Kelly Graves calls out players

[Figurehead]

In the post-Sabrina era, Oregon had the #1 recruiting class in 2020 + Sedona Prince + Taylor Mikesell who was immediately eligible. Graves should be be doing more with the accumulated talent. In fairness Graves also lost his key assistant to a small school if I remember correctly.

That key assistant was the straw that stirred Graves drink. Graves has gotten lazy. Sometimes it happens in a career. My boss coasted the last three years he had before he retired. I feel bad for the players. There was a reason why there three good shooters left last year. I suspect some sort of rift occurred when the assistants left. He never speaks of them.

 

[Figurehead]

And, I'm not necessarily saying they're underachieving (as recruiting class rankings are subjective). I'm saying their high point was a Final Four with Ionescu; she's gone. What have you done for me lately? Those recent recruiting classes were in large part due to what Ionescu did while at Oregon; but, the players who have remained/joined the program since Ionescu's departure have to earn their success based on their hard work; you don't get anything given to you just because Ionescu was great at Oregon.

Graves has been on record saying he did not have to coach at that time because he had a coach on the floor named Sabrina. Now that does not seem that right. Something is amiss and I am a duck fan saying it.

And I would not say it is the fault of the players underachieving but more one the coach underachieving. He had his usual I need to coach better coach speak . At what point does he take accountability. He has dumped on the players at times. Geno does it too but in a old school sort of way and is not arrogant in doing so.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I hate how this article is titled. He blames himself as much if not more. I will say this about Oregon, i wondered how much losing assistant coaches Mark Campbell and Xavier Lopez plays into this.

 

[Figurehead]

Agreed they should be doing more, but that's not what I was refuting. Even underachieving the last 2 years, clearly much better than they were the decade+ before Ionescu arrived.

They had a coach named Jody Runge and then made two hiring blunders.

 

[Basket]

Graves has been on record saying he did not have to coach at that time because he had a coach on the floor named Sabrina. Now that does not seem that right. Something is amiss and I am a duck fan saying it.

And I would not say it is the fault of the players underachieving but more one the coach underachieving. He had his usual I need to coach better coach speak . At what point does he take accountability. He has dumped on the players at times. Geno does it too but in a old school sort of way and is not arrogant in doing so.

Geno can get away with a whole lot more than any other coach can. He has loads of deposits to withdraw from

 

[UcMiami]

Having really talented players does not create a great team - chemistry and coaching are required as well. Graves is a good coach who lucked into having a phenomenal player who created a resurgence in the program, just as Plum did wonders for Neighbors and Rueck rode a trio of really good players to a 3 year surge and a FF. Neither of those coaches has been able to reproduce that once the players left. Of the three, Graves has done the best job of attracting talent, but has yet to get the magic back.

It is not easy!

Kim had a break through at Baylor in 2005 and it took her 5 years to get past the S16 again and 7 years to get title 2 and another 7 years for another FF and title #3

What Tara, Pat, and Geno do with their decades of is really rare.

 

[Basket]

Having really talented players does not create a great team - chemistry and coaching are required as well. Graves is a good coach who lucked into having a phenomenal player who created a resurgence in the program, just as Plum did wonders for Neighbors and Rueck rode a trio of really good players to a 3 year surge and a FF. Neither of those coaches has been able to reproduce that once the players left. Of the three, Graves has done the best job of attracting talent, but has yet to get the magic back.

It is not easy!

Kim had a break through at Baylor in 2005 and it took her 5 years to get past the S16 again and 7 years to get title 2 and another 7 years for another FF and title #3

What Tara, Pat, and Geno do with their decades of is really rare.

Dang good knowledge

 

[Floridaduck]

I’ll have a lot more to say about the Ducks and their future after we hear who enters the portal. Graves mentioned missing an “alpha”. Others have mentioned lack of chemistry. There was a mention of “entitlement”. I know a couple of players play with extreme false fingernails … that can’t be helpful. I’d prefer no make up, hungry gym rats out there. I don’t see that mentality with a couple of exceptions.

 

[Figurehead]

I’ll have a lot more to say about the Ducks and their future after we hear who enters the portal. Graves mentioned missing an “alpha”. Others have mentioned lack of chemistry. There was a mention of “entitlement”. I know a couple of players play with extreme false fingernails … that can’t be helpful. I’d prefer no make up, hungry gym rats out there. I don’t see that mentality with a couple of exceptions.

