Who's to blame for basketball issues?

[BeastofBourbon]

I understand ultimately everything falls on the coach, but is it more effort/attitude on the players part or Oats coaching? I'm thinking it's a little of both. No excuse for guys that played significant minutes last year like Q and Shack to be struggling as much as they are this year and showing no improvement, or in Q's case significantly regressing.

I'm also beginning to wonder is Oats that good of a coach, or have the other coaches in the conference figured him out. The most troubling thing for me is he doesn't seem to make any adjustments relative to his roster, or how his team is performing. We're 294th in the country in 3 PT%, which indicates we've stunk the entire season and this is not just a slump. We are who we are, and that's a very bad 3 point shooting team, yet we still force up 30 plus 3's per game. We're not a very good defensive team, which means we don't get many fast break opportunities to fuel our offense, so we're relegated to a lot of half court offense during the game. I've seen no creativity or adjustment in our half court offense, which best I can tell is one guy dribbles at the top of the key while 4 guys don't move from the perimeter and watch said guy drive aimlessly to the basket which more often than not ends up in a turnover.

I'm not on the fire Oats train just yet, mostly because I keep telling myself that this guy is only 8 years removed from coaching high school basketball, and in many ways he's still learning on the job. Plus he's signed some recruits the likes we've not seen in a long time, if ever. But my gosh, I'd love to see some mid season adjustments other than continuously rotating $hitty starting lineups every night. I couldn't help but think we were doomed when I noticed Bediako and JD in the starting lineup last night. On the offensive side that's like playing 3 on 5.

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones. We knew his leadership and defensive intensity was going to be hard to replace, but I thought worse case it would be by committee with guys like Shack and Q helping to fill that role. Obviously nobody has filled that void to this point, and doesn't look like anybody will this season. Hope I'm wrong, and we can make a UCLA '21 type run to the tournament.

 

[OF3052]

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones.

I think John Petty and Alex Reese were also good leaders on the team last year.​

 

[jtr4dad]

I understand ultimately everything falls on the coach, but is it more effort/attitude on the players part or Oats coaching? I'm thinking it's a little of both. No excuse for guys that played significant minutes last year like Q and Shack to be struggling as much as they are this year and showing no improvement, or in Q's case significantly regressing.

I'm also beginning to wonder is Oats that good of a coach, or have the other coaches in the conference figured him out. The most troubling thing for me is he doesn't seem to make any adjustments relative to his roster, or how his team is performing. We're 294th in the country in 3 PT%, which indicates we've stunk the entire season and this is not just a slump. We are who we are, and that's a very bad 3 point shooting team, yet we still force up 30 plus 3's per game. We're not a very good defensive team, which means we don't get many fast break opportunities to fuel our offense, so we're relegated to a lot of half court offense during the game. I've seen no creativity or adjustment in our half court offense, which best I can tell is one guy dribbles at the top of the key while 4 guys don't move from the perimeter and watch said guy drive aimlessly to the basket which more often than not ends up in a turnover.

I'm not on the fire Oats train just yet, mostly because I keep telling myself that this guy is only 8 years removed from coaching high school basketball, and in many ways he's still learning on the job. Plus he's signed some recruits the likes we've not seen in a long time, if ever. But my gosh, I'd love to see some mid season adjustments other than continuously rotating $hitty starting lineups every night. I couldn't help but think we were doomed when I noticed Bediako and JD in the starting lineup last night. On the offensive side that's like playing 3 on 5.

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones. We knew his leadership and defensive intensity was going to be hard to replace, but I thought worse case it would be by committee with guys like Shack and Q helping to fill that role. Obviously nobody has filled that void to this point, and doesn't look like anybody will this season. Hope I'm wrong, and we can make a UCLA '21 type run to the tournament.

I agree with most everything you just said. Jones, Petty, and Reese were the heart and soul of last year's team.
One minor correction, though. We're 301st is 3 point shooting. As you pointed out, that's not an indication of a slump 20 games into a season. That's evidence that we're simply one of the worst shooting teams in the country.

