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21

run, here is some more info on Bart Lundy…

[B][SIZE=3]Lundy takes high road out of HPU[/SIZE]
By Tom Berry, High Point Enterprise
March 11,2009[/B]

Bart Lundy is taking the high road while putting High Point University in his rear-view mirror.

“I appreciate the opportunity that High Point gave me,” he said.

Lundy refuses to trash the school that fired him on Monday following four winning records in six seasons and a 96-87 overall mark as head basketball coach.

He’s moving on. He plans to travel to the Big East Conference Tournament to watch Marquette, whose coaching staff includes several good friends. Lundy already has received numerous inquiries about other coaching jobs.

“I’ll be fine,” he said. “It just won’t be at High Point.”

That’s too bad. By any measure, public or private, Lundy worked hard and did a good job with the Panthers. He inherited a mess upon taking over for Jerry Steele in 2003, with HPU struggling through six straight losing records and failing to finish better than sixth in the Big South Conference since transitioning to NCAA Division I status in 1999-2000.

High Point had five scholarship players when Lundy came aboard. He brought in a few transfers, pieced things together and finished 19-11 overall, even reaching the league tournament championship game.

Lundy failed to make the title game again and never captured a Big South regular-season championship, but the Panthers were consistent winners. Like the coach of many mid-major schools, Lundy had trouble keeping players around for four years, for various reasons.

Now he’s gone, after finishing 9-21 with a roster of 13 freshmen and sophomores. The prospect of High Point becoming a challenger for the Big South title next season was not enough for the 37-year-old Lundy to keep his job.

Did HPU president Nido Qubein and athletic director Craig Keilitz pull the plug on Lundy too soon?

Perhaps. Maybe they know something we don’t. Maybe their expectations of HPU basketball are unrealistic, given the school’s much smaller student population, smaller arena and unimpressive Division I history compared to Big South foes such as Liberty, Winthrop, Radford and others.

It’s harder to win at High Point than many schools in the Big South. And the immediate future just got harder.

Coaching changes always bring about player departures. It’s unrealistic to believe that every player with remaining eligibility - and that includes virtually the entire roster - will return for 2009-10.

There’s also no guarantee Jairus Simms will show up this fall, although he has signed a letter of intent. Lundy will not discourage the talented point guard from coming. “He and his family will have to make the decision,” Lundy said. “High Point is still a good place.”

It will be much tougher for HPU to keep Ragsdale’s Jay Canty, a junior who has made a verbal commitment. He cannot sign with the school until November.

“(Canty) will be much more difficult for High Point to maintain,” Lundy said about the school’s highest-rated commitment ever.

Canty is not Lundy’s concern anymore. After 11 seasons as a college head coach, he’s still young and talented and has more than enough connections to get another good coaching job.

“I’ll bounce back from this,” Lundy said with confidence. “I’ll be OK.”

Will High Point’s basketball program bounce forward and reach greater heights without Lundy? That seems much less certain.

22

Quite a shocker, I always thought Lundy was a pretty good coach, they have had some good players in his tenure including AZ (Arizona) Reid. I thought they went out a played a pretty tough noncon schedule last year in Reid’s senior season.

Lutz should be getting in touch with Jay Canty as soon as possible. That guy can play.

23

I’m sure Canty’s phone has already been ringing off the hook. Several coaches had told me they couldn’t believe that he had committed so early to HPU when he had so much potential to increase his stock.

24

Canty’s the bigger name, but can Simms play?

[QUOTE][B]Evaluation 85

September, 2008:[/B] Simms transferred to North Forsyth this year from High Point, N.C./High Point Christian. He is not a flashy player, but a true point guard, and an outstanding floorleader. He has the ability to make all his teammates play better. Simms has a strong body, and the skills to penetrate and dish to open teammates, or finish at the hoop. He has an effective outside shot, but has a pass-first mentality. He plays aggressive defense on the ball, and works hard on both ends of the court. Simms played for the N.C. Gators in the AAU Junior National Tournament this summer, and was a solid, team-oriented performer. For a mid-major program in need of a point guard, Simms should be considered.[/QUOTE]

:shrug: I really have no idea what our recruiting strategy is right now.

25
Canty's the bigger name, but can Simms play?

:shrug: I really have no idea what our recruiting strategy is right now.

Simms would have to be let out of his NLI first before anyone could recruit him.

