Fact is that Brady got lucky with a defensive freak like Tyrus Thomas (who was a 3-star) last year... This year, the true coaching ability shines through once again...
Ok, I'll jump into this fray say my peace and be done with this Brady talk. Clearly, I'm disappointed with how this team is playing and the results. My bottomline, which everyone on this board will hate to hear is, Brady shouldn't be fired because what SEC school fires a coach that took their team to the Final Four and won the SEC? That's like saying we should have fired Saban the year after the NC, b/c he was like 8-4 and lost his bowl game (of course, he saved us that trouble, b/c he left--loyalty should mean something--but that's a separate matter). This is the fair scoop on this issue: 1. Yes, Brady has "undercoached" this year. He's the first person in his post game remarks to say this. He's not blaming the players, he's blaming the coaching. This team does not perform well consistently, and over a body of work (like a 5 game losing streak) that's the coaches fault. 2. This team lost two of its best players and should have had a down year, while most of the SEC teams, esp. the SEC West, had little or no attrition but added players. This is a case of overhype after a good year. Basketball relies on 5 players, not six times that in football, but imagine if this LSU team had lost Russell and Dorsey. We made the mistake of thinking that Rolle, Martin, Mason and Minor would fill that void. That's not to say that this team's not talented, but they're unproven. Also,D.Mitch was a 4 year player... people forget how valuable he was to the team, but keep in mind, he wasn't relied on by the Tigers until he was a junior and senior. 3. How many teams have underperformed this year? More than LSU. How many great coaches are struggling? Gonzaga, Georgetown, Villanova, Louisville, Michigan State are all unranked after being expected to do some things. All of the folks crying for Brady's head would probably jump over backwards to land Few, Thompson, Pitino, Izzo, etc. The point is, basketball is unpredictable and even good coaches have off years. 4. Recruiting. This is a tough one. Clearly Brady has not landed a true point and has owned up to that one. That being said, Mason and Martin were BOTH top 60 type high school players. Temple has in some sense overachieved. Voogd might have been a reach. But, Brady has had at least two top 5 classes while being here, and I'm not sure recruiting has been the issue. He has had some attrition, and he has misfired on some guard signees. So, this is a wash. With some key recruiting years in 2008 and 2009, that's where his recruiting grade will be determined. He needs to show he can land an impact guard (started this with TMG in '09) in '08 or even in '07. As for signing 4 forwards in this year's class, people seem to forget that really on the frontline we have no proven depth. Randolph plus a big baby gives us a great frontline next year (if Baby stays... which might look more like a reality), and Wright is a swing forward with a 3 point shot. Don't cast next year's class off as insignificant. Thornton will also play a lot. 5. Lastly, the season's not over yet. Brady teams have shown an ability to get into a streak at the right time of the season, and I'm not going to call for firing someone in the middle of the season. It's classless of the fans. Judge Brady by the end of the season. Bottomline, IMO, Brady deserves to let this season play out, and he gets next year with new "post final four" recruits to see what he can do. While I have said as well, I'd love to have a "top tier" college basketball coach, I won't get into the nauseating details why that's difficult at LSU. I have a feeling next year, Brady will be on the hot seat a little, and he'll surprise after all of the "bashers" come out in full force after the season. This year is not lost, but the Tigers have their backs against the wall. No doubt. :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. KEEP THE FAITH.
Brady produces several years of crap, then he'll get a token year or two (like with Tyrus or Stromile), and go back to that mediocre crap all over again. I've had it. I am officially done with Brady. I knew we were overranked at the beginning. All I can think of now is that song, "Freeeeeee fallin'!"
Until LSU makes a commitment to basketball, they might as well hang onto Brady. At least I have something to look forward to with baseball starting this week.
Oh yes, every home game is a collapse. Why, from 2001 to 2006, LSU lost 12 out of 80 games at the PMAC. Darn, we never win at home.
I think Brady will have to do that himself, I don't think LSU making a commitment to basketball has anything to do with it.
How about a practice facility. They have to share with the girl's team, volleyball and gymnastics. How about paying top dollar for coaches like they do in football and baseball. Basketball is not a high priority at LSU. It's treated as a minor sport.
