AMA update on PC board

[Yonick]

Cooley was running Fairfield by the time Al's demise at BC came about. If you can't admit that Cooley is doing something special at PC; you are the only one.

Special??? Look, the guy recruited Ledo and he never played a game for PC. He just recruited Chuckwu, but he's #65, or so. He'll need time. Let's not put Cooley in the HOF just yet.
Admittedly, he's better than Welsh & Keno, so far. But special??? Not just yet. Give him 2-3 more years.

 

[alexd]

Cooley is grabbing 4-star kids from CT right from under UCONN's nose. That's a big part of what many PC fans consider special.

Meanwhile, K. Ollie is settling for the top player from NYC along with 5-star kids from L.A. and NC.

 

[Gurleyman]

I think Cooley's done a pretty good job there so far. Things don't change instantly. Took JC a few years here.

I actually thought Keno Davis did a great job at Drake - better than Cooley did at Fairfield (more of an uphill climb at Drake to pass Creighton and Wichita State to win the Valley, and Cooley lost his big games). But that doesn't necessarily translate to a head coaching job in an unfamiliar area, as we saw. Cooley's ability to win big games remains to be seen - but getting to the point where you actually play in big games would be progress. And he can't possibly be worse than Tim Welsh, who won one postseason game (a BET opening round game) in 10 years.

 

[upstater]

Cooley is grabbing 4-star kids from CT right from under UCONN's nose. That's a big part of what many PC fans consider special.

Meanwhile, K. Ollie is settling for the top player from NYC along with 5-star kids from L.A. and NC.

Oh, you mean like comments like this?

It's why I laugh at UCONN fans sometimes ... They recruit "nationally," and PC recruits "locally." The problem is, while they are chasing all of these Top 50 guys across the country, they are missing out on fantastic players right under their nose. IMHO, if you look at the UCONN roster and the PC roster at this point in time and going forward into the future, is UCONN much better at this point in time? So go, chase all of these top 25 types who you might be lucky to hit on one of, and Cooley can keep making in-roads with the Top 75 players in our backyard. And in the end, UCONN might get the best player in each class going forward, but PC should continue to have more depth going forward at this pace. You can look at a lot of guys on the UCONN roster and say, where would they even play here? Nolan, Olander, Giffey, Wolf? Those guys are like 9th, 10th man tops sort of players. They would all be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart here. UCONN will still win because their Top 4 players are fantastic, but they aren't recruiting at the level that once were, and that should scare them, even if just a little bit.

Funny stuff. Giffey is tearing it up against NBA players in a big FIBA tournament, but he can't get off the bench at the Dunk. Talk about delusional beyond all belief.

 

[7774]

Oh, you mean like comments like this?




Funny stuff. Giffey is tearing it up against NBA players in a big FIBA tournament, but he can't get off the bench at the Dunk. Talk about delusional beyond all belief.

There is so much gold in there, even beyond the Giffey comment. Posts like those are why I enjoy reading the PC board. There are just so many laughs.

The guy is right though, we're not recruiting at the level we once were. Calhoun had 9 MCDAA in his entire tenure, KO has 2 in 1 year. At least.

 

[upstater]

A lot of the local AAU guys tend to make buffoons out of themselves sometimes. Remember that guy who was advising Maurice Harkless? The guy basically blasted the program in early 2011---same with another guy last year. The Harkless guy criticized the style of play. Next thing you know, they win a national championship.

 

[dmac80]

I agree it's going to have to happen on the court, but the general feeling around the program and among the College Basketball community is he is about to turn the corner with this team. I guess you just have to realize what unbelievably bad shape that program was in in all aspects when he got there. There was no place to go but up, but it's appears to be happening quicker than most expected.

The timeline appears to be similar to how other coaches who have turned programs around did it. JC and UConn included.

In other words FriarJ, its hopeless give up. I mean whats the point of being a fan without hoping for a better future? PC can compete, they've beaten number 1 teams, they've been to two final 4s, they've been to the elite 8, and all this in the old BE conf. They are a school of 3800 students and have shown they can compete. Overall the program has been bad these past 10 years, mediocre before that, but just give up is what they're saying.

