Maybe I'm wrong but I can't help but feel our basketball team...

[maroonmania]

would have been substantially better with one additional true 3 point threat (Steele) and another big body to rebound and help inside (Lewis). Not having those 2 guys to me really puts a lower cap on what we can accomplish this season.

[smootness]

Agreed. But they were selfish, and now they're gone.

[msstate7]

Agreed. But they were selfish, and now they're gone.

Yep and we'll be better in the long run bc we didn't put up with it for a little more short term success. Those two weren't gonna put us over the hump as far as the NCAA tourney anyway...

[Political Hack]

Ray is doing things the right way... and he's a competent coach thus far. That's a pretty good mix.

If people think we'll return to the level of talent we had under Stans, they're kidding themselves. However, we won't have the egos and personality issues we had under him either. The problem with basketball these days is that highlights sell tickets. Good fundamental basketball teams that don't have star power don't sell seats until tourney time. Long term, I think attendance at the hump because of a lack of star power could be Ricky Ray's downfall despite being a good coach and being good for the program.

[Barking 13]

Ray is doing things the right way... and he's a competent coach thus far. That's a pretty good mix.

If people think we'll return to the level of talent we had under Stans, they're kidding themselves. However, we won't have the egos and personality issues we had under him either. The problem with basketball these days is that highlights sell tickets. Good fundamental basketball teams that don't have star power don't sell seats until tourney time. Long term, I think attendance at the hump because of a lack of star power could be Ricky Ray's downfall despite being a good coach and being good for the program.

If he starts winning, the stars will shine all by themselves...

[dawgs]

people come see winners. sure the national media might not care, but the hump will be consistently pretty full if we get back to winning 20+ games and competing with the kentucky's and florida's of the sec again, regardless of style or star power.

[engie]

Yep. Needs to lock up Pollard for the next class. He's basically falling into our laps.

No excuse to not be at least an NIT-level team by the end of next year...

[smootness]

Yep. Needs to lock up Pollard for the next class. He's basically falling into our laps.

No excuse to not be at least an NIT-level team by the end of next year...

Ray has said he doesn't plan to sign anyone in the spring. He may not have meant that 100%, and we do have one spot open as of now (if my count is correct), but he may be saving that spot for the 2015 class, since we'll only have one senior next year.

[TheRef]

Ray has said he doesn't plan to sign anyone in the spring. He may not have meant that 100%, and we do have one spot open as of now (if my count is correct), but he may be saving that spot for the 2015 class, since we'll only have one senior next year.

Matt Stevens said that he has no available scholly's for now.

[rabbitthedawg]

Rick Ray can't recruit in my opinion. The heads that ran off Stans are getting exactly what they deserve! A true POS of a product in the Hump!

[TheRef]

Rick Ray can't recruit in my opinion. The heads that ran off Stans are getting exactly what they deserve! A true POS of a product in the Hump!

[Coach34]

Steele demanded to redshirt- so we wouldn't have had him this year no matter what happened

[Thick]

would have been substantially better with one additional true 3 point threat (Steele) and another big body to rebound and help inside (Lewis). Not having those 2 guys to me really puts a lower cap on what we can accomplish this season.

If those guys could smoke pot responsibly, they might still be here. Those guys are not completely to blame, some goes to RS for running such a loose ship.

"Old dogs, new tricks.....like oil and water, not happening"!

[Coach34]

Rick Ray can't recruit in my opinion. The heads that ran off Stans are getting exactly what they deserve! A true POS of a product in the Hump!

You can tell that after 1 recruiting class? You're a gotdamn genius Gump!!!

Especially considering the network that supported Stands no longer helps?

[smootness]

Matt Stevens said that he has no available scholly's for now.

Who am I missing:

Gavin Ware
Craig Sword
Fred Thomas
Travis Daniels
IJ Ready
Fallou Ndoye
Jacoby Davis
Andre Applewhite
Roquez Johnson
Oliver Black
Maurice Dunlap
Demetrius Houston

That's 12, so we should have one available.

[Coach34]

I thought BBall only had 12 schollys?

[maroonmania]

I thought BBall only had 12 schollys?

Nope, 13.

[mparkerfd20]

Rick Ray can't recruit in my opinion. The heads that ran off Stans are getting exactly what they deserve! A true POS of a product in the Hump!

Agreed so far. Not giving up completely yet tho.

[chef dixon]

I really think Chicken is becoming that go to guy for us. I realize he's not the best shooter but he's shooting 49% from the field this year as opposed to 40% last year. He's also down from 4 turnovers a game to 2.7... that tells me that he is adjusting well to the college game. I'm looking for big things from him, excellent ability to get to the basket.

[maroonmania]

Agreed so far. Not giving up completely yet tho.

I'm not real hopeful based on what I've seen so far either on the recruiting front. Basketball recruiting seems to be the sleaziest of all college sports. So if we aren't willing to get our hands a little dirty then we can probably just write off basketball.