iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on May 4, 2024 17:32:43 GMT -5
Goldstein is close to the mark, but it’s certainly a sad commentary on the state of college athletics when participants can universally be regarded as “free labor.”
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on May 4, 2024 17:16:30 GMT -5
As a university with one of the lowest endowments in the country for a school of its stature and history, it is not hard to see why big bucks are not flowing out of alumni to the NIL bag. I don't think that Georgetown does a good job at connecting with alumni or courting their interests. And the University has stumbled through any series of administrative embarrassments and redirections that have turned off alumni on the school. My class generally shakes its head in bewilderment looking at what Georgetown has become these days. My son who graduated 30 years later has very little affinity or linkages to the University. My sense is that there is a real minority of Georgetown alums these days who care anything at all about the basketball program, while the rest are either largely turned off on the University or focused on more important things. The movement of college basketball away from a student athlete model to a pay for play model exacerbates this trend in my view for Georgetown alums, but likely works in favor of schools where alumni identification with college athletic programs is the highest, academics are somewhat secondary, and alumni remain relatively local and engaged in the life of the University. I have cared about the program for 56 years but I am not paying for NIL. I’d also speculate that there are a good number of (local) alums who care about the program and show it by buying season tickets that require somewhat hefty seat “donations.” Query whether this route for giving is in essence competitive with funding for NIL.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on May 3, 2024 12:14:04 GMT -5
Off-season so far gets a C grade Disappointing given the rumors of our big NIL bag. Still time though. Mack alone is worth more than a C considering our PG needs.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Apr 16, 2024 14:06:10 GMT -5
Styles shot 36.3% from 3fg in Big East play while Epps shot 25.5%. Styles made 7 fewer threes than Epps on 61 fewer attempts. guhoyas.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023?path=mbballBrumbaugh shot 44.7% from 3fg in Big East play. We're losing 2 of our best outside shooters and we're keeping our worst. Not sure that's a real bright strategy in 2024. Styles wouldn’t launch unless the stars aligned and he was alone on the offensive side of the court. That was why he was so ineffective really - got the ball dozens of times in rhythm and on the spot but didn’t pull the trigger. Epps had to pick up the slack and was forced to take far more challenging opportunities. That was by far the most frustrating thing about both Ish and Trez. Truth. There is a player inside Mr. Styles but waiting for that person to come out was one of the more frustrating aspects of a frustrating season. He worked underneath and, for that, I wish him well, but his role seems to be more bench piece than focal point.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 21, 2024 15:28:01 GMT -5
Cooley specifically said that Epps is much more efficient on the catch and shoot compared to off the dribble. I'm thinking he's looking for a bigger PG that defends much better than Rowan did with the ability to run the offense and get Epps more catch and shoot opportunities. Moving Epps off the ball won't be a cure for his ball-dominant ways in my view, only coaching & reps can help with this weakness. Now we're hope mode for the next guard who'll play alongside Epps Repeating myself, but it's entirely possible his "ball-dominant ways" are a function of those with whom he played--many 0f whom exhibited "I don't want the shot" ways.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 21, 2024 11:26:49 GMT -5
Although some shortcomings (ball handling) were obvious, I don't see any way to separate Epps' playing last year from the deficiencies of the team on the floor. There were an incredible number of times when he virtually had to take a shot because of the moribund state of the sets and the unwillingness of others to step up. It's basically the reason why he carried us in some (losing) games. I suppose an obvious response is that he bore some responsibility for the offense, which is likely true, but, on balance, he had a role that no one else seemed to take. His dribble/drive to the right side of the basket at important times was notable.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 18:51:22 GMT -5