 

[OF3052]

I agree with most everything you just said. Jones, Petty, and Reese were the heart and soul of last year's team.
One minor correction, though. We're 301st is 3 point shooting. As you pointed out, that's not an indication of a slump 20 games into a season. That's evidence that we're simply one of the worst shooting teams in the country.

What was the drill that was getting all of the publicity last year? Five minutes on the clock and the team had to hit 100 three balls? Makes me imagine how many minutes it takes for this year's team to hit 100!!!!!! ))))

One of the worst shooting Bama teams that I can remember in my lifetime. I started following Tide hoops closely when Anthony Murray was on the point.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

I understand ultimately everything falls on the coach, but is it more effort/attitude on the players part or Oats coaching? I'm thinking it's a little of both. No excuse for guys that played significant minutes last year like Q and Shack to be struggling as much as they are this year and showing no improvement, or in Q's case significantly regressing.

I'm also beginning to wonder is Oats that good of a coach, or have the other coaches in the conference figured him out. The most troubling thing for me is he doesn't seem to make any adjustments relative to his roster, or how his team is performing. We're 294th in the country in 3 PT%, which indicates we've stunk the entire season and this is not just a slump. We are who we are, and that's a very bad 3 point shooting team, yet we still force up 30 plus 3's per game. We're not a very good defensive team, which means we don't get many fast break opportunities to fuel our offense, so we're relegated to a lot of half court offense during the game. I've seen no creativity or adjustment in our half court offense, which best I can tell is one guy dribbles at the top of the key while 4 guys don't move from the perimeter and watch said guy drive aimlessly to the basket which more often than not ends up in a turnover.

I'm not on the fire Oats train just yet, mostly because I keep telling myself that this guy is only 8 years removed from coaching high school basketball, and in many ways he's still learning on the job. Plus he's signed some recruits the likes we've not seen in a long time, if ever. But my gosh, I'd love to see some mid season adjustments other than continuously rotating $hitty starting lineups every night. I couldn't help but think we were doomed when I noticed Bediako and JD in the starting lineup last night. On the offensive side that's like playing 3 on 5.

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones. We knew his leadership and defensive intensity was going to be hard to replace, but I thought worse case it would be by committee with guys like Shack and Q helping to fill that role. Obviously nobody has filled that void to this point, and doesn't look like anybody will this season. Hope I'm wrong, and we can make a UCLA '21 type run to the tournament.

You seemed to sum it up perfectly honestly. There is plenty of blame to go around and it must be shared between the players and coaching staff.

 

[jtr4dad]

What was the drill that was getting all of the publicity last year? Five minutes on the clock and the team had to hit 100 three balls? Makes me imagine how many minutes it takes for this year's team to hit 100!!!!!! ))))

One of the worst shooting Bama teams that I can remember in my lifetime. I started following Tide hoops closely when Anthony Murray was on the point.

Maybe that's why the team appears to be tired and sluggish at times. They're having to practice an extra hour every day because that's how long it takes them to make 100 three pointers.

 

[onebamamaniax]

All on the players! Oats has went as far as playing a walk on to motivate the starters and they still look lost and not confident. Last years team would've ran through a brick wall for oats and each other. These players just seem to not care if they lose. We all know oats hasn't changed philosophies since last year, so that leads me to believe the players aren't going all out the whole game like last year. The only person that looks confident in his shot is shack.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

All on the players! Oats has went as far as playing a walk on to motivate the starters and they still look lost and not confident. Last years team would've ran through a brick wall for oats and each other. These players just seem to not care if they lose. We all know oats hasn't changed philosophies since last year, so that leads me to believe the players aren't going all out the whole game like last year. The only person that looks confident in his shot is shack.

That's complete bullshit IMO. This is finally Oats' team with all players being those that he brought in, which is what most here couldn't wait for. Getting them to play is on the HC.

Him not at least adjusting his philosophy to fit his current roster is part of the problem.

 

[pwestbro61]

Shack and Gary were originally Avery’s recruits.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Shack and Gary were originally Avery’s recruits.

