take care of business at home.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TECHLAX

Again, even with the turmoil, we have already won more games than last year. With the problems, I would call that progress. I am certainly not happy with the way this season is going but I am not going to jump off a bridge about it. This team will continue to improve with quality players with character, and if they stop improving before they get to the tourney consistently, then we can jump form the bridge.

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come on, lax. you're a knowledgable guy. surely you don't actually believe this. progress? last year's team was sabotaged and set up for failure. the coaching staff intentionally took one on the chin. there was no way not to progress. the season is not done, so there's still time to right the ship, though that looks tough at the moment, but at this point right now, i would say this team is more of a failure than last year when you compare talent to production. it's ridiculous that this team has so much problems producing comparable to its talent and struggles so much to play with heart. at least last year's team had heart and palyed above its talent level at times. we haven't seen that from this year's group.

I tend to agree with Prof, it appears we don't play with enough intensity. However, I will say we showed a glimmer of it against Nevada. If we could play with the energy we had the last 2 minutes of that game then we'd be talking about our win over Nevada right now. This team is a total mystery to me, hopefully someone will step up and be a leader.

There is a reason Utah didn't give him the job after the interim year...

The Cooper situation has been brewing before the season ever started - yes he was LOOKING to transfer OUT before the season ever started because he wasn't getting his way -

I still have a hard time NOT believing that with Lathan, Timms and Washington this team wins 3 or 4 for ballgames so far this year -

Like I've said before KARMA is a bitch....

What was the reason Utah didn't offer him? coaching ability?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dawg04

I'll start with this:

Players removed from the roster at the end of last season:

Brandon Mims - currently averaging 3 points a game for a division III school.

Orren Tims - the 4th option on his junior college team. He is not a division one player.

Drew Washington - kicked off the NAIA school he went to less than one month into the season for the same crap he pulled here. Please stop saying we should have kept him.

Dwayne Lathan - bad kid. Noticed that his dad failed to mention that he still has a six game suspension from the NCAA that he has to serve AFTER he sits out his transfer year when he went crying to the Newsstar.

Removed for Discipline:
Jamel White
J.C. Clark
Kenneth Cooper
I know the head coach gets the final decision on who to sign or who not to offer a scholarship too but it’s interesting to me that of all the guys removed only one (white) falls under our current staff.
Mims, Tims, Washington, and Lathan were all Richard signees.
Clark and Cooper were both here because of Renie Bailey. If you remember Bailey no longer is on staff.
This is a cleaning that program needed.

---

+1

Good discussion on this tonight on the show. To be continued next Wednesday if any of you would like to chime in.

Probably one of our better segments. This has people talking, and the opinions vary greatly.

My stance: If you're going to nuke the program, and that's what essentially happened when Rupp got here, and basically give an entire season away, then I think it is fair that we as fans demand more from this team in Season 2 than we're getting.

I don't see the progress. Maybe when/if we get some more HS guys in here and try our hand at developing our own talent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luminaire

Good discussion on this tonight on the show. To be continued next Wednesday if any of you would like to chime in.

Probably one of our better segments. This has people talking, and the opinions vary greatly.

My stance: If you're going to nuke the program, and that's what essentially happened when Rupp got here, and basically give an entire season away, then I think it is fair that we as fans demand more from this team in Season 2 than we're getting.

I don't see the progress. Maybe when/if we get some more HS guys in here and try our hand at developing our own talent.

---

For the record I am not in maybe next year mode. But just to clarify the players that Rupp is recruiting in here...

The 2010 and 2011 seasons roster will look something like this (hopefully)
PG- Yonas and Holton
SG- Josh Brown and Darrius Redding
SF- DJ Wright and Brandon Gibson
PF- Olu
C- Kadeem and Oliverson (sr year in 2010)

Every single one of those guys (with the exception of Oliverson) we recruited and committed to us out of high school. It is very true that on paper that team means nothing until it proves otherwise. Just simply pointing out we are recruiting high school kids. No obviously we still have a need at a power forward and possibly other positions depending on how these guys develop but we have the makings of a nice roster right now.

