Cooper suspended for season - FromTheBlueSeats.com

[Dirtydawg]

Why do you think that the high schoolers that go to the jucos do so? By far the majority do so because they failed to make their grades or failed to score high enough on the ACT or SAT. Do you really believe that a kid that struggled through four years of high school is going to miracuoulsy become a good student after two years at a juco. Most jucos continue to be academic liabilities that require close supervision and tutoring just to keep them academically quaiified until their athletic eligbility expires.

As for what I would have done--that is impossible to answer because I do not know what other choices Rupp had at his disposal. But I think that we can agree that he did make some bad choices.

As for congratulating Rupp on his stern discipline, he had no choice but to dismiss White and Clarke. In the course of human events, some things are self evident. Theft is not only a disciipline problem, IT IS A CRIME. Had they not received special treatment, perhaps because they were Tech athletes, they would be indicted by now.

In a previous post we took a look at the makeup of the Idaho Vandal squad--NINE HIGH SCHOOLERS AND FIVE JUCO/TRANSFERS. The Nevada Wolfpack has TEN HIGH SCHOOLERS AND TWO JUCO/TRANSFERS. Both of the programs that you sited as examples of how to do it right appear to be doing exactly what the majority of Tech fans would have patiently waited for Rupp to do. Build a solid program with quality high schoolers (both academically and athletically) and sprinkle in a very minimum number of jucos to fill in the critical voids. He chose not to and so far (the key words in this sentence are SO FAR) it hasn't worked. Will it? I don't know, but I am sorely disappointed in what has transpired thus far this year. I don't hold him responsible for last season.

If you don't know what other choices Rupp had, then how in the hell can you criticize him for the choices he's made? They may have been his only options.

[sharky]

If you don't know what other choices Rupp had, then how in the hell can you criticize him for the choices he's made? They may have been his only options.

It is very easy to criticize him for the choices that he made. The basis for my criticism speaks volumes for itself. He has dismissed three players this season for serious behavior problems. He chose them. When doing so, he made decisions that proved to be bad.

All three were transfers, remember. Their previous coaches most probably had problems with them too. They just didn't advertise the fact.

[Dirtydawg]

It is very easy to criticize him for the choices that he made. The basis for my criticism speaks volumes for itself. He has dismissed three players this season for serious behavior problems. He chose them. When doing so, he made decisions that proved to be bad.

All three were transfers, remember. Their previous coaches most probably had problems with them too. They just didn't advertise the fact.

Yeah, but you are criticizing him for decisions he made when you, admittedly, don't know what other options he had. Furthermore, if the other coaches did have problems with them but didn't make them known, how can you fault Rupp for his ignorance on those behavior problems? Now, he doesn't get a pass on the kid he knew had problems, but if he had no idea Cooper was the cancer he is, how can he be faulted for making room for what was to be an upgrade over what we had?

It'd be like if you date a girl that cheated on her previous boyfriends, and you didn't know about it and married her anyway then she cheats on you and I fault you for marrying her in the first place.

[DocMarvin362]

Yeah, but you are criticizing him for decisions he made when you, admittedly, don't know what other options he had. Furthermore, if the other coaches did have problems with them but didn't make them known, how can you fault Rupp for his ignorance on those behavior problems? Now, he doesn't get a pass on the kid he knew had problems, but if he had no idea Cooper was the cancer he is, how can he be faulted for making room for what was to be an upgrade over what we had?

It'd be like if you date a girl that cheated on her previous boyfriends, and you didn't know about it and married her anyway then she cheats on you and I fault you for marrying her in the first place.

Ouch.... GREAT analogy.

I tell you what... I'm not happy that we are having to kick people off the team, but I'm so happy that we're not letting these guys represent our University like they represent their hood. Coach Rupp has got some KaHooNa's and I personally support his decisions and hope that we keep scaring off those kinds of recruits in the future and we can have a team that we can be proud of ON, and OFF the court.

[DawgUSN]

It is very easy to criticize him for the choices that he made. The basis for my criticism speaks volumes for itself. He has dismissed three players this season for serious behavior problems. He chose them. When doing so, he made decisions that proved to be bad.

All three were transfers, remember. Their previous coaches most probably had problems with them too. They just didn't advertise the fact.

All three were transfers???? Negative ghost rider, Clark was Juco.

In any case, we all make poor choices in life. The difference being, men own up to them, take responsibility for them, correct them and move on.

[sharky]

Yeah, but you are criticizing him for decisions he made when you, admittedly, don't know what other options he had. Furthermore, if the other coaches did have problems with them but didn't make them known, how can you fault Rupp for his ignorance on those behavior problems? Now, he doesn't get a pass on the kid he knew had problems, but if he had no idea Cooper was the cancer he is, how can he be faulted for making room for what was to be an upgrade over what we had?

It'd be like if you date a girl that cheated on her previous boyfriends, and you didn't know about it and married her anyway then she cheats on you and I fault you for marrying her in the first place.

You are right. I do not know what other choices Rupp had and neither do you. You choose to support his decisions based on the same lack of information that you chastise me for criticizing him. There appears to be a disconnect in your logic somewhere. Perhaps you go through life basing things on how you feel instead of how you think. Seldom proves to be profitiable.

