Basketball Staff ?

[Cajunsmike]

When you talk about staff replacement, if you do replace the staff would the redshirts who are sitting out this year be able to transfer without penalty?

Answer is simply no. To clarify, the people who are sitting out this year are transfers from other D1 schools, they are not "redshirts". That is why they could not transfer again without penalty. One of them wanted to come here badly enough he paid his own way in the fall semester. I think that is because he is friends with one of the other guys who had transferred. Similar deal to why Frank Bartley transferred from BYU (were he enjoyed his time). In addition to wanting to be closer to home and having more of an offensive role, he was good friends with Jonathon Stove since his HS days. Frank had a rough game yesterday but he definitely had a positive impact on the team this year. If all three of the current transfers can do the same, next year should be a successful season.

[VObserver]

A more pertinent question would be: What is the mean road winning percentage for teams in the top 3 of their conference?

Over the last 7 years, the road record for teams finishing in the top 3 in the Sun Belt is 164-155 [51.41%]. If you take out the road record of the Cajuns in the two years they finished third, the road record of the other 5 years is 154-136 [53.10%].

Even in years we have finished fairly well in the conference, we have under-performed on the road. I call BS on the 'hard to win on the road' mantra. Yes, it is harder than winning at home, but good teams win more than they lose on the road. The mean Conference RPI of the Sun Belt in that span is 18, so the SBC is a slightly below average conference [18th of 33]. The road record of the top 3 over 7 years should fairly closely mirror the mean road record of the top three in all conferences combined over the same span.

I should add that the road record of fourth place teams in the Sunbelt over the last 7 years is 40-65 [38.1%], so Marlin's road performance is below that level.

[anhil8tor]

So Marlin is about average, or as he's better known mediocre.

I struggle with calling average mediocre. To me.. and this may just be me but Lee was mediocre. Marlin to this point has been average but I can't in good conscious call him mediocre.

[VObserver]

I struggle with calling average mediocre. To me.. and this may just be me but Lee was mediocre. Marlin to this point has been average but I can't in good conscious call him mediocre.

From dictionary.com

mediocre: adjective
1.
of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate:
The car gets only mediocre mileage, but it's fun to drive.
Synonyms: undistinguished, commonplace, pedestrian, everyday; run-of-the-mill.

Looks like a pretty fair description of Marlin's results to me.

[ManAboutTown]

I have to be honest, it's pretty sad that we are having this conversation right now. Disappointing really.

Whether you like it or not; whether you agree with the direction of the program or not; whether you think we can win this tourney or not... this is without question the best part of the year in MBB. Not only that, this team is getting BETTER before our eyes, playing their asses off and representing us all very well in NOLA.

IMO they've regained some confidence and look like they did in the beginning of the year. I may be in the minority but I actually do think we can win and go dancing. Which btw, would be a an outstanding accomplishment, all things considered. We have an individual playing a brand of ball that doesn't get seen often around here. Jay Wright is on a mission and I for one appreciate what he's doing and I'm damn intruiged to watch.

We can pizz and moan in the offseason.

[Just1More]

Should the UL Men's Basketball Staff be Retained ?

Yes

No

Sorry for such a late response. I'm curious what prompted you to ask this, at this point. We certainly know that after this season (20+ wins) and the promise of the transfers next year, we are not in a situation... by any means... of discussing a staff change this year. Given only losing Jay and having these stellar transfers coming in... I would add that we can't make any prognostication of our staff's future until next year's results are in.

I don't think there's any question that Marlin has temporarily removed discussion of his potential departure for another season. And to add to that... being that half of the acrimony is over scheduling (and fund raising to buy better opponents)... I think Dr. Maggard is going to be part of the blame going forward. This question is in a suspended state... IMO... until the close of next season.

[CharlieK]

Given:
1. our budget constraints
2. What the team did this year in a supposed down talent year

He gets a chance to coach what is supposed to be an UP talent year next year. If he does well he stays. If not the seat should be hot, or maybe even have the eject button pushed. Since that takes us to the end of the contract anyway.

[Ragin4U]

Over the last 7 years, the road record for teams finishing in the top 3 in the Sun Belt is 164-155 [51.41%]. If you take out the road record of the Cajuns in the two years they finished third, the road record of the other 5 years is 154-136 [53.10%].

Even in years we have finished fairly well in the conference, we have under-performed on the road. I call BS on the 'hard to win on the road' mantra. Yes, it is harder than winning at home, but good teams win more than they lose on the road. The mean Conference RPI of the Sun Belt in that span is 18, so the SBC is a slightly below average conference [18th of 33]. The road record of the top 3 over 7 years should fairly closely mirror the mean road record of the top three in all conferences combined over the same span.

I should add that the road record of fourth place teams in the Sunbelt over the last 7 years is 40-65 [38.1%], so Marlin's road performance is below that level.

http://www.si.com/college-basketball...nsas-villanova

You cant pick and choose the stats that fit your narrative. Of course, the top 3 will have a greater winning percentage. That's how they got to be top 3.
You can call BS all you want but it doesnt change the fact that a college mens basketball game is hardest to win on the road.

MAT--You are right. We have been able to witness some entertaining basketball from a team that few expected much out of and we are debating road win/loss records. Crazy!

[ManAboutTown]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball...nsas-villanova

You cant pick and choose the stats that fit your narrative. Of course, the top 3 will have a greater winning percentage. That's how they got to be top 3.
You can call BS all you want but it doesnt change the fact that a college mens basketball game is hardest to win on the road.

MAT--You are right. We have been able to witness some entertaining basketball from a team that few expected much out of and we are debating road win/loss records. Crazy!

I'm not saying things are perfect. I have my own complaints about certain things.

All I'm saying is, we have something brewing here. Something good. Let's put our swords down long enough to enjoy it.

[VObserver]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball...nsas-villanova

You cant pick and choose the stats that fit your narrative. Of course, the top 3 will have a greater winning percentage. That's how they got to be top 3.
You can call BS all you want but it doesnt change the fact that a college mens basketball game is hardest to win on the road.

MAT--You are right. We have been able to witness some entertaining basketball from a team that few expected much out of and we are debating road win/loss records. Crazy!

MAT is correct, of course. Our players have performed very well of late, and they have been very entertaining to watch.

What other stats should I use? My position is that if we are not consistently in the top three in the conference, that is totally unacceptable. Any stats comparing Marlin to the top 3 in the conference are valid precisely because I expect more from our program than we have been getting. If I were happy with 2 top 3 finishes in 7 years, then the comparison would not be valid.

I have made my point. I will give it a rest until the offseason.

[Cajunsmike]

I am not happy we have not been in top three more consistently as well. However this was not the season we should have expected that to occur when we were playing so many new guys. That is why over 85 percent of respondents voted to retain and i am confident the overall support is over 90. In answer to Just 1 More's ? As to why i put out the poll is simply i was curious as to what the response would be. I should have waited till all games have been played as I suspect we will be in a minor tournament. The poll results do support the view a change is not even a consideration in the mind of anyone that counts at this stage.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Mike this poll only confirmed my view that MBB is now considered a minor sport at UL. A coach just has to be mediocre, and have nice, polite young men who go to classes.

As VO pointed out the lowest money generating sport among sports that are supposed to generate money. In most universities baseball, and softball should not be in the top three, here we are.