It's time....

[fishwater99]

I hope you are right about next years. Will we have a full roster next November?
We have got to have a full squad, recruiting is my biggest area of concern for coach Ray.

I like some of the intangables I have seen from Ray.
Our guys play hard, listen, hustle, and are disciplined.
I am not impressed with Rays offense or defenses in the 2nd halfs of games, we get outcoached there some.
I don't know why we did not foul Sat to extend the game. Hopefully Ray is learning from his mistakes.
We have to win those close ones at home, and it would help if we had some more butts in the seats.

[Coach34]

I thought the way Ray played it was brilliant.

We got a turnover at 18.9 seconds left down 4. All we needed to do was get a shot and score within 10 seconds- but with all the people out and such we couldnt do it.

[CadaverDawg]

I thought the way Ray played it was brilliant.

We got a turnover at 18.9 seconds left down 4. All we needed to do was get a shot and score within 10 seconds- but with all the people out and such we couldnt do it.

It's a good thing Ray was able to predict that turnover.**

You foul in that situation. Period. It was a terrible decision and if we hadn't gotten the steal it would have looked even dumber.

I like Rick, but defending that decision is silly mane.

[RougeDawg]

Ray is not a very good coach. Plain and simple. Good motivator maybe but coach hell no. I've been saying this all yr. the interview I listened to him for the ford time confirmed my original thoughts on him. At this level a coach is not really going got effect a players skill set: shooting, etc. At this level a good coach has his team prepped well enough that you don't make the elementary mistakes that this team is making more and more of, the longer Ray is around. Stupid turnovers and our play over the past 2 months should have every bulldog concerned about Ray and his coaching abilities. Playing semi sound ball while losing because the other team is simply better than you is somewhat acceptable. BUT, We have been playing sloppy with an untalented team, losing to shitty teams by huge margins. A well prepped team by a better coach would have beaten USC Georgia and Auburn the last 3. We lost those because of ill advised junior high turnovers and stupid play. If that's acceptable to any of you from a D-1 SEC team, you need mental help. This shit is pathetic.

[shannondawg]

There was a period during the second half, when the refs just let Ark maul our players on D. Rick went out and said something to the ref at the timeout and looked both pissed and dejected, and it seemed to rub off on the other coaches as well. I figured at that time is was over, but to their credit the team came back and made a game of it. It was about the time of the elbow to the jaw incident. It happened right in front of me, and I swear it looked like it was a case of his jaw hitting the elbow rather than vice versa, and was below the shoulder, cause he was all over him. Haven't watched the replay yet but plan to.

As far as the not calling timeout at the end, I wondered what Ray's reason for not calling TO. I see that happening with other coaches from time to time, and always wonder what was their thinking at the time. Its not like they don't know they can call a TO. I guess they are gambling on a steal or something. Its a gamble either way..

[Political Hack]

I respect you alot as a poster Hack, but you completely and totally lost me on this to a greater extent than anything you've ever posted before...

So, we are giving Ray a "pass" for discipline problems? What discipline problems? When did the players fight in the stands under him? When was there rampant drug abuse that went unpunished under him? So, you are mad at him for his lack of accountability -- while also being mad at him because we are cutting lose unaccountable players that are failing drug tests that then hurts our team? Which is it? Seems an awful lot like that statement is trying to have the cake and eat it too. I've seen NOTHING to imply the inmates are running the asylum under Ray.

Don't misinterpret my point here. In no way am I suggesting that the team is running the show like they did with Stans. I don't think that's the case, but "accountability" is an "after the fact" issue... and the fact remains that our players are still breaking rules left and right. that's why we don't have a roster.

Disciplining someone after the break a rule is great. making sure they never break it in the first place is much more preferable though. And believe it or not, that happens at some programs.

[Political Hack]

good post

Hack has become a friend of mine- so let me take a stab at this

Hack loves basketball- its his fav sport
Hack hates losing
Hack is human, so as with any human, patience is not always at the forefront
Hack is going to be pissed at me come next January if Ray delivers like I think he can- cause I rub salt like no other

I won't be pissed at you. I'll be happy as a clam if we're winning. If nothing else I think I've proven I can put personal vendettas aside for the greater good.

We've lost almost 10 straight now. I'm not sure we'll win another game this season either. We're two years in and haven't won a single road game in conference play. We quit against Georgia, A&M, and Florida. I don't like what I'm seeing and I don't see signs of improvement. He deserves time and he'll get it and I hope like hell y'all are right.

[Coach34]

We're two years in and haven't won a single road game in conference play.

What? Ray won the first SEC road game he ever had last year at Georgia

[drunkernhelldawg]

A) Agreed. We have no shot at Newman. We arent even it in at this point. We arent putting in what is necessary to get that signature.

B) Our shooters will indeed be better next year. They are better this year than last. Having 5 scholarship players on the court at all times will help them get easier shots also. For example- we had an 8-9 point lead on Auburn and then Sword got his 2nd foul with 10+ minutes left in the 1st half. We then began to turn the ball over and fall apart and allow Auburn to tie and then pass us. We have no bench right now and it kills us

C) Yes we have more talented players joining us in the Fall. Daniels is said to be as good as Ware. He doesnt shoot the 3 like Borchert but is a much better defender and is quicker.
NDoye will give us some more post prescence of the bench to rest Ware. We wont ever have to play Roq at the 5 next year- which kills us on defense.
Houston is going to give us a solid player at the 3 along with FTF- who should be a little better as well next year.
Ready and the other Freshman will have a year of SEC basketball under their belts and should play better next year.

Hell, we were getting beat last year by 20, 30, and 40...now we stay in games and compete for the most part- and we still arent playing with a full roster. Next year will be an improved basketball team.

It is big that we are competing this season. Play well enough for decent stretches that we know we have the ability to win. Gut check time at the Hump.

Apathy has infected the fan base and seems to be spreading. That's making it doubly tough.

[drunkernhelldawg]

It's a good thing Ray was able to predict that turnover.**

You foul in that situation. Period. It was a terrible decision and if we hadn't gotten the steal it would have looked even dumber.

I like Rick, but defending that decision is silly mane.

By the numbers you are no doubt right, but I do think its worth mentioning that games have been won with both strategies.

[dawgs]

I thought the way Ray played it was brilliant.

We got a turnover at 18.9 seconds left down 4. All we needed to do was get a shot and score within 10 seconds- but with all the people out and such we couldnt do it.

is C34 an ole miss sleeper cell? that's some serious ole miss-style spinning right there.

[TheRef]

is C34 an ole miss sleeper cell? that's some serious ole miss-style spinning right there.

Someone try the code phrases. "Boy that Italian family in the booth over there sure is quiet."

Did it work?

[Political Hack]

What? Ray won the first SEC road game he ever had last year at Georgia

that's what I get for not proof checking game announcers.