When is Marlin going to start winning the big game!?

[cajun4life]

Well we at least need to be consistent, you lowered Marlin with "I don't want to hear about Long and Peyton, because Elfrid was a crap shoot and Long transferred in."

I liked Evans but virtually every player he had was a transfer in.

Evans core group were recruited by Evans, even the juco guys were still recruited.

[SlappyCajun]

Evans core group were recruited by Evans, even the juco guys were still recruited.

I'm not sure what that means.

[cajun4life]

I'm not sure what that means.

I mean that yes we had transfers like Dwayne Mitchel, Orien Green, and Reggie Degray. But Evans recruited out of high school Orlando Butler, Blaine Harmon, Laurie Bridges, Chris Cameron, Brett Smith, and a few others. Then we had some Juco contributors as well who were recruited by Evans. Jessie did not build the program around tranfers, he supplemented the program with transfers.

[SlappyCajun]

I mean that yes we had transfers like Dwayne Mitchel, Orien Green, and Reggie Degray. But Evans recruited out of high school Orlando Butler, Blaine Harmon, Laurie Bridges, Chris Cameron, Brett Smith, and a few others. Then we had some Juco contributors as well who were recruited by Evans. Jessie did not build the program around tranfers, he supplemented the program with transfers.

Yeah. Towards the end he got a little transfer happy. But, I agree. He did recruit great HS players as well.

[lcitsh]

"When is Marlin going to start winning the big game!? "

When his players realize they can. Some people in this thread talked about the players being mentally tough, and that's the main issue right now. Remember, the main offensive supporters to Payton and Long this season have been Shepherd and Rimmer, with Brown contributing at times. Brown is the only one who helped last night, and Payton & Long shot poorly. I could somewhat blame inexperience as a factor here, when you think about how many of these players are first or second year in the program, but that only holds so much weight as the season progresses. At some point, these players will have to realize, if their mission is March, they still have to go through January and February to get there. I don't think, by March, they mean the CBI or the CIT, so if they want the NIT or NCAA, they better get it together soon.

[Cajunsmike]

In another thread lctish mentioned that we have more people helping Long and Payton in the home games than we do in the home games. That is a great observation and is part of what I mean when I use the "mentally tough" term. Last night, Brown was the only one to step up other than the main two guys. When we won at La. Tech, lots of folks helped out. Guys like Moore, Rimmer, and Shepherd all played well there. I am beginning to wonder if that was a fluke. Note, I would not be surprised if we continue to do well at home. Disappointing road performances is the issue.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Amazing. We got a coach who cannot recruit, and then we got people who blame the kids he recruits for nnot being mentally or physically good enough to play well in hard situations. Those same people laud Marlin for teaching marginal players to be almost NBA players. Come on folks we are heading into year five. Most coaches turn it total around by year three or never do.

[wgwillis]

Look, it is time for us to become a group of realist, Marlin will not win consistently here and will be mediocre at best. Marlin is good at player development, but has not been successful at bringing in top tier Sun Belt talent. I don't want to hear about Long and Peyton, because Elfrid was a crap shoot and Long transferred in.

We need a guy here similar to Hudspeth who can create a level of excitement around basketball. I am sorry but 4 years of mediocre basketball with a limited run of success in an obviously weaker league than what Fletcher or Evans coached in.

I for one am extremely frustrated with what has transpired in basketball over the last decade here. This administration has ____ on the program and fans for a decade. It is not about conference affiliation, but rather a lack of a true demand for excellence from our athletic department across the board.

Marlin will likely be given another year, but I do not think he deserves one.

just when you think Marlin is turning the corner, we take three steps back. what do we make out of Marlin? should we renew his contract again? he may end up being our basketball buscle. his program confuses me. its no doubt that he is not getting the support of past coaches (attendance). what are we to do?

[anhil8tor]

Get people to show up. This team is fun to watch.

[Cajunsmike]

just when you think Marlin is turning the corner, we take three steps back. what do we make out of Marlin? should we renew his contract again? he may end up being our basketball buscle. his program confuses me. its no doubt that he is not getting the support of past coaches (attendance). what are we to do?

I don't know if Coach Marlin will get an extension after this season but I doubt it as he was extended at the beginning of last season. On the other hand, I am fairly certain he won't be replaced at the end of this season as the record is 12 and 6 right now. Last season we were 6 and 12 at this stage. Now, 12 and 6 is really 9 and 6 as three victories were over non D1 teams. Still the comparison indicates we are making progress. Now, the progress may not be to the degree of some's expectations and I respect those views. Long way to go this season and we could still collapse or sky rocket. I suspect it will be somewhere in between. Still, replacing the staff is not close to being on the radar right now of anyone who counts. Therefore focus should be on supporting the team. The coaching staff status is a topic for another day.