Some, esp. Rod, I think, thought he was the reason for my absence. That's not so. I had a rebuttal for him, but that's moot now, and I'm certainly not going to go there with his passing.
Mostly.............I just had a GIGANTIC project that required MASSIVE amounts of my time for many months - like half a year. Now I have another one to deal with, but not quite so big as the one just past; or at least I don't think so. Also............as I posted a year or so ago, I really lost a lot of my spirit for ETSU with the events of Noland caving, and the way Corley (who in retrospect we 'dropped' to get 1.3 years out of Adheke), Curtis, Bernard, and who knows how many others, were treated by Forbes and shay. I've been a loyal ETSU fan since before many of you were born, and there are other facets of my relationship with the university that I've only hinted at in the past. I still support the ETSU athletic teams, but I'm *really* uncomfortable after learning more about how the sausage is made. The shay pay-off, without explanation, absolutely sticks in my craw big-time. And there's more that some of us know that I won't go into. Too much money, money, money involved, and too many folks doing things for that reason instead of just supporting the institution.

I didn't feel it appropriate to make some big "coming back" post, but I guess this will serve that purpose. I don't anticipate trying to micro-analyze each and every game and player, altho in this thread there's been some temptations. And which is not to say I won't weigh in on such things. I'm not sure how that will all play out, however. It will evolve to its own level, I guess. I may make some sort of post just with bullet points or something. I will repeat that this team is better than last year's, but that won't necessarily translate into more wins. At the moment we are further away from playing to our potential than at this point last year - altho that's a very close call. We miss Mohab Yasser lots. Of course we miss Sloan, Brewers, too - etc., etc., etc. As of now, we just don't have any Brewer, for example, who can win us 4-5 games at the end. No Pigram or Boyd or Guyn or Man-Man or Tisdale or Riley or Cromer, either - at least YET. The opportunity is still very much there for somebody to grow into that role.

Thanks for welcoming me back - in whatever way(s) you wish (LOL). I'll probably rock the boat sometimes, but that's ok, too. Not gonna be afraid to say stuff when it needs to be said - as if that was ever true.

(12-16-2022 09:24 AM)GoBucsGo Wrote:  I get that Jancek had an ankle injury, but he said he's practicing. If he's practicing, play him.

Finally, I think I might play just about the whole damn bench. Find out who can get the job done with the lights on. This is probably too radical, but change something. Doing the same thing is getting you beat.

Oliver *was* planning on playing Jancek in this game, but during the layup line pre-game, he apparently either tweaked it a tad, or realized he just couldn't go.

You know, earlier, he played Ilic, Shaw, Gregory, and even Hairston a fair amount - gave them a good chance. Hairston had an injury (and he's likely not going to be a weapon, anyway, for now), and I'm not sure if he's 100% or not. But we will continue to see Gregory. Hard to say on the others. We really need Tipler to keep abiding by team rules (worried a bit about that), Strothers to get more confident on his shooting (as I've already pointed out), and King to get his stroke back (and really, the stroke itself doesn't look off) (and yeah, everybody knows that). Agree with the standard consensus about Smith. He could be our knight in shining armor if he can round off the edges a bit more. Such a pretty form, and does a lot of the intangibles, too. And, like someone already said, altho King is hurting us more than helping us right now offensively, he is probably our best defender on the ball at the moment. Remember, even Pigram has a couple of *bad* slumps.

Here’s the other thing to consider. Last year, my guess is Oliver was just trying to survive. Maybe keeping the Brewers was the right move, maybe not. But either way, he had a LOT to recover from after the deal with Shay.

Now, he’s got a team who has been on the cusp of winning a lot of games already this year. And every one of the guys on this team could be back next year. Many of them have 2+ years of eligibility, besides King who only has 1 more year. You throw a legit PG in the mix from the transfer portal, and this is potentially a championship team next year. I think they can still do well this year, but they may be really good next year.

(12-17-2022 12:31 PM)Efan Wrote:  Here’s the other thing to consider. Last year, my guess is Oliver was just trying to survive. Maybe keeping the Brewers was the right move, maybe not. But either way, he had a LOT to recover from after the deal with Shay.

Now, he’s got a team who has been on the cusp of winning a lot of games already this year. And every one of the guys on this team could be back next year. Many of them have 2+ years of eligibility, besides King who only has 1 more year. You throw a legit PG in the mix from the transfer portal, and this is potentially a championship team next year. I think they can still do well this year, but they may be really good next year.

