Former Gopher Ben Coleman: They're not getting the proper instruction in offseason

[lakesgopher]

I'm not worried about the girls team, glad you are. But there should be enough courts up their for them to both shoot around. Does anyone recall if their are 4 courts or 6 up there?

WTF are you talking about. This is only a band-aid until they build the *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!#ing practice facility. Which better be sooner than later.

Well if u aren't worried about equal treatment within the U I'm sure the powers at be wont either. Universities aren't real concerned with giving everyone an equal shot...

I didn't realize u were talking about a band aid...I was thinking by how you posted that instead of a practice facility we would just use what we have currently to save money...if you meant long term use instead of keeping up with our peers in the facilities race, I would rather cut the program because if we aren't going to give financial support we will just get worse

 

[Monty519]

Please name all these places you can go have a hoop all to yourself any time? A bonus if it is 24/7.

As an undergrad I very rarely could find a hoop to have alone at various time. There were always either multiple other people at the hoop. Multiple other people in the gym (not a huge deal for an undergrad, good luck getting uninterrupted time if you are Rodney Williams though), pick up games, or the gym was closed.

I'd say the amount of time you could show up at either rec an have it be open and empty is maybe 5 or 10 percent.

This was my experience as well. For those who think it's simple and easy to get a hoop on the U campus, you must not have attended the U, or if you did, you definitely never tried to hoop while on campus. There is about a 1% chance that you are gonna find an open gym that a player (or a group of them even) could use for more than about a half hour time frame before that court is used up for some PE class or something. There were certain times you could hit the courts up and get a run in with some people, but rarely were there times where you could go alone and just work privately on your game, without worrying about being bothered and all that by others in the gym shooting in the same area.

Of course you can't just sit there and say "Well if we had a practice facility, we wouldn't be losing these games now". We saw how good this team can be earlier in the year, IMO their problems are between their ears. But let's also not act like these guys are being equipped with all the tools they need. They definitely cannot just find any court anytime they feel like it when they wanna get in some individual work on their game, it's a bit of a burden to do so.

 

[scher215]

I'm not worried about the girls team, glad you are. But there should be enough courts up their for them to both shoot around. Does anyone recall if their are 4 courts or 6 up there?

WTF are you talking about. This is only a band-aid until they build the *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!#ing practice facility. Which better be sooner than later.

If I recall correctly, 4 courts in Minneapolis and 1 in St. Paul.

 

[scher215]

No they aren't available for the majority of the day. If they were this would t be an issue. Is the facility thing the main reason why were are struggling? I don't think so, don't think I ever said that? Would we be a better shooting team with a practice facility? Only if the players actually used it.

I agree that if a big player wants a hoop he/she can find one in the metro area...the fact that they "have to find an open hoop" is an absolute joke in terms of what are peers are doing. Your perspective is skewed, you think these players should do academics, practice, weights, study tables, nutrition, film, and scavenger hunt for a hoop in their spare time. It's an f'ing joke that anyone thinks we are going to build a program to contend in our conference when we aren't on the same playing field as our peers. Golden13, what can our Bball program offer tyus, rashaad, and Reid over other programs in the big ten?

I disagree about finding a hoop in the metro area being easy. Sometimes yeah, but the odds of finding one PUBLIC court with no one on it on your first try is pretty slim, regardless of where you go. Even if you try outdoors.

The other kicker is the 24/7 access. Some days you want to just go put up some free throws quick at midnight after studying. Or maybe do some ball handling drills for an hour after your night class.

Well even the 24/7 lifetime closes it's courts from midnight to 5 (not to mention you need to drive there) Williams isn't open 24/7 period. The rec closes at 9 or 10 if I recall correctly. Finding open, unused, basketball courts at any time of day or night isn't as easy as many want to make it seem.

And when MSU, Indiana, Nebraska (!!!!!), can do all of that with ease and convenience. It makes things more challenging.

The reason for the February failings? For the most part, no. However, it does play a role in the types of recruits you get and how much/easy it is for them to work.

And for those mentioning Clem's teams improving still, I agree the competition didn't have practice facilities either, but it is also a lot easier to spend your time during the day practicing and finding courts to practice on when you don't have to worry about that pesky homework and class thing.

