Random Ramblings
March 12, 2010 Jim O'Brien 
Master of the HouseNo introduction needed....apparently no editing needed either...let's get to it. {update: Blackburn made me spell check. Stop telling me what to do Blackburn.}
O'B: Your boy John is reporting that Joe Lunardi, a man who gets paid to tell the future and thus whose word is his livelihood, said on an internationally broadcasted television station Dayton can get two more wins in the A10 tournament they will Dance. At the beginning of the season, what would have shocked you more, that Dayton has lost 5 of their last 7 to struggle to 8-8 in conference play, or that even with such shitty results, they still have a chance at the tournament?
Blackburn: You will never hear me say a bad thing about Lunardi. The guy created his own industry and is the foremost "bracketologist" in the universe. That's a respectable hustle. You can argue with results, and Joey D's track record speaks for itself. If Handsome Joe says it, it's probably true.
As far as your question, 8-8 doesn't necessarily surprise me. As we said preseason, this team had 10 or its top 11 guys coming back this year -- and none of them can shoot. Since scoring is basically half the battle, the lack of offensive talent was sure to be problematic all season. Throw in the fact that everything broke the Flyer's way last year, and you had to figure that the postseason wasn't a guarantee. I recall our writers argued whether we should have predicted the Flyers to go 11-5 or 10-6 in conference, I guess even we overshot their potential. I know some people were throwing out ridiculous predictions like 14-2 or 13-3, which was laughable at the time and downright embarrassing at the present. How you could think a team like UD, a completely different team away from its home, could dominate the A-10 like that is beyond me.
That being said, I think they match up very well with Xavier (and Richmond if they progress in AC), so I'm actually kind of bullish on UD's chances in Boardwalk Hall. If they beat those two clubs then I think that UD is certainly in the discussion, which says everything you need to know about the current state of college basketball. Like I said before, this year has been a glaring indictment on the expansion to 96, which is a good thing.
Changing gears, what do you think about Brian Gregory's statements regarding the fans booing in recent games?
O'B: Its a load of shit. Who the fuck does he think he's talking to? A guy getting paid $500,000 a year is telling me I can't boo his shitty performance? I get paid less than a tenth of that salary and the guy that pays my salary will rip my ass apart if I were to let him down time and time again, and didn't change my performance in an attempt to improve. If this was a division three high school basketball team, where the coach is also the chemistry teacher, then yeah, its bullshit to boo. The thing is Brian Gregory is only here for the money and when he gets offered more money he's leaving. There is nothing wrong with this and I'm not trying to make him look like a bad person for standing up for his players a bit, but the fact that he says it with an utter lack of irony or embarrassment is what gets me. Like watching the game is a privilege and not a right. Like if he doesn't win more, the AD will say "well he's just such a good influence on these young student athletes, how can we fire him?" I am so upset by that comment I'm not even going to edit this rant. 
Moments later, BG dropped the ball
Lets get back on board the sanity train. Lets say we beat X and beat Richmond, then make the tournament. How does history view this team/coach?
Blackburn: Have to agree about Gregory. It's a "king is naked" kind of moment for BG. Just utterly embarrassing. It's a slick move though. Rather than discuss WHY people are booing, you attack the people who are doing the booing. Brilliant spin. College coaches have become bad politicians.
If UD beats Xavier and Richmond, and then gets selected to the tournament? All is forgiven. Ultimately, success in college basketball is determined by NCAA tournament appearances. It's nice to beat your rival, it's great when graduation rates are above average, and it's encouraging when the team is competitive. However, those things pale in comparison to postseason success. If UD somehow sneaks into this tournament, the season is a triumph, Brian Gregory is a genius and Dayton has officially passed Xavier.
Thoughts?
O'B: Yeah. I guess. I agree with everything you say, but its kind of a shame. Keep in mind I'm saying this now, but I'll be begging you to do the recap after we win our first round NCAA game.
With this season in its final stages, I don't know about you, but my mind has wandered to next season. When 2011 was a lot farther away, the lineup that would include Benson, Pauly Wills, and CJ looked fruitful when paired with Juwan and Rob Lowery 2.0. Now, after watching Williams regress, seeing Benson get no time, the apparent hatred BG has for Searcy, Chris Wright inability to actually play a well rounded game of basketball, and most importantly, BG being exposed as a guy that be out-coached by any person who's ever seen a Syracuse game...I'm not as excited. Should we temper our expectations for next season? This year we were assume A10 favorites and a possible 6 Seed in the tournament. Where should I expect the pundits to say about us this summer?