As for your analogy about dating and marriage and lack of information in between, I feel that I am unqualified to address the matter. I have been married to but one woman for 42 years. I got it right the first time and have no experience whatsoever about getting it wrong. Please accept my apology regarding my inability to relate to your example.

[dhussdawg]

You are right. I do not know what other choices Rupp had and neither do you. You choose to support his decisions based on the same lack of information that you chastise me for criticizing him. There appears to be a disconnect in your logic somewhere. Perhaps you go through life basing things on how you feel instead of how you think. Seldom proves to be profitiable.

As for your analogy about dating and marriage and lack of information in between, I feel that I am unqualified to address the matter. I have been married to but one woman for 42 years. I got it right the first time and have no experience whatsoever about getting it wrong. Please accept my apology regarding my inability to relate to your example.

...but when it comes to a coach trying to a build a team from the ground up, I will give him the benefit of the doubt before I throw him under the bus. He was handed Ground Zero and it will take some time to get us back to a good team. I am very disappointed that Cooper did not work out, but I cannot fault him for taking a chance. Hate to say it, but 6 foot 10 and 6 foot 11 guys just dont fall on your door step at a smaller D1 bball school, especially when you had been as bad as we were the year before. He rolled the dice on Cooper and lost, but I cant fault him for playing the game that way.

[boxerdog]

sharky, do you actually WATCH the basketball games? (serious question)

[sharky]

Ouch.... GREAT analogy.

I tell you what... I'm not happy that we are having to kick people off the team, but I'm so happy that we're not letting these guys represent our University like they represent their hood. Coach Rupp has got some KaHooNa's and I personally support his decisions and hope that we keep scaring off those kinds of recruits in the future and we can have a team that we can be proud of ON, and OFF the court.

Coach Rupp could have KaHooNa's made out of marshmellows and he still would have had to terminate Clark and White. Their behavior problem was so severe that there was no way that he could have done otherwise. So much for the KaHooNa's in the first instance.

He had Cooper all last year and at practice every day last season and then this season until he finally got enough. When did Cooper's behavoir problems began to surface. I do not have a clue except that he left the bench during a game at the Alaska tournament. My guess is that he was a problem much before that. But in the end Rupp did what he had to do.

My goal is not to have a coach that scares away problem athletes, but to have a coach that never seeks them in the first place. Rupp still has the opportunity to be that coach. "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." You probably heard that from your parents.

[dhussdawg]

Coach Rupp could have KaHooNa's made out of marshmellows and he still would have had to terminate Clark and White. Their behavior problem was so severe that there was no way that he could have done otherwise. So much for the KaHooNa's in the first instance.

He had Cooper all last year and at practice every day last season and then this season until he finally got enough. When did Cooper's behavoir problems began to surface. I do not have a clue except that he left the bench during a game at the Alaska tournament. My guess is that he was a problem much before that. But in the end Rupp did what he had to do.

My goal is not to have a coach that scares away problem athletes, but to have a coach that never seeks them in the first place. Rupp still has the opportunity to be that coach. "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." You probably heard that from your parents.

You sound like you live in the world of sugar plum ferries. Seriously, we are Louisiana Tech, not North Carolina. If a skilled player is availalbe that has baggage, we will take him every time nearly. We just dont have much choice in the matter. As I said earlier, 6 10's and 6 11s are hard to come by.

[sharky]

sharky, do you actually WATCH the basketball games? (serious question)

Yes. I go to every game that I possibly can. I live in Ruston. Rather easy to do unless I have another more pressing engagement and if my health premits.

I have attended both Dwags and Techster games for years.

May I ask why you ask?

[boxerdog]

Yes. I go to every game that I possibly can. I live in Ruston. Rather easy to do unless I have another more pressing engagement and if my health premits.

I have attended both Dwags and Techster games for years.

May I ask why you ask?

Because you never really talk about what happens ON THE COURT. Most of your posts have to do with speculative matters and are mere conjecture.

[sharky]

Because you never really talk about what happens ON THE COURT. Most of your posts have to do with speculative matters and are mere conjecture.

The W's and L's attest to what has happened on the court. Always have and always will.

Please point out the speculative matters and the mere conjecture. I am at a loss.

[olddog75]

My goal is not to have a coach that scares away problem athletes, but to have a coach that never seeks them in the first place. Rupp still has the opportunity to be that coach. "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." You probably heard that from your parents.

There are bad apples in nearly every program, did Rupp gamble - yes. And he and our progarm have been set back for it. Did he think that Cooper would be one of those bad apples, I don't think so. Some kids just don't get it, Cooper has more that behavior problems.

Although the boat is taking on some water, I think Rupp will navigate us to our preferred port of call.

[Cool Hand Clyde]

There are bad apples in nearly every program, did Rupp gamble - yes. And he and our progarm have been set back for it. Did he think that Cooper would be one of those bad apples, I don't think so. Some kids just don't get it, Cooper has more that behavior problems.

Although the boat is taking on some water, I think Rupp will navigate us to our preferred port of call.

Not sure I would agree with that. I would say that the progress is not progressing fast enough.