Both of whom he was happy to have coming in because he would have never been able to sign anyone better at the time. Should have found a way to keep Forbes instead of running him off...

 

[onebamamaniax]

And in 2019, oats had to grab what players he could as there was no transfer portal to immediately play.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

And in 2019, oats had to grab what players he could as there was no transfer portal to immediately play.

What are you talking about? shack, Gary, and Forbes were all top 100 players signed, sealed, and delivered by Avery before Oats was even being thought about as HC for Alabama. He only brought in Rojas who was his top recruit he had coming to Buffalo before he took the Bama job.

 

[BeastofBourbon]

All on the players! Oats has went as far as playing a walk on to motivate the starters and they still look lost and not confident. Last years team would've ran through a brick wall for oats and each other. These players just seem to not care if they lose. We all know oats hasn't changed philosophies since last year, so that leads me to believe the players aren't going all out the whole game like last year. The only person that looks confident in his shot is shack.

I'll give you that majority of it may be on the players, but Oats has to take some of the blame. Whether it be x's and o's, or not getting these guys to buy in, it has to fall on him. At this point I'd gain more respect for him by starting the game with the bottom of the roster, if for nothing else to at least send a message. Who knows? Maybe one of those guys steps up. Let's be honest, the group that plays hasn't been setting a high bar to beat right now.

 

[frazor]

What are you talking about? shack, Gary, and Forbes were all top 100 players signed, sealed, and delivered by Avery before Oats was even being thought about as HC for Alabama. He only brought in Rojas who was his top recruit he had coming to Buffalo before he took the Bama job.

Can we at least agree that no coach who is bringing in a new philosophy should be judged too harshly for his first couple of classes? I admit that I don't fully understand the current state of college basketball so I don't know if coaches want guys like Tchikou and Bediako to stay and develop or replace them with the Gurleys and the Pringles of the world (AU currently has 3 transfer starters). My hope is that we see more top 100 signees, fewer one-and-dones, and better evaluations on transfers. Either Oats really sucks at evaluating transfers or he's taking the best that he can get as bandaids.
To your point about the offense what would you suggest the team do? Abandon the current philosophy that appears to be driven by guard penetration for a reduced pace heavy screen style?

 

[Sweetlou2.0]

I understand ultimately everything falls on the coach, but is it more effort/attitude on the players part or Oats coaching? I'm thinking it's a little of both. No excuse for guys that played significant minutes last year like Q and Shack to be struggling as much as they are this year and showing no improvement, or in Q's case significantly regressing.

I'm also beginning to wonder is Oats that good of a coach, or have the other coaches in the conference figured him out. The most troubling thing for me is he doesn't seem to make any adjustments relative to his roster, or how his team is performing. We're 294th in the country in 3 PT%, which indicates we've stunk the entire season and this is not just a slump. We are who we are, and that's a very bad 3 point shooting team, yet we still force up 30 plus 3's per game. We're not a very good defensive team, which means we don't get many fast break opportunities to fuel our offense, so we're relegated to a lot of half court offense during the game. I've seen no creativity or adjustment in our half court offense, which best I can tell is one guy dribbles at the top of the key while 4 guys don't move from the perimeter and watch said guy drive aimlessly to the basket which more often than not ends up in a turnover.

I'm not on the fire Oats train just yet, mostly because I keep telling myself that this guy is only 8 years removed from coaching high school basketball, and in many ways he's still learning on the job. Plus he's signed some recruits the likes we've not seen in a long time, if ever. But my gosh, I'd love to see some mid season adjustments other than continuously rotating $hitty starting lineups every night. I couldn't help but think we were doomed when I noticed Bediako and JD in the starting lineup last night. On the offensive side that's like playing 3 on 5.

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones. We knew his leadership and defensive intensity was going to be hard to replace, but I thought worse case it would be by committee with guys like Shack and Q helping to fill that role. Obviously nobody has filled that void to this point, and doesn't look like anybody will this season. Hope I'm wrong, and we can make a UCLA '21 type run to the tournament.

