W. Basketball. Techsters Face Seattle Friday

[champion110]

Champion110 there is very little that we disagree on but this is one time I am gonna disagree with you. We are not fine and we have not been fine for MANY years. We will not be fine until we have the athletes that walk on the floor with a chip on their shoulder and DARE someone to knock it off.

We have to get back to basics and recruiting kids that want to win, know how to win and hate losing more than winning.

Louisiana Tech has gotten in the mind set of taking what comes to you instead of going out and taking what you want in the recruits.

We have to start recruiting those top 100 players with just as much conviction as we are recruiting everyone else.

We have not been recruiting these top tier kids or at least they didn't recruit Tianah Alvarado or Alexis Ungro. The only reason I can think of is that they saw the list of Tenn, Seton Hall, South Florida, UNC and other schools and thought they would not be able to sway them away.

Ungro is excited to speak with them about Louisiana Tech and this coming from Necole Tunsil (their coach) whoever gets Alexis also has a really good shot at Tianah Alvarado.

I know we don't have the budget when it comes to recruiting that a lot of the bigger schools have but this is when they (coaching staff) has to rely on us the high school coaches with love for the university to go find players that we can get them in front of.

I don't have a problem with your statement at all. Also, I am not saying that there does not need to be changes. The problem is people want to dump out the baby with the bath water. That isn't going to happen, is a complete over reaction, and shouldn't happen. This whole thread is WAY over the top. I love the Lady Techsters and am angry, upset, and more disappointed than probably any one else on this board. I am not in a panic, though. I know it is a different style of dealing with things and I don't expect everyone to react the same way, but a little perspective can be good from time to time. Some have lost that completely. I changed it to "I will be fine". The sun came up today and is shining just like it usually does.

Now, as for the program, bring in a TOP Assistant (like I have been saying all year) - maybe even 2 more - and you will see a HUGE change in our team next year. Don't do that, and bring in Geno and all his players with him and you will get the same result you saw this year. That is the problem that has plagued us all year. Spoon needs enough money in the budget to do that and hit the recruiting trails for some top players. The Techsters AND SPOON will then be just fine. I have never seen a Division One program so under staffed before. The Techsters have certainly never been this understaffed.

[philgarris]

I don't have a problem with your statement at all. Also, I am not saying that there does not need to be changes. The problem is people want to dump out the baby with the bath water. That isn't going to happen, is a complete over reaction, and shouldn't happen. This whole thread is WAY over the top. I love the Lady Techsters and am angry, upset, and more disappointed than probably any one else on this board. I am not in a panic, though. I know it is a different style of dealing with things and I don't expect everyone to react the same way, but a little perspective can be good from time to time. Some have lost that completely. I changed it to "I will be fine". The sun came up today and is shining just like it usually does.
Now, as for the program, bring in a TOP Assistant (like I have been saying all year) - maybe even 2 more - and you will see a HUGE change in our team next year. Don't do that, and bring in Geno and all his players with him and you will get the same result you saw this year. That is the problem that has plagued us all year. Spoon needs enough money in the budget to do that and hit the recruiting trails for some top players. The Techsters AND SPOON will then be just fine. I have never seen a Division One program so under staffed before. The Techsters have certainly never been this understaffed.

I am not sure if Daron will get the head coaching job at USC but if he doesn't I sure wish he would get back to Tech

[dawg80]

made me think of this:

That sums up the kool-aid drinkers very well.

[dawg80]

Wow! Talk about an EXTREME overreaction.......... It was a bad season. Maybe the Texas Women should not be called the Lady Longhorns anymore or Southern Cal should release all their players. Get a grip! Life goes on and we will be fine!

Actually, I advocated doing this several years ago, before the great Techster tradition could be soiled. Too late for that now. But, clearly this is not the "Lady Techsters" of folklore. This is nothing but a crappy team, not even mediocre by today's standards.

The true haters are giddy about this. Tech's WBB program is non-descript. Yippee!

For me, I think it's a crying shame. It's done. Well....I was distraught when the Beatles broke up, and I survived that.

"Let it Be" - Beatles (1970)

[champion110]

Actually, I advocated doing this several years ago, before the great Techster tradition could be soiled. Too late for that now. But, clearly this is not the "Lady Techsters" of folklore. This is nothing but a crappy team, not even mediocre by today's standards.

The true haters are giddy about this. Tech's WBB program is non-descript. Yippee!

