What does McDermott have to change from here on out?

[Cyrocks]

I get that many are angry and upset that this program isn't where we all hoped it would be when McDermott was hired.

But he is still the coach this year, and probably next year as well. So, I guess I will go in a different direction than, "who could we get as a new MBB coach?" thread considering that this season isn't over with.

If you could tell McDermott to his face what he needs to do in order to get this program back on track, what would it be?

Please, none of this, "resign right now" smart *** answers. Please save that for other threads. We are adults, and I consider 99.9 percent of Cyclone fans as being very positive by nature.

 

[jsb]

Well, in a micro sense, he tried the zone you all were begging for a few days ago and it bombed.

 

[Tre4ISU]

Pressure. We give up a ton of easy shots anyway. We just as well go for some steals or stupid turnovers. I think a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap could work with some of our athleticism. Dendy could wreck some **** in a chaotic defense.

 

[Clones21]

I just want to see fire in him. Thats all! All i ask for his for him to show emotion and get in the refs face every now and then and maybe even in a players face.

 

[akclone]

Stop revolving the offense around Brackins. Let the guards and Strap run the show.

 

[DRCHIRO]

I listened to the first half and watched the last 10 minutes of the game. My brother and I were talking at half and it sounded like a team who has given up on there coach. After the second half, we couldn't of been more wrong.

1. Mental toughness, first and foremost. Mentally tough teams don't have 5 to 10 minute stretches where they are awful. We seem to have it every game. Mental toughness plays a huge factor in rebounding, defense, and free throw shooting which happen to be three aspects that have killed us all year. You have to have a "will" to be successful at those things and we just don't.

2. Time and situation
example 1- last night we had it down to three and let 25 seconds run off the clock before we fouled and we fouled OU's best free throw shooter! Do we not have a plan in that situation? That possession killed us.
ex 2- Can we get DG to play with some urgency ever. He played much better last night than he has in the past but I can't handle him dribbling out the shot clock and lolly gagging his *** up the floor, especially when time is against us.

3. Sounds gay but have fun. When we were beating the crap out of people early on the guys were having a riot out there. I know it's fun to win and the competition was weak but I have not seen any enjoyment out of these guys in awhile. Let loose and just play.

 

[Cyrocks]

Well, in a micro sense, he tried the zone you all were begging for a few days ago and it bombed.

I don't recall that I begged to go zone. I don't care what he does as long as it results in a win.

 

[TruClone]

I just want to see fire in him. Thats all! All i ask for his for him to show emotion and get in the refs face every now and then and maybe even in a players face.

Yes. When was the last time he was T'ed up? It seems to put fire into the players knowing he is willing to fight for them. Remember Floyd and Larry E?!!

 

[TheHelgo]

learn how to be a leader of men and get them to go to war for you. period.

 

[cyclonepower]

winning every once in a while would be nice, that may fall under smart*** answers

 

[jsb]

I don't recall that I begged to go zone. I don't care what he does as long as it results in a win.

Well obviously everyone didn't do that, but there was a lot of people who wanted to see a zone. They saw it, it failed.

 

[Clonefan32]

I agree that we need to stop revolving around Brackins. It makes our offense slow and predictable, and to be honest, its not Craig's strength. Let the guards create, let Quiz do his thing, and Brackins will get his through open shots created by them. If you think about it, Craig's best shots all year have been dump-offs from the guards for dunks, or open 15 footers created by penetration. He is not a pound it down low and go off me kinda guy, end of story.

 

[ISUonthemove]

He needs to teach these guys how to play some defense. Plain and simple. A little better defense and rebounding and we are possibly 16-4.

 

[Enginerd]

I just want to see fire in him. Thats all! All i ask for his for him to show emotion and get in the refs face every now and then and maybe even in a players face.

I am trying not to dog pile this coach or team (what's the point...still lots of season left and McD is not going anywhere with his current contract) but I agree with this post. From day one I never felt he had any sense of urgency. Let's face it, running a successful DI sport requires urgency every day whether it be recruiting, coaching, pressuring officials, or firing up the boosters/fans. It seems like the team kind of reflects that attitude.

I will be the first to admit that this may not be a fair assessment. I am not at the practices or in the locker rooms (though that halftime speech during the KU game didn't exactly set the world on fire). It also may not be his style. It's just something I personally would like to see and it seems to be a trait (varying in degree and approach) of many successful coaches.

 

[GeneralZod]

The coach isn't turning the ball over. The players are making bad decisions and poor passes. You take away half of the points we gave up in turnovers and we win this game and Tech also. You can't give the ball away like we are. That gives the other team more attempts to score and us less, its simple. Take care of the ball!!!!!

 

[Wesley]

Pressure. We give up a ton of easy shots anyway. We just as well go for some steals or stupid turnovers. I think a 1-3-1 halfcourt trap could work with some of our athleticism. Dendy could wreck some **** in a chaotic defense.

I agree. Definitely pressure. I know he likes his team hang back and defend, but we really just let people drive down the lane anyway. Since we are not organized on defense, pell mell defense might be an improvement.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Hiring a quality Free Throw instructor would be nice...

The coach isn't turning the ball over. The players are making bad decisions and poor passes. You take away half of the points we gave up in turnovers and we win this game and Tech also. You can't give the ball away like we are. That gives the other team more attempts to score and us less, its simple. Take care of the ball!!!!!

I honestly get what you're saying, and I've made similar arguments in the past. Yes, he isn't out there turning the ball over, and he doesn't get the opportunity to sink shots, but he's the head coach - ultimately the responsibility of the performance of the team falls on him. He's the one getting paid to coach the team. And while McD has had more bad luck over the last four years than any coach should, the simple truth of the matter is while this team has made some progress, especially on the talent front, it's not translating into wins. And ultimately, that's how a coach is judged.

 

[bawbie]

The biggest thing he needs to do, in my opinion, is figure out how to get them to play like they are down 15 from the opening whistle.

I'd like to see them try pressing at the start of the game, like they have done when they are down, just to get the juices flowing a little.

 

[Cysquared]

Sit Garrett start Colvin

 

[aweb84]

Sit Garrett start Colvin

Agreed.