Are we good
- Thread starter rebel5280
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I think the starting point has been bad, the defensive and offensive philosophy we rolled out and a piss poor roster construct. I didn’t see any real game decision issues with KK, within game decisions, personnel, etc. But I really do think that part of the game is vastly overrated, it’s the easiest part.
Loaded question and I might not have an answer that you like.
There are no plans to hire any type of advisor to critique and help KK's coaching strategy but we need it badly.
CKK really really really liked Keshon and stuck with him as long as possible as we saw, but finally made the switch and we all saw how Keshon reacted. I think it stung him a bit because KK was letting him rock for the most part and then he was out for extended periods of time. CKK is loyal to a fault, when Keshon and Keyshawn entered the portal, he tried to convince both to come back.
In terms of the roles of assistant coaches, I have no idea why they didnt speak up more. Sometimes they looked completely lost tbh. There were a lot of times where CKK looked even more lost. Its strange. I hope all of this stuff improves, especially with an influx of talent. Easier to coach when you have tons of talent.
To be fair to KK...
What exactly in game adjustments was he supposed to make with the roster he had... it was extremely limited in what or who he could put in or change. For example, we did see him try and get tougher inside with Iwuakor rather than Muoka in games but Victor just committed dumb foul after dumb foul and couldn't stay on the floor....
He also couldn't on the fly adjust the philosophy of switching that he had engraved so much in last years identity even when we were getting killed by wide open 3 point shooters... and they couldn't stop them any other way regardless...
Now that's a critique and a pass at the same time because he poorly constructed the roster... as for special advisor- Wasn't that what we all nodded our heads when he was hired and winked "So his Dad will be at practices right?"...
What exactly in game adjustments was he supposed to make with the roster he had... it was extremely limited in what or who he could put in or change. For example, we did see him try and get tougher inside with Iwuakor rather than Muoka in games but Victor just committed dumb foul after dumb foul and couldn't stay on the floor....
He also couldn't on the fly adjust the philosophy of switching that he had engraved so much in last years identity even when we were getting killed by wide open 3 point shooters... and they couldn't stop them any other way regardless...
Now that's a critique and a pass at the same time because he poorly constructed the roster... as for special advisor- Wasn't that what we all nodded our heads when he was hired and winked "So his Dad will be at practices right?"...
Special advisor should be named Lon Kruger.
I agree, and I do think his mistake was the roster. I did like the idea about him bringing in defense and creating turnovers. Plain and simple we struggled in scoring. Parquet is a specialist on clamping down on players, but is offense lacks. Eli Harkless had a nose for the basket, Luis Rod. Showed some flashes and Justin with the three was nice, but not enough. Keshon was not true point guard, but good D and a hustler. Mouka and Iwuakor, I really thought one of them would step it up and improve from last year. At least get more rebounds. I hope we do get one more player that is bulky and big with a knack for rebounding. I do really like the three players coming in and we should score with them. but looking at the stats I did notice they do have hot games and others not so hot. Keylan does seems to be the most consistent. Hopefully we get more consistent play from all three this year and end up dancing.
I know Fisher is a different coach than Kruger and a different time era, but he did take over a program that was way down and he did struggle to win at San Diego State for at least 4 years. Fisher 1999-00 record 5-23, 2000-01 record 14-14, 2001-02 record 21-12, 2002-03 record 16-14, 2003-04 record 14-16, 2004-05 record 11-18, 2005-06 record 24-9. Coaching is hard when you take over a program that has been down for a long time. Dutcher took over a program that was built to win for years. Krugers recruitment pick up of the three is a step in the right direction and better than the last two years.
I intentionally asked loaded questions, and appreciate your candid responses. While I am a University of Utah fan first, I cheer for UNLV second. I would like UNLV to turn things around and end up in a stronger conference. Others suggested that Lon could act in that advisory capacity. In my opinion, that would not work, due to the family dynamic. In my own small business, performing research in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, data science, and analytics, I am blessed to have employees that sometimes challenge or criticize my decisions. We created a culture that allows for that, not just a bunch of "yes" people.
