Jekyll and Hyde

[zephyr]

_ I heard the announcer mention about an 8 o'clock voluntary shoot around before a previous game that was on TV---2 guys showed up---there is the problem right there my friends!!!!! _

Correct...Our problem is not necessarily talent. At this point, it may not necessarily be the coaching or at least that is playing a smaller role in our failures. The problems that we have staring us in the face are lack of focus by the players, lack of fundamentals and the ability to rebound the ball. I was also very critical a couple weeks ago of our lack of cohesiveness as a team. To me, they seem to have improved a bit in that department but having two of your players at a voluntary shootaround is pretty embarassing and until the players grasp the idea of playing for your teammates and sacrifice, it doesn't matter who we have coaching us.

[Double Oh]

_ I heard the announcer mention about an 8 o'clock voluntary shoot around before a previous game that was on TV---2 guys showed up---there is the problem right there my friends!!!!! _

Why wasnt it a mandatory shoot around? What do you expect when its voluntary?

[Hammer58]

_ Why wasnt it a mandatory shoot around? What do you expect when its voluntary? _

Kind of expect players on a struggling team to show they give a damn and make the effort to improve.

[Cajunsmike]

_ Kind of expect players on a struggling team to show they give a damn and make the effort to improve. _

The voluntary shootaround was prior to the FAU game back on Dec. 12. That was a game we won. This was also right after finals ended and that may have been a factor. Also, the game started at 1 meaning the players were probably there around 11:30. The early shootaround probably started around 9. Yes it would have been nice to have more guys there and I am not excusing having so few attend. I am just pointing out other factors that may have played into it.

[Double Oh]

_ The voluntary shootaround was prior to the FAU game back on Dec. 12. That was a game we won. This was also right after finals ended and that may have been a factor. Also, the game started at 1 meaning the players were probably there around 11:30. The early shootaround probably started around 9. Yes it would have been nice to have more guys there and I am not excusing having so few attend. I am just pointing out other factors that may have played into it. _

I agree. Shoot around at 9 then come back to the gym at 11:30 that doesnt make much sense. I can see a night game haveing a mandatory shoot around but a 1:00 tip off. Im sure when Lee said it was voluntary the players really didnt feel like going unless it was mandatory

[zephyr]

_ I agree. Shoot around at 9 then come back to the gym at 11:30 that doesnt make much sense. I can see a night game haveing a mandatory shoot around but a 1:00 tip off. Im sure when Lee said it was voluntary the players really didnt feel like going unless it was mandatory _

When you have guys, who at the time, were shooting the way they had been like Gradnigo, Bureau and even Daigle and these guys are your top shooters but all struggling, you expect to see guys putting in time in the gym outside of practice to show a commitment to getting better and they didn't do that. At this level, you need more than just what is done in practice.

[HoustonCajun]

_ When you have guys, who at the time, were shooting the way they had been like Gradnigo, Bureau and even Daigle and these guys are your top shooters but all struggling, you expect to see guys putting in time in the gym outside of practice to show a commitment to getting better and they didn't do that. At this level, you need more than just what is done in practice. _

The tv announcer said only 2 players attended, one was Tyren Johnson and the other was a walk-on. They said that is why Johnson is a leader. They were perplexed as to why no one else showed up, as am I. This team is undisciplined and lethargic in their play and that is reflected in their record. I really don't expect them to do much in conference. The good news, if that is considered good news, is that is what it will take to change coach. Unfortunately, we have to endure another lousy season, no attendance, no revenue, no fans, no enthusiasm for basketball, and this snowball of public apathy continues to grow as things slide downhill in so many areas.

[Double Oh]

_ The tv announcer said only 2 players attended, one was Tyren Johnson and the other was a walk-on. They said that is why Johnson is a leader. They were perplexed as to why no one else showed up, as am I. This team is undisciplined and lethargic in their play and that is reflected in their record. I really don't expect them to do much in conference. The good news, if that is considered good news, is that is what it will take to change coach. Unfortunately, we have to endure another lousy season, no attendance, no revenue, no fans, no enthusiasm for basketball, and this snowball of public apathy continues to grow as things slide downhill in so many areas. _

The players do not play for Lee plain and simple.

[zephyr]

_ The players do not play for Lee plain and simple. _

I would debate this comment. If you made it last year, I'd have said it already myself. However, while the improvement has not been seen in the Win-Loss column, I've seen a difference in how the majority of this team play for coach Lee. I've seen Gradnigo have his normal moments of complete laziness but I attribute a lot of that to his poor play that he's been trying to work himself out of. For the most part, I've seen a team that hasn't quit this year and continues to try to improve, at least on the court they do. I don't question the effort that is put forth but rather the focus and fundamentals that the players tend to lack at crucial times.

[BayouBaller]

_ Tulane improves to 4-7 for the year with wins over Penn State, George Mason, Alabama State and our Ragin Cajuns. The Green Wave earned their first SBC win last night after losses to UNO (by 1) and WKU (by 14).

Will we win another SBC game?

Three losses at home to date out of five played - including last night's in front of 8,893 empty seats (I thought there were more) hardly makes playing in the Cajun Dome any advantage for the home team.

While Lee is "kicking press room chairs" at the mention of the next game on the road against Louisville, he might want to think about the Gents from Centenary that come to the Dome after Christmas playing a much tougher schedule (and losing) to the likes of Marquette, Oklahoma, La Tech, Mississippi, and probably add Mississippi State (tonight).

P.S. Centenary is 1-0 in SBC play with a 94-84 win over ULM. It's been over two weeks since we scored 84 or more points. _

I guess I saw this one coming, huh?

[AstroCajun]

Really? I think it's past time to take the blinders off. I will attend the Uno game and maybe the Monroe game but otherwise I'm done with this coach.

I would debate this comment. If you made it last year, I'd have said it already myself. However, while the improvement has not been seen in the Win-Loss column, I've seen a difference in how the majority of this team play for coach Lee. I've seen Gradnigo have his normal moments of complete laziness but I attribute a lot of that to his poor play that he's been trying to work himself out of. For the most part, I've seen a team that hasn't quit this year and continues to try to improve, at least on the court they do. I don't question the effort that is put forth but rather the focus and fundamentals that the players tend to lack at crucial times.

igeaux.mobi

[CajunRed]

_ I would debate this comment. If you made it last year, I'd have said it already myself. However, while the improvement has not been seen in the Win-Loss column, I've seen a difference in how the majority of this team play for coach Lee. I've seen Gradnigo have his normal moments of complete laziness but I attribute a lot of that to his poor play that he's been trying to work himself out of. For the most part, I've seen a team that hasn't quit this year and continues to try to improve, at least on the court they do. I don't question the effort that is put forth but rather the focus and fundamentals that the players tend to lack at crucial times. _

I went to last night's game (probably my last for quite a while)... then read your comment this morning. I am not sure which team you are writing about, but please tell me you are not referring to the current UL team. I saw ZERO effort from Gradnigo... and vey little from Bureau who did not score AT ALL.

I saw great effort from Johnson (as usual) and Daigle.

Please let us know who you were writing about.