Back from game

[champion110]

OK, so I was at the game last night. I will give my assessment, but I don't know the answer. If we could keep the negative posts on the other threads, that would be great. I would really like to get some input from serious Techster fans on this - not those that wish the Techsters to fail or think everything is hopeless. We can discuss that on the other threads.

First of all, the refs were definite homers. HOWEVER, that is NOT the reason we lost. The calls were really bad, but we lost because we beat ourselves and SFA was out there to win.

This is a STRANGE team. We really do have talent. I know that is hard to believe, but our talent was obviously better than SFA and WKU. We are faster and more athletic. It shows when you watch them.

The obvious is that we aren't hitting our shots. These are not all contested shots. I am talking about open shots and free throws. There were many times that we should have taken the lead for good. At one point, we held SFA scoreless for 4 minutes. Yet, we couldn't capitalize on it.

This is all part of a larger issue, though. Our team seems to be missing somthing and it is more psychological than anything else. I can't even put a real finger on it. We are not emotional. We do not have the Techster strut even coming out on the court. It seems that we either EXPECT to win these games before we start playing or are, at the very least, not thinking it will be that difficult.

SFA was pumped up. You could see it on their faces and in their body language before the game even started. They were emotional. We were not.

It is almost like we need a team Psychologist. I know that some of you think that is silly, but it really seems that this team has something going on with it that is nothing to do with talent.

Long made all the right calls last night. There was no time that I thought he should have done something different. SFA broke our press, even though it did take a lot of time off the shot clock. Even when we did cause a turnover, we could not complete the play.

Eboni Mangum is the star of this team. She can't play all the minutes yet, but when she can, we will be much better.

Nixon is a PLAYER! She will, also, be a star. She is still a little shaky with her passes, but that is coming along.

Amber has developed into a player, as well. She is more steady and can pop the three, as well.

Tamika is the only one with emotion. It just doesn't come out in the right way sometimes.

There is something WRONG with Shan. She has an issue with shooting, even more than last year.

I do not want this post to be excuses. We deserved to lose. I just would like to figure out what that one thing is that we are missing.

I want to say it is Techster pride. The one thing that I DID witness is an attitude on the bench. Even at the end of the game, there was some smiling and joking around at the end of the bench. That was upsetting. The Tech fans had MUCH more frustration on their faces than the players did.

OK, so I have made a long post without saying much. I really hope some of you that were there or watched on the net would give some serious thought to this and post. It may not be possible to do that without being negative toward the players, coach, or A.D., but try. It would be really nice to get some feedback on what is going on with this team.

My opinion is that it is something more than talent level or technical issues in carrying out a play or gameplan. It is psychological.

[techfan4life]

Sorry Champ you had to witness that. I know you must have been looking forward to the game since you don't get to attend most of the home games. I listened on the radio while I watched the Mavs on TV, and it was quite depressing. Hearing you say there was smiling and joking at the end of the game makes me even more depressed. That makes me think of Aaron Brooks when he was with the Saints, and it just made me cringe every time he did it after a bad game.

Anyway, I agree with you about no emotion on this team. In fact, I haven't seen it in several years. There doesn't seem to be any excitement or passion about the game. We need some TSpoon type emotion in a bad way. Or shall I say good way. The bad way emotion just seems to be hurting us with technical fouls. I think the one who needs to step up and be that emotional leader is Eboni Mangum. I don't think any of our seniors has leadership capabilities. That's a sad thing to say, but it's true. Eboni has it, she just needs to take charge and do it.

As for offense, I don't know how else to make it happen than to spend time just shooting in practice. We need someone with the mindset of a Jackie Stiles' type practice. I think I read that she didn't leave the gym every day until she made at least 1,000 shots. Now that's dedication.

It's obvious that we're in trouble at the point guard position. I was really looking forward to Pringle, but so far she has really disappointed. Hopefully, it's just freshman jitters, and will work itself out. Looks like Eboni is gonna need to take care of that position for now.

I know Coach Long, and I like him as a person, and I like him as a coach. But I think he needs to get tougher and more demanding. It worked for Leon.

I'm glad though that it sounds like we signed some good recruits for next year. And it's good that we signed them in the early signing period, because if we keep playing like this, it's gonna get harder and harder to sign quality talent.

