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Topic: Coach Christian in Blue Ribbon BY...
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brucecuth
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Posted: 10/31/2013 1:30 PM
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Here are some quotes from the coach.  I will try to post more when I can...

On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent.  We'll be deeper and more aggressive defensively. We're not pigeonholed where one or two guys have to have good games in order for us to win...We're very optimistic.  I really like the group of guys we have.  We're putting a lot on our senior class."

On Maurice Ndour: "He's probably the most talented guy on our team.  He's very athletic, very skilled (and) can really pass the ball."

On Wadley Mompremier and Antonio Campbell: "One of the things we didn't have when we got here was young big kids.  We're really excited about them. Wadley is one of those guys who keeps getting better.  They both can get out and shoot the ball."     
Last Edited: 10/31/2013 4:21:21 PM by brucecuth
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 10/31/2013 3:22 PM
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Thanks for posting.  Sounds exciting.
JSF
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Posted: 10/31/2013 5:48 PM
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brucecuth wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 10/31/2013 7:38 PM
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JSF wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.


I don't always agree with JSF on all matters, but I sure agree with this.  I love Coach JC's MAC record but the fact he couldn't win one single post-season NCAA tournament game makes me very nervous, very very nervous.  Say what you will about Groce, but Ohio did very well in NCAAs during his time.  JC has no NCAA tourney success at all.  Maybe Groce made me spoiled.
LongDistancebobcat
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Posted: 10/31/2013 11:19 PM
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It strikes me as incredibly nervy and rather egotistical to say that the person who does this as a profession "doesn't know the direction the game is going".  I don't know what you do for a living, but you know the college game better than JC? Really? Saying he hasn't had success in the tournament is obviously true, but how can you say what he does or doesn't know?
JSF
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Posted: 10/31/2013 11:48 PM
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LongDistancebobcat wrote:expand_more
It strikes me as incredibly nervy and rather egotistical to say that the person who does this as a profession "doesn't know the direction the game is going".  I don't know what you do for a living, but you know the college game better than JC? Really?


No, not really, and I did not make that claim. Saying the man doesn't recognize the way things are moving is not saying I know the game better than he does. Rule changes, points of emphasis, and player evolution are pushing things away from the more physical, grinding style and toward a more open style. I don't have to run a program to recognize that. Our previous coach was ahead of the curve (or at worst right on it). I fear our current coach is behind it.
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 11/1/2013 3:13 AM
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Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.


I don't always agree with JSF on all matters, but I sure agree with this.  I love Coach JC's MAC record but the fact he couldn't win one single post-season NCAA tournament game makes me very nervous, very very nervous.  Say what you will about Groce, but Ohio did very well in NCAAs during his time.  JC has no NCAA tourney success at all.  Maybe Groce made me spoiled.


Were's that put Akron's KD in your accessments?
100%Cat
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Posted: 11/1/2013 8:35 AM
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JSF wrote:expand_more
It strikes me as incredibly nervy and rather egotistical to say that the person who does this as a profession "doesn't know the direction the game is going".  I don't know what you do for a living, but you know the college game better than JC? Really?


No, not really, and I did not make that claim. Saying the man doesn't recognize the way things are moving is not saying I know the game better than he does. Rule changes, points of emphasis, and player evolution are pushing things away from the more physical, grinding style and toward a more open style. I don't have to run a program to recognize that. Our previous coach was ahead of the curve (or at worst right on it). I fear our current coach is behind it.


You can look at the other side of things, too, and say a team playing a more grind it out style will be harder for a team used to playing an open style to handle.  Just because it isn't the trend doesn't mean it can't be effective.  In this day and age of college football spread attacks and wide open offenses, who has won a few titles recently, and likely another this year?  Alabama, and their boring, physical, more traditional offensive attack.   Teams in college basketball hardly ever use a full court press any more...but Shaka Smart uses it at VCU and guess what, teams have a hard time handling it.  Ask Akron.  Just because some styles aren't the trend of the day doesn't mean they can't be effective. 
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 11/1/2013 8:48 AM
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100%Cat wrote:expand_more
You can look at the other side of things, too, and say a team playing a more grind it out style will be harder for a team used to playing an open style to handle.  Just because it isn't the trend doesn't mean it can't be effective.  In this day and age of college football spread attacks and wide open offenses, who has won a few titles recently, and likely another this year?  Alabama, and their boring, physical, more traditional offensive attack.   Teams in college basketball hardly ever use a full court press any more...but Shaka Smart uses it at VCU and guess what, teams have a hard time handling it.  Ask Akron.  Just because some styles aren't the trend of the day doesn't mean they can't be effective. 


I'm not sure I buy the "game is changing" thought in the first place...But this was my thought as well.  Maybe he recognizes it trending as you say, and thinks his approach will be unique and tougher for teams of the "new style" to defend.
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 11/1/2013 9:45 AM
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MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.