Any guesses on who hits the portal and how many? That may not be a bad thing to mix it up a little because something is way off with that many 5 stars out there. Is my guess on hair and makeup maybe Parrish and Watson? What is Graves infatuation with Prince and her game. She can be a boat anchor at times. The guy plays favorites all for the wrong reasons. He likes her activism off the court. I thought this was a basketball team.

I think she is part of there chemistry problem. Yes, who are the gym rats? I Do you think the current assistants are an upgrade, I think not at all and it was a step back. Don't you think some of that entitlement comes from a coach who coaches with his arms folded as if disinterested in the game? Does he have the passion, many are starting to question that. Btw, Scherr is one of those hard working players but some seem rather entitled like you had said. Still all a coaching issue in the end.

 

[shiverz45]

I am an Oregon fan and have been one for along time. I think Graves is the one with the issues. Some have questioned his health, his commitment as a coach and his ability to adapt. Something is amiss. He is not the same guy Oregon hired from Gonzaga, full of positive confidence.

I have fully supported and defended him for years but that support is eroding because I am starting to see beyond my green colored glasses. They guy can recruit as well as anyone in the country but he seems burned out and disinterested at times. His game time decisions are atrocious at times.

If he were to move on my heart would not be broken if he retired early. Oregon is a good enough job for a young coach to do well. You guys may be right about this all along. I welcome your input. Many of you were right.

Watching the game he looked like he didn't care.

 

[Figurehead]

Watching the game he looked like he didn't care.

Been that way all season. When it starts getting noticed by the local media and by those such as yourself as a college basketball with no direct connections then it starts to be an issue. You can't tell me players don't pick up on that.

 

[Floridaduck]

Watching the game he looked like he didn't care.

Unfair. Like many coaches he believes the work is done during the preparation not in “look at me” histrionics. Watching Tara tonight one could (wrongly) say the same about her.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Unfair. Like many coaches he believes the work is done during the preparation not in “look at me” histrionics. Watching Tara tonight one could (wrongly) say the same about her.

But even I noticed it, and I followed - and sat behind the bench - at Rutgers for years, and it actually took players pleading with her to get Vivian to do any coaching standing. She didn't believe in it. She never looked disinterested. Frustrated, annoyed, reaching for her headache pills, all that. Graves really looked like he wasn't much interested.

Interestingly, I read an article about his son??? playing somewhere and him spending a lot of time going to watch his son play and leaving others to run the team. Whether true or not, it isn't a good look.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Interestingly, I read an article about his son??? playing somewhere and him spending a lot of time going to watch his son play and leaving others to run the team. Whether true or not, it isn't a good look.

His son is a walk on at Gonzaga. Only plays mop up minutes in blowouts.

 

[dabears17]

He went to Spokane for his son's senior day at Gonzaga. So he missed practice/prep time for the Stanford game on 2/20, since he had to drive back from Spokane because flying wouldn't get him back in time for the Stanford game. A game Stanford only won by 4 points.

Mention of trip to Gonzaga

 

[Figurehead]

Unfair. Like many coaches he believes the work is done during the preparation not in “look at me” histrionics. Watching Tara tonight one could (wrongly) say the same about her.

There is much more going on internally in this case than what you even know right now. I will leave it at that. In regards to Tara specifically it is because she had them prepared in practice.

 

[jonson]

There is much more going on internally in this case than what you even know right now. I will leave it at that. In regards to Tara specifically it is because she had them prepared in practice.

Sorry, but I really hate this kind of post (first sentence). If you know something, then post it. But, please, none of this "I'm an insider but can't say" stuff.

 

[DefenseBB]

Having really talented players does not create a great team - chemistry and coaching are required as well. Graves is a good coach who lucked into having a phenomenal player who created a resurgence in the program, just as Plum did wonders for Neighbors and Rueck rode a trio of really good players to a 3 year surge and a FF. Neither of those coaches has been able to reproduce that once the players left. Of the three, Graves has done the best job of attracting talent, but has yet to get the magic back.

It is not easy!

Kim had a break through at Baylor in 2005 and it took her 5 years to get past the S16 again and 7 years to get title 2 and another 7 years for another FF and title #3

What Tara, Pat, and Geno do with their decades of is really rare.

