Crimson Red Sports

This article really nails it.

That fast-paced attack has now slowed to a dismal perimeter passing offense that does nothing to inspire fans to attend in sell out fashion. In addition, Grant has had some of the worst luck in recent memory of a team I have watched. For reasons one cannot explain, his teams — who play very hard — always seem to come up short when it matters most.

Now injuries are piling up to make matters even worse.

It feels a bit like the Shula version of basketball.  Always appearing to be on the verge of going to the next level, but never being able to get there.  The teams aren't terrible, but they're not very good either. 

BINGO! You nailed it.

Maybe next year...   ???

Returning players:

Hale
Taylor
Coleman
Tarrant
Kessens
Obasohan
Norris


I think these guys have talent & and with good coaching could be a solid team.


 :clap:

Add to that list:

Devin Mitchell 6-4 G  So (He played some this year when Obasohan was hurt)

Jeff Garrett  6-7  F  (Freshman that has not played this year)

Signees

Donta' Hall 6-8 225  PF (Only a 3* but he has a high ceiling. We need a big body)

Brandon Austin  6-5 F (A 3* from Carver Montgomery that is susposed to be a good player)

Dazon Ingram 6-4 PG 

That means we can pick up one player in the late signing period. I would like to see us add a JUCO player that can help immediately. Another key piece of the puzzle is getting Obasohan to return for a 5th season.

Next Year. :pray:

I know the feeling.

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Georgia beat Ole Miss in Oxford last night. We are just a couple of missed opportunities away from having a good season. The Wichita St game where we blew a big lead in the closing minutes, USCe one point loss... a game we should never have lost, Vandy at home and the free throw debacle at home vs Georgia.

There is a fine line from being a good team or a mediocre team. CAG just can not get up over that hump.

Can CAG repair the problem to get over the hump then? We need a coach who can solve those type of problems. RTR!

Hiring a new coach to replace CAG is not going to be easy. There are no sure bets. I thought USCe hired a very good coach in Frank Martin but they are no better than they were before. Arkansas hired 2-3 coaches before they got a good one. Missouri was one of the better programs in the NCAA a few short years ago. Look at them now. Mark Fox at UGA is not doing any better than CAG when you look at the full body of work over 6 years. There are a lot of good coaches in the SEC but very few good teams. I do not understand it.

This will be an important hire for Bill Battle if he chooses to make a change. I am not as certain a change will be made as I was a few weeks ago. I think we have to make a change to get the fan base back.

Battle will have a full blown revolt on his hands if he keeps Grant another year. Have you noticed the "crowds" at the games recently? I think Battle is perceptive enough to see that Grant is not the man for the job. Anytime you hire a new coach it's a gamble, that's the nature of sports. I think Battle gets that. Grant may actually win 20 games (counting games in SEC Tourney) but so what, none of the wins will be significant. We play Vandy, Ole Miss, & A&M to close out the season. We might go 2-1 in those 3 games if we play solid BB. If Hale & Kessens can't play, it might be 0-3.


 

I agree with you about the likelihood of a change both then and now.

I am now indifferent.

If Grant will make a change and actually get his teams to start winning games the fans will come back.

There are 3 games left in the regular season, then the SEC Tourney. What change can Grant make at this stage? Win the SEC Tourney by beating Arkansas, LSU, & Kentucky?

MD, I have no inside knowledge. I read internet articles and message boards to get most of my information. I am just not 100% convinced that the administration will make a change at the end of the year. I think there is a small chance CAG will be back.

I hope who ever the coach is next year they promote the program. I know winning draws fans. It would also help to do a few radio and TV spots. Go on the Finebaum show, talk to Jay Baker on WJOX and attend some tip-off club meetings around the state. Act you you are excited to be our coach. Help get the fans involved in the game. CAG acts like a corpse on the bench showing no emotion.   

Whoa!  Easy.

BAMA will need to beat vandy, ole piss, and atm before they start thinking about running the conference tourney.

He could start winning games next year.


Like I said, I am now indifferent. I fully expect to see him on the court next year.

The University agreed to a contract with Grant.  They should honor it.
Grant agreed to produce quality winning basketball teams.  He has not done it.

Maybe you get a new coach to "excite the fans", but if he is losing in 5 years seats will be empty and it will be time for him to go.

I think replacing Grant is a 50/50 gamble at best.  

Hey RTR, I think the school is honoring their part of the contract, but in the years of service the coach is not winning games hasn't he broke the contract himself? JMH question sir. RTR!

I admit I have had a queasy feeling about Grant being retained but I just don't see how Battle could justify it. What would he base it on, Grant has accomplished nothing in 6 years. Could they really believe that Grant suddenly gets it and becomes a better coach? Maybe I'm being too logical & folks don't always do what is logical or common sense. Plus, Jamos description of Bill Battle's body language at recent games seemed to be very negative. If Battle keeps Grant, it will be an earthquake of negativity towards him & even the media will be shocked. Beating a very bad Auburn & USC team doesn't impress me. I'm not barking at anyone who thinks Grant might be retained, I just want this wasted 6 years to end.


 :dunno:

I think they are honoring their contract and they should.

It has become commonplace in our society for people to not honor their commitments, or see things through to the end.

Might be refreshing to see both parties stick to their agreement just because and simply from a moral and ethical standpoint.

I obviously agree that Grant's coaching to this point leaves much to be desired.

I thought he had his last chance last year.

If Grant thinks he can win in Tuscaloosa he should stay.

If he does not think he can win in Tuscaloosa he should leave.

He knows the answer in his heart.

For my 2-cents...I think it's 40/60 CAG stays/goes.  I've been in a position where I had to decide to fire an employee who wasn't terrible, but just wasn't working out and the upside was not there.  You reach a point where you have to make a change because keeping the person around is too much of a drag.  I think that is where CBB is now.

Jamos has described CBB's body language during games.  I think CBB knows what a winning team is supposed to look like.  Even when Bama wins, they don't look like a 'winning' team.  It's too much of a struggle even against weaker opponents. 

So I say 60% CAG is let go and that CBB concludes we can do better and we have to do better and that isn't going to happen with CAG.

I pretty much agree with McBaman. I would put the odds 30% stay 70% he is let go. Of course we have to let the entire year play out.

The wins and loss speak for themself. CAG is middle of the SEC which is not terrible but not good. The fan base is not supporting the program. On the other side he is a good man who is very likable. The players like him and play hard for him. He graduates his recruits and they do not get in trouble. I do not think it is a slam dunk he will be let go.

I saw a new name being discussed on another board today. Richard Pitino. Your thoughts?

One year at FIU and in his 2nd year at Minnesota. He has not been to the NCAA but he won the NIT last year. Losing record in Big 10 games. Good name recognition but I think there are better choices out there. He still has a lot to prove but it could work. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pitino

Minnesota is a tough gig. Just ask Tubby Smith. We could probably do worse.

Well said. :clap:

Very, very scary hire. Young with little experience. A huge gamble. He might work out for someone, just don't think we will or should hire him.



 :tinfoil:

That is how I feel. The poster on the Alabama Scout site I saw this on said Richard Pitino would be Bill Battles choice if he chooses to not retain CAG and hire a new coach. People (like me) say big things on the computer they can not back up. I thought it was worth discussion. He may may be a great young up and coming coach but he still has a lot to prove. A NCAA appearance would be a starter.

Minnesota playing Wisconsin on ESPN now.



 :popcorn2: