BOL Round Table

Dude, we really don't have to spend "everything we have" to get a good coach. Hell, there are a dozen high school coaches around Tuscaloosa proper that no one knows the name of that could coach better than what we're getting. Anyone that can bring a dynamic offense, solid shooting (including free throws), solid passing and ball security and dribbling, and a decent defense can do better than what we've got IF HE IS MOTIVATED AND ENERGETIC AND FOCUSED. Seriously. Fundamentals are so lacking in our program. Our players aren't motivated to practice on their own outside of scheduled "real" practice. Our players cannot, with confidence, even pass the ball consistently.

Again, it all comes to the fact that WE ARE LOSING THE FANBASE. We are ebbing. This cannot continue. As someone listed above, Coleman WILL empty out if we continue this style of basketball---win or lose. After all, for a "football school" ( a ridiculous title, IMHO---we are a BIG University with enough resources and clout to be ANYTHING we want to be) we sure have found a way to have consistently successful gymnastics and softball programs, haven't we? We have to find someone---Anyone---that can run a college program and do the things I listed in addition to SELLING THE PRODUCT while also IMPROVING the product.

So, that is CAG's fault and responsibility? So, you have attended every practice and team or individual meeting that CAG has with his team?

I see a team that is being coached and nurtured. I see players with so many holes in their game that its going to take, at least, 2 full season/calender years to raise their basketball skills/acumen to match the level of their athletic ability. Therefore, we will experience inconsistency and sloppy play and defeats. But, the one area where we always see consistency is DEFENSE. That's because DEFENSE is 90% effort and 10% scheme.

This is why people need to be patient. Let's get next year's class on campus during the summer and start building the team for the Fall pre-season practices.

Kentucky nearly signed half of the McDonald's All-American team and definitely most of their recruits were in the Top 10-15. So, please stop with the shenanigans. CAG will have won 20 or more games 3 consecutive seasons. You cannot dispute that fact. You can try arguing all that you want...BUT it is indisputable. He has been here 4 years and only has 2 real recruiting classes on the floor. He chose NOT to just sign any warm body because he's a visionary coach who knows what its takes to WIN consistently and on the biggest of stages. I am certain that CAG is his toughest critic.

Some of you fans/BOL members are nothing more than --ish starters. The men's basketball program will continue to rise to the ELITE level under CAG. So, just sit back and hate...haters!

I just don't understand the frustration with the offensive plan. We run the same offense that Duke and Kansas and North Carolina run. Do you guys honestly think that our coaching staff doesn't evaluate our offensive scheme on a weekly basis or review film from successful teams? We just don't have the players to be a good offensive team. Offense, to me, depends on the player. How may shots are Randolph, Cooper, Releford, Lacey getting up a day in the gym? How many shots do you think JJ Redick put up a day in the gym when he played? The offensive scheme is only as good as the players taking the shots. Coaches can't teach players to make shots. Players make shots because they spend their time in the gym trying to get better. You can teach form and technique, you can't teach effort and drive.

I believe what makes the CAG conversation so emotionally charged is because he is a class act as a person. He carries himself well - he is a gentleman and for the most part we all really like him as a person --- more so than a few other basketball coaches at UA of late.

With that said - when the fussing and complaining starts each and every game because there is hardly ever any improvement (including me!) - many of us are justifiably upset and completely frustrated while others are going to defend at any cost. I suppose it is because we all want a top notch basketball program.

CAG should be judged on all areas of his job - recruiting, wins and loses, tournament appearances and advancement and how he handles himself and team issues. If we could just focus on those areas - all this would be easier.

BTW - I do not subscribe to the notion that we cannot get a high level coach at UA. The coaches at Miami or Gonzaga come to mind as just an example that UA could have more success with our basketball program.

I guess my point is that coaching doesn't make players make shots. All coaches can do is design a set to get open looks. Players have to put in the time on their own to become prolific scorers. Coach K didn't make JJ Redick a great shooter. JJ Redick shooting 1000 shots a day made him a great shooter. We don't have the offensive weapons right now to make defenses respect our outside shooting, which allows teams to sag in the lane and cut off our penetration and post presence. I will not argue with anyone that CAG has done a poor job on the recruiting front, but his offensive and defensive philosophies do not differ from the big time coaches. He'll, he learned his coaching style from Billy Donovan.

grant=Shula.

Likeable.

Friendly. Good peoples.

Winners?