MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Gotcha.  I have no thoughts on Spears or any issues with his hiring.  I just find it crazy, generally, that Maker hasn't yet been snagged by someone.  He will make some AD look really good.  With the right guys, his offense is poetry in motion to watch ...

[Bucket]

Agree with SpringSt7's comments.  Just one more thing on Maker though: regarding 2009 (which Dave downplayed), despite implementing a new system, with only one significant senior contributor, and after the prior year's team graduated two guys who had been all-league players (Rose and Shalvoy), Maker duplicated the success of his predecessor (who has since been a very successful D1 coach, so obviously he could coach as well).   That's a pretty darn good season.  And of course, in his next five years he had two title game appearances, an Elite 8, and an narrow loss in the Final Four despite his two stars both playing through serious injuries.  That's a ridiculous D3 resume.

I didn't down play it at all ... I was trying to make sure Paulson's last season wasn't downplayed. I didn't do a damn thing to downplay Maker's first season at all. I pointed out the seasons were equal - if you are saying there was downplaying it's because bucket's example made it seem like Paulson's last year wasn't all that great ... which is what I was trying to say wasn't fair to say.

People seem to be confused with what I was saying about Maker, which is interesting considering I've been pretty blunt. In no way have I been downplaying his resume. None at all. I've been trying to say that I think Spears' is better than people are trying to portray. That I think with Maker's and each having different qualities that maybe to the committee it was a toss up. Bucket even admitted there are likely intangibles that Spears brings to the table that maybe makes him a stronger candidate. I wasn't bringing Maker down... I was trying to point out that Spears is strong than people are giving him credit.

You all are the ones thinking I'm trying to downplay Maker. Yes, I pointed out things didn't go well at Marist ... but that isn't to say he's suddenly a less than good coach... it's simply to say it didn't go as well as he or others hoped. Period. I also know that to some that has caused them to scratch their heads. Others will say he didn't have a chance and others that he did well considering. All valid points, but still a part of his resume I am sure even he wishes stood a little stronger - heck, I was ready to tout him as incredible had he turned that sinking ship around!

But again ... I am NOT downplaying Maker, I'm trying to point out Spears is better than many are giving him credit.

"That I think with Maker's and each having different qualities that maybe to the committee it was a toss up."


Stop gaslighting Dave! That's not what you said. You said that given Maker's results at Marist (and two years following) they were a toss up. When you made that point, you said nothing about "different qualities" leading to it being a toss up. Rather, I made that point. Your inane comparison was the only reason I bothered to weigh in on this. Now you're pretending you didn't make it?

[jmcozenlaw]

Let's beat the dead horse.......and beat him again.......and beat him again......until we really know that he is dead.

Oy Vey...........First World problems are a biatch!!

[SpringSt7]

Sears

[jmcozenlaw]

K-Mart

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think we've said this over and over.  It's not just about who's the best coach.  Age and race will play a factor, because they change things for recruiting and longevity in the position, relationships with players, a whole host of things.  I suspect Maker would've been a more attractive choice had he not already had success at Williams.  Hiring a 55 year old most famous for coaching your bitter rival is just not a shoe-in, even if he's likely to have success for a few years with you.  Who's to say he wants to coach past 60?  There are just a lot of variables beyond how a guy can coach in one game or one season.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Sears

Yeah I screwed that up overcommitting to get it right... that was my mistake. Sorry about that.

To the comment about gaslighting ... I don't think I could do that if I tried. I barely have understood the term. I understand it when explained and then forget it a short time later, so I promise ... not doing that. Bucket, you just don't like that I might have a complex opinion on the matter and not straight forward. Sorry it doesn't work for you. Moving on.

[WUPHF]

55-years old is too old for a basketball coach?

Amherst is too woke to do something so ageist.

I like the Amherst hire though.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

55-years old is too old for a basketball coach?

Amherst is too woke to do something so ageist.

I like the Amherst hire though.

I don't think Amherst was looking for a short term coach. Hard to imagine Maker will have a long tenure wherever he coaches next. That's all.  Maybe Sears won't stay long, either, but i suspect Amherst believes they can offer a coach a situation worth sticking around to enjoy.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I know 55 doesn't sound old ... but I am reminded that Grey Giovanine just retired at 61.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I wonder how many 55+ year old basketball coaches have gotten HC gigs at new schools recently. Was Beilein 55 when he went to Michigan? How many of those were semi retired legends coming back to do essentially charity work for small schools (a la Jim Calhoun). If someone is going to do it,  Maker is a great candidate, especially for a d3 program, but i don't think it happens too often.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I just looked it up: Beilein was 54 when he went to Michigan.

[Bucket]

Sears

Yeah I screwed that up overcommitting to get it right... that was my mistake. Sorry about that.

To the comment about gaslighting ... I don't think I could do that if I tried. I barely have understood the term. I understand it when explained and then forget it a short time later, so I promise ... not doing that. Bucket, you just don't like that I might have a complex opinion on the matter and not straight forward. Sorry it doesn't work for you. Moving on.

Jesus, man, I'm begging you to have a complex opinion. If you do, terrific! I'm thrilled. I just think you need to own up to an asinine statement, which I've repeated, ad nauseam, I know. It's anything but complex. Let's move on. And you can start by saying that sentence of yours was absurd.

[jmcozenlaw]

Dave, this is the NESCAC board. They believe that they have the market cornered on "complex opinions" (they don't)

Here is another dead horse. Beat it Bucket. Kill it again.

[JEFFFAN]

Bowdoin just announced no Fall sports ... trying to get things going for sports on January 1st.   So likely no hoops until the new year.