MBB: Conference of New England

[YeahBoss]

I have been reading a lot of posts before I commented because I wanted to make sure I got a large sample of how many feel about the UNE team.  I went to UNE years ago, did not play, but was always a fan of the team so I won't hide my connections.  The team has been down for as long as I can remember and the athletic program in general until the school finally started taking athletics more seriously and hired an AD that wanted to make changes and move in a different direction.  This is not a slam on the previous staff or coaches, they did the best they could with the best intentions.  Now UNE has changed the culture in all sports including basketball.  They hired a coach who has seen success in Indiana who might now be seen as an outsider with no ties to the New England area.  He then recruited outsiders as well, getting players from all over the country.  I thought this was a great way to shake things up, change the culture, and possibly become more successful on the court.  As soon as the wins came I thought there might be some doubters or naysayers, but overall who would not be happy for an underdog team fighting to the top of the conference?  That does not seem to be the case.  There is a lot of venom out there for what the new coach is doing and the players he is bringing in.  Some have said that the staff recruits players that can get it done on the court, but not in the classroom.  Really? They had one player from last year's team that could not play the first semester because of grades (the previous coach recruited him), and another who could not play the second semester.  That never happened at Endicott or Gordon or any other TCCC team?  There is also talk about how athletic they are, but they can't win and will choke when the pressure is on.  I guess that is a fair judgment, but you could say that about any college team in any division, young men at any level in college can have a hard time in pressure situations, they are all young student-athletes and not professional athletes.  Why does UNE stick out as a team that can run you out of the gym, but in the final minutes can't get it done?  There seems to be some feelings under the surface of many (not all) of the posts on this website that need to be examined further.

[Word Life]

What are you talking about...?

[yeah buddy]

i think you may be looking a little too deep into what the overall sentiment is toward UNE.
they were a terrible team who hired a coach who somehow was able to convince a number of talented, athletic players from Texas to come play in Biddeford, ME. Now they are better. Thats it.

[scout]

I'm not entirely sure there is a 'lot of venom' being spat at UNE for whatever reason.

As yeah buddy just mentioned, it is difficult to accurately assess a team with a brand new coach and a bunch of brand new players... players who we haven't even seen play high school ball in the area.

It is a logical sequence to follow as an outside observer of collegiate sports to be skeptical of a historically underperforming program after a complete overhaul of the system.

If UNE comes out and wins nine or 10 games in the conference, I'm sure you'll see a lot of praise for a new culture posited from a new coach and new players.

Until then, let's just wait and see.

[number1chargerfan]

In shorter terms a textbook attempt at a "quick fix" of the program..and as mentioned no one really knows what will happen until conference play begins

[backboard]

I've seen UNE play and I like their style.  They just have almost no inside presence on the defensive end.  Numerous times this year they've given up big points to forwards and centers.  That being said, they may be the fastest team in the league and it will equate to wins.  Even though they have a lot of new players, they all know how to play, and with each other.  They're my pick to win the CCC but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they lost to an Endicott or a CSC.

[cccc-fanatic]

What are you talking about...?

just look at dwebbs last post about trashing une
I don't see anybody talking about "trashing" other teams.
I also don't understand the venom
We talk about how "weak" our conference is and then when a new coach raises the standard at one of our conference schools, we trash them?...I don't get it

[cccc-fanatic]

I have been reading a lot of posts before I commented because I wanted to make sure I got a large sample of how many feel about the UNE team.  I went to UNE years ago, did not play, but was always a fan of the team so I won't hide my connections.  The team has been down for as long as I can remember and the athletic program in general until the school finally started taking athletics more seriously and hired an AD that wanted to make changes and move in a different direction.  This is not a slam on the previous staff or coaches, they did the best they could with the best intentions.  Now UNE has changed the culture in all sports including basketball.  They hired a coach who has seen success in Indiana who might now be seen as an outsider with no ties to the New England area.  He then recruited outsiders as well, getting players from all over the country.  I thought this was a great way to shake things up, change the culture, and possibly become more successful on the court.  As soon as the wins came I thought there might be some doubters or naysayers, but overall who would not be happy for an underdog team fighting to the top of the conference?  That does not seem to be the case.  There is a lot of venom out there for what the new coach is doing and the players he is bringing in.  Some have said that the staff recruits players that can get it done on the court, but not in the classroom.  Really? They had one player from last year's team that could not play the first semester because of grades (the previous coach recruited him), and another who could not play the second semester.  That never happened at Endicott or Gordon or any other TCCC team?  There is also talk about how athletic they are, but they can't win and will choke when the pressure is on.  I guess that is a fair judgment, but you could say that about any college team in any division, young men at any level in college can have a hard time in pressure situations, they are all young student-athletes and not professional athletes.  Why does UNE stick out as a team that can run you out of the gym, but in the final minutes can't get it done?  There seems to be some feelings under the surface of many (not all) of the posts on this website that need to be examined further.