Meanwhile, this is what I posted on scout, and I'll repeat it here for the delusional:

What UCONN fans may or may not realize is that Calhoun was the program. Now that he is gone and his players will graduate out, KO has to run the program and recruit and win like Calhoun did. Will he? Maybe. If he does and wins a NC there then that would vault UCONN into the blue bloods of College BB. But what if he doesn't? What if they regress now that they no longer have Calhoun as the Xs and Os coach and the recruting lure, and now that they are in a joke of a conference? Very well could happen. It will take them down a few levels that's for sure. On the other hand at PC, a program that's always been an underdog and has been really down for about a decade now, you have Ed Cooley who is proving so far, to be a recruiting monster locally. What if he starts winning on the floor? Could very well be a flip flop of regional power. I know right now that sounds delusional, but its possible. Too bad UCONN isn't playing us anymore. I wonder if they'll reschedule us if we improve, or if they'll hide like they did from Calipari's UMASS?

 

[dmac80]

Special??? Look, the guy recruited Ledo and he never played a game for PC. He just recruited Chuckwu, but he's #65, or so. He'll need time. Let's not put Cooley in the HOF just yet.
Admittedly, he's better than Welsh & Keno, so far. But special??? Not just yet. Give him 2-3 more years.

You left out McDonald's All American Kris Dunn, you left out top 100 players Jalen Lindsey and Brandon Austin, and top 100 transfers Carson Desrosiers and Tyler Harris. In 2 years he's made them a winning program, won a couple NIT games, and brought in 7 top 100 players, and has 2 more 4 stars listing PC in their list of final 4 heading into tomorrow. That's quite an accomplishment from essentially nothing. Keno Davis was fired in disgrace and the program in shambles.

 

[7774]

In other words FriarJ, its hopeless give up. I mean whats the point of being a fan without hoping for a better future? PC can compete, they've beaten number 1 teams, they've been to two final 4s, they've been to the elite 8, and all this in the old BE conf. They are a school of 3800 students and have shown they can compete. Overall the program has been bad these past 10 years, mediocre before that, but just give up is what they're saying.

Meanwhile, this is what I posted on scout, and I'll repeat it here for the delusional:

What UCONN fans may or may not realize is that Calhoun was the program. Now that he is gone and his players will graduate out, KO has to run the program and recruit and win like Calhoun did. Will he? Maybe. If he does and wins a NC there then that would vault UCONN into the blue bloods of College BB. But what if he doesn't? What if they regress now that they no longer have Calhoun as the Xs and Os coach and the recruting lure, and now that they are in a joke of a conference? Very well could happen. It will take them down a few levels that's for sure. On the other hand at PC, a program that's always been an underdog and has been really down for about a decade now, you have Ed Cooley who is proving so far, to be a recruiting monster locally. What if he starts winning on the floor? Could very well be a flip flop of regional power. I know right now that sounds delusional, but its possible. Too bad UCONN isn't playing us anymore. I wonder if they'll reschedule us if we improve, or if they'll hide like they did from Calipari's UMASS?

Out of all the things PC fans think about the UCONN program that give me laughs, the funniest one to me is that you guys have this odd notion that our programs are on opposite sides of some scale, where your improvement will result in our decline, or vise versa.

Our programs are not George Costanza and Elaine Benes. It's not how it works.

 

[dmac80]

Sure. Both programs could succeed, they could flip flop, or the status quo could remain. The latter seems to be perceived as inevitable here. While I get the justifiable "show me" attitude about PC, the inevitability of UCONN's continued success is far from a given. I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

 

[7774]

Sure. Both programs could succeed, they could flip flop, or the status quo could remain. The latter seems to be perceived as inevitable here. While I get the justifiable "show me" attitude about PC, the inevitability of UCONN's continued success is far from a given. I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

Of course it's possible we could slide quite a bit. We just had one of the 3-4 greatest coaches in the history of basketball at any level stop coaching us.

I understand what an incredibly special human being Kevin Ollie is though, so I'll take my chances.

 

[upstater]

How do you think they pronounce Abu's last name in North Carolina?

Is it Aaaabuh, as in a-pple with an "uh" at the end, like the band that sang "Dancing Queen," or something else??

 

[Adios]

How do you think they pronounce Abu's last name in North Carolina?

Is it Aaaabuh, as in a-pple with an "uh" at the end, like the band that sang "Dancing Queen," or something else??

The correct way to pronounce it in Arabic is "u (as in uh) - boo".

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

well you are a CBB expert and as you can tell everyone here values your opinion alot. so if you "could very easily" see our program's decline, then it therefore must be true. i'm officially worried.

 

[upstater]

The correct way to pronounce it in Arabic is "u (as in uh) - boo".

