Re: Why to not throw in the towel

[Jon Macomber]

I agree that some "shaking up" might be helpful - the team isn't fulfilling
their potential.  I am concerned with the perception that this is a "bad"
team and forgetting about the players who are still there working hard.
Perhaps some aren't working hard enough though according to Huggs.  This is
still a good team!

And I completely understand about the venting - this has always been a great
place to rationally discuss (usually) such things - I know I've done my
share of venting here.

I'm not giving up, or pointing the finger at anyone else.  I love what
Machock said at the end of the MU game - Depaul came back strong and it gave
them the confidence to beat the Cats in the rematch.  Why not believe the
Cats comeback will help them get a game back when we play at MU?

Mr. Half full,

Jon M



----- Original Message -----
From: "richard l. kandell" <address@hidden>
To: <address@hidden>
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] Why to not throw in the towel


> Jon - I'm not sure anyone on the forum is "giving up" on this year, and
the
> commentary on playing some of the other people is being made not only to
get
> them ready for next year, but to change what has happened recently this
> year.  Candidly, we have beaten primarily a bunch of mediocre teams by
small
> margins - for example look at the difference in the scores versus DePaul
at
> our place, @ Marquette and @ Louisville.  While we were at least getting
> wins with Johnson, Holman, et al, there was no big apparent reason to
change
> personnel policies.  However, that has ceased as we've moved to the
> difficult part of the schedule, and a number of people are philosophizing
> about whether/when/how to use other players.  In addition, it is helpful
> that, assuming they are trying in practice, playing and giving the
"younger"
> players some experience has an additional benefit which might be seen next
> year.  I doubt anyone on the forum is asking that Lenny Stokes be put on t
he
> bench and forgotten about, nor are they saying to throw this season away.
> Quite the contrary, I do believe that everyone is just venting their ideas
> as to how the season can be saved.  Fortunately for all of us, Huggins and
> staff are a lot smarter when it comes to basketball then we are.
>
> Richard K.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Macomber" <address@hidden>
> To: <address@hidden>
> Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 2:40 PM
> Subject: [UC Basketball] Why to not throw in the towel
>
>
>
> A quick response to those who mentioned playing the young guys and get
them
> ready for next year:
>
> It would be quite an injustice to not only tell players "we're giving up
> this season", but to tell a senior like Taron Barker "thanks for coming,
but
> since you're a senior you're gonna sit more".  Or even worse, tell Leonard
> Stokes "Thanks for 3 1/2 years of playing for the university, but we're
> throwing your senior season away to get ready for next year".
>
> Or tell the UCATS members, the alumni, and ticket holders that we've given
> up on the team, but next year should be great.  Hey why doesn't every team
> in div 1 with a losing record sit their seniors and play just next years
> lineup?
>
> If this was a professional franchise then I might agree that the long term
> performance might improve by looking ahead now, but the university has an
> obligation to compete to the standards of NCAA and student-athletes.
> Integrity is the issue here, not the bottom line.
>
> I definitely haven't given up on this good (not great) team.  Plus,
Huggins
> doesn't strike me as the type of guy who would give up at anything!
>
>
> Jon M