I don't always agree with JSF on all matters, but I sure agree with this.  I love Coach JC's MAC record but the fact he couldn't win one single post-season NCAA tournament game makes me very nervous, very very nervous.  Say what you will about Groce, but Ohio did very well in NCAAs during his time.  JC has no NCAA tourney success at all.  Maybe Groce made me spoiled.


Were's that put Akron's KD in your accessments?


Good question!  VCU 88 Akron 42 pretty much sums it up on how I feel about him.  Coach Dambrot is a good coach but for whatever reason his teams choke in the NCAAs.  His teams peak too soon and they play tight in the postseason.  Rather reminiscent of Coach Christian's Kent State teams.
perimeterpost
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Posted: 11/1/2013 11:49 AM
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Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.


I don't always agree with JSF on all matters, but I sure agree with this.  I love Coach JC's MAC record but the fact he couldn't win one single post-season NCAA tournament game makes me very nervous, very very nervous.  Say what you will about Groce, but Ohio did very well in NCAAs during his time.  JC has no NCAA tourney success at all.  Maybe Groce made me spoiled.


Were's that put Akron's KD in your accessments?


Good question!  VCU 88 Akron 42 pretty much sums it up on how I feel about him.  Coach Dambrot is a good coach but for whatever reason his teams choke in the NCAAs.  His teams peak too soon and they play tight in the postseason.  Rather reminiscent of Coach Christian's Kent State teams.


didn't seem like Akron had "peaked too soon" or "played tight in the postseason" when they beat Ohio 65-46 in a postseason game just 5 days before they played VCU.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 11/1/2013 11:54 AM
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JSF, I don't really buy into your assertion that Coach Christian wants to play a grind it out style.  I think he was referring more to defense in his statement.  He thinks he has more depth of players who will play the type of defense and rebound like he wants them to.

Also, if you look at the type of player's he's recruiting, they are long and lean athletes with the exception of Tony Campbell.  Admittedly, Tony is built like a banger.  But IMO, teams need a few guys like that.  But overall, this staff is recruiting versatile athletes.

JSF, I've got an idea.  And I'm serious.  Why don't you find out when the first coach's radio show is scheduled.  They allow phone calls with questions.  Why don't you call Coach Christian and ask him to clarify these issues, and maybe then we will have more insight as to whether his plans are that much different than you'd like to see.  Plus, Bobcatattackers could tune in and listen.  I'm serious. 

It is interesting that Groce hit the jackpot in the post season, but so far, Dambrot and Christian have not.  Not sure we can conclude that Dambrot and Christian don't know how to prepare teams for the post season.  Would be interesting to research this question.  Though it only covers three seasons in the NCAA, it does seem that Groce has a special ability to have his teams ready to play in the post season.

Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 11/1/2013 12:41 PM
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perimeterpost wrote:expand_more
On this team vs. last year's "We'll probably play a lot more like my teams at Kent." 


I can't think of anything he could say that would make me less enthusiastic. He doesn't understand the direction the game is moving.


I don't always agree with JSF on all matters, but I sure agree with this.  I love Coach JC's MAC record but the fact he couldn't win one single post-season NCAA tournament game makes me very nervous, very very nervous.  Say what you will about Groce, but Ohio did very well in NCAAs during his time.  JC has no NCAA tourney success at all.  Maybe Groce made me spoiled.


Were's that put Akron's KD in your accessments?


Good question!  VCU 88 Akron 42 pretty much sums it up on how I feel about him.  Coach Dambrot is a good coach but for whatever reason his teams choke in the NCAAs.  His teams peak too soon and they play tight in the postseason.  Rather reminiscent of Coach Christian's Kent State teams.


didn't seem like Akron had "peaked too soon" or "played tight in the postseason" when they beat Ohio 65-46 in a postseason game just 5 days before they played VCU.


By post-season I'm referring to post-season national tournaments.  Peaking in the MAC Tourney isn't or shouldn't be the overriding goal to me.  Peaking at the NCAAs and playing for the national championship would be my goal. Obviously A LOT easier said than done and ultimately achieved by very few, but it would still at least be my goal (at least basketball affords that opportunity for Ohio-see the ad infinitum discussion of lack of opportunity for football in the football threads).  Don't get me wrong; winning the MAC Tourney is fantastic (and more than Ohio did this past season to be sure) and is the second biggest goal possible but it's not the whole enchilada; I want the whole enchilada.

So yes, Akron peaked too soon last season by being embarrassed on national TV and suffering the worst loss in the entire 2013 NCAA tournament.  But they did at least make the Big Dance.
Last Edited: 11/1/2013 1:06:10 PM by Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 11/1/2013 12:44 PM
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Christian took over a TCU team that was scoring 62, 63 points a game and left it scoring 72 points a game.  He took over a team last year, and it ended up leading in assists (and, no that is not all on him...at all).  Let's see how this team plays over the next 18 months before declaring him the out-of-touch coach of the decade.

