Not saying I don't like Coach Ford...
by Robert Whetsell on Dec 21, 2011 11:29 PM CST
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Print...but I AM saying I don't like his coaching.
End of season results aside, look at how his teams play.
Offensive and defensive organization are non-existent. Previous teams with Eaton, Anderson, Moses, etc, featured players who got their feet wet under a troubled, but DISCIPLINE oriented coach, whose background and training was about doing the basic things REALLY REALLY well. Ford obviously benefited from that.
More after the jump...
So here are Fords 3 previous season records...
- 2008-2009...23-12 NCAA
- 2009-2010...22-11 NCAA
- 2010-2011...20-14 NIT
Not a drastic drop, but declining results none the less. He has now worked his way out of all but one player from prior coaches (Keiton Page), and should have some sophmores and juniors starting to run HIS show. He brought in at least one, if not two, of the most heralded freshmen in the history of the program for this season.
And what does he have to show for it? Complete disarray.
A 6-5 record with no wins over "name" programs (UTSA did make the NCAA tourney last season). A team that looks like nothing of the sort. Not a single "go to" player on the roster. A team supposedly built to run, but can't stop opponents in the halfcourt to create those opportunities. Players who lack sound fundamentals and discipline, as witnessed once again by horrible shot selection and silly to's when Alabama was giving them EVERY chance to be in that game tonight. No "money" shooters.
Find me one person who believes with all their heart that this team will finish better than 7th in the Big 12. Ask me, and I'll tell you that they are way more likely to finish 8th or worse...10th would not be a complete shock to me.
Ok, fine, Ford has a couple more high-powered recruits coming in for next season...so let him have another year. I'm not buying in. I will ALWAYS opt for a really good coach over really good players. Bring me someone like Brad Stevens at Butler...or how about a Sutton? Scott, to be exact. Bring me somebody who has proven that they can do a lot with a little. For me, basketball is WAY more dependent on the coach for success...only 5 players on the floor vs 11 in football...means the coach can have a MUCH greater influence on the game.
This is shaping up to be a REALLY long break between the Fiesta Bowl and the start of spring practice.
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And I would add this...
…as Kyle at Pistols Firing points out in his “10 Thoughts On Alabama,” the nature of the game seemed to improve for OSU when the full court press was implemented. I agree.
As a former coach, you should play to the strengths of your team, and in this case Ford has a team full of athletes with pretty competent open court skills. Why not create a chaotic, franetic pace that creates lots of open court opportunities, both offensively and defensively? Of course you will give up some easy baskets, but you will also get some, and you stand a pretty good chance of taking a good half court team out of their element. OSU has the depth.
The only problem is that, even with chaos and frenzy, there are rules of engagement that apply. This requires coaching, and players who can absorb that coaching.
So back to square one….
by Robert Whetsell on Dec 22, 2011 9:34 AM CST reply actions
AGREED!
Do we even attempt offensive rebounds? Or is our philosophy just to stand on the perimeter and watch LBN try to make something happen inside by himself against their entire team?
That being said, I will admit that at times last night, it appeared that our guys played a little more like a team than they did at MSG, when they looked like 5 guys that just happened to be on the court at the same time.
Still a very long way to go, though. I’m not convinced, but I am rooting for it to happen…..
And I will be the first one...
…to eat crow and praise Ford if he somehow manages to turn this around.
by Robert Whetsell on Dec 22, 2011 9:44 AM CST reply actions
John Paul Olukemi
is the worst player on this team! Ford needs to glue his ass to the seat on the end of the bench!
Great post.
I love Coach Ford off the court. He says all the right things, he has energy, and he really has made Stillwater his home.
But something has to change for his tenure at OSU to be a successful one. In my opinion, he needs to hire a really good X’s and O’s assistant and another really good Fundamentals assistant.
There’s nothing wrong with being the captain and delegating duties rather thanbtrying to do it all yourself. Ask Mike Gundy.
Cowboys Ride For Free
by Royal John on Dec 22, 2011 9:53 AM CST via mobile reply actions
It bothers me that the only
player on this team that continues to take the ball to the hoop is a true freshman. Many want to talk about his body language…please. He’s the only one on the team with balls.
I don’t blame Gulley for quitting. There’s something very wrong when Dowell is stealing minutes from him.
Agreed!
There are people that think the loss of Gulley is no big deal. BULLSHIT. It is tangible evidence of the problems with the program. You just don’t lose a guy like Gulley at this point in the season without there being huge problems. People will say that “Sutton had players leave too”. While that is true, I don’t think any of them left mid-season with so much potential. It’s not like he wasn’t playing or hadn’t delivered good minutes. Our basketball program is crumbling boys.
Oklahoma State on SB Nation
www.cowboysrideforfree.com
And now Dowell quits the team
What a disaster.
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