Put this in a situation most of you can relate to. Imagine this is your work place and you have someone that has this kind of attitude. Does it help moral at work? Hell no. Same thing with a team. I say get the bad apples out when you need to and you will be better off down the road. Our problem right now is that it really hurts to lose a player, especially one that was contributing. Let's hope this helps the attitude of this team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luminaire

Good discussion on this tonight on the show. To be continued next Wednesday if any of you would like to chime in.

Probably one of our better segments. This has people talking, and the opinions vary greatly.

My stance: If you're going to nuke the program, and that's what essentially happened when Rupp got here, and basically give an entire season away, then I think it is fair that we as fans demand more from this team in Season 2 than we're getting.

I don't see the progress. Maybe when/if we get some more HS guys in here and try our hand at developing our own talent.

---

I've been thinking about this. I've never seen a coach nuke a program this way before. I've seen radical changes, but never an almost complete overhaul (FTR--not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't follow sports well enough to have ever seen it happen in a team I follow). Anyway, this kind of overhaul definitely has risk, and we are seeing that risk play out.

I'm just starting to think that we should have prepared ourselves for a season 2 like this, as we were banking on a benchload of transfers (plus Olu), not on anyone we'd ever seen actually play.

That said, many on here were expecting huge things, and I, personally don't think a WAC title run has been elminated yet (not after seeing the best the WAC has to offer in Ruston last week). But even if we don't get there, even without Cooper and the other guys we lost, this team is still better than last year's team. While I was hoping for major fireworks this year (mainly because this will be my last basketball season in Ruston for the foreseeable futuer), as long as we are seeing legitimate improvement each year, then I still have confidence that the program is headed in the right direction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian96

I've been thinking about this. I've never seen a coach nuke a program this way before. I've seen radical changes, but never an almost complete overhaul (FTR--not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't follow sports well enough to have ever seen it happen in a team I follow). Anyway, this kind of overhaul definitely has risk, and we are seeing that risk play out.

---

Keith Richard did the same thing several years ago for Paul Millsap's junior year. He dumped a lot of players on scholarship and brought in 6(?) Juco players - Disy, McKenzie, Richardson, Elliot, etc. They had talent but they seldom played team basketball.

Like many of you I am disappointed with some of the things happening this year. But don't forget that other than Kyle Gibson, the cupboard was bare when Coach Rupp came. I think he is making progress and I'm satisfied with the progess (although I still expect to contend for the national championship every year). It just takes more than a season and a half to turn a long time mediocre program into a contender.

I'm a longtime fan of TECH MBB and I live and breathe TECH MBB yet I'm not upset. I still have hope for this year and a lot of hope for the future. It amazes me that so many are upset because I see a much brighter future under Coach Rupp than I would have ever seen with Keith Richard. Although there are some clouds present, I still see a bright future ahead.

Atleast the ladies of Section 107 will be spared of my quit playing like a girl comments...

:icon_wink:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoDo-Tech70

Keith Richard did the same thing several years ago for Paul Millsap's junior year. He dumped a lot of players on scholarship and brought in 6(?) Juco players - Disy, McKenzie, Richardson, Elliot, etc. They had talent but they seldom played team basketball.

Like many of you I am disappointed with some of the things happening this year. But don't forget that other than Kyle Gibson, the cupboard was bare when Coach Rupp came. I think he is making progress and I'm satisfied with the progess (although I still expect to contend for the national championship every year). It just takes more than a season and a half to turn a long time mediocre program into a contender.

I'm a longtime fan of TECH MBB and I live and breathe TECH MBB yet I'm not upset. I still have hope for this year and a lot of hope for the future. It amazes me that so many are upset because I see a much brighter future under Coach Rupp than I would have ever seen with Keith Richard. Although there are some clouds present, I still see a bright future ahead.

---

If we win just one of the two games we lost in the last seconds (Hawaii or Nevada), we'd be right where I'd expect us to be 4 games into conference. Idaho will be a good test to see if we can learn to CLOSE OUT games down the stretch. The Vandels beat Nevada in Reno.

I completely understand Rupp going after talented, yet troubled players when you have a very bare cupboard. It is just very disappointing to watch these guys fall off the wagon again.

