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Good info Bosi. I agree with you - time to build the younger guys, though I think Harris can still have a solid role this year. Gif and Johnson should sit...

 

I think if you can forget that he played in the ACC, is 6'5 and 235 pounds of muscle, and can jump, that Will's most productive role on this team could be as a three point specialist. Take Lou Barazza's role. It doesn't look like we have any better shooters from that range. Just don't expect him to bang inside or be a good ball handler. Just a three point specialists. If he gets some RB's, plays some D, that's a bonus.

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Good info Bosi. I agree with you - time to build the younger guys, though I think Harris can still have a solid role this year. Gif and Johnson should sit...

 

I think if you can forget that he played in the ACC, is 6'5 and 235 pounds of muscle, and can jump, that Will's most productive role on this team could be as a three point specialist. Take Lou Barazza's role. It doesn't look like we have any better shooters from that range. Just don't expect him to bang inside or be a good ball handler. Just a three point specialists. If he gets some RB's, plays some D, that's a bonus.

 

The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

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Good info Bosi. I agree with you - time to build the younger guys, though I think Harris can still have a solid role this year. Gif and Johnson should sit...

 

I think if you can forget that he played in the ACC, is 6'5 and 235 pounds of muscle, and can jump, that Will's most productive role on this team could be as a three point specialist. Take Lou Barazza's role. It doesn't look like we have any better shooters from that range. Just don't expect him to bang inside or be a good ball handler. Just a three point specialists. If he gets some RB's, plays some D, that's a bonus.

 

The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

 

 

I've been guilty of hyping kids based on press clippings and what they are/were doing in HS...no more!

 

There is very little comparison between HS and D1 hoops....rankings shmankings....it's nice to look at but nothing more.

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The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

So which coach do you know that announces a scholarship player by saying "Well, he's got a way to go, but if he works hard he could be a role player by his junior year" ?

 

Other than Casey Stengel, who said "There's Kranepool, 20 years old. In ten years he's got a chance to be a star... And there's Goosen... he's 20 too... In ten years he's got a chance to be 30."

(Casey was correct, Greg Goosen only lasted five years in the majors).

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The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

So which coach do you know that announces a scholarship player by saying "Well, he's got a way to go, but if he works hard he could be a role player by his junior year" ?

 

Other than Casey Stengel, who said "There's Kranepool, 20 years old. In ten years he's got a chance to be a star... And there's Goosen... he's 20 too... In ten years he's got a chance to be 30."

(Casey was correct, Greg Goosen only lasted five years in the majors).

 

 

If I remember correctly, Kranepool didn't last much longer.

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Good info Bosi. I agree with you - time to build the younger guys, though I think Harris can still have a solid role this year. Gif and Johnson should sit...

 

I think if you can forget that he played in the ACC, is 6'5 and 235 pounds of muscle, and can jump, that Will's most productive role on this team could be as a three point specialist. Take Lou Barazza's role. It doesn't look like we have any better shooters from that range. Just don't expect him to bang inside or be a good ball handler. Just a three point specialists. If he gets some RB's, plays some D, that's a bonus.

 

The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

 

 

I've been guilty of hyping kids based on press clippings and what they are/were doing in HS...no more!

 

There is very little comparison between HS and D1 hoops....rankings shmankings....it's nice to look at but nothing more.

 

On the court, I think Raffa was as advertised. A scoring PG that went 100MPH. He was until hurt scoring in double digits as a freshmen. The big question (on court) was if he would improve? He was going to score, and run, and turn it over. Could he score more effectively than turn it over?

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I actually agree with the on the court stuff McFan speaks of.

 

However, it still doesnt matter-- his teammates and coaches disliked him...and that wasnt about to change...even though Brown was apparently steadfast in his corner. Only up until the "demand" was made, Coach would have went through a wall for Raffa.

 

Again, all third-party info...but it seemingly is the same story from multiple corners.

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Ok...I am sick of this $iena...and believe me, Coach has done some things this season (actually hasn't omitted to do) that I think he should have done-- but that's why he's coach and I am not--but RAFFA was not his doing.

 

Want the real scoop already-- RAFFA WAS NOT LIKED BY HIS TEAMMATES OR THE OTHER COACHES. In fact, Coach B stuck with him the longest and, from what I understand, basically tried to keep Raffa here to the disdain of his assistant coaches who pleaded wiht him to let Raffa walk. Two specific players and one very recent alum player rolled there eyes when I spoke to them about Raffa in general. I met the kid twice...and watched him play plenty...and I still think its no great loss. When you turn off your teammates and coaches that badly...you got a problem.

 

The Raffa leaving incident had NOTHING to do with Coach...and he wanted him to stay, again, to the dismay of players and assistants. And those are the facts as many of us have heard and from multiple sources (including those not very fond of Coach).

