Too much to learn - quickly!

[Deleted]

Many are blaming our less than stellar start on either the level of talent in our returning players, the infusion of five freshman into the playing group, much older/more experienced early opponents or the new rule changes. After watching two games live and a long quiet bus ride (lots of time to think) back from Burlington, it is painfully obvious that ALL of the former are, IMO, major contributors inhibiting a quick start for this Siena team. Throw in a major coaching change and the deck gets stacked big time against the kids. We may also have a number of players who realize they must produce NOW or find a new home for the coming years. Lots of pressure, lots of change, lots of new personalities (staff and teammates), and new rules result in an ugly 0-2 record. Can't blame just one element as many try to do, but the combination is killing us (and many other teams as well no doubt).

Not trying to defend the officials but we have to realize they are trying to implement what may have sounded simple on paper. I think they have gone way overboard and it's spoiling the game. The desire to soften physical play may be leading to increased frustration fueling young tempers and getting exactly the opposite result. The impact of the much more frequent stoppages of play absolutely prevents players from getting comfortable on the floor and the development of any game flow. Amplify that negative with a coaching staff trying to figure out how to use 10 or 11 guys and way too many easy opportunities to switch guys in and out leads to a level of chaos that is killing us. Some may argue that the rule change impacts both teams and that is true - we've just been on the receiving end of getting so many calls early and that has a compounding effect. One more change is needed - continue foul count display beyond 10 (won't happen but I think the officials hide behind the 10 and key on it late in the half to statistically "balance" the number of calls to the 10 value).

Lastly, I think the PW has a new job - he may be now assigning officials to our games!

[Tony]

Good Post- I recommend all Siena fans to "stay the course" I always thought we would get off to rocky start for the reasons you mentioned. It will probably get worse before it gets better-- but it will get better as freshmen get a little more seasoned. This group of freshmen is going to win a lot of games for Saints over next 4 years. Next year they make the sophomore jump- we add Patrick Cole - who despite click clack saying he stinks( he is currently better than any player on UA) add one or two freshmen recruits and we will be in mix for MAAC championship as soon as next year. And have solid team together for a loong time I'm really excited about the future

[th24]

I agree!

[yankee]

Siena will win the MAAC by year 3 or 4 and it has nothing to do with the current freshman, although Long looks good. It is because Patsos will have the "tourney on our home court to get the NCAA tourney slot". This will make him basically impossible to recruit against in the MAAC save for coaches like Masiello and Bower. However, I am not sure he is the best in game coach to make these players win as much as they could with that advantage. And yes, I am not as opposed as I used to be with the tourney being in Albany. But, it is a big advantage and Patsos will do a great job promoting the crap out of that on the recruiting trail.

[Tony]

Nov 13, 2013 17:51:10 GMT -5 yankee said:

Siena will win the MAAC by year 3 or 4 and it has nothing to do with the current freshman, although Long looks good. It is because Patsos will have the "tourney on our home court to get the NCAA tourney slot". This will make him basically impossible to recruit against in the MAAC save for coaches like Masiello and Bower. However, I am not sure he is the best in game coach to make these players win as much as they could with that advantage. And yes, I am not as opposed as I used to be with the tourney being in Albany. But, it is a big advantage and Patsos will do a great job promoting the crap out of that on the recruiting trail.

Hi Yankee thanks for stopping by long time no talk.

[yankee]

I think you should jump back in the fray:).

[tcbaseball]

Good post MP

[hoopjunkie]

Nov 13, 2013 17:51:10 GMT -5 yankee said:

Siena will win the MAAC by year 3 or 4 and it has nothing to do with the current freshman, although Long looks good. It is because Patsos will have the "tourney on our home court to get the NCAA tourney slot". This will make him basically impossible to recruit against in the MAAC save for coaches like Masiello and Bower. However, I am not sure he is the best in game coach to make these players win as much as they could with that advantage. And yes, I am not as opposed as I used to be with the tourney being in Albany. But, it is a big advantage and Patsos will do a great job promoting the crap out of that on the recruiting trail.