The fact that a “fire Oats train” even exists… or would even be close to existing is truly remarkable.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

Can we at least agree that no coach who is bringing in a new philosophy should be judged too harshly for his first couple of classes? I admit that I don't fully understand the current state of college basketball so I don't know if coaches want guys like Tchikou and Bediako to stay and develop or replace them with the Gurleys and the Pringles of the world (AU currently has 3 transfer starters). My hope is that we see more top 100 signees, fewer one-and-dones, and better evaluations on transfers. Either Oats really sucks at evaluating transfers or he's taking the best that he can get as bandaids.
To your point about the offense what would you suggest the team do? Abandon the current philosophy that appears to be driven by guard penetration for a reduced pace heavy screen style?

I'm not judging him harshly on his recruiting classes, I'm judging him harshly on his development of those players to some degree and his lack of understanding how to get the best out of them to a much larger degree. Tchikou and Bediako were both top 100 players that he beat some of the best basketball schools in the country for, that's good recruiting.

As for his coaching philosophy, you can't be so married to a system that you you are unable to do what is best for your players and team. Bruce Pearl likes to get up and down the floor fast, shoot 3s at a high rate as well. He has two big men who are talented on his team and he finds ways to get the ball where they can be successful, that's good coaching. he's not completely married to the system of run and gun so much that he render his big center useless on the floor.

I don't know why some posters think because I want to see less bricks thrown up from the outside that I want to go in the complete opposite direction and slow the ball down. Hell I thought for sure that with Bama playing fast and shooting so many 3s that it would open it up for more off the ball screens, backdoor cutting, and mid range opportunities. but Oats wants no part of any of that it seems...

 

[StablerCountry]

Herb, Petty, Reese was another team. Has nothing to do with this team. This team is grossly under preforming in all areas. Last year's team was famous for that one more pass in a possession to find the open man that could finish the play with a shot. This team plays a lot of one on one basketball possession and does not finish. Three point shooting is bad, Free throw shooting is average at best, defense does not exist most games. This Bama team will give up 20 more points to a team over their average. Rebounding is bad in many games. Ball handling is sloppy. This team sometimes plays neighborhood pick up basketball. No true leader and they do not play as a team. Something is missing between the players besides chemistry.
its on the players to have a drive to play at their potential. These guys most nights are at only about 65 to 70% of what they are capable of on paper anyway.

Primo is the key 3 point plug missing in this design. Maybe that was the factor that kept this team from coming together.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

It’s on players and coach. 50/50. This is a veteran team that won’t commit to play with consistent effort. Oats definitely hasn’t adjusted either. I think he believes they can get back to that early December form and doesn’t want to “get away from what we do” over a shooting slump(its more than a slump now).

regardless, it always ultimately falls on the coach when his team doesn’t perform. I just don’t think this team has made coaches job very easy on him

 

[frazor]

He has two big men who are talented on his team and he finds ways to get the ball where they can be successful, that's good coaching.

I get your point but in all fairness you and I would look like John Wooden if we had Smith and Kessler. But let's say Oats wants to shake things up a bit to help Bediako, Gary, Ambrose, and Gurley shine offensively. Now what? You liking any of those guys 8 feet out with their backs to the basket or taking set shots from 15 feet? Or do you think with enough mvmt and motion he could be getting those guys more layups and dunks??

 

[BeastofBourbon]

I get your point but in all fairness you and I would look like John Wooden if we had Smith and Kessler. But let's say Oats wants to shake things up a bit to help Bediako, Gary, Ambrose, and Gurley shine offensively. Now what? You liking any of those guys 8 feet out with their backs to the basket or taking set shots from 15 feet? Or do you think with enough mvmt and motion he could be getting those guys more layups and dunks??

I think your last sentence nailed it, because right now I don't see any movement in the half court other than the guy with the ball and the occasional pick and roll.

In one of our recent post game press conferences I heard Oats mention we were something like 2 for 20 on uncontested 3's. This struck me for 2 reasons. 1. It reiterated how horrible a shooting team we are, and 2. That teams would give us the opportunity to shoot 20 wide open 3's.