IF they don’t hit the Transfer Portal!

Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

(12-17-2022 01:56 PM)shampoo Wrote:  Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

Not to get too far in the weeds but this kind of thing is exactly what is killing/will kill mid major sports. It’s just not worth the emotional investment of following a team or player only to have them transfer at will. It’s exciting to see a talent like Haynes play for us but also a bummer knowing that under this current system he’s basically doing a stint in AAA waiting for a call up to the bigs next year.

(12-17-2022 04:02 PM)MTBuc Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 01:56 PM)shampoo Wrote:  Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

Not to get too far in the weeds but this kind of thing is exactly what is killing/will kill mid major sports. It’s just not worth the emotional investment of following a team or player only to have them transfer at will. It’s exciting to see a talent like Haynes play for us but also a bummer knowing that under this current system he’s basically doing a stint in AAA waiting for a call up to the bigs next year.

Am I missing something? Jalen used his one "free" transfer to go from VPI to ETSU, right? If he transfers again, he has to sit out a year, doesn't he? There's a lot about transferring I don't get.

(12-18-2022 06:42 AM)frankenheimer Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 04:02 PM)MTBuc Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 01:56 PM)shampoo Wrote:  Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

Not to get too far in the weeds but this kind of thing is exactly what is killing/will kill mid major sports. It’s just not worth the emotional investment of following a team or player only to have them transfer at will. It’s exciting to see a talent like Haynes play for us but also a bummer knowing that under this current system he’s basically doing a stint in AAA waiting for a call up to the bigs next year.

Am I missing something? Jalen used his one "free" transfer to go from VPI to ETSU, right? If he transfers again, he has to sit out a year, doesn't he? There's a lot about transferring I don't get.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ple-times/

(12-18-2022 07:45 AM)MTBuc Wrote:  

(12-18-2022 06:42 AM)frankenheimer Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 04:02 PM)MTBuc Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 01:56 PM)shampoo Wrote:  Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

Not to get too far in the weeds but this kind of thing is exactly what is killing/will kill mid major sports. It’s just not worth the emotional investment of following a team or player only to have them transfer at will. It’s exciting to see a talent like Haynes play for us but also a bummer knowing that under this current system he’s basically doing a stint in AAA waiting for a call up to the bigs next year.

Am I missing something? Jalen used his one "free" transfer to go from VPI to ETSU, right? If he transfers again, he has to sit out a year, doesn't he? There's a lot about transferring I don't get.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footba...ple-times/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/golf/nc...r-AA11kzpf

This article is dated September 1st and indicates the proposal for multiple transfers referenced in the CBS Sports article was rejected. I didn't see any later articles showing that the multiple transfer rule was later accepted.

For me, this only reinforces a reason to remain guarded on how we accept players and coaches who really have no vested interest in the area and program. Individuals who only come to showcase displeasure with perceived social inequities using the platform for ostentatious displays then bolt to other schools because it serves their self-interest speaks volumes to me. I get tired of supporting that type of individual. With that said, stick around, put your money where your mouth is, get out into the community and become a part of our area. Do that and you'll be surprised at the willingness of local folks to reach out. It used to be exciting to know the team returning which helping season ticket sales, but now, even before conference play begins, we're pointing out players and saying, ''he's having a good year so most likely he'll be transferring out after this season.''

(12-17-2022 04:02 PM)MTBuc Wrote:  

(12-17-2022 01:56 PM)shampoo Wrote:  Haynes will transfer back up next season. I worry Smith and/or Taylor, too. Coach has to put some wins together and instill a sense of commitment amongst teammates.

Not to get too far in the weeds but this kind of thing is exactly what is killing/will kill mid major sports. It’s just not worth the emotional investment of following a team or player only to have them transfer at will. It’s exciting to see a talent like Haynes play for us but also a bummer knowing that under this current system he’s basically doing a stint in AAA waiting for a call up to the bigs next year.

Until the system evolves back to where mid majors can sign and develop and keep talented players it might be best for the coaches to just sign senior/grad transfers and win with them. At least we will know that they are experienced and have to talent to win and they will at least be around for that year.

