Dunphy

[las71]

I can't see him leaving unless the heir apparent is in place. He's trying to help us regain some relevance in the City and I can't believe he would leave without a satisfactory successor on board. From reading the Portal Report it seems we have contacted some guys in the portal already so I assume he is directing that. I can't imagine that an announcement on his status won't come soon.

[MisterD]

If he is leaving, I hope he doesn't have too much involvement in the selection process. Sitting in on interviews, sure, but not in terms of handpicking candidates or successors. New AD, new arena, new blood on the bench.

[JoeFedorowicz]

Mar 19, 2024 10:38:09 GMT -5 las71 said:

I can't see him leaving unless the heir apparent is in place.

Or we do things normally

[MisterD]

First time in two decades I absolutely don't want to follow the Villanova model.

[thelasallelunatic]

3 million for 2 NIT bids...yes, they got issues on the main line.

[JoeFedorowicz]

Money isn't one of them though.

[explorerman]

Mar 19, 2024 11:21:23 GMT -5 thelasallelunatic said:

3 million for 2 NIT bids...yes, they got issues on the main line.

Or their current $12 million operating budget... a horrible return on investment.

However, both sides here... They were up 10000000% on their initial investment 20 years ago, and it moved the University as a whole to a different class. So still big, big winners...

A President's and Board's dream...

[MisterD]

Someone more of a CBB historian than me: What's a good example of a solid major that reach peak heights with a coach and then fell back when they left? We all knew Wright was incredible, but I wonder if this is one of those Belichick/Brady deals where it could never happen without him and can't be repeated again.

[thelasallelunatic]

Mar 19, 2024 12:37:18 GMT -5 MisterD said:

Someone more of a CBB historian than me: What's a good example of a solid major that reach peak heights with a coach and then fell back when they left? We all knew Wright was incredible, but I wonder if this is one of those Belichick/Brady deals where it could never happen without him and can't be repeated again.

Gonzaga when Few retires?

[crayzeeguy]

Mar 19, 2024 12:37:18 GMT -5 MisterD said:

Someone more of a CBB historian than me: What's a good example of a solid major that reach peak heights with a coach and then fell back when they left? We all knew Wright was incredible, but I wonder if this is one of those Belichick/Brady deals where it could never happen without him and can't be repeated again.

Georgetown?

[gymrat67]

Needless to say, I have never been a fan of Rick Pitino - to say the least - however his ( admittedly ' back-filling ' ) recent comments about NIL and the Transfer Portal have caused me to reflect upon the probability that Fran Dunphy must find having to deal with all of this on a day-to-day basis -- in the twilight of his distinguished coaching career and in attempting to help out his alma mater -- extremely distasteful.  It should not, therefore, be at all surprising to the rest of us that Fran may fervently desire to be relieved of this burden and be able to step down sooner rather than later. 

St. John's MBB Coach Rick Pitino on the current state of college basketball

www.newsday.com/sports/college/st-johns/rick-pitino-nil-transfer-portal-jirzqnd1

[explorerfan07]

Not going to get a better in-game coach than Coach Dunphy, IMO.

Question I have is this - this staff besides Dunphy & Mihalich are largely leftovers from Howard era. Hueber is the only addition and I don’t know that I’d consider him the top assistant.

Is that the right assistant coaching group? Are they bringing in good enough players overall? I am sure Dunphy is relying upon them to get the job done recruiting wise, and we basically one piece last year (Tunde) while losing Nickelberry & two Drames.

Deuce Jones, Rokas & Tunde are the only 3 they’ve brought in that have starting potential, IMO. Other signee from fall - maybe, not sure... Most of the Europeans have been duds.

[lasallejohn]

For me, it’s tough to call them duds when they haven’t even been given a chance. Although, I guess Dunphy would play them if he felt they were good enough.

[explorerfan07]

Mar 22, 2024 10:17:42 GMT -5 lasallejohn said:

For me, it’s tough to call them duds when they haven’t even been given a chance. Although, I guess Dunphy would play them if he felt they were good enough.

