Richmond Post Game

49ers Basketball Forum 🏀
21

Amaker and Dawkins off the top of my head. Both took a little time but seem to be adjusting well now.

[quote=“ninersfan99, post:19, topic:26379”]Question, does anyone know of another coach who had no head coach experience taking over a D1 college team? Did it take them years to learn? Maybe this is par for the course with someone like Major (never having been the guy before). I don’t know of anyone off hand to compare.

Someone said Mooney, but he was a HS head coach for a couple schools and Air Force. I’d like to see how someone did being a career assistant with zero head coaching experience and getting a D1 head coaching gig. Maybe it will take 2+ years for Major to get a grasp on his job as well. Would be interesting to compare.[/quote]

22

Took over Seton Hall in 1997:

[font=sans-serif][size=13px]As a coach, he took [/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]Seton Hall Pirates men’s basketball[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px] to postseason tournaments ([/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]– [/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]2000[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px] and National Invitation Tournament – [/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]1998[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px], [/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]1999[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px], and [/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]2001[/size][/font][font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]).[/size][/font]
[font=sans-serif][/size][/font]
[font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]He was a player / assistant before coaching.[/size][/font]
[font=sans-serif][/size][/font]
[font=sans-serif][/size][size=13px]Just doesn’t compare to Major, don’t think he was ever a player. Just a career assistant. I would assume players might have a better knowledge of the game, as they’ve lived it for 4 years.[/size][/font]

23

Melvin Watkins? Melvin was never a HC before. Took us to the 2nd round both years here.

Bobby Lutz? Lutz had coached DII at Pfeiffer. Never a HC at the DI level. We won the conference tournament in his 1st year and went to the 2nd round losing to Oklahoma.

24

Very hard to make coaching comparisons like that. Melvin was a career asst, then head coach here, but he inherited a much more talented team than Major and went to 2 NCAA’s in 2 years. Unfortunately, we don’t have those kind of pieces right now (Johnson, Colson, etc.).

I hate it for the team, the win was right there. We always fight to get back in games, just can’t finish them. Whether its turnovers, ft shooting, poor possessions, we are just finding a way to not get it done. I like that they don’t quit. That being said, we need a talent infusion and to regroup and work hard (coaching staff and players) over the summer break.

I like some of the things our freshmen do, but they are all slasher types that get to the line alot and then can’t convert. Big area of focus for them. The three of them have gotten to the line 164 times total this year and converted 92. That’s 56% combined for 2 guards and a wing (who should be the better ft shooters on your team). You will lose a ton of games not doing the little things, and we have.

25

I ain’t writing off Major as a head coach yet. Not writing off the younger guys on the team either.

Sorry.

26

[quote=“ninersfan99, post:12, topic:26379”]I could be wrong, but I think we were playing better defense at the beginning of the year. Defense was our strong suit. I could be mistaken, but it seems to be it’s regressed.[/quote]We’re playing better teams. Also, many of the teams we’re playing do a better job of creating open looks.

It does seem like the team is tantalizingly close to breaking out, but then they have to actually win some of these close games at some point to say they’ve improved. Except for the Temple abomination, the Niners have played teams close, and never really been out of the game (though the road game at LaSalle didn’t seem much in doubt late in the game). Will be really interesting to see how these 3 home games go, as road games are tough in general (ask Temple, who lost at Richmond by 11) and we’ve played the tougher teams at home. These next 3 are against teams that have struggled on the road in conference.

The things that the team is struggling with right now are hardly surprising playing so many freshmen. This is what happens when you reboot, freshmen get more playing time than you’d expect, and they make mistakes and bad decisions, they go through shooting slumps and hit the wall, and they aren’t as good at complementing team defense (have heard many former players say how hard this is for young guys). If they develop, the ft shooting, defense, and decision-making should all improve. My hope is that at least one of the young guys improve their jump-shooting enough to be at least something of a threat.

27

I think part of the issue for Major is when he came in, it looked like we had a fair core of big men in Spears and Braz with KJ developing. We also had Green and Briscoe who were both reputed to be scoring guards. What we lacked was consist scoring from the wing, a true point guard, and another big. That said, he recruited a point guard his first year who was not allowed to play but a great point guard for this year. He has also recruited some decent wings, and he picked up a work in progress big man in Thorne. He has essentially had only 1.5 years to recruit as we had a complete coaching turnover when he came on board. In that time, he has brought in several wing transfers or recruits that are playing increasingly better. He had to deal with a headcase, lost Jones to grades, and has largely lost KJ due to his knee injury and slow recovery. His shooting guards shoot 25% from the field and despite this, we are competitive most games. Had he made mistakes, yes. Has he made fewer this year than last, I think so. It is just hard to dominate in a competitive league when the cupboards are this bare and recruits will take time to develop. As has previously been pointed out, Basden didn’t really get good until mid way through his junior year and he was a 5 star recruit.

28

[quote=“NinerWupAss, post:10, topic:26379”]I know we have recruited better and that we are still rebuilding, but at this point of the rebuild I don’t see the where we are any better of a program than we were 5 yrs ago. We have traded defensive ineptness with offensive ineptness, we are still 50/50 on beating equal teams and now instead of winning a few games against quality teams and losing to some to bad teams we beat all the bad teams and lose to all the quality teams. I guess that stops me from getting my hopes up about being better than we are. [/quote] Well, the win at St. Joes’ was a quality win and the beatdown of Davidson was unexpected by most. I think a lot of people got their hopes up after those wins. How could we not be 50/50 on beating equal teams? Isn’t that by definition what should be expected, unless you get really lucky or really unlucky?

I don’t get the woe-is-us routine by Niner fans. I guess we brought a lot of fans into the program during the 90’s, when we had a pretty impressive run and everyone got spoiled. Back then fans were complaining about not making the sweet 16, as if it was a real failing. Even though I wanted the team to go farther too, it was still a little amusing having followed the program since the early 80’s to hear fans talk bad about the program that was making the tournament 7 out of 9 years. That’s a phenomenal run for a school like Charlotte, one that many other fans never get to experience, ever. I don’t mean that we shouldn’t ever expect to get there again, but that it’s worth appreciating the good fortune Niners fans have had. We only have suffered relative to the elite teams that make tournaments every year.

The program is certainly down right now, and we may need a new coach eventually for good or for bad reasons, but it seems to me that part of being a fan is suffering through the bad years so that the good years are that much sweeter. Complaints, sure, but in the end you still pull for the team even while they’re struggling.

29

[quote=“Iron9er, post:24, topic:26379”]Very hard to make coaching comparisons like that. Melvin was a career asst, then head coach here, but he inherited a much more talented team than Major and went to 2 NCAA’s in 2 years. Unfortunately, we don’t have those kind of pieces right now (Johnson, Colson, etc.).

I hate it for the team, the win was right there. We always fight to get back in games, just can’t finish them. Whether its turnovers, ft shooting, poor possessions, we are just finding a way to not get it done. I like that they don’t quit. That being said, we need a talent infusion and to regroup and work hard (coaching staff and players) over the summer break.

I like some of the things our freshmen do, but they are all slasher types that get to the line alot and then can’t convert. Big area of focus for them. The three of them have gotten to the line 164 times total this year and converted 92. That’s 56% combined for 2 guards and a wing (who should be the better ft shooters on your team). You will lose a ton of games not doing the little things, and we have.[/quote]

Good post.

30

No, Basden was not a 5-star.

31

[quote=“9erken, post:28, topic:26379”][quote=“NinerWupAss, post:10, topic:26379”]I know we have recruited better and that we are still rebuilding, but at this point of the rebuild I don’t see the where we are any better of a program than we were 5 yrs ago. We have traded defensive ineptness with offensive ineptness, we are still 50/50 on beating equal teams and now instead of winning a few games against quality teams and losing to some to bad teams we beat all the bad teams and lose to all the quality teams. I guess that stops me from getting my hopes up about being better than we are. [/quote] Well, the win at St. Joes’ was a quality win and the beatdown of Davidson was unexpected by most. I think a lot of people got their hopes up after those wins. How could we not be 50/50 on beating equal teams? Isn’t that by definition what should be expected, unless you get really lucky or really unlucky?

I don’t get the woe-is-us routine by Niner fans. I guess we brought a lot of fans into the program during the 90’s, when we had a pretty impressive run and everyone got spoiled. Back then fans were complaining about not making the sweet 16, as if it was a real failing. Even though I wanted the team to go farther too, it was still a little amusing having followed the program since the early 80’s to hear fans talk bad about the program that was making the tournament 7 out of 9 years. That’s a phenomenal run for a school like Charlotte, one that many other fans never get to experience, ever. I don’t mean that we shouldn’t ever expect to get there again, but that it’s worth appreciating the good fortune Niners fans have had. We only have suffered relative to the elite teams that make tournaments every year.

The program is certainly down right now, and we may need a new coach eventually for good or for bad reasons, but it seems to me that part of being a fan is suffering through the bad years so that the good years are that much sweeter. Complaints, sure, but in the end you still pull for the team even while they’re struggling.[/quote]

EXCELLENT post!

32

IMO one major problem is not having a go-to player to use in the final minutes of close games. We don’t have a clutch scorer we can rely on when the game is on the line. At least not on a consistent basis.

33

[quote=“919R, post:31, topic:26379”][quote=“9erken, post:28, topic:26379”][quote=“NinerWupAss, post:10, topic:26379”]I know we have recruited better and that we are still rebuilding, but at this point of the rebuild I don’t see the where we are any better of a program than we were 5 yrs ago. We have traded defensive ineptness with offensive ineptness, we are still 50/50 on beating equal teams and now instead of winning a few games against quality teams and losing to some to bad teams we beat all the bad teams and lose to all the quality teams. I guess that stops me from getting my hopes up about being better than we are. [/quote] Well, the win at St. Joes’ was a quality win and the beatdown of Davidson was unexpected by most. I think a lot of people got their hopes up after those wins. How could we not be 50/50 on beating equal teams? Isn’t that by definition what should be expected, unless you get really lucky or really unlucky?

I don’t get the woe-is-us routine by Niner fans. I guess we brought a lot of fans into the program during the 90’s, when we had a pretty impressive run and everyone got spoiled. Back then fans were complaining about not making the sweet 16, as if it was a real failing. Even though I wanted the team to go farther too, it was still a little amusing having followed the program since the early 80’s to hear fans talk bad about the program that was making the tournament 7 out of 9 years. That’s a phenomenal run for a school like Charlotte, one that many other fans never get to experience, ever. I don’t mean that we shouldn’t ever expect to get there again, but that it’s worth appreciating the good fortune Niners fans have had. We only have suffered relative to the elite teams that make tournaments every year.

The program is certainly down right now, and we may need a new coach eventually for good or for bad reasons, but it seems to me that part of being a fan is suffering through the bad years so that the good years are that much sweeter. Complaints, sure, but in the end you still pull for the team even while they’re struggling.[/quote]

EXCELLENT post![/quote]

When I say quality I am thinking about teams in the top 25, about teams leading the conference. So sure St Joe’s is solid but I don’t count them there. And Davidson? The day that beating Davidson surprises me is the day I turn in my green and white. We should always beat them.

As for beating equal teams, teams that I view as comparable to us - a good team (one that hits FTs for instance) can still win more than their share of those games.

My stance is simply that we have plenty more work to do and that I don’t share quite the optimism that some others feel. In my mind there are so many things we have to hope works right next season. Just hope that they are right. I will never quit pulling for the Niners - but my attendance at games will take a hit if we start next season with similar play as we are seeing now.

34

Have we even played a top 25 team this entire season to get a quality win you speak of?

35

IMO X or Temple or the trio of Ark, Memphis and Miami. All of those would be quality in my mind. I know we are rebuilding. Everyone, me included,got upset that we could beat a top program or top 25 and then lose to a crappy team. I guess the good news is we have pretty much beaten the bad teams. Just need some big wins to excite the fan base.

36

Wasn’t St Joe a top 15 rpi team?

37

Wasn’t St Joe a top 15 rpi team?[/quote]

This is what I am saying…

[left][size=12px]1-50[/size] [size=12px]1 - 4[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]51-100[/size] [size=12px]1 - 5[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]101-200[/size] [size=12px]2 - 3[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]201+ [/size][size=12px]8 - 1[/size][/left]

38

[quote=“PARMAN, post:32, topic:26379”]IMO one major problem is not having a go-to player to use in the final minutes of close games. We don’t have a clutch scorer we can rely on when the game is on the line. At least not on a consistent basis.

[/quote]

Watching these teams over the past few years makes me truly appreciate how great Leemire was. I now realize he was pretty much soley responsible for us winning about half the games we won his last 2 years. He was money from the line and would not allow these type of loses to occur. I sure hope Lester turns our to be that type of player because I don’t see anyone else on the roster capable.

39

Wasn’t St Joe a top 15 rpi team?[/quote]

This is what I am saying…
[left][size=12px]1-50[/size] [size=12px]1 - 4[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]51-100[/size] [size=12px]1 - 5[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]101-200[/size] [size=12px]2 - 3[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]201+ [/size][size=12px]8 - 1[/size][/left][/quote]

This is what I expect though so I don’t have the anger or frustration that others have. If that trend doesn’t get more positive, then I worry.

40

Wasn’t St Joe a top 15 rpi team?[/quote]

This is what I am saying…[left][size=12px]1-50[/size] [size=12px]1 - 4[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]51-100[/size] [size=12px]1 - 5[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]101-200[/size] [size=12px]2 - 3[/size][/left]
[left][size=12px]201+ [/size][size=12px]8 - 1[/size][/left][/quote]

This is what I expect though so I don’t have the anger or frustration that others have. If that trend doesn’t get more positive, then I worry.[/quote]

I can see that. Next season will be important - Major will have had some players for 3 yrs and the majority of the team will be his guys. Time to start converting all that potential.