 

[Golden13]

No they aren't available for the majority of the day. If they were this would t be an issue. Is the facility thing the main reason why were are struggling? I don't think so, don't think I ever said that? Would we be a better shooting team with a practice facility? Only if the players actually used it.

I agree that if a big player wants a hoop he/she can find one in the metro area...the fact that they "have to find an open hoop" is an absolute joke in terms of what are peers are doing. Your perspective is skewed, you think these players should do academics, practice, weights, study tables, nutrition, film, and scavenger hunt for a hoop in their spare time. It's an f'ing joke that anyone thinks we are going to build a program to contend in our conference when we aren't on the same playing field as our peers. Golden13, what can our Bball program offer tyus, rashaad, and Reid over other programs in the big ten?

You're not seeing the point- a practice facility isn't happening this year and it's not happening the next. You can write on here all you want why it's a joke that we are the only B10 team without a practice facility but you're reiterating the general sentiment of most, myself included. If you're trying to find someone to debate weather or not a facility is necessary, I'm not your guy.

I'm just not buying into this "I can't bitch about 6th place or Tubby's poor recruiting". His current team should be top 6 this year and I can name several reasons other than practice facility that explain why we've underachieved.

If all 3 of those guys decide not to come to the U because we don't have a shiny new facility (agree one is a must, but we don't have one) then I guess you're right. I didn't choose my college based on the classrooms/facilities and I bet most kids don't, athletes or not. Direct answer to your question- we have proximity to home where their parents/friends can watch them, we've had that same proximity to watch them and develop the relationship over the years, and we present many of the same opportunities as our B10 rivals. We've already beat out most B10 schools on the "Big 3's" list so I guess I'm not understanding your question.

 

[scher215]

You're not seeing the point- a practice facility isn't happening this year and it's not happening the next. You can write on here all you want why it's a joke that we are the only B10 team without a practice facility but you're reiterating the general sentiment of most, myself included. If you're trying to find someone to debate weather or not a facility is necessary, I'm not your guy.

I'm just not buying into this "I can't bitch about 6th place or Tubby's poor recruiting". His current team should be top 6 this year and I can name several reasons other than practice facility that explain why we've underachieved.

If all 3 of those guys decide not to come to the U because we don't have a shiny new facility (agree one is a must, but we don't have one) then I guess you're right. I didn't choose my college based on the classrooms/facilities and I bet most kids don't, athletes or not. Direct answer to your question- we have proximity to home where their parents/friends can watch them, we've had that same proximity to watch them and develop the relationship over the years, and we present many of the same opportunities as our B10 rivals. We've already beat out most B10 schools on the "Big 3's" list so I guess I'm not understanding your question.

Agree completely with what your saying. There are countless reasons why the season is sliding.

As far as Tyus and the big 3. I have said from day1 the only advantage MN has over any other school they are looking at is location. Also, if they want to pursue business they can't do better than Carlson. MN is a great campus, IMO, awesome really, and that is another wonderful selling point.

However, basketball wise every school can offer the same or more than MN can. We have to hope they weigh family/location, education, and a great campus over anything else.

 

[Golden13]

Please name all these places you can go have a hoop all to yourself any time? A bonus if it is 24/7.

As an undergrad I very rarely could find a hoop to have alone at various time. There were always either multiple other people at the hoop. Multiple other people in the gym (not a huge deal for an undergrad, good luck getting uninterrupted time if you are Rodney Williams though), pick up games, or the gym was closed.

I'd say the amount of time you could show up at either rec an have it be open and empty is maybe 5 or 10 percent.

I'm not saying the practice facilities are open 24/7 or that it's as convenient as it should be for our players. Tubby's quotes seemed to encourage them to practice more on their own. I assume there's opportunity before/after practice or an open gym throughout the day.

I don't know of a place on the U that I could consistently get the hoop all to myself, but if Rodney Williams showed up while I was there he could definitely have my hoop. I'd even offer to rebound for him.

 

[Deleted_User]

The Recreation and Wellness Center has four or six courts upstairs. I recall the women's team shooting around in the north gym while the south guy was typically for open gym and classes.

Why don't they just have access cards to the north gym for players only until we get this got' dammmn practice facility built.