I'm not disappointed at all. Despite what many said on here, I didn't expect anything from this team and don't for a couple of years. I learned long ago that you people don't know jack when talking about basketball.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dirtydawg

I'm not disappointed at all. Despite what many said on here, I didn't expect anything from this team and don't for a couple of years. I learned long ago that you people don't know jack when talking about basketball.:D

---

Hey, wait a minute... :laugh:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dirtydawg

I'm not disappointed at all. Despite what many said on here, I didn't expect anything from this team and don't for a couple of years. I learned long ago that you people don't know jack when talking about basketball.:D

---

If the shoe fits I'll wear it. Wow, it does fit. :D

Oh well, even though I don't know a pick from a roll I'm passionate about the DAWGS and have been through some times with them. I expected more this year but I'm still not disappointed when I look at how far we have come.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dirtydawg

I'm not disappointed at all. Despite what many said on here, I didn't expect anything from this team and don't for a couple of years. I learned long ago that you people don't know jack when talking about basketball.:D

---

When a coach finds it necessary to kick seven players off his team in less than one year, the root cause is seldom about basketball and almost always about behavior. So why do I need to know very much about basketball?

I am not worried about the DAWGS in the least because I am convinced that Coach Rupp is doing it "the right way." Many of you convinced me when he began recruiting the transfers with the baggage. REMEMBER THIS WAS TO BE THE BREAKOUT YEAR, AND THE FAT LADY HASN'T SUNG YET.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharky

When a coach finds it necessary to kick seven players off his team in less than one year, the root cause is seldom about basketball and almost always about behavior. So why do I need to know very much about basketball?

I am not worried about the DAWGS in the least because I am convinced that Coach Rupp is doing it "the right way." Many of you convinced me when he began recruiting the transfers with the baggage. REMEMBER THIS WAS TO BE THE BREAKOUT YEAR, AND THE FAT LADY HASN'T SUNG YET.

---

You, obviously, don't know the function of emoticons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dirtydawg

You, obviously, don't know the function of emoticons.

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No, some people just don't know their (our) Dirtydawg . . .:laugh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharky

When a coach finds it necessary to kick seven players off his team in less than one year, the root cause is seldom about basketball and almost always about behavior. So why do I need to know very much about basketball?

I am not worried about the DAWGS in the least because I am convinced that Coach Rupp is doing it "the right way." Many of you convinced me when he began recruiting the transfers with the baggage. REMEMBER THIS WAS TO BE THE BREAKOUT YEAR, AND THE FAT LADY HASN'T SUNG YET.

---

Doing it the right way? Do you call bringing in transfers and jucos doing it the right way? I call that taking a risk to get a quick fix.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DONW

Doing it the right way? Do you call bringing in transfers and jucos doing it the right way? I call that taking a risk to get a quick fix.

---

I cant really blame him for it, we cannot have 4-28 years a few years in a row waiting for guys to mature. I can see taking a risk on a couple of jucos when the cupboard was that bare.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dirtydawg

You, obviously, don't know the function of emoticons.

---

You are absolutely right. I don't have a clue about "the function of emotions." But I will eagerly read anything that you post that might enlighten me about the subject.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DONW

Doing it the right way? Do you call bringing in transfers and jucos doing it the right way? I call that taking a risk to get a quick fix.

---

It appears that you and I are on the same page. My previous post about Coach Rupp "doing it right" was a tongue in cheek comment. I detest recruiting transfers, jucos and foreigners in preference to our own citizens.

Cooper played, we lost to UALR.. Cooper was suspended, we lost to Seattle..Cooper played, we lost to Anchorage..I'm sorry but he ain't all that..Give me Oliverson, he's just as big, and he wants the TEAM to win, and that is what Cooper lacks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharky

You are absolutely right. I don't have a clue about "the function of emotions." But I will eagerly read anything that you post that might enlighten me about the subject.

---

"Is Dirtydawg sarcastic?" is the same kind of rhetorical question as "Is the pope Catholic" and "does a bear sit in the woods?" I enjoy his posts even in MBB threads when his sarcasm is directed at the MBB program and it's fans.

