Tgr4life

The three players that are referred to as The Big 3 are, in my opinion, pretty good players at this level. The Big Three should mean players that they continually dominate games. That does not happen. All in all, this team is above average, but certainly not the one we read about before the season started. They are capable of winning a tournament because the conference is so weak. It is hard to win when you really don't know who is going to show up on any given night. 

30 minutes ago, Tiger93 said:

Early foul trouble definitely derailed Thompson offensively. It is weird, but I felt like by eye test that Hofstra was making things harder for us inside defensively last night and they probably were. However, when you compare games we shot 20-34 2pt FG (which isn't necessarily in the point, but most likely it) last night and 21-40 2pt FG in the first game. We also had 15 offensive rebounds and outrebounded them 40-30 as opposed to 14 and 44-34 in the first game. The big difference like you said is the made their open shots last night.

To me I think of going zone or not running a switching defense on a possession or two like a reliever who doesn't have a good curve ball or change-up but throws it once or twice just to keep people off-balance. I am less critical of Skerry than others, but the two things I really think he can work on to make us more prepared to succeed in the tournament is try to figure out how to be less uptight (which I think comes from his approach sometimes) going into postseason play, and to be flexible to try some different things (even it is sporadically) if things aren't going the way he drew it up in those games. Those are growth opportunities, and I know he mentioned ways he was looking to figure things like that out last year. 

I am not overly optimistic about this group in the CAA Tournament, but I also don't feel like it is crazy that this team could get a couple of breaks or play well enough to have a shot to win it. I watched the end of the Drexel-Charleston game, and it feels like that opened up a whole different set of outcomes in the tournament. Charleston is good, but I think they may have peaked a little early like we did last year. They are still probably the best team in the conference, but I don't know that there is a large separation between 1-5 in this conference at this point.

Many times, with teams being so close in talent, the difference is the coaching. IMHO, the key is to keep the players loose. Do whatever is possible to make them forget about "getting the monkey off their back". Remind them that history is irrelevant. Each game, each team, each year is different....just be who you are!

Maybe this is the year??????????????????????????

11 hours ago, TuTigers2012 said:

You are here on the skerry cycle 😅

It is called Skerryitis.......a disease that allows a basketball team to win enough regular season games to get their coach an extension, but yet disappear in the postseason. Hope this team finds a remedy

14 hours ago, tualum said:

Yeah I read that too and was like that wasn’t meant to be a compliment. Not a good way to end the interview but oh well..

From all I have read, Rob was taking the high road. However, sometimes it is necessary to tell the truth. Rob has more loyalty to Towson than anyone who is posting on this board. That does not mean you can not point out the weaknesses. Facts are facts.

1 hour ago, griggey20 said:

Man it would’ve been cool to get this one but we just didn’t make plays down the stretch. The Conway charge play was super close. I wish he was more aggressive and just tried to finish. 
Agree with the late game mistakes that can’t happen.  But I did like that they weren’t due to a lack of hustle.

I know PS was upset that some of the bench guys didn’t play well but I thought Paar was really good off the bench and this is the exact game we need him for. Charles’ limited minutes (specifically 2H) are what we can’t have happen against an all-conference big man. 
In the grand scheme, this game doesn’t matter at all. My big takeaway is we are getting better since the start of the non-conf. This team has looked uninterested in previous games and I felt like this was one that they knew the lights were on and wanted to play well. Not necessarily the best thing but may be true. 
The one positive of the injuries is that we get to see Conway work though his mistakes and get minutes instead of getting benched. I feel like he’s been getting better every game and will be a real piece come march. 
Conference play is around the corner and I feel like it’s a 2 horse race. 12/31 will be circled on the calendar and we will know what this team is made of right before the ball drops. 
 

Just a couple of thoughts. 

I agree that the team does seem to be getting better. That is what the "regular" season is all about. Getting ready for the 3 days that matter....in march. Being upset because the bench guys did not play well....THAT IS WHY THEY ARE BENCH GUYS! There have been previous years where we had very good abilities, but did not win or get to championship game. Perhaps this team is different, but again, it all comes down to March. The life of a mediocre conference is sometimes hard to accept, but the facts are staring you in the face. Win the tournament or go home (maybe the NIT.....if you have an outstanding regular season). the rest are just for show. 

5 hours ago, AtlantaTiger said:

I know that beating a team from the big, bad ACC would have been a feather in our cap and would have been a notable win on Skerry's resume but ultimately this game means absolutely nothing.  We could have beaten them by 20 and it would have made ZERO difference come March.  For all intents & purposes there's no difference if Towson plays Clemson or if Towson plays FDU, Holy Cross or Mercer as our entry into the NCAA Tournament isn't determined by strength of schedule or "quality wins" with no At-large bids in the CAA.  Please also note that I'm not throwing shade at any of those other schools I just mentioned as they've all had more success reaching the NCAA Tournament in recent years than our Skerry-led Tigers.  To scrutinize or agonize over an early season non-conference game seems like a waste of time.  It all boils down to 3 days in early March.

Just. Win. The. Conference. Tournament.