No excuses this season. With the people we have coming in (and the class isn't done yet) plus all types of recruiting momentum for 2024, plus being able to retain Nowell, LuRod, and Webster. We need to win now. Idc about an NIT bid. That's a great step but for me personally, March Madness or bust. Maybe that's dumb of me to hope for but it needs to happen.
Some things I hope to see next season; 1. Calling a timeout as soon as the opposing team is about to explode. Too many times CKK just let us play on. I get it, you have to let players learn on the fly sometimes but it was excessive. 2. CKK cannot look lost every game. He looked helpless at times; especially against Boise and USU. Idk what he needs to do; maybe he needs to talk to other coaches or watch more film. 3. I'd like the assistants to be more involved and check CKK if they need to. I think this will happen as they have spent more time together and have learned each others styles. 4. I would like to see a closer bond between the players and coaches. This is already happening and they're growing every day. 5. The staff needs to tell the whiners to stfu. Way too much whining and crying last year. Those people are gone now but I'm sure some ppl will be disappointed at times in themselves and the team. The staff needs to learn how to reel them in fast. I think the maturity of this years team will really show.
Those are the reasons why I think we will be very good. And tbh CKK doesn't even need to be a great coach. He can get away with it because of our talent, but he needs to learn how to push the right buttons at minimum and keep learning.
Some things I hope to see next season; 1. Calling a timeout as soon as the opposing team is about to explode. Too many times CKK just let us play on. I get it, you have to let players learn on the fly sometimes but it was excessive. 2. CKK cannot look lost every game. He looked helpless at times; especially against Boise and USU. Idk what he needs to do; maybe he needs to talk to other coaches or watch more film. 3. I'd like the assistants to be more involved and check CKK if they need to. I think this will happen as they have spent more time together and have learned each others styles. 4. I would like to see a closer bond between the players and coaches. This is already happening and they're growing every day. 5. The staff needs to tell the whiners to stfu. Way too much whining and crying last year. Those people are gone now but I'm sure some ppl will be disappointed at times in themselves and the team. The staff needs to learn how to reel them in fast. I think the maturity of this years team will really show.
Those are the reasons why I think we will be very good. And tbh CKK doesn't even need to be a great coach. He can get away with it because of our talent, but he needs to learn how to push the right buttons at minimum and keep learning.
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Taj dropped his final 8 tonight. If you haven't seen who we are competing against, please go look. I was told three of the schools have "almost no shot."
List will be trimmed down even more by the end of the summer. We are in a great spot.
List will be trimmed down even more by the end of the summer. We are in a great spot.
Q - How could we have adjusted last season?
A - Switching man defense should have been eliminated.
Opposing teams - let’s keep setting screens until their 5’7” 2-guard has to defend our 6’10” center. EVERY SINGLE GAME!
A - Switching man defense should have been eliminated.
Opposing teams - let’s keep setting screens until their 5’7” 2-guard has to defend our 6’10” center. EVERY SINGLE GAME!
We picked up a solid freshman PG.
Lyndy LaRocque is killing it on recruiting. Macy Spencer had committed to Stephen F. Austin last Fall but when their coach took the HC job at WVA last month she opted to open recruitment. Lyndy was on it. The now four new freshman commits are all going to kill it in the MWC in the coming years.
Lyndy LaRocque is killing it on recruiting. Macy Spencer had committed to Stephen F. Austin last Fall but when their coach took the HC job at WVA last month she opted to open recruitment. Lyndy was on it. The now four new freshman commits are all going to kill it in the MWC in the coming years.
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UNLV needs to do everything they can to keep her. Coaches like her come around once in a generation for a school. She’s potentially the Lady Rebels version of Tark.
Yes pay her and keep her
Ernest Udeh just entered the Portal as well...