Dayton's biggest recruit...since the last oneBlackburn: My mind began wandering to 2010-11 back in October. Could this be a case of addition by subtraction? I'm not sure. I will say this: as long as Chris Wright and Johnson are on the roster next season, UD can be competitive in the conference. I couldn't be more excited about the arrival of Juwan Staten. I was never completely on board the Chris Wright hype-train, but consider me the muthafuckin' conductor of the Staten Express. Guards are difference makers in college basketball, and I think by now all UD fans realize that you are at a severe disadvantage if you have suspect guard play. Staten and Josh Parker are reasons to get excited.
I think increased minutes for Big Dog will make everyone forget the four-year nightmare that was Kurt Huelsman. Josh Benson has shown that he has significant potential. It's too early to tell how the rest of the freshman class shakes out, but I don't expect major contributions from anyone other that Staten. We already know what to anticipate from Paul Willie and Matt Kavanaugh.
Depending on offseason moves, there is no reason to think that UD can't improve on a 8-8 performance. I would like to see Gregory move away from his platoon system, cut down the rotation and give Wright and Johnson 30+ minutes a game. Given BG's blind allegiance to his system, I unfortunately don't see that happening.
Agree/disagree?
O'B: The thing is I don't remember watching Tom Izzo take Mateen Cleaves out every 3 minutes. He's praying to a God that the even the man who created the God doesn't pray to. you ready for a great analogy? BG is just like Coach Red Beaulieu from the Waterboy. He stole The Fonz's playbook and used it to get a great job and build some success. But after a few years, everyone realized he was out of plays and couldn't adjust to the point that even a mentally handicapped team could beat them. We just haven't seen anything new, and boy wouldn't that be nice?
The last person to fuck with the Fonz pulled recon duty of the Presbyterian game. The problem with next year is I don't think we'll have anyone to play SG, I think our depth will be eroded, teams will still be playing zone on us, and I don't believe we have any tangible talent in the paint. Neither CJ or CW can play a leading role on this team. Maybe that's too soon for Chris Johnson, but it sure as hell is true about Wright. I don't know what to expect from the other incoming freshman, but its hard to imagine them not taking Paul Williams spot. Lets hope that they can shoot and lets hope...gulp....Luke is healthy.
How the hell are we going to beat Xavier for a second time this season?
Blackburn: Forget about Luke, he is not the type of kid that plays more than 15+ minutes a game, it's obvious his body just isn't made for the long term rigors of Division one basketball. The longer he is in the game the more his weakness can be exposed. As long as he hits 40%+ of his threes, he is useful, it not, not so much.
I think with the right personnel, BG's system could work. However, with no inside presence, and a shaky point guard situation, I can't help but think he would have been better served riding the hot hands (especially during the back stretch of the season when things were collapsing around him). When Chris Wright scores eight points in three minutes, maybe you should let him stay in the game until he cools off or needs a breather. It's going to be interesting what happens to BG's philosophy in the offseason. If UD fails to make the Dance, he has enough evidence of what works and what doesn't work on this level. Does he alter his gameplan or stick with what got him here? Knowing Gregory's mentality, I'm not hopeful.
I say BG switches things up and comes out in a blazer, jeans and sparkly white sneakers on Friday night (aka the Long Island Lounge Act). We need something huge.
O'B: We do need something huge. Something that will cause the hay seeds to gasp. Maybe we'll come out to rap music or wear baggier shorts. Maybe BG won't do coke for this game. I guess the only thing I like about today is, I really don't know what's going to happen. For better or worse, I'm going to watch the game (I'm really not, I have to be at my girlfriends birthday party at a fucking wine bar) and going to be genuinely surprised if we win...or if we lose.
I know you said before that as long as we make the tournament this season will be a success...but I know you. You have a memory that's just like my johnson...long and distinguished. How will YOU remember this season. With the disgust of the Jack Daniels shot I bought you, or the refined enjoyment of the vespa martini James Bond bought you in Monaco.
Blackburn: It all depends on whether they make a run in AC or not. The season had a odd progression, didn't it? A "huge" win to open the season against Creighton, a fairly decent showing in the Puerto Rico Tipoff, rolling off eight in a row after the K-State defeat, almost pulling off a miracle in the Pit, the escape against Duquesne, and then the loss to St. Joseph's. The loss at home against Rhody following the SJU loss was my first indication that things were not likely to pan out as we all hoped.
I guess what I will remember most about this year, if in fact the season comes to a premature end tonight, is Rob Lowery. I remain a huge Lowery fan, and thought his return to the fold would bring a much needed boost to the Flyer attack. It didn't happen, Rob Low's sporadic play was symbolic of this year's campaign.
Oh, and we learned that Brian Gregory actually does have a Napoleonic complex.