Wait, you qualified what Kim did but didn't qualify what Tara did? She won in 1990 and 1992 then didn't win again until 2021. That's 29 years. To be fair to both Kim and Tara, between 1985 and 2016, Pat and Geno won 19 titles in 31 years so there were not a lot of opportunities to capitalize on. Kim and Tara did account for 4 of those. So that's 23 Titles in 31 years. Now that's IMPRESSIVE. Add in the 3rd that both Kim and Tara added since 2016, that's elite company.

Don't try to compare Kelly Graves, who I happen to think is a good coach, to Kim at all, as he has done nothing to warrant such lofty comparisons.

Hopefully, he learns from this, gets his assistants on the same page as himself and aligns the team to meet their talent levels.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Unfair. Like many coaches he believes the work is done during the preparation not in “look at me” histrionics. Watching Tara tonight one could (wrongly) say the same about her.

+1. Graves was the same way during the Ionescu era, if anything probably a little more laid back because he knew "she got this." I think Tara is actually a little more active than Graves (she's talking a lot to her players between possessions), but they both keep very even-keel temperaments on the bench.

 

[UcMiami]

Wait, you qualified what Kim did but didn't qualify what Tara did? She won in 1990 and 1992 then didn't win again until 2021. That's 29 years. To be fair to both Kim and Tara, between 1985 and 2016, Pat and Geno won 19 titles in 31 years so there were not a lot of opportunities to capitalize on. Kim and Tara did account for 4 of those. So that's 23 Titles in 31 years. Now that's IMPRESSIVE. Add in the 3rd that both Kim and Tara added since 2016, that's elite company.

Don't try to compare Kelly Graves, who I happen to think is a good coach, to Kim at all, as he has done nothing to warrant such lofty comparisons.

Hopefully, he learns from this, gets his assistants on the same page as himself and aligns the team to meet their talent levels.

I think highly of Kim as a coach, but ... just does not have the resume of Tara - Stanford was consistently getting to the FF between those very widely spaced titles - 10 FF appearances between them to be precise. 14 final four appearances to Kim's 4. As a game coach Kim isn't in Tara's league as far as I am concerned. With the players she has had since 2009, she has made a FF 3 times Griners freshman year and her two champioships - flame outs in the second weekend as a 1 seed were her thing.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Super late to actually watching this press conference, but I don't know why Kelly keeps getting so grossly quoted out of context lately. Nothing he said isn't something Tara hasn't said in the past when our teams have failed to step up and make more of an effort, be it in rebounding, ball discipline, defense, etc. He repeatedly praised his team, took responsibility for the loss, and said how much he liked them. Not sure why this is worthy of its own thread.

 

[Figurehead]

Sorry, but I really hate this kind of post (first sentence). If you know something, then post it. But, please, none of this "I'm an insider but can't say" stuff.

Never said that. If you spend enough time around the internet, watch how the coach responds to media questions sarcastically, his interviews, , chavez , shelley mikesell leaving. Two very good head coaches leaving that wanted to try new things and no mention of them. I would go to softball games and would learn more about the inner workngs and politics of the team talking to parents who share everything than from any website or reporter. Same here.

DefenseBB mentioned this in one of his posts: Hopefully, he learns from this, gets his assistants on the same page as himself and aligns the team to meet their talent levels.

First of all he is the guy going around blaming everyone else. Key feelings is it everyone else but him..............It is my program and I will run it the way I want too. He seems entitled more than the players he called out as being entitled. True point but at least the mens coach is willing to say we need to try this, this and this.....next year.

Sometimes we as fans need to take off our green colored glasses once in awhile. The fear is this guy is going to be business as usual next year. Oregon is bigger than Kelly Graves. Redefine and re-calibrate or move on if you are staying old school. That sounds harsh but a young Belmont type coach impresses me in regards to see what he could do with a roster of 5 stars.

 

[Dillon77]

Late to this thread. While I don't watch Oregon with the regularity of ACC or B1G games, I do watch them throughout the season in part due to the Ionescu years and the consistent talent that keeps coming in (and now out) of that tree-surrounded court.

Two lingering thoughts:

- The whole doesn't seem to add up to the sum of its parts. Now, this could be partially due to injuries and the inability to get a group in sync. But this never looked like a team firing on all cylinders in the same direction. There's a lot of top former HS prospects and college transfers on that team. Coach 'em up and coach 'em together.