Don't really know much else to say. Just hope we right this ship in a hurry, or it's gonna be a long and dreadful season.

[champion110]

Sorry Champ you had to witness that. I know you must have been looking forward to the game since you don't get to attend most of the home games. I listened on the radio while I watched the Mavs on TV, and it was quite depressing. Hearing you say there was smiling and joking at the end of the game makes me even more depressed. That makes me think of Aaron Brooks when he was with the Saints, and it just made me cringe every time he did it after a bad game.

Anyway, I agree with you about no emotion on this team. In fact, I haven't seen it in several years. There doesn't seem to be any excitement or passion about the game. We need some TSpoon type emotion in a bad way. Or shall I say good way. The bad way emotion just seems to be hurting us with technical fouls. I think the one who needs to step up and be that emotional leader is Eboni Mangum. I don't think any of our seniors has leadership capabilities. That's a sad thing to say, but it's true. Eboni has it, she just needs to take charge and do it.

As for offense, I don't know how else to make it happen than to spend time just shooting in practice. We need someone with the mindset of a Jackie Stiles' type practice. I think I read that she didn't leave the gym every day until she made at least 1,000 shots. Now that's dedication.

It's obvious that we're in trouble at the point guard position. I was really looking forward to Pringle, but so far she has really disappointed. Hopefully, it's just freshman jitters, and will work itself out. Looks like Eboni is gonna need to take care of that position for now.

I know Coach Long, and I like him as a person, and I like him as a coach. But I think he needs to get tougher and more demanding. It worked for Leon.

I'm glad though that it sounds like we signed some good recruits for next year. And it's good that we signed them in the early signing period, because if we keep playing like this, it's gonna get harder and harder to sign quality talent.

Don't really know much else to say. Just hope we right this ship in a hurry, or it's gonna be a long and dreadful season.

Thank you for the thoughtful post. I am in TOTAL agreement with every single thing you stated.

Eboni is DEFINITELY the key to this. This is down to a leadership role and she is the only one that seems to be able to do it. She has to step on up to the plate. Right now, she is not even starting. I know that is due to the injury, but it may be time to go ahead and make that change. Her and Nixon were the bright spots last night.

I don't need to comment on the rest of your post. You said almost everything on my mind.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I just would like to figure out what that one thing is that we are missing.

I want to say it is Techster pride. The one thing that I DID witness is an attitude on the bench. Even at the end of the game, there was some smiling and joking around at the end of the bench. That was upsetting. The Tech fans had MUCH more frustration on their faces than the players did.

Sounds like some of the other TECH sports I know. Dang, could it be the dreaded
Apathy Plague setting in over the entire athletic program? And yes that includes the TECHSTERS. Afterall, jocks do hang together. Senior leadership has been a problem in all TECH sports of late as well. Somebody needs to get P)$$@%
somewhere and do something. I guess it's going to have to be us, the fans, if the ADM isn't going to correct itself. I believe you will see the beginings of an even bigger boycott today at the football game.

[beaux66]

I think the shooting will improve. Nixon needs to start and stay in there. She will be the star. My biggest disappointment is Shan Moore. If she doesn't want to take the reigns than she needs to be benched. She doesn't seem like she wants it.

[Brian96]

See what I mean about attitude trickling down from the top of an organization? It's only a matter of time before it sets in again over at J.C. Love as well. But, as Champ requested, I will save that for another thread, but it is DEFINITELY related.

As for your comment about needind a "team psychologist," you know I am biased on this, but we definitely need something like that for the athletic department. It's one more example of something that is standard at programs that are committed to growth and excellence but that we seem to ignore. Like nutritional supplements.

[nadB]

I think the shooting will improve. Nixon needs to start and stay in there. She will be the star. My biggest disappointment is Shan Moore. If she doesn't want to take the reigns than she needs to be benched. She doesn't seem like she wants it.

I'm guessing your biggest disappointment should be that the coach apparently cannot motivate and prepare the team ?? NO WAY you can blame the Lady Techsters' players for losing game #1 at home to a sunbelch opponent, and game # 2 to a southland team.

Is chris in "way long" over his head ??

I forget, what were his qualifications for the job ?? (other than the fact that he happened to be hanging around at the right place at the right time for an easy hire, like bick ?? other than the fact that the ruston homers didn't want to hurt his feelings and send him back to coach h.s. girls' basketball in MS ??)