26

[QUOTE=Ninerballin;391373]No way Fordham fires Whittenburg, he’s bringing Air Jamica in there. Fordham is more than happy with the prospects of 1 above average season every 4 years. Whittenburg can bring them that.[/QUOTE]
NB, if Fordham is satisfied with that, then they should be kicked out of the A-10. They need a new facility and DW has been very vocal about that. Given that, the slide by FU the past 2 seasons after steady progress following the 2002-03 debacle of 2-26 (1-15) under Bob Hill leaves me scratching my head. Here are Fordham’s season-by-season numbers under DW after he led Wagner to the Big Dance in 2003:

2003-04: 6-22 (3-13/6th A-10 East; 0-1 A-10 tourney)
2004-05: 13-16 (8-8/4th A-10 East; 1-1 A-10 tourney)
2005-06: 16-16 (9-7/T4th A-10; 2-1 A-10 tourney)
2006-07: 18-12 (10-16/T3rd A-10; 1-1 A-10 tourney)
2007-08: 12-17 (6-10/7th A-10; 0-1 A-10 tourney)
2008-09: 3-25 (1-15/14th A-10; missed A-10 tourney)

What I find amazing is that the senior-laden 2007-08 team led by Bryant Dunston (2005 A-10 Rookie of the Year) and Marcus Stout just tanked when they should have been contending for the A-10 crown, Dunston for POY, and postseason! That falls on the coach and from I’ve read on the Fordham board, DW has spent the past couple of season pretty much sulking when he sits and complaining to the refs when he’s hobbling on the sidelines!

P.S. HP, thanks for the piece on Lundy!

27
NB, if Fordham is satisfied with that, then they should be kicked out of the A-10. They need a new facility and DW has been very vocal about that. Given that, the slide by FU the past 2 seasons after steady progress following the 2002-03 debacle of 2-26 (1-15) under Bob Hill leaves me scratching my head. Here are Fordham's season-by-season numbers under DW after he led Wagner to the Big Dance in 2003:

2003-04: 6-22 (3-13/6th A-10 East; 0-1 A-10 tourney)
2004-05: 13-16 (8-8/4th A-10 East; 1-1 A-10 tourney)
2005-06: 16-16 (9-7/T4th A-10; 2-1 A-10 tourney)
2006-07: 18-12 (10-16/T3rd A-10; 1-1 A-10 tourney)
2007-08: 12-17 (6-10/7th A-10; 0-1 A-10 tourney)
2008-09: 3-25 (1-15/14th A-10; missed A-10 tourney)

What I find amazing is that the senior-laden 2007-08 team led by Bryant Dunston (2005 A-10 Rookie of the Year) and Marcus Stout just tanked when they should have been contending for the A-10 crown, Dunston for POY, and postseason! That falls on the coach and from I’ve read on the Fordham board, DW has spent the past couple of season pretty much sulking when he sits and complaining to the refs when he’s hobbling on the sidelines!

P.S. HP, thanks for the piece on Lundy!

Fordham has definitely been a disappointment the past few years after making such strides under DW. I think DW is just unmotivated, realizing he is at a school that isn’t committed to basketball.

That piece where the admin basically said they won’t be building a new arena or venue anytime soon, was basically saying they were content with their current state. Fordham is in a great market, if they can get someone in the administration that wants to get things done, they might go places, but until that happens, they’ll be medoicre playing in one of the smallest gyms in the country (which also happens to be the oldest).

28

And, of course, after posting my 2 cents on the Bronx Rams, I read this from Sean Brennan of the New York Daily News:

The Big East tournament, like a lot of big gatherings, is a hotbed for rumors. So if you’re into rumors - and who isn’t? - here’s one that is making the rounds at the Garden.

Fordham, a sinking ship in the Atlantic 10, may sink even further if the rumor of Jio Fontan bolting from Fordham comes to fruition.

Fontan, the Rams’ freshman phenom (and really, the only reason to watch Fordham this season) is said to be joining Rutgers’ Mike Rosario as a package deal and heading to Atlanta to become Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

We hope it’s not true because if Fordham is ever going to turn things around, it will be because of Fontan. But it merits keeping any eye - and ear - on the doings at Rose Hill.

Speaking of which, Rams’ freshman Trey Blue is blowing out of the Bronx and heading back to Illinois. Blue, who saw limited playing time for the Rams this season - including missing the final seven games - has informed the school he is splitting and heading back to the Midwest. Whether Fontan, or anyone else on the Rams roster, follows Blue out the door remains to be seen.

Link: NYDailyNews.com


FWIW, Blue actually averaged almost 20 mpg and was the Rams leading scorer in a couple of games this season, including a collegiate debut of 24 points in FU’s first game against Columbia.

And the Brennan’s rumor is somewhat contradicted by this from Adam Zogoria:

Rutgers guard Mike Rosario and Fordham guard Jio Fontan will team up soon, but it won’t be for a college team as one local blog reported.