That’s where I am. We played 7 guys for the majority of the year this past year, after Marrero was hurt. I believe Sanchez Ramos redshirted so he may be able to add value - but tough to see how Mercandino, Tahmaz, Kovacevic fit in if they can’t play on this past year’s team.

[MisterD]

I just did a little spot check on Dunphy's history and I think you can argue he's the type to run a short bench no matter what. Is X is better than Y, X is going to get all the minutes, not just a higher share of a split.

www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/fran-dunphy-1.html

[explorer88]

Mar 22, 2024 10:03:42 GMT -5 explorerfan07 said:

Not going to get a better in-game coach than Coach Dunphy, IMO.

Question I have is this - this staff besides Dunphy & Mihalich are largely leftovers from Howard era. Hueber is the only addition and I don’t know that I’d consider him the top assistant.

Is that the right assistant coaching group? Are they bringing in good enough players overall? I am sure Dunphy is relying upon them to get the job done recruiting wise, and we basically one piece last year (Tunde) while losing Nickelberry & two Drames.

Deuce Jones, Rokas & Tunde are the only 3 they’ve brought in that have starting potential, IMO. Other signee from fall - maybe, not sure... Most of the Europeans have been duds.

In my opinion no. It seems to me Safet Kastrat has gotten most of the international players. I know he is responsible for Tunde, Efe Tahmaz, and the Greek kid. Not sure about the Ramos, Lucas, or Rokas. I have no idea what Donnie Carr and John Cox bring to the table. Can't tie any specific recruits to them (maybe Lucas was John Cox's) nor Mark Hueber. I can understand Hueber because he has ties to Dunphy so that make sense. Safet at least is an up and comer according to some others.

So for me it is Donnie Carr and John Cox.

La Salle should have paid extra dollars when they hired Dunphy to get him a #1 assistant that was a proven recruiter. Even at a lower level. We knew from day one Dunphy would kill the bench coaching but we would struggle in recruiting. That is exactly what has happened.

In retrospect I ask myself does it really matter? These kids are leaving after a year anyway.

It seems for a school like La Salle being able to recruit international kids who are more loyal and not impacted like American players to the NIL is a big key to foster and develop. Part II is we need assistants that can get into recruits' networks quickly to recruit them when turnover happens.

For me Safet is an asset to keep. I would replace Donnie Carr and John Cox unless I am missing something from those 2 I don't know about.

[diehardexplorer]

Mar 22, 2024 10:56:04 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

Mar 22, 2024 10:03:42 GMT -5 explorerfan07 said:

Not going to get a better in-game coach than Coach Dunphy, IMO.

Question I have is this - this staff besides Dunphy & Mihalich are largely leftovers from Howard era. Hueber is the only addition and I don’t know that I’d consider him the top assistant.

Is that the right assistant coaching group? Are they bringing in good enough players overall? I am sure Dunphy is relying upon them to get the job done recruiting wise, and we basically one piece last year (Tunde) while losing Nickelberry & two Drames.

Deuce Jones, Rokas & Tunde are the only 3 they’ve brought in that have starting potential, IMO. Other signee from fall - maybe, not sure... Most of the Europeans have been duds.

In my opinion no. It seems to me Safet Kastrat has gotten most of the international players. I know he is responsible for Tunde, Efe Tahmaz, and the Greek kid. Not sure about the Ramos, Lucas, or Rokas. I have no idea what Donnie Carr and John Cox bring to the table. Can't tie any specific recruits to them (maybe Lucas was John Cox's) nor Mark Hueber. I can understand Hueber because he has ties to Dunphy so that make sense. Safet at least is an up and comer according to some others.

So for me it is Donnie Carr and John Cox.

La Salle should have paid extra dollars when they hired Dunphy to get him a #1 assistant that was a proven recruiter. Even at a lower level. We knew from day one Dunphy would kill the bench coaching but we would struggle in recruiting. That is exactly what has happened.

