78 replies to this topic

[Mike in STL]

Sounds like he’s saying and doing all the right things so far. That’s encouraging.

[Mike B]

Nice to hear he has already talked to his players on a Zppm call and I saw a video of him talking to Donta Scott.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Good stuff guys - Zack, huge thanks for recapping.

[You Play to Win the Game]

This is what I was telling you guys a couple months ago, he’s a likeable dude, and an intense dude. It comes through in his pressers. Doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to be successful here, but it’s in part what we wanted.

That said, I remember several “Turge nailed the press conference” comments when he was hired, so trying not to get too far ahead of myself here. But it’s a great start, along with the coaching hires. Love to hear he wants to run a faster system with better athletes here.

I’m on board fully. Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!

[You Play to Win the Game]

Just watched the presser - great job recapping Zack.

 

He's an easy guy to get behind. Seems to have a great plan in place. One thing that kind of caught my attention, was about how the President came prepared to the meeting with Willard with KenPom stats and other measures of the basketball program and what he expects. That's encouraging. Pines is fairly new here, but seems to be more invested in the basketball program than the previous regime. 

[BSLMikeLowe]

 Pines is fairly new here

 

I thought he’s been there for quite some time. Didn’t he mention during the presser being there when they won the title in 2002?

[You Play to Win the Game]

I thought he’s been there for quite some time. Didn’t he mention during the presser being there when they won the title in 2002?

He became the school President in July of 2020, which is what I was referencing. Doesn't really matter how into MD basketball he was in previous positions, as he didn't have the sway/power he does now.

[BSLMikeLowe]

He became the school President in July of 2020, which is what I was referencing. Doesn't really matter how into MD basketball he was in previous positions, as he didn't have the sway/power he does now.

But he certainly could have understood the culture of the fan base and athletics program, especially having a son who played soccer. I doubt he spent all his years in the Engineering Dept living in a total vacuum.

[Mackus]

I thought he’s been there for quite some time. Didn’t he mention during the presser being there when they won the title in 2002?

 

He's new to being President, but you're right, he's been at the University a very long time.

[You Play to Win the Game]

But he certainly could have understood the culture of the fan base and athletics program, especially having a son who played soccer. I doubt he spent all his years in the Engineering Dept living in a total vacuum.

My only point is, it's good to see a University President who values Maryland basketball. What am I doing wrong here?

[Mackus]

 I doubt he spent all his years in the Engineering Dept living in a total vacuum.

 

There is a Wind Tunnel on campus but, unless its new, not a Thermal Vac chamber.

[BSLMikeLowe]

My only point is, it's good to see a University President who values Maryland basketball. What am I doing wrong here?

Maybe I read what you said another way, but it sounded like you insinuate that you have to actually be in some sort of decision-making position in order to understand UM athletics and their fans. I think just about any of us here have an understanding of that better than several of the previous decision-makers.

 

I agree that Pines seems like a very good fit for the position. Use that Big Ten money to give all your sports the resources to succeed, while understanding the revenue sports pay the freight.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Maybe I read what you said another way, but it sounded like you insinuate that you have to actually be in some sort of decision-making position in order to understand UM athletics and their fans. I think just about any of us here have an understanding of that better than several of the previous decision-makers.

 

I agree that Pines seems like a very good fit for the position. Use that Big Ten money to give all your sports the resources to succeed, while understanding the revenue sports pay the freight.

Truly at a loss as to how that could be the takeaway - Not trying to escalate here, just trying to understand what I said to give that impression. 

 

This was the point of that post:

 

but seems to be more invested in the basketball program than the previous regime.

 

That's the only point I was making. It has been frustrating as hell watching previous administrations fumble the gem that is Maryland Basketball, so the little tidbit about the conversation Pines and Willard had was very encouraging to me. Don't know how you could have gotten "only leaders at MD can understand MD hoops" out of that. 

[Mackus]

https://robotics.umd...ment-laboratory

 

There is a thermal vac chamber!  I can't find when it was added, I don't recall it being there 20 years ago, but maybe it was and I just didn't know.

 

Dr. Akin, btw, the director of the robotics facility taught my favorite course at MD and the very first day, slide 1 of his lesson was a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy quote ("Space is big...").  

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Just watched the presser - great job recapping Zack.

He's an easy guy to get behind. Seems to have a great plan in place. One thing that kind of caught my attention, was about how the President came prepared to the meeting with Willard with KenPom stats and other measures of the basketball program and what he expects. That's encouraging. Pines is fairly new here, but seems to be more invested in the basketball program than the previous regime.

Ill catch the presser when I can. Im becoming good with it and not because I have to accept it. As I said before, name doesnt matter at this point. Its all about results.

[BSLChrisStoner]

IMS: 105.7 Interview
https://247sports.co...more-185054206/

[Mike B]

IMS: 105.7 Interview
https://247sports.co...more-185054206/

Good interview.  Willard seems very smart but also it seems he has good people skills.

I like the part about wanting to build a roster so he can play uptempo and press.  I waited 11 years for Turgeon to do that.

[BSLRoseKatz]

Wanted to put in context how crappy Seton Hall was from PJ Carlesimo leaving to Willard showing up. They had 3 NCAA appearances in that time period and there are...exactly 100 schools who had more than 3 in that same time period.

 

[BSLRoseKatz]

Figure this was the best thread to put the broader coaching searches in context: 14 schools in a major conference got a new coach, Willard was one of 6 to get to the tournament in year one