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Post by reformation on Mar 28, 2024 15:05:48 GMT -5
As a follow on to the above suggestions adding quant tracks to some of the social science and science majors at Gtwn would also enhance the marketability of graduates and attractiveness to applicants. Seems somewhat obvious TBH.
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Post by reformation on Mar 28, 2024 15:00:21 GMT -5
Issue is what to do going fwd. The Math/CS build is easy to fix. Can't see how anyone could think that Gtwn benefitted in any way from not embracing the quant approach to the social sciences. The new buildings will take years to get done. Stuff I recommended above could be done in 1 yr.
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Post by reformation on Mar 28, 2024 10:04:45 GMT -5
If were looking at upgrading STEM at Gtwn I think the focus on the buildings, while not unimportant misses the point.
It's interesting discussion on BBALL board because for less than the 6mm we pay Cooley we could double the size of the math and CS depts (interesting re tradeoffs)
Gtwn completely missed the whole data science/computational move in both STEM and Social sciences. Thats a management fail more than an endowment issue. One doesn't need a whole lot of new physical infrastructure to do it. Given Gtwn's location its actually not that hard to get faculty to come here given the opportunity in these fields outside of the campus from being in DC. The other aspect of increasing the size of the math/data science effort is that it can be integrated into the other programs in the social sciences especially (Govt, Sociology, Linguistics, Econ etc.). We could easily hire faculty from abroad UK etc who are not that expensive to hire but are pretty elite in their fields. Also in these fields Gtwn has greatly expanded its master's programs (primarily a money-making move) without really thinking re impact on undergrad resources--I would take a closer look at this dynamic
If I had to do a quick STEM fix for Gtwn I guess I would do the following: 1)Double (approx) math & CS (Not that hard to do) +incorporate Data Science & Computational Tracks in Biology/Chem/Physics/Govt/Sociology/Econ/Linguistics (Easy to Do) 2)Introduce better Intro Honors courses/tracks in Math/Physics/Comp Sci etc--kids coming in have much better prep and Gtwn has not adjusted to that (Easy to Do) 3)Add another 3-2 Engr program maybe CalTech/Dartmouth/Johns Hopkins in addition to Columbia as options (Easy to do) 4)For Study Abroad have a closer collaboration with a few elite STEM places overseas--some of the UK Uni's (UCL/Imperial/Edinburgh) ETH Zurich (Easy To Do) 5)For the consortium make sure that Johns Hopkins is included as an option (Easy to Do--would be material in computational Bio/data science/comp sci) (Probably easy) 6)Maybe set up a 1-year undergrad exchange with a Stem focused undergrad place like Carnegie Mellon Rice or Stanford (Probably Easy)
Realistically this could all be done in 2 years or less at a minimal cost and would change the undergrad STEM trajectory/experience and ability to attract Elite Stem students at Gtwn
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Post by reformation on Mar 24, 2024 22:55:16 GMT -5
I saw him in person vs Columbia. He did not dominate against them. I suspect he can improve but is certainly not somebody I'd use a lot of NIL$ for. He needs a fair bit of additional development.
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Post by reformation on Mar 21, 2024 6:58:29 GMT -5
Epps has some elite skills, but some notable shortcomings. He is not an elite shooter, which is at his size is an issue (a big one). He's ok finishing at the rim, but not elite. TBH, the top guard on my HS team is significantly better than Epps now, the other guard it's a tossup, Epps maybe more talented, but definitely contributes less to the team.
He is not a unique talent: certainly, can add value but "only" if he plays in a team concept
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Post by reformation on Mar 20, 2024 10:55:18 GMT -5
If we had gone with Hurley, we probably would have had another final four/title. Just as valid to say that landing JT2 and the associated title was a bit of a fluke also.
Not surprised RB is leaving--who would want to play second fiddle to Epps and whoever else is coming in. From a purely basketball perspective it's not in of itself a big deal: there is nobody on the current team that we really can't replace or really need to keep.
The bigger issue with the program is will we hold Cooley accountable (at least after next year if not dramatic turnaround) for the terrible performance or just blow another 10mm/yr overall on a program that currently adds little to the university. Also, the Univ board should hold JD accountable on the same timeframe as Cooley.
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Post by reformation on Mar 18, 2024 19:38:43 GMT -5
St John's was hot--I think they could have done some damage in the tournament--the coaches speaking out probably have as much impact as the commissioner saying something.
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Post by reformation on Mar 18, 2024 19:37:10 GMT -5
Thats the kind of bland meaningless statement Gtwn would typically make-will have no impact--hard to say what would though
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Post by reformation on Mar 17, 2024 20:41:28 GMT -5
Nobody could have seriously watched STJ vs UCONN and leave STJ out. Complete joke. STJ was highly competitive vs best team in the country which was playing well.
Not really much to be done about it though--not a good look for the BE. Hope it doesn't hurt recruiting.
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Post by reformation on Mar 17, 2024 9:18:52 GMT -5
Watson's shooting stats in ACC play are even worse. 25% FG, 0% from 3(o for 10), and 55% FT percentage. Not sure this will upgrade us--might be more of the same
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Post by reformation on Mar 17, 2024 9:14:56 GMT -5
Have never seen him play but his shooting stats are awful for a 3. 62% FT low 20's from 3 and 37% for 2's. I get that he played on one of the local elite HS programs but he hasn't been very efficient in college.
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Post by reformation on Mar 16, 2024 21:16:18 GMT -5
We can be an NCAA team if one of the recruits turns out to be a star and we get a couple of impact portal guys. Just assuming who we have will improve will probably not be enough. Cooley needs to show he can adapt to the portal/new landscape. Probably not going to have a core you can mold over 3/4 years that often.
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Post by reformation on Mar 16, 2024 13:30:51 GMT -5
Yes, he is a great complimentary player on a good team; however, we are currently a below average team. You're certainly right he would have helped in a number of ways, but as long as the offense runs through EPPS the team efficiency will be very limited. He would have been more of a core player on our team, not a ccomplimentary guy.
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Post by reformation on Mar 15, 2024 20:47:52 GMT -5
I think Ledlum is a complimentary player on a good team--you are correct that he does all the small things right; however, on the flip side he lacks athleticism and has trouble finishing at the rim. Also, while his shooting has gotten better it's not that great--he's missed a lot of big open shots this year--I watch STJ a lot. I think he's done better lately as apparently; he's been recovering from some type of injury. Wouldn't be a first line priority for us--we need much better skill players as a first priority. If we get a couple of elites, we can add a Ledlum.
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Post by reformation on Mar 15, 2024 18:31:31 GMT -5
Should probably restart the thread for next year.
Btw, Soriano is a complementary player on a good team. He has trouble finishing, lacks skills to score around the rim against top competition. I saw him a lot in HS, he was like 3rd or 4th option on his HS team depending on the year.
Pitino making STJ competitive is not because of Soriano.
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Post by reformation on Mar 15, 2024 18:14:21 GMT -5
ESPN had him at 20 in region, 3 in state, 95th nationally. Pretty good. Hope he stays but not sure it's a game breaker either way. I guess it's a cost benefit in truest sense in today's game. I guess if I were him, I'd test the waters too. I'd be pretty concerned being subservient to EPPS in the Cooley scheme.
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Post by reformation on Mar 15, 2024 10:33:35 GMT -5
Would think NCAA next year is possible with some luck in the portal, at least one recruit being elite and a better coaching job by Cooley (don't run the offense through Epps).
Re Cooley, I've met him a couple of times and like him. I am actually optimistic re next year. However, he needs to be accountable for overall program performance. From a cost benefit analysis perspective, the program has and continued to be a disaster in his first year. I'm ok with Gtwn making a big investment in its signature sport but there has to be a payoff, right now it's pretty much a total loss financially and adds little to the overall school community. I'm ok giving him a reasonable, but not unlimited amount of time to fix the situation. Gtwn could fix major academic shortcomings with the $ allocated to basketball, so there is a cost to this effort.
The idea raised above that Gtwn has been held back by higher academic standards vs competitors is ridiculous. Under Ewing at least, it seemed we had no academic or character constraints. Cooley seems to recruit better players at least from a non bball perspective. Re the comparison to Pitino, STJ has starters who graduated from Harvard and Penn, so yes, Gtwn might have marginally better overall standards than STJ, but probably not materially so. On the academic front our standards are probably closer to the SEC than Ivy level, Northwestern etc. and have an actually worse basketball team than the top Ivies. Given the amt of money spent on the program those results are crazy.
Hey, look I'm optimistic re the future, but there has to be accountability. Lack of accountability has gotten us in the hole we're in. Hopefully Cooley can fix it, but we need to see evidence of transformational progress soon.
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Post by reformation on Mar 14, 2024 22:24:36 GMT -5
Cooley vs Pitino: Pitino was obviously much better year 1. They both effectively had full reboots. TBH Pitino probably would have done eve better here as he could probably have recruited better at Gtwn than STJ. Also, we don't have much of a core for next year from existing players.
Cooley has recruited well enough to give us hope for next year. Maybe we'll also get some positive news from the portal.
Next year is pivotal--it's fair to expect at least a tournament bid. If not, I'd want a lights out recruiting class with NIT. Otherwise, we'll need to reevaluate direction again.
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Post by reformation on Mar 14, 2024 9:39:20 GMT -5
Agree with above--from the outside it's hard to see why one would choose to play with Epps if Cooley is going to let him play the role of gunner. I would only want to play with an under-control Epps, not the one we currently have.
In terms of new talent, I think Cooley should get some staff who can recruit overseas. Gtwn has better name recognition overseas than the vast majority of schools we compete against for recruits--it would be a sign of Cooley adapting to the tools of his new environment vs just doing what he did at Providence.
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Post by reformation on Mar 10, 2024 9:04:09 GMT -5
I thought that you highlighted one of Ewing's rare moments of coaching excellence. I wish Cooley would exhibit some of the same toughness on EPPS as he did to Brumbaugh. To have a real view (which none of us probably do), we'd have to have an inside view of the team, personalities, and Cooley's day to day coaching style.
If all of our players don't improve "a lot" there is really no point to what we are doing as a program. Whether his syle vs each player is effective or not I guess we'll see next year.
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