Instead, the two former St. Anthony standouts will play for Puerto Rico this summer in the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in Auckland, New Zealand. Sixteen countries will compete in the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship that will be held July 2-12.

Rosario’s mother is of Puerto Rican heritage and Fontan’s mother is half-Puerto Rican.
“I don’t know where he got that [transfer rumor] from but one thing they are going to do is play for Team Puerto Rico,” said Jorge Fontan, Jio’s father.

Rosario and Fontan led St. Anthony to a 32-0 record and the Tournament of Champions crown last year.

Rosario, who led Rutgers and all Big East freshmen in scoring at 16.3 points per game, was named this year to the Big East All-Rookie Team. Fontan was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team after averaging a team-high 15.3 ppg and also dishing out a team-best 132 assists.

Link: Zagsblog.com


Hmmm…

29

Gary Parrish is reporting that Miami-FL head coach Frank Haith is interested in Bama opening and will accept if offered. Guess that will make him the first coach to ever leave the ACC (the bestest conference in the whole wide world and number one forever – just ask the folks at the Chapel Hill – I mean Charlotte Observer!) on his own…oh, wait a second, there was Rick Barnes at Clemson (to Texas), but that’s just 2 coaches…oh, yeah, there was Pat Kennedy at Florida State (to DePaul), so it’s just 3…sorry, just remember Bill Foster at Duke (to South Carolina). Oh, never mind! :tongue:

30
Gary Parrish is reporting that Miami-FL head coach Frank Haith is interested in Bama opening and will accept if offered. Guess that will make him the first coach to ever leave the ACC (the bestest conference in the whole wide world and number one forever -- just ask the folks at the Chapel Hill -- I mean Charlotte Observer!) on his own...oh, wait a second, there was Rick Barnes at Clemson (to Texas), but that's just 2 coaches...oh, yeah, there was Pat Kennedy at Florida State (to DePaul), so it's just 3...sorry, just remember Bill Foster at Duke (to South Carolina). Oh, never mind! :tongue:
Don't forget Frank McQuire leaving unc-chapel hill and going to USC. There there is Herb Sendek, who defiinitely left on his own to take a [B]better job[/B]. And Dave Odom officially left Wake on his own too.

But the funniest thing was State fans thinking Calipari would come running their way.

31

Wasn’t South Carolina in the ACC when McGuire left Chapel Hill for Columbia?

Haith must be feeling the heat in Miami, or the money offer must be really good in Tuscaloosa. The pressure knob isn’t going to get dialed down for him though, if he leaves. Might be using it as extension bait.

32

[QUOTE=X-49er;391683]Wasn’t South Carolina in the ACC when McGuire left Chapel Hill for Columbia?[/QUOTE]
The answer is “yes” as concerns McGuire from UNC-CH to USC.

And how could I forget about Wolfpack Nation “running” Sendek off. Guess the UNC-R followers are really happy about all the postseasons since they brought in one of their “own” to run the show! :tongue:

33

[QUOTE=run49er;391699]The answer is “yes” as concerns McGuire from UNC-CH to USC.

And how could I forget about Wolfpack Nation “running” Sendek off. Guess the UNC-R followers are really happy about all the postseasons since they brought in one of their “own” to run the show! :tongue:[/QUOTE]

You’ll be able to add the Big Tomato to that list after next season.

34

Hope you don’t mind but I’m going to continue veering this thread completely off-topic.

if Fordham is satisfied with that, then they should be kicked out of the A-10.

If I were a Fordham fan, I’d be really, really paranoid about that happening. And soon. Agree or disagree?

They need a new facility and DW has been very vocal about that.

So vocal, in fact, I believe he said in the off-season that a new facility was in the works (Was he fed some b.s. from his own administration? I remember even Fordham fans weren’t buying his comments at the time.) With the economy tanking, it looks like any athletic facility ideas/plans went from being ‘years away’ to being ‘put on hold indefinitely’. That ain’t good.

Given that, the slide by FU the past 2 seasons after steady progress following the 2002-03 debacle of 2-26 (1-15) under Bob Hill leaves me scratching my head.

Did this past season leave you scratching your head? Entering this season, I wasn’t too optimistic that Fordham could win 3 games all year. Their frontcourt was among the most dreadful in all of D-I (and maybe even some D-II) and their backcourt had some talent but were still babies. Honestly, I don’t think I would be overstating things if I said that the gap between #1-#13 in the A10 was smaller than the gap between #13 and Fordham.

from I've read on the Fordham board, DW has spent the past couple of season pretty much sulking when he sits and complaining to the refs when he's hobbling on the sidelines!