Because Epps is an alpha that is not a winner or a team player that makes good teams worse (see last year). Let's not forget that Epps was 3rd string behind two other freshman last year. One of which is at Louisville now (another very bad team) and the other was so bad he stayed and redshirted at Illinois. Any player can look good when you allow them to have 31+ usage. Remember when we thought Primo's 26.6 was high. Look what happens when he went to a team that wasn't even good but had high major players. Rowan in theory can be a piece without getting in the way. There really is no reason to think Epps is willing to do that. It's why he left a way better position to come to a dumpster fire. Everyone has these fairy tale dreams that Epps is suddenly going to change under the coach that has given him free rein. Based on the evidence that just isn't realistic. I'd rather surround Rowan with 4 great players than Epps. If the 4 players are the same the team with Rowan is going to do better. That's my reasoning. Others can share theirs. Here's mine. The jury is still out on Epps because of this year's "talent." If he feels that he has to carry the team, which is frequently correct, he does. In fact, he kept us in a number of games this year. There is simply no way to judge him as a player until the rest of the cast improves. This is not a defense of Epps' play this year, which was over the top too much, but it's a realistic look at the others and what he added at times. Bottom line, he is an offensive talent who might be better if asked to do less.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 18:33:29 GMT -5
I don't see why anyone would take Rowan over Epps. I also don't know why someone would say the staff chose to keep Epps over Rowan. Dozens of coaches better than Cooley is comical. No problem if some people have a few favorites though, but I don't anyone could make a case that hes not top 25 Because Epps is an alpha that is not a winner or a team player that makes good teams worse (see last year). Let's not forget that Epps was 3rd string behind two other freshman last year. One of which is at Louisville now (another very bad team) and the other was so bad he stayed and redshirted at Illinois. Any player can look good when you allow them to have 31+ usage. Remember when we thought Primo's 26.6 was high. Look what happens when he went to a team that wasn't even good but had high major players. Rowan in theory can be a piece without getting in the way. There really is no reason to think Epps is willing to do that. It's why he left a way better position to come to a dumpster fire. Everyone has these fairy tale dreams that Epps is suddenly going to change under the coach that has given him free rein. Based on the evidence that just isn't realistic. I'd rather surround Rowan with 4 great players than Epps. If the 4 players are the same the team with Rowan is going to do better. That's my reasoning. Others can share theirs. Here's mine. The jury is still out on Epps because of this year's "talent." If he feels that he has to carry the team, which is frequently correct, he does. In fact, he kept us in a number of games this year. There is simply no way to judge him as a player until the rest of the cast improves. This is not a defense of Epps' play this year, which was over the top too much, but it's a realistic look at the others and what he added at times. Bottom line, he is an offensive talent who might be better if askedd to do less.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 17:54:31 GMT -5
You did say over Ewing, for the record. But thinking about Hurley is kind of silly since we did hire Ewing. On the topic. I’d like to know one coach you would take Cooley over. Answer has to be reasonable, so no Roy Rubin or Dave Bliss. Kyle Neptune Darn. I had Kim English for 200.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 17:30:11 GMT -5
I really don't understand the logic people are operating under where SO MANY people wanted Pitino last year, but now are becoming sanctimonious about Kenny Johnson. Please. Not to mention that this is a program that UNDER PATRICK EWING, hired Kevin Nickelberry, who was on the LSU Will Wade staff that had several violations. Don’t forget the people who didn’t want to hire Pitino last year but apparently are ok with hiring Johnson this year. All sorts of hypocrisy on this board. I don't know how to handle this. You shouldn't have to "name names" but, in the short time since Johnson was announced, I haven't seen any hypocrisy. I think there's enough substance to criticize without making stuff up.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 17:20:53 GMT -5
I supported hiring Dan Hurley. Obviously all else equal I’d rather Dan Hurley be our coach than Cooley. But let’s not forget, that was a potential option when our school leadership decided to go with Patrick Ewing. That move (predictably) did not work out. By the time the job became open again, Hurley was a national champion at Connecticut, which means he was not a viable option to hire to replace Ewing. It’s not fair to say we should have hired Hurley over Cooley. I never said we should have hired Hurley over Cooley - I said we should have hired him over Ewing, when Hurley was available and wanted the job. That said, there are dozens of coaches I would have hired over Cooley. Cooley is not that good of a coach and he comes across as a bit of a con artist. Keeping Epps over Brumbaugh and hiring Kenny Johnson is just more icing on the cake. You are on a roll today, but I'll only pick one of the above. What makes you think Cooley "kept" Epps over Rowan, and what's wrong with it if he did?