Why have a separate facility when there is card access to the north gym? Seems like a long-term solution, except for the fact that it was paid for out of student fees and belongs to everyone enrolled.

 

[lakesgopher]

You're not seeing the point- a practice facility isn't happening this year and it's not happening the next. You can write on here all you want why it's a joke that we are the only B10 team without a practice facility but you're reiterating the general sentiment of most, myself included. If you're trying to find someone to debate weather or not a facility is necessary, I'm not your guy.

I'm just not buying into this "I can't bitch about 6th place or Tubby's poor recruiting". His current team should be top 6 this year and I can name several reasons other than practice facility that explain why we've underachieved.

If all 3 of those guys decide not to come to the U because we don't have a shiny new facility (agree one is a must, but we don't have one) then I guess you're right. I didn't choose my college based on the classrooms/facilities and I bet most kids don't, athletes or not. Direct answer to your question- we have proximity to home where their parents/friends can watch them, we've had that same proximity to watch them and develop the relationship over the years, and we present many of the same opportunities as our B10 rivals. We've already beat out most B10 schools on the "Big 3's" list so I guess I'm not understanding your question.

Never said it was happening this year, never said it was happening next year, not trying debate that at all.

I'm annoyed that people like you think it's easy for these guys to practice outside of practice. I'm annoyed that so many blame that these guys aren't getting better like guys at other schools--this goes hand in hand IMO. Our guys can't put in the work others can, we can't offer that to them if you disagree your drunk. I said its a joke that many of our fans expect our players to leave campus to work out because there are a lot of options in the metro to play ball. If you are hired to be an accountant for Cargill, should you be expected to go find your own office equipment to do your job? No if the job can't supply their employee with the tools you need for your job there is a problem. Right now our athletic department is not providing the things to keep us caught up with our peers and that's a problem. I understand that it isn't happening right now but it better be soon

 

[tinyarch]

Never said it was happening this year, never said it was happening next year, not trying debate that at all.

I'm annoyed that people like you think it's easy for these guys to practice outside of practice. I'm annoyed that so many blame that these guys aren't getting better like guys at other schools--this goes hand in hand IMO. Our guys can't put in the work others can, we can't offer that to them if you disagree your drunk. I said its a joke that many of our fans expect our players to leave campus to work out because there are a lot of options in the metro to play ball. If you are hired to be an accountant for Cargill, should you be expected to go find your own office equipment to do your job? No if the job can't supply their employee with the tools you need for your job there is a problem. Right now our athletic department is not providing the things to keep us caught up with our peers and that's a problem. I understand that it isn't happening right now but it better be soon

Ya know I keep reading your comments and your convincing me of one thing...it's obvious that college basketball needs to pay its athletes! Let's offer them a contract so they can buy themselves a home, a personal trainer and build their own personal gym with the house. Obviously all the revenue that they bring in to the U of M should go to the workers for all their labors. Right now, the U of M seems to be mimicking the words of Norm Peterson - "It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milkbone underwear!"

It's now clear to me that the U of M is a MIAC school in the B1G because they don't have their own personal bark-a-loungers and athletic facility. Sharing is such a terrible thing and being even remotely inconvenienced is just something that our elite super stars can't be bothered with. Thanks for helping me see the light after all these pages of misguidance.

 

[big10guy]

Regardless of where they practice, I just hope that the guys would spend all summer shoooting the ball -- jumpers and FTs. Forget about perfecting all your dunks -- hitting FTs and 15 ft jumpers would make us a much more dangerous team. About 500 FTs a day would be a good start.

 

[Johnnyboy18]

We still need a practice facility but Mbakwe has improved his jump shot a lot.

 

[HOOP DREAMS]

Well if u aren't worried about equal treatment within the U I'm sure the powers at be wont either. Universities aren't real concerned with giving everyone an equal shot...

Did the Oklahoma State's Womens BBall team get a 4 million dollar locker room too?

No question we need a practice facility to happen soon. That's a fact Jack.

I find it hard to believe these guys really can't find a place to get some shots up. Some aren't the best, but most have wood floors and glass backboards. Bierman Building, Cooke Hall, University Field House, St. Paul Gym, University Recreation Center and the Sports Pavillion all have hoops if Williams is booked.