This is why I've said coaches have figured Oats out. They're saying you aren't a good shooting team, so we'll give you the 3 point shot and take away the only other thing you do which is drive to the basket. And seeing as the mid range jumper isn't even allowed in his offense they don't even have to account for that.

 

[Mox0570]

I understand ultimately everything falls on the coach, but is it more effort/attitude on the players part or Oats coaching? I'm thinking it's a little of both. No excuse for guys that played significant minutes last year like Q and Shack to be struggling as much as they are this year and showing no improvement, or in Q's case significantly regressing.

I'm also beginning to wonder is Oats that good of a coach, or have the other coaches in the conference figured him out. The most troubling thing for me is he doesn't seem to make any adjustments relative to his roster, or how his team is performing. We're 294th in the country in 3 PT%, which indicates we've stunk the entire season and this is not just a slump. We are who we are, and that's a very bad 3 point shooting team, yet we still force up 30 plus 3's per game. We're not a very good defensive team, which means we don't get many fast break opportunities to fuel our offense, so we're relegated to a lot of half court offense during the game. I've seen no creativity or adjustment in our half court offense, which best I can tell is one guy dribbles at the top of the key while 4 guys don't move from the perimeter and watch said guy drive aimlessly to the basket which more often than not ends up in a turnover.

I'm not on the fire Oats train just yet, mostly because I keep telling myself that this guy is only 8 years removed from coaching high school basketball, and in many ways he's still learning on the job. Plus he's signed some recruits the likes we've not seen in a long time, if ever. But my gosh, I'd love to see some mid season adjustments other than continuously rotating $hitty starting lineups every night. I couldn't help but think we were doomed when I noticed Bediako and JD in the starting lineup last night. On the offensive side that's like playing 3 on 5.

IMO the single biggest factor contributing to the downward spiral is the loss of Herb Jones. We knew his leadership and defensive intensity was going to be hard to replace, but I thought worse case it would be by committee with guys like Shack and Q helping to fill that role. Obviously nobody has filled that void to this point, and doesn't look like anybody will this season. Hope I'm wrong, and we can make a UCLA '21 type run to the tournament.

Great analysis. Prolly one of the best. I couldn’t say it better myself without throwing in and bunch for cus words and with far more anger. But you’re right. We are what we are.

 

[frazor]

I think your last sentence nailed it, because right now I don't see any movement in the half court other than the guy with the ball and the occasional pick and roll.

In one of our recent post game press conferences I heard Oats mention we were something like 2 for 20 on uncontested 3's. This struck me for 2 reasons. 1. It reiterated how horrible a shooting team we are, and 2. That teams would give us the opportunity to shoot 20 wide open 3's.

This is why I've said coaches have figured Oats out. They're saying you aren't a good shooting team, so we'll give you the 3 point shot and take away the only other thing you do which is drive to the basket. And seeing as the mid range jumper isn't even allowed in his offense they don't even have to account for that.

I've said all year long that as an opposing coach I would let Gary and Gurley shoot every 3 that they wanted. However, I don't think any coach would like the idea of giving up 20 uncontested 3's to anybody's backcourt, but yes it is now looking like your M.O. should be "do not let them score at the rim." Is that on Oats though? Bama is 294th in 3-point % but 15th in the nation in scoring. 10th in the nation at free throw attempts and 180th at free throw %. The Oats' way works. The problem is his short guards can't finish at the rim and his wide open shooters can't hit threes.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

Another thing I wonder about…. Was this non con schedule too much? That Houston game seemed to take every ounce of legs this team had and I’m not sure we have found them since. Some of the shooting woes could be dead legs. I know this wasn’t a light it up from 3 team even early on but there’s a massive difference between 34% and 25%. 2nd half shooting has been awful.

imo, go play a thanksgiving tournament. Play 1 “big time” game away from home bc it is good experience, maybe 2 mid major top 50 type opponent on the home schedule, the let’s play some scrubs other than that. And I mean legit scrubs. Build toward the conference season. We scheduled as if we were a mid major that needed the SOS for a chance at an at large. The non con season is about preparing for the sec grind. I don’t want 12 cupcakes but let’s not kill ourselves either.

