MBB: vs. Binghamton

[UA'08]

Also looking at the conference records we have finished around fifth (middle of the pack) through 12 years of D1.

[MRSGDG]

I believe siena has certainly capitalized on their run they had. They're getting a brand new practice facility and have a lot of young talent. If it weren't for a bad coaching hire after their coach left who knows they may have actually gotten an invite to the A10. It's that 4.5 year stretch where we didn't capitalize on the back to back tourney appearances. The conference record speaks for itself as we've only had double digit wins in conference three times. Two of which were the championship years.

 

I'd guess that some Siena fans would differ in opinion, at least the ones I work with who believe they are not where they thought they would be. It's funny how the grass is always greener on the other side... Siena fans tell me UA is a young D1 team and that we have time to grow .. as they have been D1 for 34 38 yrs, had back to back to back tournament appearances for three years and are still with the MAAC, have a losing record and are trying to just get back to a baseline of good since they were awful the past few years.

 

EDIT: To add.. and they got to the 2nd round two years in a row, and are still where they are now.

Edited January 22, 2014 by MsGDG

[UA'08]

Oh no question we are ahead of them compared to the time we've been D1. I'd like to see where we'll be 22 years from now. Hopefully not in the America east

[MRSGDG]

Oh no question we are ahead of them compared to the time we've been D1. I'd like to see where we'll be 22 years from now. Hopefully not in the America east

 

Haha, I hope too! Just trying to figure the facts, comparisons etc behind why there's a ledge people are on with the program being on a 'downswing'. People can feel anyway they want we are all entitled to that, I guess I look for facts and figures which tie to real expectations.. not just what "I feel" as a fan should happen, but realistically what can happen based on history. Not saying UA couldn't make history, we could I guess.. but not sure how realistic that is. Anyway, I just enjoy the wins, stay through the losses, clap that we have smart kids on the team, be optimistic that would get to the tourney every year and in 22 years hope we can finally have a home game against Siena.

Edited January 22, 2014 by MsGDG

[Clickclack]

I'm personally not judging the success of the program by the number of W's in the NCAA tourney. I don't think people are being completely unrealistic based on what I've read. Yeah, we are all passionate, I believe all would agree that there is room for improvement. I'll admit it and maybe it shouldn't mean all that much but our regular season against the top of the AE really eats at me. That record is beyond hideous.

 

If it wasn't for the two wins last year and NCAA birth it would have really really been horrific. The run last year takes the sting out. I don't understand why we can't be competitive against UVM and SBU.

[Jammaster]

So much hyperbole on the boards lately about folks being on the ledge and calling for heads. I don't think the conversation is quite that intense. I think it's valid frustration.

 

When i was in school (mid 90s), the prevailing spirit about pretty much everything was pure apathy.

It's good to see people fired up if they feel we've been underperforming. It's good to want to take the next step—regardless of how likely that is—rather than getting comfortable with what's "realistic."

[MRSGDG]

If it wasn't for the two wins last year and NCAA birth it would have really really been horrific. The run last year takes the sting out. I don't understand why we can't be competitive against UVM and SBU.

 

I'm sure SBU fans say they can't believe they can't ever win the 'big' game even though they can run over the competition in the regular season. Probably just all perspective. Still rather be a UA fan than an SBU fan

[bob87]

I believe siena has certainly capitalized on their run they had. They're getting a brand new practice facility and have a lot of young talent. If it weren't for a bad coaching hire after their coach left who knows they may have actually gotten an invite to the A10. It's that 4.5 year stretch where we didn't capitalize on the back to back tourney appearances. The conference record speaks for itself as we've only had double digit wins in conference three times. Two of which were the championship years.

 

You do know they (LCC) are currently working on their 4th straight losing season so I certainly hope their "capitalizing" on their run continues in the same fashion

Edited January 22, 2014 by bob87

[Clickclack]

If it wasn't for the two wins last year and NCAA birth it would have really really been horrific. The run last year takes the sting out. I don't understand why we can't be competitive against UVM and SBU.

 

I'm sure SBU fans say they can't believe they can't ever win the 'big' game even though they can run over the competition in the regular season. Probably just all perspective. Still rather be a UA fan than an SBU fan

 

And that's their problem...has nothing to do with our own frustrations.

[MRSGDG]

If it wasn't for the two wins last year and NCAA birth it would have really really been horrific. The run last year takes the sting out. I don't understand why we can't be competitive against UVM and SBU.

 

I'm sure SBU fans say they can't believe they can't ever win the 'big' game even though they can run over the competition in the regular season. Probably just all perspective. Still rather be a UA fan than an SBU fan

 

And that's their problem...has nothing to do with our own frustrations.

 

just trying to make a point which I can't seem to make in 5 pages, lol, nm.

[UAalum72]

And that's their problem...has nothing to do with our own frustrations.

You call this frustration? You shoulda grown up a Red Sox or White Sox fan. Even better, a Cubs or Lions fan, since they're still waiting.

[Clickclack]

And that's their problem...has nothing to do with our own frustrations.

You call this frustration? You shoulda grown up a Red Sox or White Sox fan. Even better, a Cubs or Lions fan, since they're still waiting.

 

Does Knick fan qualify? Sigh...

[UA'08]

I believe siena has certainly capitalized on their run they had. They're getting a brand new practice facility and have a lot of young talent. If it weren't for a bad coaching hire after their coach left who knows they may have actually gotten an invite to the A10. It's that 4.5 year stretch where we didn't capitalize on the back to back tourney appearances. The conference record speaks for itself as we've only had double digit wins in conference three times. Two of which were the championship years.

