MSU Hoops

jlazosky · Post by **jlazosky** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 5:59 pm

Whats up to all the die-hard Bobcat fans out there, you are what makes all the events worthwhile....This is Big John Lazosky, some may remember me as #52 for the Cats from '96-'01. You know the guy hoisting up all those trifectas from the parking lot. I just wanted to say congrats to the Bobcats for their latest victory against San Jose St. although I was surprised that the 3,000 fans were very quiet for the good part of the game. What's up with that? I know, I know all the rowdy students are away during the holidays, but whats the excuse for the rest of everybody else. Anyway, turns out Mick found a gem out of this kid AL Beye and the assistant coach that brought him here, but only 14 min. playing time? He had four dunks in 14 minutes, just think what he could've done in say 25-30 minutes. But until Durham figures out how to only run with a rotation of 6-7 players getting the majority of the minutes, no player will ever emerge as a go-to guy for the Cats and they will always be a middle-of-the-pack Big Sky team. Team ball and sharing minutes is great.....for a high school or junior high team but for the D-I college level to be successful you've gotta develop 3-5 studs that are confident in their abilities and that they know they won't be taken out so a sub-par player can get a few minutes. Look at the '96 champion Cats squad, they had 5 stud seniors with one outstanding freshman (Sprinkle) and no one else got significant time and they won 20+ games and the Big Sky title. Every year I played we always had new juco recruits that came and went wereas us 4-year players were slighted the playing time and thus potential at long-term chemistry which is what that '96 team had. I guess most of us have been guessing what the heck is going on in Durham's head and his substitution patterns, but mark my words if AL Beye can remain healthy and average 25-30 minutes the bobcats will win. If not, watch out for another long, boring season. Merry X-mas to all and I hope to stay more in touch with the Bobcat Nation, if any want to reply e-mail me @ jlazosky@msn.com. Peace and LOve- Big John

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 6:20 pm

I have not got a lot of time right now but it should be noted that that Tuesdays game was Al's first game after coming off of a knee injury. From my talking to with folks the doctors and coaches did not want Beye to go out and play any where near a full game. They simply wanted him to run up and down the court, rebond and pound a little and then report back as to how the knee felt. This is a case where Al's slight build actually helps him , it would be much tougher for a big 250lb'er's knee to come back as quick, or so I am told. Love hearing from yea John, take care and Happy Holidays

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:26 pm

John's comments are pretty interesting-especially about 4 year players. Unfortunately, right now there aren't very many four year players in the program, but the once guy who won't have to worry about playing time is Nick Dissly-he's been doing well. Maybe with Dissly, Durr, Casey Durham, and Ryan Holmes some sort of long term foundation can be built.

Don't know what's up with the radio-they seem to be off the air so I can't hear the game. Yahoo had us up 18-17 with 12:40 to go in the first half. Maybe Reier fired a bazooka at the transmitter?

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:59 pm

I have it over the net right now

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:08 pm

yeah it's back on-we're down 8 early in the 2nd half

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 1:07 pm

It would certainly be nice to have several more 4-year players. Mslacat has well-documented the complete debacle of the program the last few years due to how Durham managed scholarship players. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I would think a coaching change wouldn't make things worse. I think Coach has given a ton to MSU,and for that I am grateful. However, I'm in the "coach-is-burned-out-and-it-shows" camp.

Beye could single-handedly make this year's team a contender. Also, I like Coach Brown's FIRE!!! gawd how the Cats need that.

CATTRACKER · Post by **CATTRACKER** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:52 pm

Re. Coach Brown's fire, I would love to see the Cats take a few more risks and get the crowd into the game. Hat's off to Coach Durham for taking a T to support his team when the reffing turned wierd in the Utah Valley game. That had me on my feet.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:03 pm

As I understand it that T was Durhams first technical in 3 years. You know Being a gentleman is great but, with high quality ref'ing the Big Sky has been getting the last few years (':roll:') I wish he would have gottten a few more. If nothing else, as CATTRACKER pointed out, Just to fire up the crowds and players. When I played I knew my coach did not get very many T's so when he did, it really made me feel like he was in our corner.

BTW I have been talking with some folks out in the Ocklahoma, California, and Texas area and I will tell you everyone talks about what a quality hire Johnny Brown was for MSU. On the down side many think that he will only be here for a short time before a larger school comes and steals him away.
BTW 2:The Bobcats are recruiting in Texas once more, much to do with Browns connections

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:12 pm

No doubt that Coach Brown is destined for bigger things...I just hope his energy lasts for a long time at MSU.

BobCatFan · Post by **BobCatFan** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 12:44 am

How does Coach Brown MSU Head Basketball Coach sound?

Mic needs to go. I think he should have moved on 3 years ago.

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 12:12 pm

I am tired of all of this talk about firing Coach Durham. The man has given his life to Bobcat basketball. His program is clean, he works hard and is very loyal to the college. GO ahead and bring in another coach who has no loyalty to the school and see what it gets you. Get off his back...he has done much for MSU and we all owe him more respect than that.

suckitgriz · Post by **suckitgriz** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 12:18 pm

well put MSU88- couldn't agree more!!