 

[brown155]

I may be in the minority here, but I think one glaring issue is the underwhelming performance of JD Davidson. I have seen flashes of the player we expected, but as a 1 and done, he’s the most underwhelming version I can remember. He’s a first round mock draft guy TODAY! I see the talent… not the results.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

I may be in the minority here, but I think one glaring issue is the underwhelming performance of JD Davidson. I have seen flashes of the player we expected, but as a 1 and done, he’s the most underwhelming version I can remember. He’s a first round mock draft guy TODAY!

I have to agree. I’m not going to debate draft status. The athleticism is obviously off the charts but… we got a player as close to his floor as you will see from a one and done type athlete. I mean frankly I think he is as undeveloped as he could possibly be as an 18 year old with that athleticism. Sucks for us I suppose

And on the same note. Noah Gurley is just bad. I think if you hypnotized Oats into telling 100% truth he would tell you Gurley has been a major letdown based on what he thought he was getting. He basically makes a play a game that makes you say “ok I can see what we saw in him” and about 20 times a game you say “ok we can’t have him on the court”

 

[frazor]

I may be in the minority here, but I think one glaring issue is the underwhelming performance of JD Davidson. I have seen flashes of the player we expected, but as a 1 and done, he’s the most underwhelming version I can remember. He’s a first round mock draft guy TODAY! I see the talent… not the results.

Not to really bash on the guy but I havn't really seen too many flashes that makes me think he's even close to turning the corner. Now if Bama had 2-3 other pieces capable of generating offense on their own then I'd say he's a great piece, but as a PG he hasn't shown even a good ability to create for himself or others.

 

[frazor]

. He basically makes a play a game that makes you say “ok I can see what we saw in him” and about 20 times a game you say “ok we can’t have him on the court”

I thought the same thing against UGA when he backed a smaller guy down into the paint, made a few good moves and scored an easy 5 footer. Came back two plays later and as he backed his man down he stuck his forearm through the guys chest and an offensive foul was called. SMH.

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

I thought the same thing against UGA when he backed a smaller guy down into the paint, made a few good moves and scored an easy 5 footer. Came back two plays later and as he backed his man down he stuck his forearm through the guys chest and an offensive foul was called. SMH.

His defense was so bad against UGA

 

[TideFever]

IMO Oats has a few things going against him right now.

Probably the biggest is this is his first season on a stage this big with players that maybe aren't all about the team winning and getting to the postseason. So he's had a lot of variables that aren't adding up to the team that could be that we've seen in all of maybe 4 or 5 games all season.

In HS he had a system and kids came to him wanting to play in that system. At Buffalo he inherited a solid program and then had a good run of kids ready to play ball. He mostly had the same here last season.

But now he's got a mix of kids that don't seem to be blending into a unit. A few either left and came back or had one leg out the door last summer. A few others just got here with a lot of fanfare but have stumbled making that big step up in competition. And a few that want to play and win but don't really fit the system at all.


Oats has also had some bad luck with kids getting hurt. Even guys like Miles who got in the doghouse but learned and started playing well only to hurt a wrist and knee. Gary has been out about as much as not. Rojas has helped but we needed him all season.

His class coming in next season will allow him to sort of reset things I think. If he can keep them all interested in coming. He might pull a kid or two out of the portal as well. We likely have a very very different looking team next season.

 

[BigET84]

We’re also not disciplined and this team lacks confidence. Oats won last year with mostly Avery’s recruits. Could we also benefit from some better assistant coaches in certain places…. I think so.

 

[majorwood482]

Oats cant force effort. He can yell and scream and put in walk ons all he wants but that cant make a guy give effort for 40 minutes. Nobody has stepped up to be a leader. Herb and Petty held the guys to a standard because they wanted to win for Alabama not just to get to the league. Weve got too many guys passing time to draft day. Q has taken a step back. Cant run the half court offense, and when we get in tough games might as well get ready for Q and a ball screen at the top of the key. And missing Herb and Petty on defense has exposes Shack on D. Bediako needs to hit the weights hard this off season and he can still be a big time player. JD needs to calm the f down and play within himself, play his game dont force because Shack n Q struggle. I think Ellis needs to step up and be a leader. Hes the guy that can do it by example because him and Gary are the only ones that go hard every minute they get.