I could not agree more.....I got destroyed for saying this last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are my new hero!

37 minutes ago, Tiger93 said:

I don't think there is any right or wrong recipe when it comes to hiring a stepping stone type coach or someone who would stay and be loyal. There are always a variety of choices that lead down each of those paths, along with a variety of paths of commitment we might take. In my opinion, as we have talked about the Power 5 conference stuff has changed the dynamic of what our level of FCS will be. If things continue to play out the way they have, the non-power 5 could be a strong version of FCS football, the good FCS can be jumping into that or being on the outskirts of it, and the current FCS that we reside in might become more of a D-2 level of football. Power 5 is obviously way above our scope, but I am interested if we hire a coach and show enough commitment in resources to aspire to where the JMUs have gone and the Delaware's are going. It will take a pretty big swing here to do that. 

It is truly incredible that we have had three coaches (I think I am right on this) in our football program since 1972. I give all of them props for moving the program to the next level in their own way, and no matter that criticism about West being a big part of getting us to the title game Rob led the charge and in showing Towson football where it can go. He just didn't do a great job of keeping us there. If the next coach can continue that incremental build and make us a consistent winner and playoff team at a high level (whatever that shakes out to be in this modern NIL, conference shift every three years) world of football I will be happy. 

It would also give me a lot of confidence in Eigenbrot if he can get someone at the top of his list (which I hope he already has in his head) quickly (like 2-3 weeks at the most). I know it may be unrealistic, but I do think good ADs plan for this stuff all the time no matter how good or bad the coach is doing.  

They do have a list for every position. My guess is that this decision was made a while ago. Would not be terribly surprised if the decision is very close to being made already. 

17 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Don’t disagree. Our coaches all do a great job with the guys and girls (at least what we see). They do a lot in the community and that is all great.  Were some suspect players brought in? Sure. Do all schools have those? Sure.  
You can do both, win and mentor young people. 

you certainly can

7 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

I think we all understand that. That’s our hope that coaches leave us shortly after they and we find success.  Jmu football was a stepping stone.  Uncw hoops is a stepping stone. Their fans are happy with that because they win consistently 

You certainly make points. Just a couple of different ways to look at the values of college athletics. Certainly want to win....that is why they have a scoreboard, but again, i see the values, as shown until recently at a school like William and Mary, where coaches were never fired for not winning. There job was to mentor young people and as a result, they had great loyalty (both the coaches and players) to W & M. 

I get it...winning is better than losing, but at this level of college football...not sure what you can expect or really what is more important. 

2 minutes ago, TSU88 said:

Sadly, I think loyalty, unless it’s loyalty to a bigger paycheck, has largely gone the way of rotary dialing and beta & vhs, when it comes to college sports. And that’s coaches and players 

The most important word you used is SADLY

4 minutes ago, TSU88 said:

I have no problem with being a stepping stone. That would mean someone made us very successful before moving on, which would make us an attractive landing spot for the next coach. Wash, rinse, repeat. What programs, other than a select few, aren’t stepping stones?🤔

I just see a value in loyalty to a program. Not defending or attacking this particular move. Just a thought that the name on the shirt has some meaning to you. again, funding will be the major issue for the next coach

7 minutes ago, TuTigers2012 said:

Exactly.  Being one of the more vocal on here, the only chance we had at change was not making the playoffs this year. Wish we had enough money to cut him loose last year. Band aid transfers, going year to year with a lame duck coach is no way to build a program.  
I loved Robs energy when he was first hired. It was contagious around campus. We had a few really good players for a stretch and an all world one. Made the championship but after that it was all down hill. He got stale, as do many coaches just hanging around. Got to give him and the players credit for continuing to fight at the end. I know first hand that everyone including PK himself gave up that last year (assuming he tried at all). 
A new voice was needed and hopefully we have someone good coming in soon, who can take us where all tiger fans want to be.  

One of the problems is that Towson is a stepping stone school. If the program winds up with someone who "takes you where you want to go".....that coach will be gone almost immediately. The difference was that Rob was where he wanted to be. Not defending or attacking....just statement of fact.

2 minutes ago, mat1992 said:

I think most of us that are here love this program. Some don't and that's fine. FCS football is not for everyone. Tailgating is not for everyone. Steve Eigenbrot wasn't brought in just to replace Tim Leonard. He was going to come in and change things that needed changing or at least attempt. He also wasn't brought in just to hire a women's basketball and field hockey coach. 

Personally, I had a hard time watching this team over the years, on both sides of the ball. In the last four games, the defense played well, but the offense was watching paint dry and I love football (FCS or FBS). If I had thought it was dull to cover and I can only imagine what the casual fans thought. They want to be entertained, not just win football games against bad-to-mediocre opponents. We were really good for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018. That's four seasons in 13+ years. We were mediocre-to-bad the rest of the way. Mediocrity is 76-76. In years past, that was good enough. If you want to get to the next level, whatever that may be, whether it's top of the FCS or moving on to Gof5, then the move had to be made. Now, that hire will be the most important one since Rob was brought in. Even more than the Skerry hire because our program was dormant when he took over.