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 15:29:10 GMT -5
Desperate times may call for desperate measure, but ugh.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 15:27:43 GMT -5
I didn’t want to say anything during the season as it would’ve been brushed under the rug of one of the haters hating. If you couldn’t tell Rowan hated playing with Epps you weren’t paying attention. It wasn’t Mackinjo level hate but it was there. I’d be willing to bet that was as big a factor as any. If Rowan would’ve taken his IDGAF approach earlier in the season he would’ve put up numbers that would’ve had more people upset he was leaving. If the staff can’t figure out what to do with a 6’4 player that at least tries on D, has a decent IQ and shot 45% from 3 in conference play im not sure what we are doing here. This feels like a Jordan Riley situation again. I’m not sure Rowan was the key to turning this thing around but he is a good enough player to be part of it. He also wouldn’t have done the things that could derail a potentially good time like a few others. He just wasn’t Cooley’s choice and he knew it. I'm not going into chapter and verse on Rowan's play, although "trying" on D isn't all that, but he received plenty of PT for a freshman--some at important times in games. As someone who was paying attention from pretty close, I saw no indication that he had a problem with Epps, but considering they played essentially the same position, competition is to be expected. I am very sorry to see him go and wish him well. But without knowing what's what, speculation as to the reason is just that.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 14:48:06 GMT -5
Don't spend it and see what you have. The game has changed, and unfortunately so. Players are exploring their dollar worth option. Even if you have players on your roster who consider themselves under NIL'ed, they will tend to explore. But we're being told that we have one of the top NIL budgets in the country. Shouldn't we expect some of the best results in the country as a consequence of that spend? Or are we just going to let Cooley spend like crazy and not expect any ROI? How much do you think Seton Hall spent on NIL this season? They went 13-7 in the Big East and got invited to the NIT. I'm fine with those results if we spend like Seton Hall. Instead, we're talking about spending like a Kansas or a Duke. Shouldn't we expect Kansas or Duke-like results in return? If we had a hugely winning program like Kansas or Duke, as opposed to being at the depths of college ball, I would expect it. Unfortunately, the analogy is lacking.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 12:41:45 GMT -5
You don't want to lose freshmen though. These aren't seasoned vets. They should get a year plus to adjust. If Mulready, Sorber, McKenna and Williams all aren't immediately contributing, does that mean we see them walk in year 2? Of course not. That is a path to stay on the tracks we currently are on. How many NFL teams overspend in free agency and then win big? Almost none because it's a crap way to build. You need a strong core and with turnover each year, you'll never get it. If we end up with Mintz/McDaniel and a half a dozen free agents, every one of those kids is going to have an angle. Getting them all to buy in over the course of a few months is going to be impossible. If you get them to buy in like St. Johns finally did, it may be too late to matter. It's insane! This is where my head is at. Whether they were run off or left for personal reasons, losing contributing Freshmen is fatal to building a stable and successful program. One year mercenary transfer players are not the answer. They all have personal agendas placed over team success. I would rather lose any other players than the two freshman that actually got more playing time and performed better as the season progressed. No one else on this team improved over the season! If we lose both, it will cap off the absolute worst calendar year imaginable for an experienced head coach like Cooley. The problem with this is it assumes that, in today's atmosphere, incoming freshman are somehow different than "mercenary" transfers in terms of staying put. It appears that they may be no more likely to stick around if they see greener pastures elsewhere. The bottom line could well be, with some exceptions, that teams are not developed and built in the old fashioned way.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 11:36:12 GMT -5
I agree this year was a mess, and not much of an improvement on Ewing. Given Cooley's past record, it is highly unlikely that he will turn out to be the second coming of Coach Patrick Ewing unless he's lost all coaching and recruiting ability since leaving Providence. And if he has, that would make me wonder if Georgetown is the problem. As has been stated many times, Cooley is vastly overrated by the Georgetown fan base. He has a losing Big East record when he's not coaching Providence vs. Georgetown. Honestly, one of your best. Of course, it wasn't true when he was hired. And we'll just overlook some of his accomplishments while at PC.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 10:56:59 GMT -5
Just so you know Trilly just said some more people are leaving. Seeing as though Epps and Fielder were the only ones to post NIL stuff. That should tell you something Keeping Epps and jettisoning Rowan tells you a lot about Cooley's evaluation skills. They both get abused on D, they are both turnover prone, but Epps is better on the offensive end?
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 10:41:24 GMT -5
Serious question, not related to the current discussion: how many more rebuilds and more empty seats will it take before Georgetown University says "enough"? And how do they say “enough”?
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 10:39:28 GMT -5
Disappointed by the news on Rowan Brumbaugh. I'd hoped the revolving door to which we became accustomed under the prior coaching staff would change. I must be naive. Other than better post-loss press conferences and sound bites, hard to see that anything has changed from the prior staff. hm Well, one staff had several years and the other has had one year in the wake of the previous disaster.
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iowa80
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Post by iowa80 on Mar 20, 2024 9:35:00 GMT -5
Surprised to see Rowan moving on with his DC roots, but I assume he saw future PT as an issue, perhaps with the advice of the coach. Evaluating his ability as a PG after one year seems like a rush to judgement. He played hard and showed some chops on the offensive end. .
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