For me, I think it's a crying shame. It's done. Well....I was distraught when the Beatles broke up, and I survived that.

"Let it Be" - Beatles (1970)

Yes, you are correct about some being giddy about this. That is a shame, because you are not a true Louisiana Tech fan, if you want a team to fail.

Phil, I think Park would come back, if he doesn't get the HC position.

My point in all of this is that we are experiencing something that we have never experienced. Not winning is new to us and we are having a hard time with it. That is a good thing and shows that we still care. However, there is a point of doing more harm than good by acting the way some act. 90% of the programs in the country go through this (see my example of USC and Texas). By acting the way we are, we chase away recruits, chase away fans, and demoralize our coach - who is a Tech legend and supports all our teams.

I won't give up on the Techsters and I have a feeling that when we start winning again (and WE WILL), many will be in love with our Coach and team again. No one seems to listen when I talk about the missing tactical Assistant needed. It is GREATLY needed. I would love to get Park back and he is still very supportive of our program. He had to move for personal reasons. There are more great tacticians out there, though, and we need to tap into our own developed talent, if needed. We are only losing 2 players. We are gaining a top 6'5" forward/post and I think that will help a LOT. Playing Frazier at the 3 is what I would like to see. We should see a lot more out of Lulu next year, as well. As a freshman, she was phenomenal and should only improve.

I will sum up my rambling with the statement that I will NOT give up!

Meanwhile, Idaho went up early on Seattle, but Seattle is within one close to the half.

[philgarris]

Yes, you are correct about some being giddy about this. That is a shame, because you are not a true Louisiana Tech fan, if you want a team to fail.

Phil, I think Park would come back, if he doesn't get the HC position.

My point in all of this is that we are experiencing something that we have never experienced. Not winning is new to us and we are having a hard time with it. That is a good thing and shows that we still care. However, there is a point of doing more harm than good by acting the way some act. 90% of the programs in the country go through this (see my example of USC and Texas). By acting the way we are, we chase away recruits, chase away fans, and demoralize our coach - who is a Tech legend and supports all our teams.

I won't give up on the Techsters and I have a feeling that when we start winning again (and WE WILL), many will be in love with our Coach and team again. No one seems to listen when I talk about the missing tactical Assistant needed. It is GREATLY needed. I would love to get Park back and he is still very supportive of our program. He had to move for personal reasons. There are more great tacticians out there, though, and we need to tap into our own developed talent, if needed. We are only losing 2 players. We are gaining a top 6'5" forward/post and I think that will help a LOT. Playing Frazier at the 3 is what I would like to see. We should see a lot more out of Lulu next year, as well. As a freshman, she was phenomenal and should only improve.

I will sum up my rambling with the statement that I will NOT give up!

Meanwhile, Idaho went up early on Seattle, but Seattle is within on close to the half.

Champ, I will let you know what I find out from Parks.

[champion110]

Champ, I will let you know what I find out from Parks.

I just private messaged him, as well. I told him I would keep any remarks he made in confidence, though.

[Russdawg]

We will not be fine until we have the athletes that walk on the floor with a chip on their shoulder and DARE someone to knock it off.

We have to get back to basics and recruiting kids that want to win, know how to win and hate losing more than winning.

Louisiana Tech has gotten in the mind set of taking what comes to you instead of going out and taking what you want in the recruits.

YES, YES, YES x 100 BILLION!!!!!!!!!!

Ir's been so very long since I've seen this in most of our Techsters. Definitelty been missing since the Long years and I'd hoped this 2012-13 season with all Spoon players would be different. Phil, I sit right behind the Techsters goal, and you can just see this SO MUCH in our Techsters eyes and body language. I love every one of our ladies, but the cut-your-throat-and-enjoy-it mentality has not been prevalent maybe since the Tamicha Jackson years. Dowdell and Adrienne Johnson had it, but it has just been lacking overall. The CONFIDENT ATTITUDE, the DOMINATION DESIRE, the HURT -YOU-AND-ENJOY-EVERY-MINUTE-OF-IT attitude is just missing. Desire just cannot be underrated.

To me that's recruiting, and program culture. Gotta get it back. Hoping Spoon can find the players and the awesome assistant coach to get it done for us.

[fanfromafar]

Giddy. Seriously? You think some of us are "giddy" over the complete implosion of the program this year? That is as delusional as now laying everything on the fact that Spoon needed a good assistant.