In retrospect I ask myself does it really matter? These kids are leaving after a year anyway.

It seems for a school like La Salle being able to recruit international kids who are more loyal and not impacted like American players to the NIL is a big key to foster and develop. Part II is we need assistants that can get into recruits' networks quickly to recruit them when turnover happens.

For me Safet is an asset to keep. I would replace Donnie Carr and John Cox unless I am missing something from those 2 I don't know about.

john cox was the lead recruiter on andres, rokas and i'm pretty sure on lucas and jorge. john has loads of international connections and played professionally overseas for 15 years under a lot of good coaches. there was a reason dunph promoted him from the director of basketball ops and and director of player development positions to a full assistant coach. if you look at the online coach's roster, it may lead people to believe that he is the lead assistant.  imo, he and safet are both keepers. 

[JoeFedorowicz]

Please don’t use ‘loyal’ when describing college kids making hard decisions.

[MisterD]

Right? If Brickus leaves for more $$$, he's being "loyal" to his family. We can all kick rocks as far as that goes.

[explorer88]

Okay, if Cox was responsible for Marrero and Rokas, I would be okay with keeping him.Now that you mention Marrero I do remember Cox as involved. First I heard Rokas was because of him.

Sorry, I am keeping loyal in my response. Not all players have the same issues as Brickus and even kids that want to transfer for family reasons. They are not the norm.

As far as making hard decisions. Wasn't it hard when they first made their choice to attend a school? Why is the second decision harder than the first. Why is the 4th time they want to transfer harder than the 1st?

[diehardexplorer]

as a fan, i'm really disappointed that jhamir, anwar, shep and khalil are leaving. i know the resident board expert disagrees with this, but i thought with them, next year's team with the addition of deuce, efstratios and an addition or two from the portal could realistically make an a10 run.  i'm sorry but i think people on here overrate the a10.  the league really isn't that good.  la salle got the 10 seed despite a short rotation and going through a mid-season drought.  another year of experience and the addition of 2-3 players to the existing rotation could make a big difference.  but unfortunately, it looks like that won't happen.

all four of these guys have been credits to the program.  jhamir and anwar are leaving with degrees. all four of them played hard and well and were solid citizens and good teammates during their time here.  i would love for la salle to find a way to get them to stay but if the four of them can get substantial increases in nil money for their last year of eligibility, i really can't blame them.

[MisterD]

Mar 22, 2024 11:55:21 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

Sorry, I am keeping loyal in my response. Not all players have the same issues as Brickus and even kids that want to transfer for family reasons. They are not the norm.

I don't think either of us can quantify it, but I have to imagine a majority of players (and people in general) have to consider money as a/the top factor in these sorts of decisions. Awesome if someone doesn't, it definitely allows for a wider range of options or "loyalty", but being able to not worry about $10K or $20K or far more is definitely not the norm.

[explorerman]

Mar 22, 2024 12:18:36 GMT -5 diehardexplorer said:

as a fan, i'm really disappointed that jhamir, anwar, shep and khalil are leaving. i know the resident board expert disagrees with this, but i thought with them, next year's team with the addition of deuce, efstratios and an addition or two from the portal could realistically make an a10 run.  i'm sorry but i think people on here overrate the a10.  the league really isn't that good.  la salle got the 10 seed despite a short rotation and going through a mid-season drought.  another year of experience and the addition of 2-3 players to the existing rotation could make a big difference.  but unfortunately, it looks like that won't happen.

all four of these guys have been credits to the program.  jhamir and anwar are leaving with degrees. all four of them played hard and well and were solid citizens and good teammates during their time here.  i would love for la salle to find a way to get them to stay but if the four of them can get substantial increases in nil money for their last year of eligibility, i really can't blame them.

Look, I know it is intended for me, and I really do not want to go down this rabbit hole. Appreciating their fight and them being good kids is great. We are talking about being competitive in A-10 basketball games or even just games against average NCAA basketball teams (ranked NET 100 to 175). Those are two different things. Maybe that is where the disconnect is between us.