If I was in DW’s shoes and had to deal with Fordhams’ administration on a day-to-day basis, I’d have a migrane the size of Texas. The most shocking of Whittenburg’s ‘sulks’ was when we wondered aloud why Fordham even bothered to compete in the A10. Yikes.

I’ve spent some time on Fordham’s board and I really feel for the few fans that have hung in there. Our Wissel seasons look like a bed of roses in comparison. Their fanbase has been really gracious towards Charlotte from the beginning and many of the posts include some really sound, intelligent thoughts on how Fordham can get back on track.

It just makes me hate the Fordham administration even more.

If the axe falls on Fordham tomorrow, there really isn’t much that anyone can say because the school’s inaction over the past years have been indefensible. I do hope that their fans carry on the ‘good fight’ but I’m also afraid they might be running short on time.

Fordham has definitely been a disappointment the past few years after making such strides under DW. I think DW is just unmotivated, realizing he is at a school that isn't committed to basketball.

That piece where the admin basically said they won’t be building a new arena or venue anytime soon, was basically saying they were content with their current state. Fordham is in a great market, if they can get someone in the administration that wants to get things done, they might go places, but until that happens, they’ll be medoicre playing in one of the smallest gyms in the country (which also happens to be the oldest).

Yep.

FWIW, Blue actually averaged almost 20 mpg and was the Rams leading scorer in a couple of games this season, including a collegiate debut of 24 points in FU's first game against Columbia.

He won the first rookie-of-the-week, did he not? I remember there was legit enthusiasm for the building blocks they had. Could you imagine if DW is fired and Fontan & Air Jamaica run out of town as well? 1-29 might be too optimistic to expect.

35

Survivor, good response. No, this season didn’t leave me scratching my head. With the season-ending injuries to Brenton Butler and Chris Bethel plus the departure of Blue – with Bethel being the Bronx Rams only legitimate post player – FU was forced to turn to walk-ons to fill in the gaps. Now, I didn’t expect Fordham to contend for much of anything this season, but I was taken aback by such a woeful season, especially in OOC-play when the 3-Bs (Bethel, Blue, and Butler) were still playing. DW did a great job recruiting guards, that’s for sure, but now with Blue gone and the possibility that Fontan could be as well, the future could be just as bleak.

Anyway, it’s last season that left me scratching my head. An all-senior starting five, plus Butler and Bethel off the bench, etc., and all FU could do was 12-17 (6-10 A-10)! Hmmm…

Finally, DW commented back in 2007 that Fordham was getting a new facility according to this thread on the A-10 Board:

Link: Whittenburg: “We Have A New Arena”

Just don’t think the Fordham administration really cares about hoops (both men’s and women’s!) and that the A-10 needs to address that.

36

Gary Parrish chimes in…

And the next coach at Alabama will be ... Frank Haith?

It’s possible, yes.

In fact, an industry source told CBSSports.com on Thursday that Haith is interested in the opening, and that he’d absolutely leave Miami if presented with a respectable offer. Furthermore, the source said former Alabama coach CM Newton – who is assisting the school in its search for Mark Gottfried’s permanent replacement – has privately backed Haith’s candidacy, meaning Haith is a realistic option if for no other reason than that Newton has tremendous influence at Alabama (and in the SEC, in general).

Link: CBSSports.com - Parrish: The Thoughts

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[QUOTE=run49er;391847]Gary Parrish chimes in…[/QUOTE]

Don’t know who the industry source is, but if Haith is actually in that frame of mind he needs to keep it to himself or he might wind up like Jeff Jagodzinski. The last thing Miami officials want to hear, or any employer, is that you’d rather be somewhere else and that you’re leaving as soon as you get a better offer. That’s true for any job, but letting it get out like that and you might wind up with half of your wish. :ohmy:

38

I heard somewhere that Georgia is going to go hard for Sean Miller.

39

Per Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Dave Leitao out at UVa (with the obligatory references to Jeff Capel and Sean Miller as a possible replacement!).

BTW, wouldn’t be surprised to see Leitao’s replacement at DePaul, Jerry Wainwright (formerly at Richmond and UNCW), getting his pink slip as well.

40

[QUOTE=run49er;392680]Per Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Dave Leitao out at UVa (with the obligatory references to Jeff Capel and Sean Miller as a possible replacement!).

BTW, wouldn’t be surprised to see Leitao’s replacement at DePaul, Jerry Wainwright (formerly at Richmond and UNCW), getting his pink slip as well.[/QUOTE]

ESPN is saying it too about Leitao

Sooooooooooooooo

_ _ t _ to Virginia.

just had to say it.