Yes, but the North Carolina way and the correct way are not necessarily the same thing.

 

[Peacefrog]

Sure. Both programs could succeed, they could flip flop, or the status quo could remain. The latter seems to be perceived as inevitable here. While I get the justifiable "show me" attitude about PC, the inevitability of UCONN's continued success is far from a given. I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

The data is limited on coach Ollie but so far there is absolutely nothing to indicate a drop-off from the Calhoun days. He showed very good coaching ability last year in a tough situation and has recruited on an equivalent level despite a lot of headwinds which are abating. You may want to look into some if the glowing comments from recruits, parents and coaches about Ollie. I dare say he may ultimately recruit at a higher level. Look what he has done already this year with NCAA handcuffs on.

There is some validity in the conference affiliation issue, the AAC isn't the OLD Big East that's for sure. But no conference is and we may never see another of its like. But why would you look at the AAC as being necessarily worse than the NEW Big East? You lost the top four programs in UConn, Louisville, Syracuse and Pitt. You're left with a solid Georgetown program, a middling SJU program, a flagging Villanova, a sometimes OK Xavier, a Brad Steven-less Butler and some road kill. The presence of UConn alone may make the AAC better. Along with Memphis and Cincy that is as good a threesome as the new Big East will be able throw out there in any given year. So if conference affiliation is going to hurt UConn it will equally hurt New BE members, PC included. And we have a puncher's chance of improving our lot within the next few years. You're stuck.

It's OK to fantasize I suppose but don't count on that flip-flop just yet.

 

[Huskybass]

I truly believe that KO is one of the best young coaches in all of college basketball. We are beyond fortunate to have him. I bet there isn't a UConn fan on this site who would rather have Cooley as head coach. KO is the perfect replacement for Calhoun.

 

[dmac80]

you left off Marquette. And Nova is an established program like Gtown. They have their ups and downs, but they're usually NCAA bound. St John's is stocking up on talent and is on the upswing. I'm much higher on the new BE than the AAC, but I can see where it depends on your interests. I think the new BE is a much better place to be than the AAC.

 

[upstater]

you left off Marquette. And Nova is an established program like Gtown. They have their ups and downs, but they're usually NCAA bound. St John's is stocking up on talent and is on the upswing. I'm much higher on the new BE than the AAC, but I can see where it depends on your interests. I think the new BE is a much better place to be than the AAC.

AAC has great exposure on ESPN, BE has an upstart channel with good exposure, both conferences are drawing good talent, AAC has UConn, BE doesn't, AAC has bigger schools with more potential, BE is limited.

 

[aceboon]

you left off Marquette. And Nova is an established program like Gtown. They have their ups and downs, but they're usually NCAA bound. St John's is stocking up on talent and is on the upswing. I'm much higher on the new BE than the AAC, but I can see where it depends on your interests. I think the new BE is a much better place to be than the AAC.

If that's the case you should start clocking hours on your conference mates' boards.

 

[ctchamps]

Sure. Both programs could succeed, they could flip flop, or the status quo could remain. The latter seems to be perceived as inevitable here. While I get the justifiable "show me" attitude about PC, the inevitability of UCONN's continued success is far from a given. I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

Funny thing observing PC and UConn guys hitting one another! I'm reserving my resentment to ESPN, Pitt, Cuse, ND and the ACC in that order. ESPN had the power over two conferences, the ACC and the BE. The BE contract was ending and ESPN arranged to destroy a conference with history to come out ahead in monies they would pay to both the ACC and the BE by destroying the BE. Pitt voted against the contract offer of ESPN right at the same time the ACC proposed they join. ND did also but they didn't jump ship until the game was over. Same with the Catholic schools, Ville and WV. The ACC was in survival mode.

The big three who killed a great conference were ESPN, Pitt and Cuse. I bear no ill will to PC or St. Johns or whomever choses, as a fan, to antagonize us. That is similar to focusing on a few mosquitoes buzzing in the bedroom when the real culprits are the termites who destroyed your house.

UConn's demise was Jeff Hathaway, Jeff Hathaway, Jeff Hathaway and JC's health.

 

[alexd]

According to the BE, Creighton is PC's new "protected rival". That makes sense.

I wonder if dmac80 has found their board yet?