I am disappointed that they are leaving, too, and that it didn't work out. The results speak for themselves over the last couple of years. I do not find the status quo acceptable, and neither should you. Expecting improvement from the players listed above seems to be extremely wishful. After 3+ seasons, you know what you have. The stats do not lie. I am not the only person who is glad the roster will have a chance to get a refresh. Most of my basketball coaching friends agree with that. Brickus is the only that will transfer up and play material minutes. That is the reality of the situation. This should tell you something. This Board has a long-noted history of overrating our talent.

For the last couple of years, we were a bottom quartile A-10 team. If you look at the players who played more than 20 minutes, you know it was not good enough. The more minutes you play, the more you impact the game. Especially, if you are a guard where you have the ball in your hands multiple more times than wing or post players. We have least gotta try and improve the lacking talent that currently sits at the top of the minutes played. We just do. As I have said before, we take the risk that Dunphy can not recruit the talent needed. His track record is pretty spotty over his great career, and the small sample size here has well-noted concerns. But we have to try it and take the risk.

That is not my opinion or the opinion of my basketball coaching friends. That is the reality of the record, the results, and the logic behind the decision.

Fortunately, La Salle is already on some players, and we will see what the NIL situation looks like. Maybe we get a kid to come home and make the couple-hour trip east to help fortify the front court and help Rokas, who needs to stay injury-free and be the last 6-7 weeks of season Rokas vs the first 2/3 of the season Rokas, which was bad. He has one year to prove something. This is it.

[explorer88]

Mar 22, 2024 12:25:24 GMT -5 MisterD said:

Mar 22, 2024 11:55:21 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

Sorry, I am keeping loyal in my response. Not all players have the same issues as Brickus and even kids that want to transfer for family reasons. They are not the norm.

I don't think either of us can quantify it, but I have to imagine a majority of players (and people in general) have to consider money as a/the top factor in these sorts of decisions. Awesome if someone doesn't, it definitely allows for a wider range of options or "loyalty", but being able to not worry about $10K or $20K or far more is definitely not the norm.

Fair enough. Let me put it another way then. International recruits are looking for opportunities to play American college basketball and get a paid college education than make money playing college basketball then American kids. It is one or the other. Can't have it both ways.

[MisterD]

Sure and there's also a comfort factor where its easier for you or me to switch schools and adapt than someone from Norway or Nigeria. I'm not arguing that, just that a kid's loyalty to a school shouldn't be a factor relative to providing for their family, either actively or just by being more self-sufficient.

[diehardexplorer]

Mar 22, 2024 12:57:35 GMT -5 explorerman said:

Mar 22, 2024 12:18:36 GMT -5 diehardexplorer said:

as a fan, i'm really disappointed that jhamir, anwar, shep and khalil are leaving. i know the resident board expert disagrees with this, but i thought with them, next year's team with the addition of deuce, efstratios and an addition or two from the portal could realistically make an a10 run.  i'm sorry but i think people on here overrate the a10.  the league really isn't that good.  la salle got the 10 seed despite a short rotation and going through a mid-season drought.  another year of experience and the addition of 2-3 players to the existing rotation could make a big difference.  but unfortunately, it looks like that won't happen.

all four of these guys have been credits to the program.  jhamir and anwar are leaving with degrees. all four of them played hard and well and were solid citizens and good teammates during their time here.  i would love for la salle to find a way to get them to stay but if the four of them can get substantial increases in nil money for their last year of eligibility, i really can't blame them.

Look, I know it is intended for me, and I really do not want to go down this rabbit hole. Appreciating their fight and them being good kids is great. We are talking about being competitive in A-10 basketball games or even just games against average NCAA basketball teams (ranked NET 100 to 175). Those are two different things. Maybe that is where the disconnect is between us.

