MBB: USA South Conference

CNUHoops2010 · March 06, 2010, 07:10:50 AM

The mystical spell of the pink warm up shirts came to an end after 6 straight wins. Looks like we can start next year in the regular gear. CNU gave them a game for 15 minutes but Bonner and Sanborn proved too much to handle for the Captains. Once CNU fell behind and got out of any offensive rhythm, it seemed that every possession became a one shot and done display of Newport News YMCA street ball.

I thought Big Mark did a decent job on the ODAC POY although Sanborn still finished with 16 points and completely dominated the boards with 17 rebounds. Bonner was equally impressive for the Quakers. He actually missed a couple of shots to show us that he is human but 8-10 from 3 point land was awesome. CNU sat in their 2-3 zone most of the night and was kind of slow on the rotations leaving the weak side totally exposed. Bonner took full advantage as #34 was wide open to knock down 3 after 3.

As it has gone recently, the Captains got out rebounded 46-27 and were -9 on the O glass. Somewhere around mid-season, this team began routinely giving up mid to high teens in offensive rebounds. We need to play bigger across the front line next year and do a much better job of boxing out on the weak side. Rebound totals from last night pretty much tell the story as the 5's had 14, the 4's had 2 and the 3's had 1 rebound. Defense and rebounding control the tempo of a basketball game and it will be a long season next year if we don't start to muscle up.

As for next season, this fan's wish list is for a bigger front line, a coach willing to demand defense from his players and a shooting guard with a new unselfish positive attitude. I thought it was absurd to see our top scorer sulking at the far end of the bench during a late in the game timeout after getting yanked when the rest of the team was huddled up around CJ at the opposite end of the bench. That kid needs to grow up. The team is bigger than any individual player and his WIFM attitude.

Having said all that, congrats to the Captains for playing with passion over the last month and salvaging what could have been a dismal season. Work hard in the off season and come back fired up next year and ready to defend the USA South title.

CaptJ · March 06, 2010, 08:56:46 AM

Quote from: CNUHoops2010 on March 06, 2010, 07:10:50 AM
As it has gone recently, the Captains got out rebounded 46-27 and were -9 on the O glass... We need to play bigger across the front line next year ... Rebound totals from last night pretty much tell the story .....

As for next season, this fan's wish list is for a bigger front line, a coach willing to demand defense from his players and a shooting guard with a new unselfish positive attitude. I thought it was absurd to see our top scorer sulking at the far end of the bench during a late in the game timeout after getting yanked when the rest of the team was huddled up around CJ at the opposite end of the bench. That kid needs to grow up. The team is bigger than any individual player and his WIFM attitude.

Amen, brother. A point guard would be good also. Reading your post made me recall some of the comments from the 09-10 media guide:

"We're deeper in quality players than we've been for a while," Woollum notes, plus a recruited group that brings more size and experience than CNU has had in a new class in quite some time.

For the first time in quite a while, CNU's strength will be inside.

The Captains will welcome back six of their top eight scorers from a year ago, when they posted an 18-9 record.

Reading that again makes me think that either we underperformed miserably or that someone was blowing smoke up our asses. All that great talent and we do worse than last year? I think that a change in leadership is very appropriate. That is MY wish for next year.

By the way, I think that you should call out by name the childish player you referred to. I would if I had seen it. But I suspect that he won't be back next year anyway. Again.

GO CAPTAINS!!!

FIRE CJ WOOLLUM!

ViewfromtheJames · April 21, 2010, 11:32:20 AM

C.J. Woollum retires as CNU basketball coach, will stay on as AD

http://www.dailypress.com/dp-spt-woollum-early,0,1456568.story

CNU85 · April 21, 2010, 12:24:27 PM

CJ retires from hoops. I encourage everyone to really read the story in the link posted below. Since the mid 80's he's guided not only the basketball team to over 500 wins, but has built the entire athletic program to 24th in the most recent Director's Cup. Also coached Golf team for 13 years and had a golf national champion. Football was started under his watch and has never had a losing season. Had a player drafted in NBA draft. Baseball team has played for National Championship. Softball currently ranked 4th I believe. Soccer a top program in nation as well. Think about the energy and passion this man has put into CNU athletics. Any one of these accomplishments is impressive....combine them and it is simply unbelievable. I doubt very seriously there are many individuals that could do it!