AMEN...AMEN...AMEN!!!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Eastern Naz 66 - Wheelock 74
I'll allow the Eastern Naz posters to tell us about this one.

Wheelock is a girls school and as an alum, I can assure you that ENC students have always been afraid of girls.  This was inevitable.  On another note, all of my contacts are now gone, so unless I move back to New England, I'll know no more than anyone else.  I will, however, let you know if they go with my suggestion for the new mascot.


Might I also comment on the long rant - I'm not sure anyone would question any athlete's ability to perform in the classroom at UNE.  The school doesn't exactly have the reputation of being the Harvard of Maine.

I hope UNE does well.  They really need it with all the talk recently about them bailing on the conference.  Being competitive this season will really help.

[dwebbs]

Attention everyone: There will no longer be any criticism allowed of UNE men's basketball. Thank you.

[Word Life]

Okay, what confused me was not YeahBoss's general argument.  I agree, UNE does seem to get ragged on.  I am not a huge fan of UNE, but I have kept my thoughts to myself.  And they have done an excellent job recruiting the last two years, getting solid talent, and putting together a team that can compete for one of the top four spots in the league come February.

My statement was directed more so towards the sub-arguments.  Two different kids last year had to miss a semester due to lack of performance in the class room.  That does not support the argument that UNE gets it done in the class room.  Now, I know those two kids don't represent the entire team and I am not saying UNE Basketball is comprised of student-athletes who lack intelligence...but the argument just made no sense to me.  And secondly, to be a championship caliber team at any level in college you can't accept it is okay to "choke."  So, student-athletes or professional athletes, CHOKING IN PRESSURE SITUATIONS IS NOT OKAY...if you want to win.

And ccc fanatic, are you implying the UNE coach has raised the standard for the conference or for the school?  I would venture a guess you meant for the school.  And I agree with you.  It's great for the school and for The CCC Men's Basketball.

Lastly, I like backboard's bold pick of UNE to take home the ship.  However, I personally think Gordon and CSC are on another level compared to the rest of the conference, with Roger Williams and possibly UNE (it's a new group of guys so we'll have to wait and see) trying to keep up.  My pick to win the conference is Gordon, I am biased, I will admit.  But at the same time I know the league and I truly believe Aaron Trigg is the best player in The CCC.  I also think Gordon's front line is unparalleled by any other team's big men.  And Aaron Trigg's running mate Bajema is the real deal, as I think most of us already know.  

[cccc-fanatic]

And ccc fanatic, are you implying the UNE coach has raised the standard for the conference or for the school?  I would venture a guess you meant for the school.  And I agree with you.  It's great for the school and for The CCC Men's Basketball.

Yes...I meant the team, not the conference...thanks

[yeah buddy]

I would agree that UNE's moves may be considered a quick fix to the program, unless they are able to win a championship and start getting regional recognition.  But until then, we'll just have to wait and see. They will most definitely be a fun team to watch.
As far as the classroom is concerned, I can tell you that UNE would definitely fall in the category of safety school. But if they all stay eligible then there really isn't anything anyone can say. I don't think anyone wants to see UNE fail or any of the players get in trouble. That's not the issue. It is just a surprising move for the school. A roster that has been predominantly composed of New England players is all of a sudden starting to resemble a Texas state school. Its just a drastic change that raises some eyebrows.
All in all, it will be interesting to see how thye do and how the CCC turns out this year as a whole.

[Jim Rome Of The CCC]

*Welcome To The Jungle* Plays

Clones...what is up. Back to business in the The T-C-C-C with the T as always being redundant if you also say "the".

*long pause*


What in the name of Andrew St. Clair is going on in our fair league. Gordon might be ok.

UNE is bringing a cast of thousands out of the Southland... they are also apparently rocking it in the class room, from here on out I'm going to refer to UNE only as the HOM. (Harvard Of Maine). Great gloss provided by the Hoops Fan himself. Great Gloss.

Meanwhile up in Colby-Sayer the Chargers were the pre season number one and Duncan Szeliga and Dave Rosso should be enough on any given night to beat anyone...rack em.

Lets read an email:

"Van Smack....I miss Gary Corbett.....signed Gary Corbett....war James Bartelle posts"

Very nice.

*shuffles papers*

And what about Wentworth. They gave up a hundo spot the other night. You'd think the O would fall off with Sherrad Prezzie-Blue not in the stable but they can't seem to stop anyone. That can't be sitting well in that warehouse they call a gym.

We'll be back after the break with some phone calls and an interview with Mike Plansky.

But first the Huge TCCC Email of the Day

"Dear Jim,

If UNE gets to be the "Harvard Of Maine" does that make us the "Duke of The North Shore"

signed Endicott fans who think they go to a good school

war Gordon not being nearly as great as they think either

-The Rest of The CCC"


Wow that is some strong smack.

As always clones all in fun. We'll see ya next time.

[backboard]

Priceless