O'B: I met him once, at an alumni event...holy lord I was blasted...but he seemed so damn nice and into the program. Oh, and he smelled so fucking good. Whatever, moving on. I feel like this team planned on coasting through the year and was given a wicked reality check against Kansas State. Give me you best pregame speech for the Flyers tonight. If you are coaching Dayton, what do you tell Kurt, who's caught the ire of so many fans, what do you say to London who I argue as not, has given his soul to our program, as a mediocre player, and finally what do you say to Rob Lowery, besides pass the ball? We have top 25 talent and a top 178 conference record.
Also, give me the numbers for the NY powerball....i desperately want to quit the blog.
Blackburn: I think we are past the point of rah-rah speeches. It's simple, time to put up or shut up. This team has the talent to win the A-10 tourney, not necessarily sure they have the temperament. Honestly, Chris Wright probably has the most to lose tonight. If UD could somehow squeeze into the tourney maybe it gives him another chance to have a breakout game in the Dance and earn some more dough.
O'B: If I may say so, an NBA prospect beats St. Joe's, SLU and Rhode Island on his own.
Blackburn: Not necessarily. Although when you look at guys like Wesley Johnson, Aminu, Stanley Robinson, Ebanks, Damion James, etc., Wright's clearly not in that class. I'll always believe that Chris Wright was supposed to the the 3rd banana on a BCS team. Someone who doesn't have to make the big play, just make a play when the situation calls for it. He would have been perfect at someplace like West Virginia -- would have been the 3rd option behind Butler and Ebanks -- or Ohio State behind Turner and Buford.
Are you as tired of talking about Kountry Chris as I am?
O'B: Absolutely, sometimes he looked fantastic scoring 10 points in minutes and snagging rebounds, some games he'll look marvelous putting up a sturdy twelve and twelve...but most of the time, he just seems like he's either in the way, or too one dimensional to make an impact. I'd love to see him learn to post up guys his size. Maybe learn that MJ fade away.
I can't imagine scouting Chris Wright. If you showed a scout two tapes, one of his high school days, and one from UD...do you think the scout would be able to tell which tape was from 3 years ago? Of course not. He's the same player.
Are you doing the recon? You want to give me a prediction?
Blackburn: I ain't doing the recon, eff that. Where's Ollie and Big Harry? Here's what I predict: UD gets by X in a close one and then comes up just short against Richie. UD makes it to the NIT semis (at MSG) and you come up with some lame excuse when I try to talk you into going with me.
O'B: I concur on all accounts, only this time I insist on buying the tickets and we end up sitting in the nose bleeds. Which ends up being a wise decision because its harder to get kicked out up there.
Blackburn: Don't be so sure, I have a tendency to somehow get involved in accidental chicanery no matter where I sit.
Reader Comments (24)
Let's see who shows up.
Two good halves can save their season, two bad ones (which is the most likely) will end it.
Rob Lowery via facebook on the subject of Xavier - "fuck em wit a aids dick."
I like the tone!
The pre game drinking has begun...
During the BG interview on the pregame show Larry asks "Is Kurt Huelsman playing his best basketball of the season?"
*sigh*
These commentators just said that if UD wins this game, they'll likely be in. Its a nice thought, but I think we'll need to win tonight and the next game as well to have a chance at an at-large. Just a win tonight won't do it.
I've had many beers and I would like to say that Brian Gregory can lick a goat's left nut. I feel like Sancho, minus the waiting outside Home Depot for a day's work.
^But the left nut is the luck nut. He should lick the right nut. Much less lucky.
"We were loose with the ball (18 turnovers), we were out of position on defense and we couldn’t get key rebounds or stops when we needed them."
What about the fact that from 10:37 to 1:10, UD scored just 5 points. 5 fucking points in 9:27 of game action? What about the fact that BG decided to take the air out of the ball and play stall ball with 11 minutes left? It's not just that guy loses games for us, it's that he is blind to what the CAUSE is. I've never been more ready for an offseason to come.
Here's my question how much is BG at fault and how much are the players at fault? Clearly BG subs way too liberally and has been out coached in many games this year. However on the flip side the players on this team have such a low basketball IQ it's not even funny. They miss way too many easy lay-ups (see Mickey Perry), too many stupid turnovers (Warren, Lowery) take dumb shots and can't make free throws. I'm going to say it's 55-45 the players fault to BG's fault.
Thoughts?
I am sorry guys ... but while BG may be at fault, this game he was not at fault as much.
CJ had four fouls and zero points, Searcy fouled out making Kurt play more, Wright had four fouls and had to come out of the game.
So from the 8 minute mark to the 2 minute mark you were with a combination of no Wright/Johnson or both out of the game.