- The most inspiring guard play I've seen this year from guards associated with Oregon is not in that state.
-- PaoPao on the U-19 USA team was very impactful game in, game out. Yes, she was playing with Caitlin Clark, Azzi Fudd and Sonia Citron, but Oregon's talent is not chopped liver.
-- Jaz Shelley was a blast and a half for Nebraska and Coach Williams this year. Led Huskers in scoring.
-- and Taylor Mikesell -- playing under a coach who regularly gets pilloried around here -- had a stellar season. And she's still playing with/for Ohio State in this year's tourney, having helped beat LSU in Baton Rouge.

So, he's got more talent coming again next year. Will he find the right ones to play and mesh?
Many expected Oregon to be a regular Sweet 16 visitor. Was this a hiccup or an increasingly regular condition?

 

[cancontent]

Late to this thread. While I don't watch Oregon with the regularity of ACC or B1G games, I do watch them throughout the season in part due to the Ionescu years and the consistent talent that keeps coming in (and now out) of that tree-surrounded court.

Two lingering thoughts:

1) - The whole doesn't seem to add up to the sum of its parts. Now, this could be partially due to injuries and the inability to get a group in sync. But this never looked like a team firing on all cylinders in the same direction. There's a lot of top former HS prospects and college transfers on that team. Coach 'em up and coach 'em together.

- The most inspiring guard play I've seen this year from guards associated with Oregon is not in that state.
-- PaoPao on the U-19 USA team was very impactful game in, game out. Yes, she was playing with Caitlin Clark, Azzi Fudd and Sonia Citron, but Oregon's talent is not chopped liver.
2) -- Jaz Shelley was a blast and a half for Nebraska and Coach Williams this year. Led Huskers in scoring.
-- and Taylor Mikesell -- playing under a coach who regularly gets pilloried around here -- had a stellar season. And she's still playing with/for Ohio State.

So, he's got more talent coming again next year. Will he find the right ones to play and mesh?
Many expected Oregon to be a regular Sweet 16 visitor. Was this a hiccup or an increasingly regular condition?

1) I've been thinking the same most of the season. Injuries definitely had some impact but we've seen other teams get through it and continue to play well.

2) Both Shelley and Mikesell look like different players compared to last season IMO. I don't recall either of them being as aggressive or confident in their scoring abilities. Had both of them played the way they did this season with Oregon last year, I think their game versus Louisville would have been much different.

 

[jonson]

Never said that. If you spend enough time around the internet, watch how the coach responds to media questions sarcastically, his interviews, , chavez , shelley mikesell leaving. Two very good head coaches leaving that wanted to try new things and no mention of them. I would go to softball games and would learn more about the inner workngs and politics of the team talking to parents who share everything than from any website or reporter. Same here.

DefenseBB mentioned this in one of his posts: Hopefully, he learns from this, gets his assistants on the same page as himself and aligns the team to meet their talent levels.

First of all he is the guy going around blaming everyone else. Key feelings is it everyone else but him..............It is my program and I will run it the way I want too. He seems entitled more than the players he called out as being entitled. True point but at least the mens coach is willing to say we need to try this, this and this.....next year.

Sometimes we as fans need to take off our green colored glasses once in awhile. The fear is this guy is going to be business as usual next year. Oregon is bigger than Kelly Graves. Redefine and re-calibrate or move on if you are staying old school. That sounds harsh but a young Belmont type coach impresses me in regards to see what he could do with a roster of 5 stars.

Well, you did say "There is much more going on internally in this case than what you even know right now. I will leave it at that." That certainly sounds to me like a claim to knowledge that's only available to those in the know, but can't be said publicly.

You also seem to be working so hard to shed green-colored glasses that you sometimes misrepresent --e.g. the claim about Paopao you attribute to Graves was actually made by her coach (unless you think Graves was lying when he reported what she had said)--and/or find somehow unique to Graves and so another indication of his lack of energy/interest/etc. when in fact it's not all that unusual: e.g. "Graves has been on record saying he did not have to coach at that time because he had a coach on the floor named Sabrina. Now that does not seem that right." I don't know if this is an exact quote from Graves, but surely this is the sort of thing (many) other coaches have said when there was a very talented point guard with a high BB IQ on the roster. To be clear, I'm not saying that Graves bears no responsibility for a season that was not just disappointing but also extremely frustrating for many Oregon fans, including this one. But there are plenty of issues to debate without stuff like this.