tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post404269940890778367..comments2023-09-17T00:30:27.307-07:00Comments on WE NEVER GRADUATE: Irish Basketball: It All Falls DownMattarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09694403988584662367noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-57558893156276159002011-03-25T11:08:08.071-07:002011-03-25T11:08:08.071-07:00Good to see that the Mike Brey apologists are out ...Good to see that the Mike Brey apologists are out in force again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-63919777360430470992011-03-24T18:59:56.833-07:002011-03-24T18:59:56.833-07:00I loved watching this team this year, especially B...I loved watching this team this year, especially Ben. Really sorry it ended like it did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-71624729906036828122011-03-24T18:22:02.980-07:002011-03-24T18:22:02.980-07:00You choked.You choked.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-48859129318104046132011-03-24T15:13:35.925-07:002011-03-24T15:13:35.925-07:00Ben choked.Ben choked.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-63721118540150372432011-03-24T12:40:34.942-07:002011-03-24T12:40:34.942-07:00Why would Ben feel he had to match Kemba Walker? I...Why would Ben feel he had to match Kemba Walker? I don't understand this thinking. He beat Walker for the BEPOY -- and I didn't hear anyone (other than UCONN fans) claiming he hadn't earned it. If he hadn't won and Walker had, then maybe he'd feel he needed to match Walker to prove he should have won. But not the other way around. And he didn't add Kemba's shot to his game -- he had tried (and made) pretty much the same shot earlier in the season.<br /><br />Ben had an off game versus UL. It happens. His shot was a little off against Akron, but he seemed to realize that and looked mostly to pass and let someone else shoot in the second half (which goes against the whole ego argument). <br /><br />FSU was ugly in every way, but Ben's points, assists, 3 pt percentage, etc. were actually close to his season average. It certainly wasn't one of his best performances (far from it), but it wasn't as bad as its been made out to be, esp. given he was playing against the #1 defense in the country. Ben's performance in the NCAAs clearly wasn't at the same level as his mid-January through early March play, but let's face it -- he played at such an unreal level for so long its not entirely surprising he came back to earth (just unfortunate it happened when it did).<br /><br />Of course, Ben was far from the only one who didn't play nearly as well come the NCAA tournament. And thats what I don't get. You could argue that "as Ben goes so go the Irish," but I don't think thats what happened here. The team had a gritty come from behind victory at UCONN without him. They built a big lead v. UL with Ben having a bad game. The missed shots and bad plays against Akron and FSU started at the outset, well before we knew how Ben would play. Heck, if Cooley, Martin, Nash and Scott get about half their average points against FSU, we are right in the game -- but they didn't, despite having numerous chances.<br /><br />So I don't know what happened. Just a bad matchup? Poor preparation? Tired legs? Lack of confidence after the UL game? Too tight? I have no idea. All I know is that I'm still in shock we aren't playing this weekend, and it still makes me sick to my stomach when I think about how well this team played in the regular season versus how we looked against FSU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-33532305653890053422011-03-24T10:55:03.327-07:002011-03-24T10:55:03.327-07:00This wasn't a column meant to debate whether B...This wasn't a column meant to debate whether Brey is a good coach, great coach, or anything else. If you want that go here: <br /><br />http://wenevergraduate.blogspot.com/2011/02/revisiting-breaking-down-mike-brey.html<br /><br />This was a piece to reflect on the season. <br /><br />The reality is that for all the great things achieved in the regular season--and there were plenty--they're overshadowed by the second round flameout. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it goes.Mattarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694403988584662367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-83934155580491334862011-03-24T08:50:31.967-07:002011-03-24T08:50:31.967-07:00Due to academic requirements, which I support, the...Due to academic requirements, which I support, the irish will never be a basketball power. They will never have the depth of athletes seen by schools such as Fla. St. Mike is a good coach and did a great job with the talent on hand. Don't expect the talent pool to increase and some magical coach to come along and win it all. Never happened, never will. Be proud of what these kids accomplished.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-86805046317705240492011-03-24T02:19:31.846-07:002011-03-24T02:19:31.846-07:00I think that you are right. Ben was not the same a...I think that you are right. Ben was not the same after being named BE POY. His hair and ego began to grow. It seemed that he wanted to prove to doubters that he was as good as Kemba Walker--he even added Kemba's stepback jumper to his repertoire. He looked fatigued and "frazzled", a word that Mike Brey used to describe the team. Pride goeth before a fall. If Ben had just been Ben, he could have continued to lead us as brilliantly as he had done all year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-33321354327816699192011-03-23T19:57:47.655-07:002011-03-23T19:57:47.655-07:00First off, I think Brey is a good coach, especiall...First off, I think Brey is a good coach, especially for a school like ND. However I don't believe Brey can lead ND to a National Title. It appears to me that he cannot coach defense. I've even read a quote from the local newspaper where he's quoted as saying he pleaded with his players to play better defense. However, if he hires an assistant coach who's a defensive specialist - Ya never know - - -Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-37484064720002607322011-03-23T17:47:20.118-07:002011-03-23T17:47:20.118-07:00It doesn't matter what Brey does too many of y...It doesn't matter what Brey does too many of you are never satisfied. Great year, sad ending yes. But to say another coach would have done better--give me a break.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-73606506807016621502011-03-23T17:10:30.254-07:002011-03-23T17:10:30.254-07:00I agree with Anonymous #1 and think I agree with A...I agree with Anonymous #1 and think I agree with Anonymous #2. Let's face it, while the elite schools are replete with '1 & done' players, ND has become the '5 & survive' poster boys. Their only chance is to do what Brey did this year - build a post graduate team and hope for the best. But, in the end, athleticism will always win - but BH's sheer tenacity made it an interesting ride and I for one enjoyed every minute of it. He, too, became my all-time favorite player in an Irish uniform by putting the fight in these Irish. All the best to Psycho B at the next level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-13547015515853332262011-03-23T13:49:31.770-07:002011-03-23T13:49:31.770-07:00Must have been a bad year for coach of the year ca...Must have been a bad year for coach of the year candidates. Had the two post season tournaments been included in Brey's body of work for the season, he would not have made the cut.<br />The regular season was a joy to watch. And yet I never bought into any of the post season hype. ND flamed out just as I thought both in the BE and NCAA.<br />ND needs two head coaches, one for the regular season and one for the postseason. Brey will never get ND to the Sweet Sixteen again.<br /><br />He is one and done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-22317584999989514292011-03-23T11:30:35.085-07:002011-03-23T11:30:35.085-07:00It's not a problem if Mike Brey does leave, we...It's not a problem if Mike Brey does leave, we need to have someone that doesn't just coach and prepare his players for the games, he needs to instill confidence and a fierce competitiveness in the players. Once Mike's gone, we (i.e., ND) just need to find some money and hire Mark Turgeon away from Texas A&M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-57562500508116136622011-03-23T11:01:25.318-07:002011-03-23T11:01:25.318-07:00Brey will soon leave for a bigger and better jobBrey will soon leave for a bigger and better jobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-80813974108010808812011-03-23T08:43:38.577-07:002011-03-23T08:43:38.577-07:00I'm not sure about the influx of talent that i...I'm not sure about the influx of talent that is on its way to South Bend, maybe in football, but not in basketball!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82054786841649475.post-83541317160680221662011-03-23T07:10:40.187-07:002011-03-23T07:10:40.187-07:00amazing articleamazing articleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com