 

You do know they (LCC) are currently working on their 4th straight losing season so I certainly hope their "capitalizing" on their run continues in the same fashion

Lol. I do think they screwed up hiring their last coach. That guy was an idiot and looked clueless. He brought them backwards about 10 steps, but enough talking about them.

[Big D]

Oh no question we are ahead of them compared to the time we've been D1. I'd like to see where we'll be 22 years from now. Hopefully not in the America east

 

Haha, I hope too! Just trying to figure the facts, comparisons etc behind why there's a ledge people are on with the program being on a 'downswing'. People can feel anyway they want we are all entitled to that, I guess I look for facts and figures which tie to real expectations.. not just what "I feel" as a fan should happen, but realistically what can happen based on history. Not saying UA couldn't make history, we could I guess.. but not sure how realistic that is. Anyway, I just enjoy the wins, stay through the losses, clap that we have smart kids on the team, be optimistic that would get to the tourney every year and in 22 years hope we can finally have a home game against Siena.

MsGDG, you seem like a knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporter of the UA hoop program and I have no problem with your positive, “glass half full” appraisal. I don't think the current state of the Siena program has anything to do with the trajectory of the UA program since Jamar graduated. I use Jamar as the touchstone because we squandered the opportunity to leverage the success he brought to the program. Some programs havea special player who not only wins while he is there, but also transforms the program going forward. Contrast our performance "post-Jamar" with Vermont's performance "post Coppenrath". Before Coppenrath played for UVM, the Catamounts were a perennial losing program and a frequent doormat in the AE. From 1970 to 2001 (32 seasons) UVM never won more than 16 games and had a losing record in 25 out of 32. Since 2001 (Coppenrath's freshman year), Vermont has won 20 or more games 10 of 12 years, with 8 AE championship game appearances. Clearly, the success of the Coppenrath years raised the UVM profile, which was used by Lonergan to land better recruits (Trimboli, Blakely, Voelkel, etc), and perpetuated Vermont's success. We have not come close to replicating that kind of sustained excellence in the AE. I am realistic about the UA program...there are structural limitations (especially the bball budget-which is low major for sure) which make it hard to move up. The hoop budgets for teams in the CAA are substantially higher than ours. Hoop budgets in the A10 are 2-3 times larger than ours. That may continue to be a challenge down the road, but there is no reason why we should not win 10-14 games in AE conference play year in, year out. Injuries, JUCO's who don't pan out, bad calls by refs, and all the other micro-explanations can no longer be used to justify a sub-.500 conference record in the AE. Six years ago, I thought the balance of power had shifted from UVM to UA. I thought every home game would be like the Big Purple Growl by now. The reality is that very little has changed. I still enjoy going to games, will still support the team in other ways, but the program seems to be stuck in neutral for the foreseeable future.

[Clickclack]

Oh no question we are ahead of them compared to the time we've been D1. I'd like to see where we'll be 22 years from now. Hopefully not in the America east

 

Haha, I hope too! Just trying to figure the facts, comparisons etc behind why there's a ledge people are on with the program being on a 'downswing'. People can feel anyway they want we are all entitled to that, I guess I look for facts and figures which tie to real expectations.. not just what "I feel" as a fan should happen, but realistically what can happen based on history. Not saying UA couldn't make history, we could I guess.. but not sure how realistic that is. Anyway, I just enjoy the wins, stay through the losses, clap that we have smart kids on the team, be optimistic that would get to the tourney every year and in 22 years hope we can finally have a home game against Siena.

MsGDG, you seem like a knowledgeable and enthusiastic supporter of the UA hoop program and I have no problem with your positive, “glass half full” appraisal. I don't think the current state of the Siena program has anything to do with the trajectory of the UA program since Jamar graduated. I use Jamar as the touchstone because we squandered the opportunity to leverage the success he brought to the program. Some programs havea special player who not only wins while he is there, but also transforms the program going forward. Contrast our performance "post-Jamar" with Vermont's performance "post Coppenrath". Before Coppenrath played for UVM, the Catamounts were a perennial losing program and a frequent doormat in the AE. From 1970 to 2001 (32 seasons) UVM never won more than 16 games and had a losing record in 25 out of 32. Since 2001 (Coppenrath's freshman year), Vermont has won 20 or more games 10 of 12 years, with 8 AE championship game appearances. Clearly, the success of the Coppenrath years raised the UVM profile, which was used by Lonergan to land better recruits (Trimboli, Blakely, Voelkel, etc), and perpetuated Vermont's success. We have not come close to replicating that kind of sustained excellence in the AE. I am realistic about the UA program...there are structural limitations (especially the bball budget-which is low major for sure) which make it hard to move up. The hoop budgets for teams in the CAA are substantially higher than ours. Hoop budgets in the A10 are 2-3 times larger than ours. That may continue to be a challenge down the road, but there is no reason why we should not win 10-14 games in AE conference play year in, year out. Injuries, JUCO's who don't pan out, bad calls by refs, and all the other micro-explanations can no longer be used to justify a sub-.500 conference record in the AE. Six years ago, I thought the balance of power had shifted from UVM to UA. I thought every home game would be like the Big Purple Growl by now. The reality is that very little has changed. I still enjoy going to games, will still support the team in other ways, but the program seems to be stuck in neutral for the foreseeable future.

 

+1