 

That said, I am very disappointed that Coach has not just simply benched Ambrose and Will Harris. I may be in the minority, but the seaons is in some ways over and I think it is time to just start letting the youngins ply their trade like we did with the early Jamar/Levi teams. Ambrose will NEVER, EVER learn the concept of team basketball and has had more private tutelage (thanks to Coach Friel) than any player I think has ever had the pleaure of wearing a UA uniform. Will Harris may be a nice kid...but he has no basketball heart.

 

Again, this is a very young team and those two (I dont point out Gifford because what the kid lacks in skills, he is the consumate heart guy) were supposed to "show the team the ropes". Instead, they show them they cant understand basic basketball or inspire the others to want to play balls out. 90% of their problem is heart...and the rest falls on Coach (recruiting, decision not to bench guys, etc.).

 

If you play DI ball...you should know what you have to do day in and day out by the end of your frosh year-- apparently, some of the upper-classmen haven't figured it out.

 

If your sources are correct and wb wanted him to stay then Ill gladly take back that he ran him out of town.

 

The thing is why would he not have been guaranteed to play the point? Although he had the turnover problem isn't thay something that can be worked on in the off season. Ambrose made dumb fouls and turned the ball over a lot as a freshman and he was pretty much guaranteed to be the 2 going into his soph season. Who else was raffa to compete against for the position? Mike Johnson? Barazza? Tart and Black signed after he decided to walk. There were no point guards in the recruiting class before that.

 

As for not getting along with teamates, I'm pretty sure not everyone gets along with each other on a team no matter what sport. Heck I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that not everyone on this albany team likes each other. If you play the game right you'll earn the respect eventhough you're not liked and that's all that matters.

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The problem is, and maybe I just speak for myself - players like Harris and Raffa, more than other recruits, came with such resounding advance billing that we as fans anticipated so much more than has been delivered.

So which coach do you know that announces a scholarship player by saying "Well, he's got a way to go, but if he works hard he could be a role player by his junior year" ?

 

Other than Casey Stengel, who said "There's Kranepool, 20 years old. In ten years he's got a chance to be a star... And there's Goosen... he's 20 too... In ten years he's got a chance to be 30."

(Casey was correct, Greg Goosen only lasted five years in the majors).

 

 

If I remember correctly, Kranepool didn't last much longer.

Kranepool played 17 full seasons for the Mets

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If I remember correctly, Kranepool didn't last much longer.

Kranepool played 17 full seasons for the Mets

Kid Kranepool was also on the 1965 all-star team

 

 

He's only seventeen and he runs like he's thirty.

—Casey Stengel, on why he kept Kranepool on the bench in 1962.

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Ok...I am sick of this $iena...and believe me, Coach has done some things this season (actually hasn't omitted to do) that I think he should have done-- but that's why he's coach and I am not--but RAFFA was not his doing.

 

Want the real scoop already-- RAFFA WAS NOT LIKED BY HIS TEAMMATES OR THE OTHER COACHES. In fact, Coach B stuck with him the longest and, from what I understand, basically tried to keep Raffa here to the disdain of his assistant coaches who pleaded wiht him to let Raffa walk. Two specific players and one very recent alum player rolled there eyes when I spoke to them about Raffa in general. I met the kid twice...and watched him play plenty...and I still think its no great loss. When you turn off your teammates and coaches that badly...you got a problem.

 

The Raffa leaving incident had NOTHING to do with Coach...and he wanted him to stay, again, to the dismay of players and assistants. And those are the facts as many of us have heard and from multiple sources (including those not very fond of Coach).

 

That said, I am very disappointed that Coach has not just simply benched Ambrose and Will Harris. I may be in the minority, but the seaons is in some ways over and I think it is time to just start letting the youngins ply their trade like we did with the early Jamar/Levi teams. Ambrose will NEVER, EVER learn the concept of team basketball and has had more private tutelage (thanks to Coach Friel) than any player I think has ever had the pleaure of wearing a UA uniform. Will Harris may be a nice kid...but he has no basketball heart.

 

Again, this is a very young team and those two (I dont point out Gifford because what the kid lacks in skills, he is the consumate heart guy) were supposed to "show the team the ropes". Instead, they show them they cant understand basic basketball or inspire the others to want to play balls out. 90% of their problem is heart...and the rest falls on Coach (recruiting, decision not to bench guys, etc.).

 

If you play DI ball...you should know what you have to do day in and day out by the end of your frosh year-- apparently, some of the upper-classmen haven't figured it out.

 

If your sources are correct and wb wanted him to stay then Ill gladly take back that he ran him out of town.

 

The thing is why would he not have been guaranteed to play the point? Although he had the turnover problem isn't thay something that can be worked on in the off season. Ambrose made dumb fouls and turned the ball over a lot as a freshman and he was pretty much guaranteed to be the 2 going into his soph season. Who else was raffa to compete against for the position? Mike Johnson? Barazza? Tart and Black signed after he decided to walk. There were no point guards in the recruiting class before that.

 

As for not getting along with teamates, I'm pretty sure not everyone gets along with each other on a team no matter what sport. Heck I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that not everyone on this albany team likes each other. If you play the game right you'll earn the respect eventhough you're not liked and that's all that matters.