 

[FriarJ]

Sure. Both programs could succeed, they could flip flop, or the status quo could remain. The latter seems to be perceived as inevitable here. While I get the justifiable "show me" attitude about PC, the inevitability of UCONN's continued success is far from a given. I could very easily see you guys slide quite a bit.

There will be no slide at UConn under Ollie, JC knew exactly what he was doing when he brought him there, Winning NC's is catching lightning in a bottle and while it has been discussed here a lot, expectations beyond UConn's current excellence is a angst filled ride in my eyes.

In regards to PC, we won't win 3 NC's we may never win one, Do I expect to have a chance, you bet, for too many years we have had no chance, under Cooley we will have a chance to be good, that's all I could ever ask for. UConn is not going to fade away in any regard, but a school not to far away is not going to be a laughingstock anymore and I fully expect them to be thought of as an excellent program for the foreseeable future. PC can absolutely rise without UConn falling. I bet we will eventually play each other again and it will be must watch basketball.

 

[Yonick]

You left out McDonald's All American Kris Dunn, you left out top 100 players Jalen Lindsey and Brandon Austin, and top 100 transfers Carson Desrosiers and Tyler Harris. In 2 years he's made them a winning program, won a couple NIT games, and brought in 7 top 100 players, and has 2 more 4 stars listing PC in their list of final 4 heading into tomorrow. That's quite an accomplishment from essentially nothing. Keno Davis was fired in disgrace and the program in shambles.

When the word special is thrown out I think of several top 30 recruits, a number of NCAA appearances beyond the sweet 16.
Grabbing top 100 players is nice, but not special yet. Winning a few NIT games is a nice start, for PC, but it is just that, a start, not special.
That's why I suggested you guys give Cooley a few more years before using special to describe Cooley's efforts.

 

[FriarJ]

When the word special is thrown out I think of several top 30 recruits, a number of NCAA appearances beyond the sweet 16.
Grabbing top 100 players is nice, but not special yet. Winning a few NIT games is a nice start, for PC, but it is just that, a start, not special.
That's why I suggested you guys give Cooley a few more years before using special to describe Cooley's efforts.

I get where you are coming from but for Cooley to be competing for and winning some of the kids he is from where this program was and is thought of by this board and many other schools is nothing less than miraculous. There, I left out special.

 

[seanmc94]

The funny thing is; you guys refuse to acknowledge a single thing Cooley has done right; yet Ollie is a God for navigating a difficult season. Do you realize the garbage pile Cooley inherited and how far he has brought PC in 2 years. Acknowledging something outside of Stirrs doesn't knock uconn.

 

[upstater]

If that's the case you should start clocking hours on your conference mates' boards.

Not G'town's though. They are pretty down on the new BE

 

[AZHuskiePop]

When the word special is thrown out I think of several top 30 recruits, a number of NCAA appearances beyond the sweet 16.
Grabbing top 100 players is nice, but not special yet. Winning a few NIT games is a nice start, for PC, but it is just that, a start, not special.
That's why I suggested you guys give Cooley a few more years before using special to describe Cooley's efforts.

The problem I see for Providence is significant Cooley success will lead to his departure.


Comparing the AAC and Big East is Apples and Oranges.
The AAC is an all sports conference with an emphasis on football.
Basketball if Cinn, and UConn stay will get better and better and continued to be a powerlful influence.
The chief problems with the AAC for us is the lack of regional rivalries,
the long traveling distance between schools,and cultures that have zero in common except football.
The Big East although loosing some of the regionality.Still includes schools with significant commonality including an emphasis on Basketball.
Success of the AAC will have zero to do with the success of the BiG East. Football success will impact basketball success much more than the Big East.

 

[Yonick]

The funny thing is; you guys refuse to acknowledge a single thing Cooley has done right; yet Ollie is a God for navigating a difficult season. Do you realize the garbage pile Cooley inherited and how far he has brought PC in 2 years. Acknowledging something outside of Stirrs doesn't knock uconn.

Nobody is not acknowledging any of Cooley's accomplishments. It's a very good start. My only suggestion is to wait a few years before a term like special is thrown out.
BTW, Sean, you do love to correct folks on their spelling/grammatical mistakes. The town which UConn resides is spelled Storrs, not"Stirrs. Or were you just "Stirring" up sarcasm, as per usual?

 

[3uconn]

@AdamZagoria: Gotta give Abu and Terrell credit..24 hours before the presser and most of the coaches involved are in the dark.

It's a toss up right now. For some reason I don't think he has eliminated anyone yet.