Got it. Prohm is your golden child. We need to be patient this year. If we miss the tournament next year than would you agree 19-20 is a make or break year? Or do we consider this a 3 year rebuild like I hear others suggesting.
Reasons for Optimism (or, Don't Burn Your Tickets Yet)
- Thread starter CascadeClone
- Start date
Got it. Prohm is your golden child. We need to be patient this year. If we miss the tournament next year than would you agree 19-20 is a make or break year? Or do we consider this a 3 year rebuild like I hear others suggesting.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
At the 100th Anniversary celebration, no less. What a crazy day to do that.
This was bad, like looking worse than McD bad.
If only Prohm had bothered recruiting the last two years.
Oh, hate to agree with this but mostly do.
This is looking like a Ken Trickey kind of year but without Hercle Ivy trying to lead the league in scoring. Ah, those first years of Hilton before the Magic when it was Hilton Mausoleum.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I was going to say, this thread may work on the average CFer, but no way it works on the original ticket burner himself!
To be honest, I don't remember if I'm the original or if I picked up on it when someone else said it. I'd bet someone else deserves credit as the original.
But we want it NOW!!!
These guys will get better and next year will be fun again. The year after could be special.
The point about Orr's first two year is valid: - Johnny started right away his first couple years with Lefty Moore, Ronnie Harris, Barry Stevens, Terrence Allen et al, running the court and competing with a high-energy approach. Stevens wasn't great on D but they tried to press, get steals and use their speed. Eventually, the talent base got better for Johnny's teams. By Hornacek's 2nd year, they were VERY competitive at home and were VERY fun to watch with Stevens, Grayer, Tompkins in transition.
Fred really had the same philosophy - that a fast-break style would bring a great atmosphere and recruits would want to play there.
I guess I don't see many reasons for optimism for this team yet but would feel better if they were creating fast-break chances. I suppose I'll say that I'm optimistic that at some point during the season, I'll see reasons for optimism (Progress of the young guys? DJ getting his groove back? Brase working up to 25 minutes a game? Talley attacking the rim?). It'd be nice if the product were at least watchable. I'm going to watch the two tourney games this weekend and Lard is going to have at least one slam ...
I'm not convinced that some of you posters are actually Cyclone fans. If you are, we can probably just go ahead and call the whole great/loyal fan base thing a myth.
Honestly there is no reason to be this bad even in a rebuilding year. We've had a terrific run of NCAA appearances and B12 tourney titles and even the real blue bloods of college basketball are permitted to miss the tourney once every ten years or so. But that's not what this is. The is getting waxed by the 3rd or 4th best team in Wisconsin by double digits at home. What's even more concerning is there doesn't appear to be a quick fix. It's not like we are starting a bunch of freshman who are going to improve dramatically over the course of this year, or even into next. This has all the look of a total overhaul and a 3 year rebuild which doesn't happen when you have competent leadership at an established basketball program.
I really like you as a poster but you don't have to defend Fred 24/7 because he's your guy. It makes you come off looking like a Prohm hater at times and I don't think that is the case
I am conflicted on this.
On one hand, I came into this year knowing it would be a rebuilding year. Unfortunately, our class balance has been off for some time now. We've had the same core for the last 3 years, limiting our ability to develop younger talent. That core, and the way that core was assembled, was always going to lead us to a steep drop-off. This year, and to a lesser extent next year, are necessary evils. We have to have guys go through some growing pains and develop.
On the other hand, I do think it's reasonable to expect Prohm to have figured out a way to put a decent product on the floor. This is his 3rd year, and last year's class graduating was hardly an unknown. I get we aren't Duke, Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, etc. We aren't going to reload with 5 star talent. But at the same time, we are a pretty damn good basketball school who has been as consistently successful in the last 5 years as about anyone. I don't think it's too much to expect to have a little slighter drop-off than what we are seeing.
On one hand, I came into this year knowing it would be a rebuilding year. Unfortunately, our class balance has been off for some time now. We've had the same core for the last 3 years, limiting our ability to develop younger talent. That core, and the way that core was assembled, was always going to lead us to a steep drop-off. This year, and to a lesser extent next year, are necessary evils. We have to have guys go through some growing pains and develop.
On the other hand, I do think it's reasonable to expect Prohm to have figured out a way to put a decent product on the floor. This is his 3rd year, and last year's class graduating was hardly an unknown. I get we aren't Duke, Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, etc. We aren't going to reload with 5 star talent. But at the same time, we are a pretty damn good basketball school who has been as consistently successful in the last 5 years as about anyone. I don't think it's too much to expect to have a little slighter drop-off than what we are seeing.
My optimism? The only game I could get tickets to was the Western Illinois game, so it's possible we win that game. Not so sad about missing out on the Texas game now.
I can tell you that for right or wrong things changed when JP reseated Hilton during the Premium Hoiberg years and forced many of us to donate $3-$5K to keep our seats in the Upper Level.
He did it under the guise that we needed it for "full cost of attendance" and to keep Fred.
Then after Fred we go out and get a discount mid-major coach.
When you ask fans to spend that type of money I think we can be upset for losing to a bottom feeder Horizon squad with a new head coach by 18 at home.
It is only the worse loss to a non-conference team in 43 years at home. But once again I'm the bad fan because I actually care.
How many of the sunshine pumpers are paying $199 for season tickets with no donation? It must be nice to be a great fan with no financial investment in the program.
I think it is the way they look losing that is so bad. They look like they haven't practiced. There is no excuse to look that bad against a team like that at home. None. They have enough talent that they should be able to squeak out a win against UWM on a bad shooting night. If they lost last night because of bad shooting or some unreal shooting by UWM or some really bad freshman mistakes by a couple guys... ok, that's understandable. But that isn't what happened. They lost because they played bad defense, couldn't run an offense, and looked lost in almost everything they did. That is coaching.
Just think about how far they have to improve just to beat a UWM level team at home...19 points better! I expected some losses in the non-con but not like this. I thought before the season they would could go 8-4 in the non-con. Now I am thinking 5 wins is my expectation. Hopefully, They can improve to the point they can pull out a few wins at home in conference. On the plus side, Smart and Kruger did less with more last year so not all is lost.
Just think about how far they have to improve just to beat a UWM level team at home...19 points better! I expected some losses in the non-con but not like this. I thought before the season they would could go 8-4 in the non-con. Now I am thinking 5 wins is my expectation. Hopefully, They can improve to the point they can pull out a few wins at home in conference. On the plus side, Smart and Kruger did less with more last year so not all is lost.
Duly noted. I'm not a Prohm hater as you know. But I'm so tired of this rag on Fred mentality that this board has. I'm going to just go off the forums until January. It will better for everyone long term. Hope the young kids grow up over the next few weeks and maybe we can sneak a win out in South Carolina this week.