 

Believe me...my sources are more than accurate.

 

And since when are players guaranteed anything. I was never guaranteed anything...and I didnt have a hissy fit. Danefan and others...you guys ever guaranteed anything from high school on up?!?! Anthony Raffa was never going to be a PG because unlike Juan Jose Barea (who he was compared to in attitude) he didnt make the players around him better. Then the kid has the balls to take the coaches to task and demand a guaranteed position?!?!

 

For the record-- not even scholarships are guaranteed (I hate that...but it is true); they are renewable contracts.

 

And Ambrose wasn't guaranteed a thing...who ever said he demanded a position and was given such?

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Ok...I am sick of this $iena...and believe me, Coach has done some things this season (actually hasn't omitted to do) that I think he should have done-- but that's why he's coach and I am not--but RAFFA was not his doing.

 

Want the real scoop already-- RAFFA WAS NOT LIKED BY HIS TEAMMATES OR THE OTHER COACHES. In fact, Coach B stuck with him the longest and, from what I understand, basically tried to keep Raffa here to the disdain of his assistant coaches who pleaded wiht him to let Raffa walk. Two specific players and one very recent alum player rolled there eyes when I spoke to them about Raffa in general. I met the kid twice...and watched him play plenty...and I still think its no great loss. When you turn off your teammates and coaches that badly...you got a problem.

 

The Raffa leaving incident had NOTHING to do with Coach...and he wanted him to stay, again, to the dismay of players and assistants. And those are the facts as many of us have heard and from multiple sources (including those not very fond of Coach).

 

That said, I am very disappointed that Coach has not just simply benched Ambrose and Will Harris. I may be in the minority, but the seaons is in some ways over and I think it is time to just start letting the youngins ply their trade like we did with the early Jamar/Levi teams. Ambrose will NEVER, EVER learn the concept of team basketball and has had more private tutelage (thanks to Coach Friel) than any player I think has ever had the pleaure of wearing a UA uniform. Will Harris may be a nice kid...but he has no basketball heart.

 

Again, this is a very young team and those two (I dont point out Gifford because what the kid lacks in skills, he is the consumate heart guy) were supposed to "show the team the ropes". Instead, they show them they cant understand basic basketball or inspire the others to want to play balls out. 90% of their problem is heart...and the rest falls on Coach (recruiting, decision not to bench guys, etc.).

 

If you play DI ball...you should know what you have to do day in and day out by the end of your frosh year-- apparently, some of the upper-classmen haven't figured it out.

 

If your sources are correct and wb wanted him to stay then Ill gladly take back that he ran him out of town.

 

The thing is why would he not have been guaranteed to play the point? Although he had the turnover problem isn't thay something that can be worked on in the off season. Ambrose made dumb fouls and turned the ball over a lot as a freshman and he was pretty much guaranteed to be the 2 going into his soph season. Who else was raffa to compete against for the position? Mike Johnson? Barazza? Tart and Black signed after he decided to walk. There were no point guards in the recruiting class before that.

 

As for not getting along with teamates, I'm pretty sure not everyone gets along with each other on a team no matter what sport. Heck I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that not everyone on this albany team likes each other. If you play the game right you'll earn the respect eventhough you're not liked and that's all that matters.

 

Believe me...my sources are more than accurate.

 

And since when are players guaranteed anything. I was never guaranteed anything...and I didnt have a hissy fit. Danefan and others...you guys ever guaranteed anything from high school on up?!?! Anthony Raffa was never going to be a PG because unlike Juan Jose Barea (who he was compared to in attitude) he didnt make the players around him better. Then the kid has the balls to take the coaches to task and demand a guaranteed position?!?!

 

For the record-- not even scholarships are guaranteed (I hate that...but it is true); they are renewable contracts.

 

And Ambrose wasn't guaranteed a thing...who ever said he demanded a position and was given such?

 

What I meant when I said ambrose was pretty much guaranteed the spot is that we all knew that he would be starting. I never said ambrose demanded anything cause I wouldn't know. I guess the way I worded it was wrong, but did anyone actually think he was not going to be in the starting lineup at the begining of last season and had to fight for a spot?

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Good info Bosi. I agree with you - time to build the younger guys, though I think Harris can still have a solid role this year. Gif and Johnson should sit...

 

I agree with you on Johnson, though I am not sure why anyone would be harsh on Gifford. At times on Sunday Gifford played better than anyone on the court for UA (other than McRae). From the start of the 2nd half until he checked out with 13 minutes left, he busted his ass blocking a shot, taking a charge and making 2-3 solid passes. I think his limited rebounding stems more from always always starting each set from the top of the key (out of position by design?) than getting outworked down low.

 

Granted the guy is tall & unathletic, but I wouldn't lump him in the same "no heart" group as Johnson, Harris and Ambrose. Ultimately, I would like Metcalf to see more minutes, but Gifford in a 15-18 minute role the rest of the way isn't a bad thing.

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