I agree that Cooley has done a good job there, even though (ironically) he lost a bunch of recruits to us early on. They have done a great job at filling holes with solid, under-the-radar players, when they miss out on the bigger fish.
With that said, the love being given to Cooley on this site and the others provides some important context for our current staff/season.
Cooley went 4-14 in the Big East his first year. Granted, the old Big East, but still they had a very down year. He was 1-9 on conference play to start, and went 3-5 in the latter part of the schedule (only Depaul had a worse record). Cooley had that record even though he inherited Vincent Council, an experienced upperclassmen and very solid Big East guard, who earned third-team All Big East that year. He ALSO inherited Bryce Cotton, who was a sophomore, and had a breakout year that season. So while he took over in March, like our coach, and had to fill out a roster (only 9 scholarship players), he had some very good pieces already in place. Cooley also snagged Henton, who had committed to Dayton but changed his mind after Brian Gregory left. Obviously a great job by Cooley and staff getting Henton on board at that stage.
Cooley's second year, 2012-2013, he won 19 games and went to the NIT, where they won a few games. The following year they beat us in the first round of the BE tourney, which was effectively a play-in game that those of us (like me) who attended will never forget, as Sampson missed a few chippies down the stretch after we made a crazy comeback and had a chance to win.
I'm noting the above to provide some context to our year and what this staff is facing, because I think we forget sometimes about the struggles other programs have had, and how it can take some time to get things going.
Mullin & Co. did not have the benefit of inheriting ANY player in the same ballpark as Council or Cotton. You put either of them on this year's team, and we are a much different (and better) squad, as either are better than the best guy we run out on a given night. And don't give me Jordan, because we know he wouldn't be eligible, nor Obekpa, because he was likely a goner as well.
I don't like giving passes, but the negative energy this year should be focused on the fake-tan Fox sports analyst for leaving us with a disastrous roster. As others have said, this year is about the young guys maturing, the staff maturing, and W's on the recruiting front.
It's a very good providence team that can actually compete in ncaa's. They have a lot of pieces and experience.
Cooley has done a terrific job there. I think we'd all be happy experiencing the success they have experienced since he got there and what they will experience this year. They have a real chance at being a top 4 seed and going to the sweet 16
It's a very good providence team that can actually compete in ncaa's. They have a lot of pieces and experience.
Cooley has done a terrific job there. I think we'd all be happy experiencing the success they have experienced since he got there and what they will experience this year. They have a real chance at being a top 4 seed and going to the sweet 16