If Spoon wasn't good enough on her own to at least pull off a winning season, she needs to go. This was her team. Every player on this team was brought in by Spoon.

If the players can't respond to her as a coach, she has failed in her responsibility to recruits players who will respond. If she recruited stupid players, she has failed in her responsibility as a coach. I'm not saying the players are stupid, or lazy, but there is a subtext saying they are both stupid and lazy if they are unable to follow a game plan.

Blame the students over and over again, and hide behind your glossy-eyed look while you live in your padded cell, but the reality of the situation is far worse than just a losing season.

No one is giddy. But some on here are definitely delusional.

[fanfromafar]

I am not sure if Daron will get the head coaching job at USC but if he doesn't I sure wish he would get back to Tech

hmm...let's see...coaching job at USC, or return to Ruston to coach La. Tech in CUSA...

golly gee. that's a tough choice.

[RealityCheck]

Tired of excuses...

This is much more than a one-year fluke...Tech has a 31-32 record over the last two seasons. And tacking on the last two games of 2010-2011 Tech has won only 31 of its last 65 games. There has never been anything close to a stretch like that in program history. And the competition level in those last 65 games has been the weakest by far than over any similar stretch since Tech came onto the national scene in 1978.

Those who blame money...the money situation wasn't created overnight and simply doesn't explain the last two seasons being the worst in program history.

Those who blame players...last time I checked players don't set the tone for the program, decide who to recruit, decide on playing time, make in-game strategy decisions, etc. If there is a problem with any team, you cannot replace all of the players even though technically you can with annually renewed scholarships. You have to look elsewhere.

Those who believe replacing Chris Long was the right decision...the last two seasons are worse than anything Chris Long served up. Long never had a sub-.500 RPI season, while the last two years have seen .4908 and .4873 RPIs. Long's weighted average RPI over the four complete seasons he was coach was .5540. Weatherspoon's weighted average RPI over her four complete seasons is just .5348. Weatherspoon has coached just seven fewer games at Tech than Long did, and she closer in losses to Long than she is in wins...Long 91-54, Weatherspoon 87-51.

The Tech program cannot move forward under its current leadership. Weatherspoon has had more than adequate chances and continues to fail. I thought a change might have been warranted after last year, but I admitted it might have been a hasty decision then. If a move isn't made now, it will be woefully late when it finally is made.

[HoDo-Tech70]

I've got no opinion on the coaching situation but here's something y'all need to consider. When it became apparent to one supporter that Kerry Rupp was not the man to be the MBB coach he/she stepped up and gave KR a buyout, reported to be $200,000. Is there someone willing to give enough money to do that for WBB?

[philgarris]

Giddy. Seriously? You think some of us are "giddy" over the complete implosion of the program this year? That is as delusional as now laying everything on the fact that Spoon needed a good assistant.

If Spoon wasn't good enough on her own to at least pull off a winning season, she needs to go. This was her team. Every player on this team was brought in by Spoon.

If the players can't respond to her as a coach, she has failed in her responsibility to recruits players who will respond. If she recruited stupid players, she has failed in her responsibility as a coach. I'm not saying the players are stupid, or lazy, but there is a subtext saying they are both stupid and lazy if they are unable to follow a game plan.

Blame the students over and over again, and hide behind your glossy-eyed look while you live in your padded cell, but the reality of the situation is far worse than just a losing season.

No one is giddy. But some on here are definitely delusional.

I really don't think that post was referring to you but yeah there are some that have been vocal in the past that the women's program was not as important as the other programs at Louisiana Tech. IMO, I would agree that there are some people that are happy to see this happen but in no way would I think you would be one of those people.

I agree with you there should not have been a second time, the second time that she had to have that conversation it would have been "We appreciate the time you spent here but this is not a good fit and we are releasing you from your obligations.

You are mistaking not able to follow a game plan with refusing to follow the game plan.

[philgarris]

hmm...let's see...coaching job at USC, or return to Ruston to coach La. Tech in CUSA...

golly gee. that's a tough choice.

hmmmmmmmmmm you might wanna read before you pop off something being a smart a** .

[philgarris]

I've got no opinion on the coaching situation but here's something y'all need to consider. When it became apparent to one supporter that Kerry Rupp was not the man to be the MBB coach he/she stepped up and gave KR a buyout, reported to be $200,000. Is there someone willing to give enough money to do that for WBB?

You will hear CRICKETS now about this comment. LOL