Also, I would like to point out. Dayton was up 2 with 3 minutes left and CJ missed A FUCKING WIDE OPEN LAYUP. Then up two again with 90 seconds left ... MARCUS MISSES A FUCKING WIDE OPEN LAYUP.
Those two plays were BG's calls and they worked but our fucking team couldn't finish. Don't even get me started on the Rob Lowery shit and the Mickey Perry missed wide open layup.
This game tonight was lost by the players. Foul trouble of the two best and two of the best athletes missing point blank layups, how is this BG's fault? The stall works if your team MAKES FUCKING LAYUPS AND THE REFS DON'T TAKE YOUR TWO BEST PLAYERS OFF THE COURT!
...Fuck it.
No comment.
At least we didnt have an indoor weather delay like URI/Temple right now. Gotta love Boardwalk Hall
@John: You're right about last night. However, when you factor in the 12 minute field goal drought in the first half against SLU, the 4 points in 11+ minutes against Temple, and the numerous other scoring droughts, it's hard not to question BG's offensive game plan. I agree with you that it's not his fault when the team misses free throws and wide open lay-ups. That's just an average team choking in a big game.
Re: Basketball IQ and Composure. I think that is, at least partially, on BG. If you're going to recruit just athletes, you have to teach them basketball. You have to teach them how to play smart and how to maintain some semblance of poise down the stretch in these games. I don't see poise and composure; I see panic from the coach all the way down to the last player.
Well, thankfully the season is over and I can turn my attention to.....Cleveland Indians baseball. Aw shit.
@Secaur ... Understand what you are saying for sure.
I also do blame BG for a lot of mishaps that happened this season. I think his system works if you have the right players! You can't just have "athletes" running around out there trying to get into the paint when it is packed in. This system has to have a lights out shooter from a guard position and a lights out shooter coming off the bench (not named BREEEZE). If you have one lights out shooter on both sub lines it opens up the paint so much more for the "athletes" to score.
So yes, I understand the scoring droughts. But, I do not blame BG for last night's game. I think BG actually had a great gameplan going. He was trying to go with Searcy longer (the stupid idiot just kept fouling). But when your two BEST offensive options (CJ and CW) are taken out of the game in the final 8 minutes because of fouls ... as a coach when you have a 12 point lead and limited offensive talent you have to take time off the clock and run out the game, it HAS to be done. On top of that he FINALLY put our team in a position to win ... actually using his timeouts and calling up two great plays to get us to the rim! And what does our fucking team do??? BLOW OPEN LAYUPS!!!
So while I agree with you, I definitely disagree that BG is at fault for last night. Blame CJ for not showing up, and three fucking uncontested wide open layups ... also a technical when you are down one doesn't help much.
One other thing ... for the first time ever I agreed with Doog Harris. He said today that people are underrating Wright's potential to be drafted and contribute in the NBA. His reasoning is because he is playing on a team where two of the five people on the court at all times are not guarded, forcing the lane to be packed and taking away his ability to drive with no traffic. His sums it up with saying if Wright plays on an NBA team where one on one is happening and the lane is spaced because of the larger floor (three point line) he will be able to roam to the rim. He actually makes pretty good sense here.
We all know Wright's downfalls, shooting, dribbling, IQ on defense ... but having great players being able to get him the ball down-low in a one on one situation = good things for him. It will be interesting to see what he does, especially since he knows he will finally have a PG who can play offense.
54 fouls in that game was a fucking joke. The refs dictated the defense that the flyers had to play down the stretch. It was obvious to me that the flyers were playing lights out physical defense, but when the fouls started to mount they couldn't exert their agressive defensive style that they were playing and allowed Xavier to come back. Sour grapes, maybe. Fuck it, what a shit season. Holloway is a little bitch by the way. No worries though. He will be chucking meat off the back of a truck Ickey Woods style in a few years. And that makes me smile.
Sorry for my absence, I was offered some work by some guy in a rusted out pickup... it ended up being the kind of work that'll pay for my therapist's wife's new set of tits......
Anywho, that game was a fuck. That is all.
NIT selection special. 9:00, ESPNU. I feel like Jesse Spano. I'M SO EXCITED!!! I'M SO...SCARED!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65B2HDxerIg
John Groce has Ohio University in the big dance. If I'm Wabler, I would have fired BG and hired Groce yesterday. Dude's gonna be a star in the next few years.
Richmond's Chris Mooney was a wedding planner before he was a coach.
@Matt....Yeah but he can build something in the A10.
I'm sure Gregory could fuck up a good wedding, he'd be the type to have a cash bar for pop.
...soda...
we fuckin suck
We suck more then the Clash of the Titans remake.