You know what is funny? All of these arguements against Brady were EXACTLY the same as when Dale Brown was coach. "One and done", "can't recruit NBA caliber players", "can't win big games", "doesn't know how to coach talent". We just didn't have the internet to scream it from cyberspace back then.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to LsuCraig again. But that was a pretty good analysis of the team.
Like I say every year, Brady is a guy that will consistently turn out winning seasons and teams that could (talent-wise) contend every year. THAT is why he stays at LSU. LSU isn't a basketball school. Why? Who knows, we sure as hell COULD be. The emphasis seemed to be solely on football since Saban got here and started winning again. I guess Bertman is pulling a Benson and is happy keeping two programs that have the potential to be ranked every season, but nothing more, save a great run every few years. LSU could go for a coach (or coaches if we consider baseball as well) that will come in and turn things around and maybe win a NC (baseball) or get to the final four (basketball) but then drop off into mediocrity after a couple years. I like the fact the we ARE winning consistently in every sport with the possibility of GREAT things every once in a while. There are schools that would KILL for that. How many universities are great (and could contend) in every sport? Texas is great in baseball and basketball and football... who else? Florida? Miami is good in baseball and football, basketball is comparable to us... Basketball schools are entirely different than football schools. Would you guys want a UK type program? I personally would LOVE a Texas or UF program, but it's unrealistic. I don't know about you guys, but I'll keep taking my 9 and 10 win football seasons, 20 win NCAA tourney basketball teams and super regional/Omaha/45+ win baseball teams and be content. However, I would like to see a little bit more competiveness in baseball as that was a HUGE tradition for us, I'd hate to lose that special LSU baseball feel... EDIT: I don't want it to seem that I don't care about LSU, but I realize that I could be an Ole Miss or Miss State fan and that sucks!
You're right. Hate to say it, but it's pretty obvious that we really don't put as much emphasis on basketball as we once did (Shaq, Roberts, Chris Jackson, Vernell Singleton days).... Guess if we actually started GOING to games, and filling the PMAC, we (the fans) would have more of a leg to stand on when it came to voicing their displeasure.
Yes, but I don't think he was ever contending for a national championship, and we'd be VERY lucky if we were contending for the SEC championship. I'm going off of memory, but I seem to remember 3 loss seasons being pretty common. At around the same time (and I'm referring to the 80's), we were always thinking final 4 or 8 in hoops. So, the love was for the hoops team and Daddy Dale. My point is just that right now, it's clear where LSU and Skip are putting their investment dollars--making the Deaf Valley seat over a 100K, and maximizing football dollars. Fans are also following the winner, so football is all consuming after the Saban era. I think as we near SEC play, we hopefully will see more people waking up and taking note of a good basketball team. I think if the Tigers get into the NCAA and win a couple of games, we keep the positive momentum back towards winning--it will just take time. I will agree with most sentiment on this board, though, it's time for Brady to start showing what he can do with talent. The next few games will be also be key to building momentum going into that SEC play, so the Tigers don't start the new semester with a "lack luster" record, which sours fans. BTW, Arkansas leading Bobby Knight's TTech by 7 with less than 5 minutes to go... SEC continues to surprise...
While I do think Brady exhibits some tendencies to suggest that he could be a better in game manager/strategist, I think the analysis is somewhat lacking of depth. If we were fair, we'd point to some of the big wins that Brady had too. Remember he beat Arizona when they were number 1. Did we beat Arizona playing Lute's style? There have been plenty of upsets in Brady's tenure too. So, did he get those wins playing our style or being able to win playing the other team's style? I think we lost to Houston this season for playing carelessly and not hitting free throws. We lost to Wisconsin a year when they went to the final four. I'm not forgiving Brady for the loss to UAB... that was bad. But, let's not only point to the losses and say that's a character trait.
It has nothing to do with being a fairweather fan. Baton Rouge is, and always has been, a football town. Basketball is simply not as important as football. As a result, the basketball program is given more latitude.
Please enlighten us as to exactly what steps you are going to take in order to "strive" for greatness in LSU's basketball program.