I am disappointed that they are leaving, too, and that it didn't work out. The results speak for themselves over the last couple of years. I do not find the status quo acceptable, and neither should you. Expecting improvement from the players listed above seems to be extremely wishful. After 3+ seasons, you know what you have. The stats do not lie. I am not the only person who is glad the roster will have a chance to get a refresh. Most of my basketball coaching friends agree with that. Brickus is the only that will transfer up and play material minutes. That is the reality of the situation. This should tell you something. This Board has a long-noted history of overrating our talent.

For the last couple of years, we were a bottom quartile A-10 team. If you look at the players who played more than 20 minutes, you know it was not good enough. The more minutes you play, the more you impact the game. Especially, if you are a guard where you have the ball in your hands multiple more times than wing or post players. We have least gotta try and improve the lacking talent that currently sits at the top of the minutes played. We just do. As I have said before, we take the risk that Dunphy can not recruit the talent needed. His track record is pretty spotty over his great career, and the small sample size here has well-noted concerns. But we have to try it and take the risk.

That is not my opinion or the opinion of my basketball coaching friends. That is the reality of the record, the results, and the logic behind the decision.

Fortunately, La Salle is already on some players, and we will see what the NIL situation looks like. Maybe we get a kid to come home and make the couple-hour trip east to help fortify the front court and help Rokas, who needs to stay injury-free and be the last 6-7 weeks of season Rokas vs the first 2/3 of the season Rokas, which was bad. He has one year to prove something. This is it.

i guess i'm old school when it comes to players improving.  it's not as prevalent today because kids switch schools so often, but for the longest time, players did actually improve between their sophomore, junior and senior years. remember, jhamir and anwar spent two years and shep and khalil one year being "coached" by ashley.  i've seen growth in all four of them since dunph came on and i think they'd be even better next season. i don't think that's wishful thinking. like you, i would like to see some refreshing of the roster, but not by removing those guys.

for the last couple of years, we were a bottom quartile a10 team mainly because of the mess ash left behind. dunph had to school a lot of kids who really hadn't been coached before.  whether or not he can add a couple higher level players, either through the portal or from the juco/prep ranks, i don't know, but if he kept the current roster intact and added a couple difference makers, call me delusional, but there's no doubt in my mind they would be able to hang with the "top" of this mediocre league. unfortunately (to me at least), it doesn't appear that will happen because of the nil situation.  it's a shame because they all seemed happy playing for dunph and his staff.

it's news to me that rokas only has one year left.  he's listed as a sophomore on the roster.  i'm looking forward to him continuing to improve for the next two years, hopefully with a couple solid low post guys to team up with.  what makes you think he only has one year left?

[lasallejohn]

He’s saying he has one year to prove his worth not actual eligibility

[explorerman]

Mar 22, 2024 14:41:39 GMT -5 lasallejohn said:

He’s saying he has one year to prove his worth not actual eligibility

Correct

[thelasallelunatic]

Mar 22, 2024 10:56:04 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

Mar 22, 2024 10:03:42 GMT -5 explorerfan07 said:

Not going to get a better in-game coach than Coach Dunphy, IMO.

Question I have is this - this staff besides Dunphy & Mihalich are largely leftovers from Howard era. Hueber is the only addition and I don’t know that I’d consider him the top assistant.

Is that the right assistant coaching group? Are they bringing in good enough players overall? I am sure Dunphy is relying upon them to get the job done recruiting wise, and we basically one piece last year (Tunde) while losing Nickelberry & two Drames.

Deuce Jones, Rokas & Tunde are the only 3 they’ve brought in that have starting potential, IMO. Other signee from fall - maybe, not sure... Most of the Europeans have been duds.

In my opinion no. It seems to me Safet Kastrat has gotten most of the international players. I know he is responsible for Tunde, Efe Tahmaz, and the Greek kid. Not sure about the Ramos, Lucas, or Rokas. I have no idea what Donnie Carr and John Cox bring to the table. Can't tie any specific recruits to them (maybe Lucas was John Cox's) nor Mark Hueber. I can understand Hueber because he has ties to Dunphy so that make sense. Safet at least is an up and comer according to some others.