Looks like the Lady Techsters are in for a very long season. Too Bad.

jmo

[Abominable Gorilla]

If I remember right, we were told he was qualified based on his ability to scout opponents, which he did for Burke and Barmore. We are a very young team. Let's see how this year pans out before we start calling for his head.

[Brian96]

Youth doesn't explain missing lay-ups and open jumpers more often than not.

[Abominable Gorilla]

Youth doesn't explain missing lay-ups and open jumpers more often than not.

Youth explains jitters, which explains quicksand. If they come out of it, we'll look to his coaching ability with a little bit more respect and all of the players will be better off. If not, it will be a very long season indeed.

[champion110]

Barmore wanted Long. I, at first, didn't, but trusted Barmore on this. Long was the right choice for many reasons.

The team is young. The coaching is fine.

I am standing firm as a fan. That means supporting this team through thick and thin. I will continue.

[SDDawg]

I'm not so sure about the coaching but I'll continue to give it the benefit of the doubt. I was at the game as well - drove up from Houston. The coaches coach by committe - at a time out they gather for the 1st half, discuss, and then give themselves about 15 seconds to say what they need to say to the players. I hate that. Saw Richard do it last year, too. When you're playing the way they were playing and you call the timeout, you should know what to say to your players.

I really just wanted one of the coaches to throw a clipboard or something. Show some emotion - you don't see it from the team and I have to wonder if it's because you don't see it from the coaches. There was one point when Kursch got the ball in the post and for about the 30th time what did she do? Put the ball on the floor when she was 2 feet away from the basket. She dribbled it off her foot out of bounds. Coach calls a time out and Joni storms out to her ready to go off, walks up to her, says a couple of words and then backs away for the coaches timeout conference. What is this? Is this kinder and gentler basketball? I just got home from watching 2 high school girls teams and their coaches were in their face!

There was alot of fundamental mistakes - if you're post player one of your jobs is to know where you are in the lane, how close you are to the basket. I swear that we took at least 5 shots from directly underneath or behind the backboard. Unacceptable when you're playing at that level. Plenty of missed layups. I don't understand how we continue to miss free throws. I am considering retiring from my current job to become a professional free throw coach. It's not that damn hard.

Sierra will be good. She reminds me of a puppy whose feet are still to big for their body. She's kind of gawky about how she moves around the court but she played well. I think she has spark and could step up to be a leader. Eboni is it though. She's the real leader or at least should be.

Shan - well I just don't know. It's like she isn't interested in being there. Same goes for Ty. Timid, not really aggressive, just kinda there.

I'll stop now because it's time to head out for another high school girls game. And watch some Ohio State-Michigan.

[Dawg06]

With 4 seniors (Ty, Shan, Tamika, Amber) and 4 juniors, youth cannot be an excuse.

I think this shows that Tasha Crain-Williams should go down as one of the greatest players in Lady Techster history.

Ty will be our best player this year. She needs to show a little more aggression though.

Shan needs help...a lot of shooting and ball handling practice!

Tiawana has a lot of potential.

Sierra will be a star on this team. She has great athleticism for a girl her height along with a lot of energy.

Eboni just needs time to heal. She will eventually be a star.

Tamika just needs to learn how to harness her emotion for her to be a defensive and rebounding force.

Amber is solid.

Sneed needs some aggression.

Levingston needs to learn how to pass the ball.

I haven't seen enough of Shanavia.

Most importantly, Chris Long and all of these players need to get on the same page and run an offense with picks and slashes and anything else to create open high percentage baskets underneath the goal instead of just passing it around and trying to take people one on one and then kicking it back out to try again and when players get offensive boards they do not have to put it right back up if 3 people are in their face because they can kick it out to open guards!!!!

[champion110]

I'm not so sure about the coaching but I'll continue to give it the benefit of the doubt. I was at the game as well - drove up from Houston. The coaches coach by committe - at a time out they gather for the 1st half, discuss, and then give themselves about 15 seconds to say what they need to say to the players. I hate that. Saw Richard do it last year, too. When you're playing the way they were playing and you call the timeout, you should know what to say to your players.