We have been out rebounded in the past - and out hustled in the past - not going to happen much going forward and that is a very good thing.  Like anyone, I love having five frisbee-catching dogs out there running the break, but it takes more than that to win consistently.

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.  Enough with the Groce man-crush folks.  He was smart to move on as he created a fan base that even he would not satisfy on an every-year basis.  Yes, he set the bar.  So here's a novel thought.  How about we let our coach take part before declaring a decision.
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 11/1/2013 12:54 PM
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You're right cc cat (yes, me man-crush on Groce) we should give JC a chance as his recruiting classes to seem to be very good and he is a very good coach, don't get me wrong.  Most successful coach in MAC history speaks volumes and we're fortunate to have him. 

And just to play devil's advocate against myself (and being an Ohio egotist which I really am at heart), JC may very well have better resources to work with here in Ohio than at Kent State and will take Ohio further into the post-season than he was able to achieve at Kent.  I'll buy that.

PS for all of us Clevelanders-Great Lakes Christmas Ale now on sale at your local grocery-it's good to be alive!!
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Posted: 11/2/2013 12:46 AM
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I like what I heard on the Ashland game thread video interview post. "Higher percentage shots" (JC) at the/closer to the rim - this team is certainly built for that. Plus the rules emphasis changes this year - go to the rim MORE, MORE higher percentage shots, Plus OUr DEPTH to tip the full game foul issues balance advantage to us. That's how I see the game could change - and sure sounds to me like JC right in tune w/all of that. Whatever "change" in the game anyone referring to before this year likely to become irrelevant after the first couple weeks of the season...........

I think we will still have plenty of athleticism and speed for the transition game. Just less "fade-aways" or "stop and pops" couple seconds past the half court line............  

 
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 11/2/2013 1:28 AM
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If we can keep our offensive flourish and add defense and rebounding...well, can anyone argue that there's not room for better defense and rebounding over what we've generally had for the last 5-10 years?

A little Flomogenization is not a bad thing.
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Posted: 11/2/2013 8:59 AM
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I'm still not sold on this coach.
I don't care for his body language, ie he rarely looks the camera or the interviewer in the eye. He always seems to be looking down at the floor. He gives me the impression he doesn't like being interviewed.
I also think he "just mailed last year in" as this was his 1st and there were 4-5 guys graduating, which were obviously not his recruits.
These are just my opinions, I want Ohio to succeed, this year, but I think a .500 record is probably best case.
Prove me wrong JC.





GO BOBCATS
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Posted: 11/2/2013 9:02 AM
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If he just "mailed it in" and still won the regular season MAC title, I can't wait to see what he does when he tries!
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 11/2/2013 5:47 PM
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PalmerFest wrote:expand_more
If he just "mailed it in" and still won the regular season MAC title, I can't wait to see what he does when he tries!


+1
LuckySparrow
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Posted: 11/2/2013 6:20 PM
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71 BOBCAT wrote:expand_more
I'm still not sold on this coach.
I don't care for his body language, ie he rarely looks the camera or the interviewer in the eye. He always seems to be looking down at the floor. He gives me the impression he doesn't like being interviewed.
GO BOBCATS

This is kinda off. Think about all the great professional and collegiate coaches who are jerks to the media. It's basically a non-factor. I think he does fine with the media. 
brucecuth
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Posted: 11/2/2013 6:26 PM
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PalmerFest wrote:expand_more
If he just "mailed it in" and still won the regular season MAC title, I can't wait to see what he does when he tries!


Agreed.  No team wins 24 games with a coach who just "mails it in."  Judging a coach by whether he may or may not look at the camera while being interviewed?  You're welcome to your opinion, but my opinion is maybe you should reconsider...
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Posted: 11/2/2013 6:32 PM
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JC was in a tough transitional phase last year and I think he handled it fine. Body language is not a good way to judge a coach. 
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 11/2/2013 7:21 PM
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In case nobody has noticed, Frank often stares at the ground as he paces back and forth on the sidelines during a game.  The first time I saw it, I thought it very strange.  He had the appearance of an expectant father pacing in the waiting room in the days before Lamaze.  However, I have no problem with it today, because it works.  I only hope that JC's sideline behavior that's being questioned here is as successful.  
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Posted: 11/2/2013 7:31 PM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
In case nobody has noticed, Frank often stares at the ground as he paces back and forth on the sidelines during a game.  The first time I saw it, I thought it very strange.  He had the appearance of an expectant father pacing in the waiting room in the days before Lamaze.  However, I have no problem with it today, because it works.  I only hope that JC's sideline behavior that's being questioned here is as successful.  

Good post. Body language and dealing with the media means very little. 

 
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