I'm sure he's got a price but man, I'd love to add one of these 2 bigs that just left Kansas after Dickinson committed
I'm sure he's got a price but man, I'd love to add one of these 2 bigs that just left Kansas after Dickinson committed
Yep exactly she turned around a moribund program very quickly with progress each year. They need to do what they can to lock her up only a matter of time before Texas or some other school comes calling with $$.
Mac Etienne out of ucla just entered the portal. Extremely underachieving there, injury two years ago. Seems like a decent, obtainable depth piece.
No way to compete with the big schools who pay million$ but there is a way to show her our commitment to her and her program. Money is a big part of that and money now before the other big programs start sniffing. She loves UNLV. Her parents and family are here. She likes Vegas. Showing respect and support while doing everything possible and a little bit more would go a long way. Getting her what she needs in terms of staff, staff pay and facilities would make a big statement. Reinvesting some of the $$ she’s generating would set a foundation to build upon.
She mentioned something recently during an interview where she said being in Vegas is convenient right now because her parents are local and watch her newborn while she is away at work.
UNLV does fairly well with punitive actions. We fire. Sometimes too late but we do it.
Any bumps in pay don’t seem to be in proportion with accomplishments or promise. Not a huge group to sample from with that, obviously. We know Tark was way underpaid and I don’t know what his pay bumps were along the way, don’t recall with Bayno’s extension or Rice’s extension or Lon’s extensions brought in. I’m sure we underpaid for Jrob to start with but I don’t know if his contract was amended after the bowls. But I don’t believe UNLV has ever given a “big bump”.
Lindy certainly deserves a raise/restructuring/extension and more money for the program. If somebody keeps building upon the year prior … I mean, that is what they are paid to do, it’s why they make good money out of the gate … you gotta find more than a smile, handshake and “job well done”.
So, not to Argue that she doesn't deserve a raise, but we did just extend her after last year when she won the conference and made tournament. I think it would set a bad presendence to extend or renegotiate each season a coach essentially does its job. Now, I realize they had an insanely successful season by W/L and she's going to be sought out at some point, but I'd expect a large raise next season if they again dominate the conference and win a game or 2 in tournament...
Fannies in the seats pay the bills. Football success is the key. 40000 vs 2000.
Yeah she got an “atta girl” kind of extension and raise. After last year and this year’s recruiting so far and also the total sum of her work it should be plainly obvious that we have a gem here. That deserves a total restructure of her contract and commitment to the program. Either that or just accept that she is here short term because if you don’t show here that she is loved and wanted here then someone else will. As I said we can’t compete with the big programs if it just comes down to money so we better start locking here in with the other facets of job and community fulfillment. She has totally changed the culture of the Lady Rebel program. The community is buying in. They will be playing many more games in the T&M in short order.
I agree, Lindy La Rocque should be the highest paid coach in the MWC.
The Head Coach for New Mexico Lobos, Mike Bradbury just got a 5 year extension on his contract.
He's been at Albuquerque for 7 years and has zero NCAA tournaments to show for it.
La Rocque after 3 years, has 2 NCAA tournament invites.
She's a stud. Pay her!
Now is the time to raise and extend her, in my not so humble opinion. That decision will continue to build the brand and program. Seek outside funding.
First of all KK is NOT trying for slow growth, opting for primarily 1 and 2 year players with recruiting. But that is college basketball these days.
Kevin as a coach will likely improve. No great coach was great his first couple of years. So yes he deserves some patience.
Also please stop talking about dropping down a league. Get over it. That is so dumb. Let's voluntarily reduce our already limited income just because we aren't the best in the league. You complain about being soft, but you would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a middle of the pack team? Talk about weak minded!
Why you do, probably more than anyone, talk about how we are not the same anymore, but act surprised the most when we aren't the same anymore?
I agree that CKK had a very weak resume, easily the worst one UNLV has ever hired. You could call it lazy, but I would call it safe. Mostly due to finances. Complain about DRF all you want, but she did a good job of balancing the budget while cutting out booster influence that most of us can agree helped ruin this program.
CKK' salary was paid for with TJ's buyout. CKK does have an upside and doesn't demand a high salary with his limited resume.
I get wanting him fired because he shouldn't have been hired in the first case argument. And Harp could very well do that.
But if he is willing to see if Kev has the potential he needs more rope. Also being a legacy does make it tougher to fire him.
This is a fanbase that doesn't have tolerance, and yes historically has not been a program that has the patience. But if they were going to be patient, this is the time. CKK is paid for, attendance can't get much lower.
But that is somewhat moot, but it sure looks like CKK is trying to win now. Like I said before this next season will tell us a lot. And truly his 4th season, if he makes it that far will arguably tell us more.
I think the staff put so much time and effort preseason into that defense, that everything else suffered. Once it was figured out, they did a slight pivot to a switching man from a match up zone. It helped with the open 3 point shots, but still had holes.
It is difficulty starting from scratch in the middle of the season. Which contributed to the issues.
Personally, I am looking to see how much the approach changes for this upcoming season. If they try to do the exact same thing, then I will be very discouraged and the stubborness argument will definitely have more validity.
Yeah, it seemed like once conference hit, teams had game planned for our defense and we didn't create nearly as many TO's as we had been. Plus, I don't know how many times I watched us switch up on defense, and then we end up with one of our bigs (typically Iwuakor, but also Muoka) trying to cover their guard. The guys would play off of them, so they didn't get blown by, and then try to challenge the shot, at which point we fouled them while shooting a 3 pointer. I remember at least a few times in a 4-5 game stretch where those ended up being 4 point plays. So frustrating.
So what's the answer? No switching on defense? Playing more zone? Or will the system just be better now that we have taller guys and overall more athleticism?
I saw coming into year 2 with the loss of the entire staff that KK recruited as best as he could after the loss of so many relationships. Now with a year of stability in staff and roster the recruiting has improved dramatically. It should again next year. You can only do so much with the talent or lack thereof available. Once Parquet went down and LuRod got injured our strength which was defense suffered. This year the roster will be deeper and definitely have better potential on offense. It should be a step forward. Continuity of staff and roster matters. This is the first year that we’ve had that luxury.
It's a lot easier to coach when you have the players. Let's see how he does this year.
He might be worth getting. Not many minutes last year, and a little thin, but if he concentrates on his rebounds and protects the rim a nice breather for Boone and in year or two maybe a good center to be starting. I would be ok if we signed
Yes good point on loosing his assistants to start the year. There was a time with Lu Rod and Parquet out and they were 2 of our 3 best defenders. Injuries do happen and we do need a deep bench. Little concerned we are not deep right now in the center and power forward positions.
To me the answer is simple, play solid non gimmicky man to man defense, with maybe a zone as a switch up.
Once we changed to a switching man, teams would easily create the mismatches that they wanted by exploiting our predictable tendencies. It's a little embarrassing if the 3rd tier color guy calling our games calling this out on the TV broadcasts.
Switching is fine, and necessary at times. But we had all power defensive team guys up and down our roster. An embarassment of riches with defensive specialists. Let them lock their man down instead of switching on any sign of penetration.
Next season we will have fewer top defensive guys, but Hill and Kalib are known for their defense. We will still be athletic with more length. Defense should definitely be better next year if stop playing gimmicky defenses.
Losing Parquet and LuRod definitely hurt, but teams were already easily getting wide open 3 point looks before they went down. Granted with both of them healthy, we could create a few more turnovers to offset this. But personally I think stopping easy buckets should be a priority over getting a turnover. The conversion rate on getting a turnover is pretty low verses allowing a college player an uncontested shot. Especially a 3.
I believe Jalen Hill is more versatile than Iwaukor and Mouka. Hill is supposed to be a good defender. His coach last year praised him on clamping down on the their opponents best player. I'm hoping Whaley adjusts well to D1 because I believe he can play a combo of small forward and power forward.