Im not giving up on these guys tho. If we start hitting open shots we are a top ten team. Baylor will tell a lot. Cuz if they dont find some guts we gonna get ran out of our own gym...

 

[frazor]

IMO Oats has a few things going against him right now.

Probably the biggest is this is his first season on a stage this big with players that maybe aren't all about the team winning and getting to the postseason. So he's had a lot of variables that aren't adding up to the team that could be that we've seen in all of maybe 4 or 5 games all season.

In HS he had a system and kids came to him wanting to play in that system. At Buffalo he inherited a solid program and then had a good run of kids ready to play ball. He mostly had the same here last season.

But now he's got a mix of kids that don't seem to be blending into a unit. A few either left and came back or had one leg out the door last summer. A few others just got here with a lot of fanfare but have stumbled making that big step up in competition. And a few that want to play and win but don't really fit the system at all.


Oats has also had some bad luck with kids getting hurt. Even guys like Miles who got in the doghouse but learned and started playing well only to hurt a wrist and knee. Gary has been out about as much as not. Rojas has helped but we needed him all season.

His class coming in next season will allow him to sort of reset things I think. If he can keep them all interested in coming. He might pull a kid or two out of the portal as well. We likely have a very very different looking team next season.

Plus he is also trying to get things going when every single kid on the roster is a one-and-done. Kids either want to explore their professional value or want a change in scenery. As great as this incoming class is it sucks to think that probably 60% of them won't be in t-town after 2 seasons.

 

[vegas man]

We can't run the dribble drive and kick offense?
We can't shoot from long range
We don't make good decisions with the ball
We don't hustle on defense
We aren't tough (Tired of all the laying on the court. Feels like I'm watching a soccer game)
We can't shoot free throws
We can't rebound

We don't do anything we'll. How can this be? Seriously, how can this be? Way too much talent and experience to play like this. Oh, and I don't want to here about the slump and lack of confidence that every player except Shaq is going through. Really? You don't need confidence to hustle and play tough on defense. Unbelievable.

 

[BeastofBourbon]

Another thing I wonder about…. Was this non con schedule too much? That Houston game seemed to take every ounce of legs this team had and I’m not sure we have found them since. Some of the shooting woes could be dead legs. I know this wasn’t a light it up from 3 team even early on but there’s a massive difference between 34% and 25%. 2nd half shooting has been awful.

imo, go play a thanksgiving tournament. Play 1 “big time” game away from home bc it is good experience, maybe 2 mid major top 50 type opponent on the home schedule, the let’s play some scrubs other than that. And I mean legit scrubs. Build toward the conference season. We scheduled as if we were a mid major that needed the SOS for a chance at an at large. The non con season is about preparing for the sec grind. I don’t want 12 cupcakes but let’s not kill ourselves either.

You bring up a great point about the schedule, and not just from the physically grueling aspect of it. I wonder if after having so much success in the non-conference schedule, if these guys just sort of checked out mentally. Like hey we just beat Gonzaga, Houston, Miami, etc. so we're going to coast through our conference schedule. Just food for thought.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

I get your point but in all fairness you and I would look like John Wooden if we had Smith and Kessler. But let's say Oats wants to shake things up a bit to help Bediako, Gary, Ambrose, and Gurley shine offensively. Now what? You liking any of those guys 8 feet out with their backs to the basket or taking set shots from 15 feet? Or do you think with enough mvmt and motion he could be getting those guys more layups and dunks??

I think with enough movement and motion he should be able to slip those guys to the basket for some easy shots. When shots are not falling he has to have a couple go to plays to get something other than 3s. Even an open midrange where you pop one of those guys around the FT area for an open shot will be better than a contested 3 IMO.