So for me it is Donnie Carr and John Cox.

La Salle should have paid extra dollars when they hired Dunphy to get him a #1 assistant that was a proven recruiter. Even at a lower level. We knew from day one Dunphy would kill the bench coaching but we would struggle in recruiting. That is exactly what has happened.

In retrospect I ask myself does it really matter? These kids are leaving after a year anyway.

It seems for a school like La Salle being able to recruit international kids who are more loyal and not impacted like American players to the NIL is a big key to foster and develop. Part II is we need assistants that can get into recruits' networks quickly to recruit them when turnover happens.

For me Safet is an asset to keep. I would replace Donnie Carr and John Cox unless I am missing something from those 2 I don't know about.

Mik, when this portal is helter shelter, and kids are leaving Dayton to go in the portal when they should be preparing for Nevada and a run in the Dance, things are fucked up and unsustainable.

Recruit on the margins. The marginalized recruits being high school seniors and Euros. I don't want to be Davidson or St. Mary's and look like Olympiakos (spelling???), but 2 or 3 Euros, 2 or 3 local kids, 2 transfers, and 5 high school kids would be my ideal roster. I have to think that eventually, judges and the NCAA are gonna get their shit together, or Congress will clean it up as they did steroids in baseball.

There has to be some type of effort into roster retention, and maybe these collectives will smarten up and require kids to contractually stay 2-4 years to receive the most money. I can't see this lasting another 2 or 3 years, in its current state.

In the mean time, take a couple of transfers when it makes sense, recruit the marginalized kids, coach the hell out of them, focus on retaining them, because we can't lose 80% of our starters to the portal annually.

[explorer88]

Mar 22, 2024 16:27:18 GMT -5 thelasallelunatic said:

Mar 22, 2024 10:56:04 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

In my opinion no. It seems to me Safet Kastrat has gotten most of the international players. I know he is responsible for Tunde, Efe Tahmaz, and the Greek kid. Not sure about the Ramos, Lucas, or Rokas. I have no idea what Donnie Carr and John Cox bring to the table. Can't tie any specific recruits to them (maybe Lucas was John Cox's) nor Mark Hueber. I can understand Hueber because he has ties to Dunphy so that make sense. Safet at least is an up and comer according to some others.

So for me it is Donnie Carr and John Cox.

La Salle should have paid extra dollars when they hired Dunphy to get him a #1 assistant that was a proven recruiter. Even at a lower level. We knew from day one Dunphy would kill the bench coaching but we would struggle in recruiting. That is exactly what has happened.

In retrospect I ask myself does it really matter? These kids are leaving after a year anyway.

It seems for a school like La Salle being able to recruit international kids who are more loyal and not impacted like American players to the NIL is a big key to foster and develop. Part II is we need assistants that can get into recruits' networks quickly to recruit them when turnover happens.

For me Safet is an asset to keep. I would replace Donnie Carr and John Cox unless I am missing something from those 2 I don't know about.

Mik, when this portal is helter shelter, and kids are leaving Dayton to go in the portal when they should be preparing for Nevada and a run in the Dance, things are fucked up and unsustainable.

Recruit on the margins. The marginalized recruits being high school seniors and Euros. I don't want to be Davidson or St. Mary's and look like Olympiakos (spelling???), but 2 or 3 Euros, 2 or 3 local kids, 2 transfers, and 5 high school kids would be my ideal roster. I have to think that eventually, judges and the NCAA are gonna get their shit together, or Congress will clean it up as they did steroids in baseball.

There has to be some type of effort into roster retention, and maybe these collectives will smarten up and require kids to contractually stay 2-4 years to receive the most money. I can't see this lasting another 2 or 3 years, in its current state.

In the mean time, take a couple of transfers when it makes sense, recruit the marginalized kids, coach the hell out of them, focus on retaining them, because we can't lose 80% of our starters to the portal annually.

Well said Lunatic. I am not sure the margins are enough but I agree with a lot of what you said here.