Reasons For Optimism in the 2010-11 Season

lawrence frank doesnt have a job....despite his nba record i like what he does as a coach

plus hes been seen at a couple of stj games

I read something recently that said he won't coach college...sorry don't have a link

Pitt is another good example.  a team everyone thought we should beat this year,  they lost everyone, down year   etc....Goes to show you what a difference a great coach can make.  Dixon is a great coach IMO.
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I gotta tell ya, I had no doubt that both Syracuse and Pitt would be strong again because their coaches are guys that have a great eye for talent.

It's not just where you rank, but the recruiter's ability to evaluate talent. Quite a few people took issue with Boeheim for promising that no one in Syracuse would miss Harris, Devondorf and Flynn.

But he was dead on. He went from a Sweet Sixteen caliber team to a final four contender.

Pitt gets their share of stars these days but they also find sleepers too. Dixon has done a stellar job.

I am not giving up on this season.  True, we can not win on the road and Norm Sux but 9-9 is realistic and win or two based on where we are seeded in the BE tourny is attainable.   Granted teams play for now, but my concern is Norm could make the tourny this year and next but what happens after that?   Even if he brings in the #1 class in america(which we know we are not) we are going to only have a few jr's and roberts(soph).  He has showed he can not coach on this level with upper classman, what is he going to do w/ all young guys again.  We need an X's and O's coach that can keep us winning after these two years.  Our pg play is atrocious and we have no BB IQ, both on Norm.  The only way he should stay is if he brings in a TOP FLIGHT NY player for 2011 and fans have a reason to be optimistic.   

Even though Syracuse lost all those guys, Boheim has made Rautans and NBA player and it did not hurt they brought the kid in from Iowa St.  He could be one of the top players drafted in this years draft.

I live here in Albany and have been to several Siena games the past few years!!  Fran McCaffrey is the solution!!!!  Even if we make the NIT this year....that's not good enough in Year 6.  We can say thanks to Norm for making us respectable again, but he's got to go!!

Once the Seniors (next year) get over their initial disappointment of Norm gone, I think they will realize....Fran coming in is the best thing that happened to them!  Fran takes this team to the tourney next year!!!

Please Fire Norm, and Hire Coach Fran!!!

I am not giving up on this season.  True, we can not win on the road and Norm Sux but 9-9 is realistic and win or two based on where we are seeded in the BE tourny is attainable.   ....

I agree with your entire pot except this part.  I don't think it's very realistic at this point if you look at the schedule.  Very, very hard for me to find 7 games I think we'll win.  Possible, but I really don't think it's going to happen.

The reason why I think we can win 7 more games is because we are just as good as any team at Home w/ the exception of a few(Cuse and Nova) and can beat the bad ones on the road. We are NOT GOING THE WHOLE SEASON w/ no road wins.  However, here is who I have us beating.  I know paper means nothing(see Providence) but this team somehow always pulls a win out of their ass when they should not every year even when we stunk.  This year should not be an exception especially since we stay close in most games till the end. 

Louisville(H)
WVU(H) Here is our pull it out of our ass win.
Rutg(a)
SH(H)
SF(A)
Dep(A)
Mar(H)
Pitt(H)
I know alot will argue w/ my wins but after watching them play I know we can win these games. This gives us 10 wins in the conf.  Maybe I am reaching w/ one but that would still give us 9-9

I say we are a tournament team next year but I am praying for a miracle that the next incoming class is Strong.

One question, maybe someone can help me answer.  With the bigs in trouble for Uconn why did Brownle only play 11 min?  To me that is a disgrace.  He might take to many threes but why only 11 min?  That to me makes no sense.

One question, maybe someone can help me answer.  With the bigs in trouble for Uconn why did Brownle only play 11 min?  To me that is a disgrace.  He might take to many threes but why only 11 min?  That to me makes no sense.

With 10 minutes to go in the 2nd half...they showed the bench.  Brownlee had yet to get in and Norm turned to say something to someone.  Looked like Brownlee rolled his eyes!!  I definitely think brownlee was upset with PT last night!

I live here in Albany and have been to several Siena games the past few years!!  Fran McCaffrey is the solution!!!!  Even if we make the NIT this year....that's not good enough in Year 6.  We can say thanks to Norm for making us respectable again, but he's got to go!!

Once the Seniors (next year) get over their initial disappointment of Norm gone, I think they will realize....Fran coming in is the best thing that happened to them!  Fran takes this team to the tourney next year!!!

Please Fire Norm, and Hire Coach Fran!!!

McCaffrey is a pssy, complaining to MAAC officials about hard fouls against his guys. Besides,, Norm owned him

By the way, I'm telling you, Brownlee was lazy on defense.

Marco - you can't compare Siena to St. John's athlete-wise, honestly.  St. John's had a little more talent, and Norm had a good coaching day.  I know people want to say he's the worst coach EVAR but there are worse; he's just not good enough for this level.  McCaffery's been a solid program bui,der, and his players are ready to answer the call in March when it matters; both last year and this year, his teams have had a weak spot in the first two months, then they turn it on and slap around the MAAC.

These days, given equivalent talent, he dominates.  And his teams play smart.

By the way, I'm telling you, Brownlee was lazy on defense.

Marco - you can't compare Siena to St. John's athlete-wise, honestly.  St. John's had a little more talent, and Norm had a good coaching day.  I know people want to say he's the worst coach EVAR but there are worse; he's just not good enough for this level.  McCaffery's been a solid program bui,der, and his players are ready to answer the call in March when it matters; both last year and this year, his teams have had a weak spot in the first two months, then they turn it on and slap around the MAAC.