Since one of the big topics yesterday was the baseball HoF, I will us this analogy. To me Oats is like a pitcher with a good fastball but nothing else. When that fastball is going he rarely needs to go to anything else, that is what makes him Major League pitcher. But it's the pitcher that can also throw an effective curve, sinker, or slider at you that becomes a HoF'er. Right now Oats only have a fastball and that fastball is missing the spot. He's still fairly new to this so I think he can and will get it, I always say you should give a coach 5 years IMO. But that isn't going to stop me from being critical of him while he is trying to figure it out...

 

[D Isaiah T Billings-Clyde7]

You bring up a great point about the schedule, and not just from the physically grueling aspect of it. I wonder if after having so much success in the non-conference schedule, if these guys just sort of checked out mentally. Like hey we just beat Gonzaga, Houston, Miami, etc. so we're going to coast through our conference schedule. Just food for thought.

It’s possible. I just think the focus of the non conference season for power conference teams should be building toward your conference season which is a major grind. If you are a mid major that wants a chance at an at large then yea you better give yourself a chance at big wins before conference play but we have plenty of big time games in conference to take care of our resume.

I would have played maybe

Cupcake
Cupcake
South Dakota State - solid mid major
Cupcake
Thanksgiving tournament, Iona, Drake, Miami. Solid competition
Gonzaga in Seattle. Great test away from home
Cupcake
Cupcake
Davidson/Colorado State/Memphis type game in Birmingham.
cupcake

when I say cupcake I’m talking miles college type games

 

[rsaxoniii]

We do not shoot good shots.
We do not run an offense well enough to get off clean looks.
Our defense is not good enough to get us running.
Oats is full of crap if he thinks we shot 20 uncontested shots.

 

[pfaud001]

I'm not judging him harshly on his recruiting classes, I'm judging him harshly on his development of those players to some degree and his lack of understanding how to get the best out of them to a much larger degree. Tchikou and Bediako were both top 100 players that he beat some of the best basketball schools in the country for, that's good recruiting.

As for his coaching philosophy, you can't be so married to a system that you you are unable to do what is best for your players and team. Bruce Pearl likes to get up and down the floor fast, shoot 3s at a high rate as well. He has two big men who are talented on his team and he finds ways to get the ball where they can be successful, that's good coaching. he's not completely married to the system of run and gun so much that he render his big center useless on the floor.

I don't know why some posters think because I want to see less bricks thrown up from the outside that I want to go in the complete opposite direction and slow the ball down. Hell I thought for sure that with Bama playing fast and shooting so many 3s that it would open it up for more off the ball screens, backdoor cutting, and mid range opportunities. but Oats wants no part of any of that it seems...

You definitely know your stuff Goat, but Bruce Pearl sucked for 4 years in total at Auburn. His first 3 were awful. Last year was an abomination. I like Pearl and I think he is a good coach, but let’s don’t act like he hasn’t struggled.

 

[G.O.A.T-23]

You definitely know your stuff Goat, but Bruce Pearl sucked for 4 years in total at Auburn. His first 3 were awful. Last year was an abomination. I like Pearl and I think he is a good coach, but let’s don’t act like he hasn’t struggled.

Pearl did have his struggles to begin with. It’s why I stand by saying you have to give a coach 5 years. But BP did take over a program in far worse shape than Alabama ever was in. Auburn historically is one of the worst programs in the SEC, Alabama is no worse than top 5.

I think Oats will be fine, if by year 5 he doesn’t have it locked in then it will be time to move on. Because unless BP leave little brother, they are going to raise the expectations for basketball in this state.

 

[pfaud001]

Pearl did have his struggles to begin with. It’s why I stand by saying you have to give a coach 5 years. But BP did take over a program in far worse shape than Alabama ever was in. Auburn historically is one of the worst programs in the SEC, Alabama is no worse than top 5.

I think Oats will be fine, if by year 5 he doesn’t have it locked in then it will be time to move on. Because unless BP leave little brother, they are going to raise the expectations for basketball in this state.

I want expectations high. I like that they are good. It makes us better.