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 12:24 pm

suckitgriz wrote:well put MSU88- couldn't agree more!!

Thank you.........Mick is a man of integrity and class.....we certainly could hire alot worse! Look at the women's program prior to Coach K!

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:07 pm

MSU88 wrote:The man has given his life to Bobcat basketball...

... and taken all the life right out of the program in the process.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:14 pm

You are right..he is a legend among coaches at MSU, worthy of a shrine to his memory!

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:56 pm

And Penn State football is just fine with JoePa still at the helm, right....?

I have no beef with Mick as a person OR a coach, except that he's had more than enough time to turn MSU into at least a CONSTANT contender in the Big Sky, and I personally don't believe we are ever much of a threat to make the NCAA tourny. Given how mediocre BBall has become in our conference, I really don't think it should be that difficult to be in the playoffs AT LEAST 75% of the time. I truly believe we should be "in the hunt" for a BSC title more than once every 6 or 7 years...

MSU88 · Post by **MSU88** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:15 pm

jlazosky wrote: Whats up to all the die-hard Bobcat fans out there, you are what makes all the events worthwhile....This is Big John Lazosky, some may remember me as #52 for the Cats from '96-'01. You know the guy hoisting up all those trifectas from the parking lot. I just wanted to say congrats to the Bobcats for their latest victory against San Jose St. although I was surprised that the 3,000 fans were very quiet for the good part of the game. What's up with that? I know, I know all the rowdy students are away during the holidays, but whats the excuse for the rest of everybody else. Anyway, turns out Mick found a gem out of this kid AL Beye and the assistant coach that brought him here, but only 14 min. playing time? He had four dunks in 14 minutes, just think what he could've done in say 25-30 minutes. But until Durham figures out how to only run with a rotation of 6-7 players getting the majority of the minutes, no player will ever emerge as a go-to guy for the Cats and they will always be a middle-of-the-pack Big Sky team. Team ball and sharing minutes is great.....for a high school or junior high team but for the D-I college level to be successful you've gotta develop 3-5 studs that are confident in their abilities and that they know they won't be taken out so a sub-par player can get a few minutes. Look at the '96 champion Cats squad, they had 5 stud seniors with one outstanding freshman (Sprinkle) and no one else got significant time and they won 20+ games and the Big Sky title. Every year I played we always had new juco recruits that came and went wereas us 4-year players were slighted the playing time and thus potential at long-term chemistry which is what that '96 team had. I guess most of us have been guessing what the heck is going on in Durham's head and his substitution patterns, but mark my words if AL Beye can remain healthy and average 25-30 minutes the bobcats will win. If not, watch out for another long, boring season. Merry X-mas to all and I hope to stay more in touch with the Bobcat Nation, if any want to reply e-mail me @ jlazosky@msn.com. Peace and LOve- Big John

Big John:

I agree with you on the 4-year deal. Seems like we have a quick fix here that is not fixing anything. What do you see the role of Dissly, C. Durham and Carson Durr? They are the only "4-year" players at this point.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:41 am

At the end of last year because of the 5-8 rules and Durham's handling of it the program was in shambles. The 5-8 rule was then rescinded and the program had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. As I hear it Durham chose to take the approach that would please the fans the most. Rebuild to win as soon as possible. This year is about returning to respectability. Next year is about winning the Big Sky Championship. So my question to board members which direction would you has preferred if you were given the reigns last April. Sign majority of High school players for 2004 and 2005 recruiting years and just accept a long rebuilding campaign. Or Sign majority of JC kids and get the program competing for the Big Sky Championship a lot quicker. Seriously which direction would you choose, and now remember Durham is under fire for not winning. I would prefer to recruit mainly quality High schoolers and 1-2 JC a year to supplement needs or weakness, but I understand what and why Durham is going this way.

MSU01 · Post by **MSU01** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:33 pm

I agree with what Durham did to try to field a competitive team this year. Next year, however, I hope to see mostly high school recruits with maybe coming in, as that (in my opinion) is the best way to build a consistently strong program. How many players will we sign next year anyway? We only lose 2 seniors, have already lost Brown (and Martrel?)...4 or 5 probably? I'd like to see maybe 1 JC guy to fill an immediate need and the rest HS.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:59 pm

Great question, mslacat - worthy of much discussion. I would have had a lot more respect for Mick had he chosen to build the program for the long haul, instead of putting a band-aid on it so we can maybe win 10 games this year. If he would have said,

"Look, guys - we went out and signed a lot of high school kids, and we are not going to win many games this year and maybe next. However, in three years we will be a Big Sky power, and we will continually be a contender after that because we are looking to build this program around stability and continuity. If you can support the team during these next couple of tough years, and don't look at the number of wins, but instead the level of improvement, I guarantee you will be well-rewarded for your patience down the road..."

A statement like that commands respect. I like some of the guys we grabbed from JCs, but it just continues the cycle and compounds the instability.

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