Here's a different question - How many Rupp detractors would it take to fill section 107? Answer: That's impossible because Rupp detractors don't buy enough tickets. It seems to me that the people who are most upset about this latest bump in the season are not basketball diehards. Most of us diehards seem to support the coach's decision and see this as positive in the long term. As for me, I see it as a temporary setback in terms of depth but I am grateful that we have a coach with high standards and this is great for our future.

I have no doubt that TECH will still be a WAC contender this season and we still have a shot at the regular season championship and a reasonable shot at winning the tournament. In fact, if one person would give 10 to 1 odds, I will donate $100 to LTAC in March if you promise to donate an extra $1000 to LTAC following the DAWGS win in the WAC tournament on March 14th. Remember that if all teams are evenly matched, the odds against any team winning the WAC tournament would be 9 to 1 (or maybe 8 to 1?). I'll give $100 win or lose. Alright, who will give the 10 to 1 odds?

Good observation, HoDo. I don't know about you, but Cooper's dismissal has really invigorated my interest. I can't wait until Saturday!

Him and a few others from the team were at the Grambling-Southern game on Saturday immediately after their game for whatever reason...didn't look like a guy who was going to be suspended...

considering his mother went to high school with the old Grambling coach and the rest of his ties there he should've went there anyway and been option 1 form the start

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharky

It appears that you and I are on the same page. My previous post about Coach Rupp "doing it right" was a tongue in cheek comment. I detest recruiting transfers, jucos and foreigners in preference to our own citizens.

---

Have we had any problems with Rolle, Ashaolu, or Berhe?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inudesu

Have we had any problems with Rolle, Ashaolu, or Berhe?

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We dont take to kindly to people like you 'round these parts. Damned Fureigner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inudesu

Have we had any problems with Rolle, Ashaolu, or Berhe?

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Blame Canada?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juice752

Blame Canada?

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Rolle is from way south of Canada....But yes ALWAYS BLAME CANADA!!!!:icon_wink:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluecrew

Rolle is from way south of Canada....But yes ALWAYS BLAME CANADA!!!!:icon_wink:

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Or Nick White!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bluecrew

Rolle is from way south of Canada....But yes ALWAYS BLAME CANADA!!!!:icon_wink:

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Or Jason David!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MICKEYS14

Or Jason David!

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I like where your head is coach..:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharky

You are absolutely right. I don't have a clue about "the function of emotions." But I will eagerly read anything that you post that might enlighten me about the subject.

---

You seemed to take offense to my stating that you all didn't know what you were talking about. It was meant as a joke, so I put the laughing emoticon behind it so it would be taken as such. It seems you didn't catch on to it as boxer and Hodo did.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by touchdown123

I completely agree. This is Rupps second year and we are back at phase one.

None of his plans, NONE, have worked out. He built this team on JuCos and transfers. He ran off the only highschool players he had. Yea, maybe they weren't lights out, but they were 4 year players.

I am not saying that he shouldn't discipline his players, I like his commitment to principles. My problem is with what was said last year. "Wait til next year." Well, its next year, and we suck.

Nobody is overreacting. This is a different situation than the football loss at army (when people were making 4-8 predictions). ALL OF OUR SUPPOSED GOOD PLAYERS (save 2, who haven't been great) are off the team.

One more thing, if y'all really think Kenny is coming back next year, get a grip. He was probably kept on scholarship so he can graduate and not hurt our scholarship count. He is gone.

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I agree with both of you. There is no way the people on here defending Rupp believed we would be at ground zero this year once again. We would have been way better off to have kept the players that we got rid of without bringing in the transfers. Neither of our basketball teams have anything positive going for them right now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MICKEYS14

Or Jason David!

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Didn't he officially change his name to "Toast"?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

I agree with both of you. There is no way the people on here defending Rupp believed we would be at ground zero this year once again. We would have been way better off to have kept the players that we got rid of without bringing in the transfers. Neither of our basketball teams have anything positive going for them right now.

---

Are we at ground zero? Maybe compared to where we think we will be next year and the year after. But we just lost to the two top teams in the WAC in close games. We lost at Hawaii by 1 point. He lost by 12 or 15 to UCLA....the team that has been beating everybody else by 20+. A loss is a loss in the end but this ain't the same team as last year. If we hadn't gone ofer in Alaska I don't think anyone else would be saying we are at ground zero.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Juice752

Are we at ground zero? Maybe compared to where we think we will be next year and the year after. But we just lost to the two top teams in the WAC in close games. We lost at Hawaii by 1 point. He lost by 12 or 15 to UCLA....the team that has been beating everybody else by 20+. A loss is a loss in the end but this ain't the same team as last year. If we hadn't gone ofer in Alaska I don't think anyone else would be saying we are at ground zero.

---

This is the exact same thing we heard last year- and it is same song next verse. I hope things improve quickly- but it certainly is NOT going as anyone had thought it would.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoDo-Tech70

"Is Dirtydawg sarcastic?" is the same kind of rhetorical question as "Is the pope Catholic" and "does a bear sit in the woods?" I enjoy his posts even in MBB threads when his sarcasm is directed at the MBB program and it's fans.

Here's a different question - How many Rupp detractors would it take to fill section 107? Answer: That's impossible because Rupp detractors don't buy enough tickets. It seems to me that the people who are most upset about this latest bump in the season are not basketball diehards. Most of us diehards seem to support the coach's decision and see this as positive in the long term. As for me, I see it as a temporary setback in terms of depth but I am grateful that we have a coach with high standards and this is great for our future.

I have no doubt that TECH will still be a WAC contender this season and we still have a shot at the regular season championship and a reasonable shot at winning the tournament. In fact, if one person would give 10 to 1 odds, I will donate $100 to LTAC in March if you promise to donate an extra $1000 to LTAC following the DAWGS win in the WAC tournament on March 14th. Remember that if all teams are evenly matched, the odds against any team winning the WAC tournament would be 9 to 1 (or maybe 8 to 1?). I'll give $100 win or lose. Alright, who will give the 10 to 1 odds?

---

I'll give you those odds and raise it a Dowlings Sandwich of my choice....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

I'll give you those odds and raise it a Dowlings Sandwich of my choice....

---

Done on the LTAC part - I'm good for $100 to LTAC by the end of March.

Will you give 10 to 1 odds on the Dowlings sandwich?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by inudesu

Have we had any problems with Rolle, Ashaolu, or Berhe?

---

Problems are not the issue with me. It is the fact that an American kid somewhere in the USA, whose parents may have been ideal citizens and paid taxes all their lives, has been denied a scholarship. Why should our tax money go to providing a scholarship for a foreigner.

If a coach can't win with American kids, then he should be encouraged to seek other employment (either voluntary meaning resignation, or involuntary meaning be fired.)

Our colleges and universities should not exist to provide scholarships to foreigners any more than the USA should exist to provide jobs to illegal immigrants. Yet many seem to believe the opposite in both cases.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

This is the exact same thing we heard last year- and it is same song next verse. I hope things improve quickly- but it certainly is NOT going as anyone had thought it would.

---

I think you are dead wrong. It is going as a lot of people on this board thought it would go. Obviously no one expected to go 0-3 in Alaska. But a tone of people on this board thought we would lose to ULL. After a few of the games TCU won, many on the board probably though we didn't stand a shot against them. Several thought we were in trouble against ULM. How many people expected us to come that close to knocking off the top 2 teams in the WAC in back to back games?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharky

Problems are not the issue with me. It is the fact that an American kid somewhere in the USA, whose parents may have been ideal citizens and paid taxes all their lives, has been denied a scholarship. Why should our tax money go to providing a scholarship for a foreigner.

If a coach can't win with American kids, then he should be encouraged to seek other employment (either voluntary meaning resignation, or involuntary meaning be fired.)

Our colleges and universities should not exist to provide scholarships to foreigners any more than the USA should exist to provide jobs to illegal immigrants. Yet many seem to believe the opposite in both cases.