These days, given equivalent talent, he dominates.  And his teams play smart.

I think hes waiting for the Notre Dame job, but if theres a time to get him, its this year with the best recruiting class ever in the MAAC graduating

Quote from: upstate32 on January 21, 2010, 09:10:14 PM

I live here in Albany and have been to several Siena games the past few years!!  Fran McCaffrey is the solution!!!!  Even if we make the NIT this year....that's not good enough in Year 6.  We can say thanks to Norm for making us respectable again, but he's got to go!!

Once the Seniors (next year) get over their initial disappointment of Norm gone, I think they will realize....Fran coming in is the best thing that happened to them!  Fran takes this team to the tourney next year!!!

Please Fire Norm, and Hire Coach Fran!!!

McCaffrey is a pssy, complaining to MAAC officials about hard fouls against his guys. Besides,, Norm owned him

And Chris Wright is not a good basketball player, right?  You would not want a great coach that has won, recruited NY, and has the respect of coaches and players across the country for the simple reason that he cares about his players.

Norm owning him?  Norm is 2-4 in conference with two 15+ losses and more to come.  Conference teams are similar teams.  Fran is 8-0 against similar teams and Norm is 2-4.  Hmmmmm.

Norm finally learns how to teach the team how to play a full court press, how to trap, and the team starts to execute.

I can dream... can't I?

Norm owning him?  Norm is 2-4 in conference with two 15+ losses and more to come.  Conference teams are similar teams.  Fran is 8-0 against similar teams and Norm is 2-4.  Hmmmmm.

This is a little overboard. Saint John's is a lot more similar to Siena than Louisville. That's the problem. We're essentially a mid major program except we play in the BE.

Quote from: Marillac on January 22, 2010, 09:41:09 AM

Norm owning him?  Norm is 2-4 in conference with two 15+ losses and more to come.  Conference teams are similar teams.  Fran is 8-0 against similar teams and Norm is 2-4.  Hmmmmm.

This is a little overboard. Saint John's is a lot more similar to Siena than Louisville. That's the problem. We're essentially a mid major program except we play in the BE.

The only reason Siena is more similar to St. John's now is because of the fine job McAffrey has done recruiting, developing, and coaching his players and how bad of a job Norm has done with his.

If Fran leaves, I do not expect Siena to be much of a force beyond the MAAC--one of the worst conferences in the country.

Who's Kevin Kennedy?  And why would anyone be optimistic about Lavin or even worse, Doherty?!  Larranaga didn't even go for the Providence job...

The same Steve Lavin who was 145-78 at UCLA in his 7 years.
The same Steve Lavin who made the NCAA Tournament 6 times in 7 years there.
The same Steve Lavin who made 5 Sweet 16's in those 6 years.

Quote from: Foad on January 22, 2010, 10:57:46 AM

Quote from: Marillac on January 22, 2010, 09:41:09 AM

Norm owning him?  Norm is 2-4 in conference with two 15+ losses and more to come.  Conference teams are similar teams.  Fran is 8-0 against similar teams and Norm is 2-4.  Hmmmmm.

This is a little overboard. Saint John's is a lot more similar to Siena than Louisville. That's the problem. We're essentially a mid major program except we play in the BE.

The only reason Siena is more similar to St. John's now is because of the fine job McAffrey has done recruiting, developing, and coaching his players and how bad of a job Norm has done with his.

Disagree. It was the Jarvae, actually a pretty good mid major coach, who turned SJU into a pretty good mid major program. Norm just inherited it. And did nothing to fix it, obviously, if it's in fact fixable.

If Fran leaves, I do not expect Siena to be much of a force beyond the MAAC--one of the worst conferences in the country.

Maybe. Siena's been good for 25 years and has had a string of mostly good coaches going back to Mike Deane. They take it seriously and their track record suggests they'll make another good hire.

Quote from: Marillac on January 22, 2010, 12:10:24 PM

Quote from: Foad on January 22, 2010, 10:57:46 AM

Quote from: Marillac on January 22, 2010, 09:41:09 AM

Norm owning him?  Norm is 2-4 in conference with two 15+ losses and more to come.  Conference teams are similar teams.  Fran is 8-0 against similar teams and Norm is 2-4.  Hmmmmm.

This is a little overboard. Saint John's is a lot more similar to Siena than Louisville. That's the problem. We're essentially a mid major program except we play in the BE.

The only reason Siena is more similar to St. John's now is because of the fine job McAffrey has done recruiting, developing, and coaching his players and how bad of a job Norm has done with his.

Disagree. It was the Jarvae, actually a pretty good mid major coach, who turned SJU into a pretty good mid major program. Norm just inherited it. And did nothing to fix it, obviously, if it's in fact fixable.

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If Fran leaves, I do not expect Siena to be much of a force beyond the MAAC--one of the worst conferences in the country.

Maybe. Siena's been good for 25 years and has had a string of mostly good coaches going back to Mike Deane. They take it seriously and their track record suggests they'll make another good hire.

I'd take Deane as SJU's next coach! He coaches Wagner College now. I sat one table over from him in a restaurant a couple weeks ago. He put away a lot of wine and looks exactly like the eagle from the muppets show. In fact forget McKillop, I am officially on the Mike Deane in 2010/11 bandwagon!