Simple Question

[stobor]

Not looking to pick a fight but wanted to see if people on PonyFans still consider Doherty to be the right guy for this job.

I would say based on the current record, this first full class, and the ratings on the next years class that he is not.

What he has done is create enough early enthusiasm to upgrade the facilities; which I give him full credit for. I am however, very dissapointed in the apparent level of talent he is bringing in and our performance on the court.

[mathman]

Not looking to pick a fight but wanted to see if people on PonyFans still consider Doherty to be the right guy for this job.

I would say based on the current record, this first full class, and the ratings on the next years class that he is not.

What he has done is create enough early enthusiasm to upgrade the facilities; which I give him full credit for. I am however, very dissapointed in the apparent level of talent he is bringing in and our performance on the court.

You're credibility is a little shakey. Below is a statement you made concerning the job Orsini was doing in relation to the coaches search.

"How can anyone be happy with the way things are going? This has been a spectacular failure. We can still do the best we can with where we are at, but you are delusional if you think we are in a good position now. We have effectively destroyed an entire year of recruiting and are the laughing stock of college football (keeping the status quo there).

Orsini had a task that takes most AD's weeks to accomplish. Orsini is doing a bad job. There is no way around this.

Thinking this does not make someone hate SMU. This does not make someone a doom and gloomer (whatever people call it). I want Orsini to be good at his job. But so far he has been terrible."

And yes, I think you are trying to pick a fight.

[stobor]

Sure, Orsini did make the best of the situation after what...71 days? I am happy that we got JJ and think our team will be better for it. However the coaching search was still mismanaged in my opinion. We took over 2 months to find a HC...missing on at least 2 people that we would have hired BEFORE JJ. As I pointed out in the post, Orsini made the best of a bad situation.

Back to Doherty...I just wanted to get a pulse here to see if people still genuinely believed he could turn this program around. I like the upgrades in facilities but see no evidence that he is recruiting stronger talent than previous coaches...and there is no question that our play has not improved...we may be worse.

[mathman]

Sure, Orsini did make the best of the situation after what...71 days? I am happy that we got JJ and think our team will be better for it. However the coaching search was still mismanaged in my opinion. We took over 2 months to find a HC...missing on at least 2 people that we would have hired BEFORE JJ. As I pointed out in the post, Orsini made the best of a bad situation.

Back to Doherty...I just wanted to get a pulse here to see if people still genuinely believed he could turn this program around. I like the upgrades in facilities but see no evidence that he is recruiting stronger talent than previous coaches...and there is no question that our play has not improved...we may be worse.

You really need to read this if you think the coaches search was mishandled.
http://www.ponyfans.com/phpBB2/viewtopi ... 737#310737

And to answer your question, Doherty is doing fine. If you expected more than 8-10 wins this season, you were dreaming.

[perunapower]

Yes, this season has been a disappointment, especially with some of the pathetic losses. This team has gotten a lot better of the course of the season. We're still not good, but if they continue to improve we'll be in good shape next year.

[Stallion]

Its not intelligent to judge Head Coaches in 1 1/2 years in college basketball at a total rebuild. See Scott Drew at Baylor.

[mustangbill67]

Its not intelligent to judge Head Coaches in 1 1/2 years in college basketball at a total rebuild. See Scott Drew at Baylor.

Agreed. In addition, this current team, even with its woefull record, in my opinion is playing better basketball and gives more overall effort than other teams of recent years. If they could just score at a higher percnetage consistently and limit the turnovers, we would have a better record. This team is full of potential and it looks like we have some 08 recruits that should really help us. Still need a dominating point guard.

[smu diamond m]

They will go away eventually...

[papawasamustang]

Great topic !

First off, you won't find a bigger Robo fan than me.

Having said that, I have mixed emotions about the play of the team (effort), lack of fundamentals & overall talent level. I loved the effort vs. TCU & Tulsa but those are the only 2 games I can say I thought the team actually busted their [deleted]. Also, there ire no excuses for losses to some extremely weak opponents.

I expect to see big improvement from the freshman after a very important offseason (summer). I hope to see larger contributions from Rhodes & Nyakundi. Daye should be a factor in the second half of the season & it appears that Dubois & Otis may be impact freshman next season. I hope rumors of Robo searching for a JC PG are true.
Regardless, Robo needs some of these kids to step up & take it to the next level quickly.

I could go on & on about this topic & have many times already this year.
Robo gets a free ride this year. I really hope to see a MUCH improved team next year.

I do believe we have hit rock bottom. Last year & this years teams are the worst I can ever remember seeing @ SMU in my lifetime. This brand of basketball has to change soon. We have great facilities, great local talent to recruit from, so there really is no excuse.

The one thing that I do expect when I pay my $$ to watch this team is effort. Like I mentioned earlier, there are only 2 games this year that I thought I saw the kids "bringing it". After 17 games that's not very good & I think that pretty much sums it up.

[mustangbill67]

Well all I can say is that I have seen every home game up close and I have not been disappointed in the effort. A mattter of perception I guess. Just because you give up a turn over or get beaten one on one on a play does not necessarily mean you are not giving it 100%. These kids play hard.

[angryfan04]

The effort is not there a lot of times by everybody....our lack of defense reflects that....also - what happened to "inside out"? how many times did doh say last year and early this year that the offense will work the ball inside out and yet we see guys like malone get a rebound dribble the length of the court and jack up a 3.....

[gostangs]

If you cant see a marked increase in talent in the four freshman that are getting playing time - compared to recent yrs - you dont really know basktball. Papa might be the best player to come through here in several decades. Malone has a great shot which he is learning to choose better - Walker is a hustler - although not the point guard of the future - and Harp will be a good 6th man 2 guard once they get this thing rolling.

[papawasamustang]

Papa - best player in the last 2 decades? (who knows)
Malone- great shot? (37% from the floor does not equal great) 58% FT
Walker-hustler? (that's what we called someone who had no game)
Harp- good 6th man.-(backhanded compliment meaning not good enough to start)

I know bad basketball when I see it.
I hope things improve quickly.
I'm tired of losing.

[angryfan04]

I'm tired of the hype such as "best player in decades" - malone jacking up shots from all over the floor doesn't mean he has a great shot - maybe great at putting up shots - but he has to make em....again "great shot" = hype.....a good 6th man? how about finding 5 solid players before we start hyping the 6th man......we need less hype and more Ws

[Treadway21]

Doh's enthusiasm and the increased profile of the team is part of the package and we should all be happy about that. Doherty has a plan which is also something SMU basketball has needed, and its not a 1 year plan. The players are improving and will continue to improve. He really has had only one full recruiting class. Doherty also works overtime and so there is no question in my mind the direction of the SMU basketball is right on track. Could it have been faster possibly, but it is still going in the right direction.

Stobor and papa, why don't you call for Doherty to be fired if you don't think he is up to the task. Who do you suggest take over? Who do you see changing 5 years of bad basketball overnight? When you do come up with a name call Orsini and let him know.