---

Tell that to Tim Duncan. Get over yourself. That is by far the most singleminded post I have ever read on this board. Dude seriously take a look at our university and tell me if you still want to say that. We employ professors from across the world. We bring in students from several different countries (yes oftentimes they are on scholarship). So you want us to only offer American born boys whose parents pay their taxes? You are a walking stereotype.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharky

Problems are not the issue with me. It is the fact that an American kid somewhere in the USA, whose parents may have been ideal citizens and paid taxes all their lives, has been denied a scholarship. Why should our tax money go to providing a scholarship for a foreigner.

How good is this poor kid at basketball?

I'm pretty sure that basketball scholarships pay for themselves. I don't think taxes are where that money comes from. It comes from ticket sales, donations, Tech t-shirts, etc. And winning increases all of those. So a better player is a better investment that benefits the whole school. If the best player you can get comes from outside the U.S., then he can help make money for the school - and in effect "earn" his scholarship.

If a coach can't win with American kids, then he should be encouraged to seek other employment (either voluntary meaning resignation, or involuntary meaning be fired.)

His job is to win. We don't impose this kind of thing on the school as a whole.

Our colleges and universities should not exist to provide scholarships to foreigners any more than the USA should exist to provide jobs to illegal immigrants. Yet many seem to believe the opposite in both cases.

I don't think we exist to provide jobs to illegal immigrants. I'll give you that. Students from other coutries provide a huge source of income for the individual schools and for the country as a whole. The demands of a student visa are pretty rigorous.

---

.

Come on now, sharky. You might want to lay-off the radio programs for a while. There are alot of people who come to the US from other countries that contribute positively to our economy. Basketball is an international sport. Do you have a problem with American basketball players making money overseas?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cal&Ken

This is the exact same thing we heard last year- and it is same song next verse. I hope things improve quickly- but it certainly is NOT going as anyone had thought it would.

---

We are better than last year, and that is what EVERYONE expected. Now predictions on how MUCH better we would be varied widely; it seems that many of you naysayers are choosing the most pie-in-the-sky predictions there were and making them normative. Also, all of the predictions were based on who we believed would be on the active roster this year. The roster itself looks NOTHING like what we thought it would be, which makes the predictions kind of worthless.

We are all disappointed that this year is not living up to the most grandiose predictions a few made. But it is still within the margin of error for what most of us were expecting, and the bottom line is that we are BETTER than we were last year. We are still good enough to win the WAC this year, as anyone who was at the USU and Nevada games witnessed firsthand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian96

We are still good enough to win the WAC this year, as anyone who was at the USU and Nevada games witnessed firsthand.

---

That's something you have to attend the games to understand. We can match up with anybody in conference. Our team has improved drastically since earlier in the season. Right now, I think we can beat any team in the WAC on a neutral court. By the end of the season, I think we'll be able to beat Nevada in Reno.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Juice752

I think you are dead wrong. It is going as a lot of people on this board thought it would go.

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revisionist bullcrap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theprofessor

revisionist bullcrap.

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No. We thought we were going to be a lot better until we lost our top two point guards. Then after the were released the feeling was this season might be a long process. Most of us were saying by the end of the year we will be playing enormously better due to Yonas learning the system. The loss of JC and White cannot be ignored when talking about expectations.

I think the professor should go to Walgreens and buy a pack of Ex-Lax and take the whole pack. Do you know why Jc and White were droped from the tearm other than they really screwed up?

If you could have been at the baskekball lunchen last Monday and heard what Coach Contie had to say, you might have an idea of what they are really trying to accomplish...

I admire Coach Rupp and the way that he holds the basket ball players to high stardards in grades as well as citizenship. The reason that more Louisiana highschool players are not recruited is not be cause the coaches don't believe they can play....its the class rooms where they "can play". The high school coaches are playing kids that can't read and write at their grade level. The biggest failure is our education system...My youngest is now in her 50's. She received her HS degree in another state.
I recieved mine at RHS in may '46. My basic education was much stronger than hers. She got her undergraduate degree form Tech and a Master's from another university. Becuase of Tech's higher standards she actually got more out of her undergraduate degree than her masters. The educational system, elementary, jhs and hs in La. .....well you here what I'm saying....ergo why recruit from the hs that don't prepare the kids...