I really just wanted one of the coaches to throw a clipboard or something. Show some emotion - you don't see it from the team and I have to wonder if it's because you don't see it from the coaches. There was one point when Kursch got the ball in the post and for about the 30th time what did she do? Put the ball on the floor when she was 2 feet away from the basket. She dribbled it off her foot out of bounds. Coach calls a time out and Joni storms out to her ready to go off, walks up to her, says a couple of words and then backs away for the coaches timeout conference. What is this? Is this kinder and gentler basketball? I just got home from watching 2 high school girls teams and their coaches were in their face!

There was alot of fundamental mistakes - if you're post player one of your jobs is to know where you are in the lane, how close you are to the basket. I swear that we took at least 5 shots from directly underneath or behind the backboard. Unacceptable when you're playing at that level. Plenty of missed layups. I don't understand how we continue to miss free throws. I am considering retiring from my current job to become a professional free throw coach. It's not that damn hard.

Sierra will be good. She reminds me of a puppy whose feet are still to big for their body. She's kind of gawky about how she moves around the court but she played well. I think she has spark and could step up to be a leader. Eboni is it though. She's the real leader or at least should be.

Shan - well I just don't know. It's like she isn't interested in being there. Same goes for Ty. Timid, not really aggressive, just kinda there.

I'll stop now because it's time to head out for another high school girls game. And watch some Ohio State-Michigan.

Ty did that last year, as well. Don't know why..... Then she picked it up during conference play and started being aggressive. The problem is that we NEED the OOC games more than anyone. She needs to get aggressive now.

[theprofessor]

OK, so I was at the game last night. I will give my assessment, but I don't know the answer. If we could keep the negative posts on the other threads, that would be great. I would really like to get some input from serious Techster fans on this - not those that wish the Techsters to fail or think everything is hopeless. We can discuss that on the other threads.

First of all, the refs were definite homers. HOWEVER, that is NOT the reason we lost. The calls were really bad, but we lost because we beat ourselves and SFA was out there to win.

This is a STRANGE team. We really do have talent. I know that is hard to believe, but our talent was obviously better than SFA and WKU. We are faster and more athletic. It shows when you watch them.

The obvious is that we aren't hitting our shots. These are not all contested shots. I am talking about open shots and free throws. There were many times that we should have taken the lead for good. At one point, we held SFA scoreless for 4 minutes. Yet, we couldn't capitalize on it.

This is all part of a larger issue, though. Our team seems to be missing somthing and it is more psychological than anything else. I can't even put a real finger on it. We are not emotional. We do not have the Techster strut even coming out on the court. It seems that we either EXPECT to win these games before we start playing or are, at the very least, not thinking it will be that difficult.

SFA was pumped up. You could see it on their faces and in their body language before the game even started. They were emotional. We were not.

It is almost like we need a team Psychologist. I know that some of you think that is silly, but it really seems that this team has something going on with it that is nothing to do with talent.

Long made all the right calls last night. There was no time that I thought he should have done something different. SFA broke our press, even though it did take a lot of time off the shot clock. Even when we did cause a turnover, we could not complete the play.

Eboni Mangum is the star of this team. She can't play all the minutes yet, but when she can, we will be much better.

Nixon is a PLAYER! She will, also, be a star. She is still a little shaky with her passes, but that is coming along.

Amber has developed into a player, as well. She is more steady and can pop the three, as well.

Tamika is the only one with emotion. It just doesn't come out in the right way sometimes.

There is something WRONG with Shan. She has an issue with shooting, even more than last year.

I do not want this post to be excuses. We deserved to lose. I just would like to figure out what that one thing is that we are missing.

I want to say it is Techster pride. The one thing that I DID witness is an attitude on the bench. Even at the end of the game, there was some smiling and joking around at the end of the bench. That was upsetting. The Tech fans had MUCH more frustration on their faces than the players did.

OK, so I have made a long post without saying much. I really hope some of you that were there or watched on the net would give some serious thought to this and post. It may not be possible to do that without being negative toward the players, coach, or A.D., but try. It would be really nice to get some feedback on what is going on with this team.

My opinion is that it is something more than talent level or technical issues in carrying out a play or gameplan. It is psychological.

gary,

i know you asked for no negative posts, and i will try to keep this as realistic as possible. you said it's clear we are more athletic and faster, but we are missing shots. i honestly think that's the problem. we have some athletes. we don't have many great basketball players. we don't have true scorers. we don't have finishers. until we develop that, it's going to be a rough time.