Interesting, the coaching situation for the future wasn't announced.

Pat Coleman · April 21, 2010, 12:47:32 PM

Well, his entire career record wasn't even mentioned.

CNU85 · April 21, 2010, 09:11:41 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on April 21, 2010, 12:47:32 PM
Well, his entire career record wasn't even mentioned.

yeah, I noticed that, too. I haven't looked.....was it a CNU release picked up by the local paper or the local reporter and the article posted on the CNU website? Either way, he's done some remarkable things since 1984. I know him personally and he is a top notch man. His dedication to CNU is tremendous. It will be interesting to see how CNU athletics changes when he can focus on the department and not be sidetracked by a season of hoops and recruiting. It will also be interesting to see who becomes the new coach. I'm 99% sure there is already a successor in place. I can't imagine CNU or CJ making a public announcement of his retirement without having everything lined up.

Pat Coleman · April 21, 2010, 11:05:40 PM

It was a straight copy and paste from the CNU news release, no additional research or writing performed. Unlike our front-page story, actually.

I have been surprised he's been doing so roles for so long, considering how big that department is these days.

CaptJ · April 22, 2010, 10:05:15 AM

Yahooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Now we will have a coach dedicated entirely to basketball instead of being stretched too thin trying to do too much at once. Like he said in the main article here, they will hire a great coach and the team won't skip a beat. Look out, USASAC hoops teams! I expect that the program will regain its former position as a national contender. Thanks for all you did, CJ!

GO CAPTAINS!!!!!

narch · April 22, 2010, 02:08:44 PM

j...i thought you might be pretty pleased...cj has done great things for cnu...time for him to retire all positions

'85 - isn't there a long-time assistant on board at cnu? interesting that cnu wouldn't simply name him successor (as mu recently did with the announced retirement of jim sypult) to maintain continuity with returning players and recruits...

Pat Coleman · April 22, 2010, 03:57:09 PM

As a state school they may be required to open the position.

CaptJ · April 22, 2010, 05:39:11 PM

Quote from: narch on April 22, 2010, 02:08:44 PM
j...i thought you might be pretty pleased...cj has done great things for cnu...time for him to retire all positions

'85 - isn't there a long-time assistant on board at cnu? interesting that cnu wouldn't simply name him successor (as mu recently did with the announced retirement of jim sypult) to maintain continuity with returning players and recruits...

Retire all positions? I don't think so. I've said before that he has done a great job ad AD. Why would he retire from that position? The man needs SOME job and he is very good at that one. Equally as good as he was as head basketball coach, which was very good until he bit off more than he could chew.

CaptJ · April 22, 2010, 10:11:48 PM

Quote from: CNU85 on April 21, 2010, 09:11:41 PM
It will also be interesting to see who becomes the new coach. I'm 99% sure there is already a successor in place.

If that is true then you better send me a private message ASAP! Personally, I don't think so. I think there will be a very thorough, very quick, national search and that we will get someone very, very good in the position. I know very little about Ross & Waters so I see no reason to assume that the best person for the job is in house. Look near AND far, CJ.

CNU85 · April 23, 2010, 10:44:05 AM

http://weblogs.dailypress.com/sports/etcblog/2010/04/woollums_legacy.html

Nice work!

Pat makes a good point about a state school having a mandate to post the job. CJ is well connected at all level of hoops. I'm sure there isw already a short list, at a minimum.

CNU85 · April 23, 2010, 10:45:47 AM

Quote from: narch on April 22, 2010, 02:08:44 PM
j...i thought you might be pretty pleased...cj has done great things for cnu...time for him to retire all positions

'85 - isn't there a long-time assistant on board at cnu? interesting that cnu wouldn't simply name him successor (as mu recently did with the announced retirement of jim sypult) to maintain continuity with returning players and recruits...

Ross has been with CJ 25 years and Waters 19 (plus 4 as a player). To be honest, I'm not sure how they will play into all of this.

kickerdad · April 23, 2010, 12:32:17 PM

As most of you know I don't spend much time on the Basketball Board (simply a football nut) but I heard through the grapevine that the Averett Basketball coach has stepped down and will be going to ARMY (Division 1) as an assistant. Any scoop on this from the Averett faithful or anyone else. Who will take the top spot at Averett now and what will there be to work with for next year?