(12-17-2022 12:31 PM)Efan Wrote:  Here’s the other thing to consider. Last year, my guess is Oliver was just trying to survive. Maybe keeping the Brewers was the right move, maybe not. But either way, he had a LOT to recover from after the deal with Shay.

He has more or less said as much back a couple weeks ago, without using the word "survive". He specifically said that he was still learning to be a head coach, but was making progress in that quest (paraphrasing just a bit). He elaborated a tad more, but I don't remember the totality.

As to Haynes.............yes, of course he could leave - and he may be warranted in doing so; I don't know. He's one of those who's maybe a 'tweener', talent-wise. I could see him being a valuable reserve for a top 50 program, but not a 'star' or even a starter for a top 30 program. But..........with the perfect fit, it wouldn't rule out a significant role somewhere. That said, I do have some small bit of knowledge that he's pretty happy here, and with Oliver and his teammates. Don't take that too far, but I've learned that tidbit, fwiw.

(12-18-2022 12:44 PM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  As to Haynes.............yes, of course he could leave - and he may be warranted in doing so; I don't know. He's one of those who's maybe a 'tweener', talent-wise. I could see him being a valuable reserve for a top 50 program, but not a 'star' or even a starter for a top 30 program. But..........with the perfect fit, it wouldn't rule out a significant role somewhere. That said, I do have some small bit of knowledge that he's pretty happy here, and with Oliver and his teammates. Don't take that too far, but I've learned that tidbit, fwiw.

I hope your info is right on Haynes. I love his effort and emotion. He's certainly not tall, but does provide a physical presence inside that we did not have last year.

(12-18-2022 12:20 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Until the system evolves back to where mid majors can sign and develop and keep talented players it might be best for the coaches to just sign senior/grad transfers and win with them. At least we will know that they are experienced and have to talent to win and they will at least be around for that year.

The best I can tell, a second undergraduate transfer still means sitting out a year. The article linked below is from the NCSA website. NCSA touts itself as, "the largest college athletic recruiting platform, with over 35,000 college coaches using NCSA to find athletes across 37 sports" Within the article are references to events as recently as this past August, so I think it is up to date. Scroll down to the section heading "How many times can you transfer colleges?" for the pertinent information. With some exceptions, undergrad players making a second transfer, have to sit out for a year.

NCAA Transfer Rules

So, like you, I have started thinking that for teams like ETSU, signing transfers is the best bet when it comes to retention. And, with the requirement for sitting out a year, I wouldn't limit that to seniors or grad students. In fact, the younger the better.

(12-18-2022 08:38 AM)squeak Wrote:  For me, this only reinforces a reason to remain guarded on how we accept players and coaches who really have no vested interest in the area and program. Individuals who only come to showcase displeasure with perceived social inequities using the platform for ostentatious displays then bolt to other schools because it serves their self-interest speaks volumes to me. I get tired of supporting that type of individual. With that said, stick around, put your money where your mouth is, get out into the community and become a part of our area. Do that and you'll be surprised at the willingness of local folks to reach out. It used to be exciting to know the team returning which helping season ticket sales, but now, even before conference play begins, we're pointing out players and saying, ''he's having a good year so most likely he'll be transferring out after this season.''

Some good points here. Transfer portal is a double edged sword for sure.

(12-23-2022 11:52 AM)Flippmb Wrote:  

(12-18-2022 12:20 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Until the system evolves back to where mid majors can sign and develop and keep talented players it might be best for the coaches to just sign senior/grad transfers and win with them. At least we will know that they are experienced and have to talent to win and they will at least be around for that year.

The best I can tell, a second undergraduate transfer still means sitting out a year. The article linked below is from the NCSA website. NCSA touts itself as, "the largest college athletic recruiting platform, with over 35,000 college coaches using NCSA to find athletes across 37 sports" Within the article are references to events as recently as this past August, so I think it is up to date. Scroll down to the section heading "How many times can you transfer colleges?" for the pertinent information. With some exceptions, undergrad players making a second transfer, have to sit out for a year.

NCAA Transfer Rules

So, like you, I have started thinking that for teams like ETSU, signing transfers is the best bet when it comes to retention. And, with the requirement for sitting out a year, I wouldn't limit that to seniors or grad students. In fact, the younger the better.

Interesting. That sounds even better. Until the system evolves back to getting talented freshmen to stay four years that may be our best bet for championships.