 

 

You are likely correct about being brought in to make changes. We will now see if the university is willing to put their money where their mouth is. Our sports are totally underfunded...all of them. If you are going to make changes and hope for better results......you had better throw in a bunch of greenbacks. Otherwise, you are merely replacing one face with another.

1 minute ago, Blounge said:

Dr. E atta boy! He has higher expectations for the program and I’m here for it! Rob was stagnant and his career could look very different without twest. Wonder where he ends up next, re-United with his brother?

It is so ridiculous to say his career would look very different without TWest. Phil Jackson's career would look very different without Michael Jordan.........It is always about the players!

3-0 with 2 good wins. Maybe he has figured it out. Keep up the good work

23 minutes ago, tualum said:

Rob should be gone. No debate there. Skerry despite my criticisms, has done a good job bringing the program to some sort of relevance now. Even if not making the ncaa tourney this year I just can’t see him being terminated unless there is a total meltdown this year and the following..

after 13 years, I would hope so

Great discussion group.....I wish (maybe he does) Don Metil had Skerry's contract

6 minutes ago, TSU88 said:

I believe this is a crossroads season for Skerry. With the preseason predictions of winning the conference + 3 players chosen as preseason 1st-team all-conference, anything less than going dancing will be seen by some (maybe many) as a failure. However, as you point out, Skerry is insulated from being on the same hot seat as Ambrose, by virtue of that insane contract extension he was given. 

IMHO, with a new AD......Steve should have a meeting with each of them and explain they have one year to meet specific goals.....Rob....playoffs....Skerry NCAA's.....dont reach them.....see you later....no wiggle room.

3 minutes ago, TSU88 said:

1st two posts, after Mat’s initial post, specifically read that credit was due the team. After that, subsequent posts pointed out an undeniable fact-we’ve lost to every good team we’ve played this season, and defeated every bad team we’ve played. It’s unfortunate we haven’t been able to play 10 bad teams. Otherwise, we might be 10-0. When you’re .500, and have lost to every good team on the schedule, while beating every bad team, that, if I’m not mistaken, is the quintessential definition of mediocrity. Mediocre doesn’t mean you’re lousy, it means you’re “meh.” We’ve been “meh,” or worse, every season since 2013. It’s time for a regime change. We shouldn’t settle or be satisfied with a ceiling that’s “meh.” Enough!!

I can totally understand your thoughts and you make many points. I just want to use the same standard for everyone. Beating Goucher, NJIT, Rio Grande and other powerhouses got BBall extensions. More power to the agent that wrote the contract, but nonetheless, we as fans and supporters of Towson Athletics should hold everyone, as I said, to the same standard in regime change. 13 years and year after year of failure in games that matter bring about the "one more year" chants.

It amazes me every week that this team wins.......nothing but negative remarks, but when BBall loses games that matter, we hear how great a human being Skerry is. I really have trouble understanding it.

Towson Volleyball has been a stalwart in the athletics department going back to the days of Chris Riley (currently at Va. Tech, I believe). Coach Metil deserves incredible credit for how he has run his program from the day he walked onto campus!

11 hours ago, mat1992 said:

Ok appreciate the support for Gordy because he is a great guy and was a solid coach but I think he’s happy doing color for games and living in New Jersey. Why would you want the headache of coaching and recruiting in your 70s in the NIL era? I think Gordy would be very happy if one of his former players like Bushrod got the job.

One of his former players has the job

On 10/25/2022 at 6:41 PM, Chris Datres said:

For whoever it is we decide to go after, let's hope that the proper amount of funds are appropriated for it.  Our pool for assistant coaches isn't all that great and a lead guy may be pretty hesitant to come here if he can't pay his assistants the right amount, whatever that is.  Madam President is going to have to start caring about athletics enough to open up the purse strings if she doesn't want to be angry like the rest of us in future football seasons.

to give you a clue about how little she cares about athletics, Madame President did not even show up....or any of her staff.... at the Towson Hall of Fame Banquet. This honors the best of the best of Towson Athletic.......not even there!

On 10/9/2022 at 8:59 AM, tu_fan said:

Good for Skerry.  He's right.  We should invest heavily in hoops between TV rights, attendance, the $ associated with making the tournament, etc., this is the sport that needs to be prioritized within the university.  While it is probably not popular wihtin this board, I'd be fine with investing less in football & dropping baseball if it meant creating a sustainable hoops program.  I recall PK stating how underfunded the program was, making it nearly impossible for any coach to succeed.  I assume we invest more these days, but am not sure.  I think Skerry should have a ton of leverage- we were literally the worst D1 basketball program in the country for years (how many losing seasons in a row did we have?  shitty APR rates, scant attendance) and we ended the year close to top 50/60 in Net rankings.  

Are you kidding....A coach who has won NOTHING....NOTHING, whining about not getting the respect he is due. Let him move on. I really have never gotten past the idea that Skerry gets a pass after failing every year in the tournament, which (and I know that most of you will disagree) is the only way Towson will get the "return on investment". Surprised his right arm does not hurt from patting himself on the back.