This freshman class is easily the most influx of talent this program has gotten since the Big 3 year. So, imho, they WILL have a lot of say if we win the MAAC. As proven over history, Siena having the home court advantage in the MAAC tourney is basically irrelevant. How many times did we win it here? Three times in 15 years? And that was 3 years in a row with the best 4-year team to ever play in the MAAC.

Jimmy does have a lot to prove with his in-game coaching, but he's already bought the two most important things: 1)talent and 2)attitude. Both of these elements have been missing from this program for years. Failed recruiting and bringing in soft kids, mentally and physically. I'm glad these kids got chippy last night. Sure thay all struggled with their first college road game, but they didn't back down, and they didn't quit.

We all need to relax and let Jimmy bring in one more class, and the real test will be season 3 to see if he did a good job or not.

ps--the tournament never should have left Albany. It was the only place it was ever successful.

[yankee]

Now that the MAAC gave it a chance at a neutral site and it failed, I agree it should stay in Albany for the foreseeable future. Hopefully a second venue can rotate with the TUC to lesson the advantage. But, I will agree I missed going to the TUC these past couple years. Massachusetts was just horrible.

[gorvy]

Nov 14, 2013 0:44:51 GMT -5 yankee said:

Now that the MAAC gave it a chance at a neutral site and it failed, I agree it should stay in Albany for the foreseeable future. Hopefully a second venue can rotate with the TUC to lesson the advantage. But, I will agree I missed going to the TUC these past couple years. Massachusetts was just horrible.

Congratulations, you set the maac back 5 years. What you and others have failed to realize is that conferences like the maac should be embracing its stronger programs instead of trying to make them equal. Especially when you redistribute most of the NCAA revenue earned. The stronger programs provide free positive marketing for the conference, which would in turn help the other teams down the road. It was a no-brainer that the neutral site would fail because the league does not have any neutral fans.

[CellarRat]

Nov 14, 2013 7:31:08 GMT -5 gorvy said:

Nov 14, 2013 0:44:51 GMT -5 yankee said:

Now that the MAAC gave it a chance at a neutral site and it failed, I agree it should stay in Albany for the foreseeable future. Hopefully a second venue can rotate with the TUC to lesson the advantage. But, I will agree I missed going to the TUC these past couple years. Massachusetts was just horrible.

Congratulations, you set the maac back 5 years. What you and others have failed to realize is that conferences like the maac should be embracing its stronger programs instead of trying to make them equal. Especially when you redistribute most of the NCAA revenue earned. The stronger programs provide free positive marketing for the conference, which would in turn help the other teams down the road. It was a no-brainer that the neutral site would fail because the league does not have any neutral fans.

Basketball like the rest of life. Too bad out president doesn't have the same philosophy.

You shouldn't punish success. Ensor should be removed if he supported the move away from the tuc.

[mrsiena]

He Ensor, the Commissioner, supported the move out of Albany when he lambasted the students for storming the court.

[Tony]

Ensor does what the presidents tell him to do. As he should he works for them

[OneIndian]

Nov 14, 2013 7:31:08 GMT -5 gorvy said:

Nov 14, 2013 0:44:51 GMT -5 yankee said:

Now that the MAAC gave it a chance at a neutral site and it failed, I agree it should stay in Albany for the foreseeable future. Hopefully a second venue can rotate with the TUC to lesson the advantage. But, I will agree I missed going to the TUC these past couple years. Massachusetts was just horrible.

Congratulations, you set the maac back 5 years. What you and others have failed to realize is that conferences like the maac should be embracing its stronger programs instead of trying to make them equal. Especially when you redistribute most of the NCAA revenue earned. The stronger programs provide free positive marketing for the conference, which would in turn help the other teams down the road. It was a no-brainer that the neutral site would fail because the league does not have any neutral fans.

Bingo!

[yankee]

I set the MAAC back 5 years gorvy? Thanks for the credit, but I don't think my posts, while awesome, have that much pull. Be nice or maybe I will set the "league" back by saying "mohegan sun" 22 times and then clicking my Jordans.