Fan Reaction?

[Lobodawg92]

With the Lady Lobos on the skids this year (7-4), it is, and will continue to interest me as to how fans react. Some fans are really negative and critical, even when things are good. Every loss, it seems more come on the "what the coach does or did wrong" bandwagon. I always find it amazing how many can critize Flan or whoever, and yet they have proven more successful than most of us ever have. I find it really interesting with Coach Flan, because I hear the complaints all the time.

He can't recruit the blue chip player.
He doesn't hire the right staff.
He doesn't make use of his players.
His bench is too short.
He has too short of a hook.
His tempo is too slow.
He doesn't allow athletic players to function in his system.
He keeps our better players on the bench.
He spends to much time and effort on defense.
and on and on and on.

Somehow in the midst of this, we can overlook the fact that he has 4 freshman, 1 additional lost this year to an injury (who we really needed by the way), 5 sophmores, 2 juniors (1 of which is her first year here on the court), and only 2 seniors, 1 of which is still recovering from back surgery.

Somehow, we forget that the losses were to some pretty darn good teams.

Somehow, we think we know more and can see more than the coach, and most of us have no real clue as to what happens in practice, how the kids are responding off of the court, know nothing of their injuries or really nothing about a lot of the variables that go into what a coach does and what scheme he/she may implement. Even those who coach, don't like his methods because it is not what we would do. I will be the first to admit, Coach does things that I don't like. Coach does things I would not do. However, Coach has built a successful college program, something I have never done. Coach was insanely successful as a high school coach, something I have never done. Coach has worked with more kids than I ever will.

The meat to me? I am a fan. I know a little about basketball. I see my role as the guy who goes and supports the team, regardless of the outcome. I see my role as the guy that yells and hollars at the games, making it tough on other teams, questionable calls by the refs (all in an appropriate manner of course, not making anything personal), and letting my team know I am behind them, and letting recruits know they will be loved and supported here. Things have a way of working themselves out. A team that is fully supported, even during rebuilding is better off than one where everybody 2nd guesses everything, imo. I am not remotely satasified with where we are at. I want to be where Stanford is. I want a top 10 program, not just for the women, but for the men, and toss football in there as well. I really want at least top 25. We are not there at this point with any of the programs. The men may make a run as early as next year, the football program can start stepping up even more with a bowl win, and the women are rebuilding and developing right now. I really don't know how good this group of girls will become. They are still very young. I am hoping for the best, but do agree with Coach when he said he needs better players. Maybe our youngen's will develop into those better players, and just maybe the staff can land a big recruit or two that they keep trying for.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens this year. Complaints, attendance, support for the program, and even season ticket sales for next year, if they don't make it to the NCAA's. Interesting times.

Go Lobos!

[snoopeme]

I couldn't add anything to what you've said with the possible exception of.....in the old days when Al Gore first invented the Internet people would always use the initials IMO or IMHO on many posts. As I have stated before on this site I rarely see people using these anymore....which is too bad because I think while it is a small thing it would put comments into the proper perspective...i.e. this is just one person's opinion and it could be wrong. And afterall, without these differing opinions what would this site be like? Pretty boring if everyone agreed all the time wouldn't you say?

I'm definitely in your camp Dawg on supporting the Lady Lobos through thick and through thin, and encourage you to just ignore some of the know-it-all experts if they are getting to you, and who if the truth be told would probably be critical of the team even if they made the Final Four!

Coach Flanagan is not perfect....but what coach is.....and there will always be critics who take him to task for real or perceived faults. But IMO he has put the Lady Lobos on the national map for women's basketball and I think we're lucky to have him!

Go Lady Lobos! Beat NMSU!!

[yooperlobo]

Well said guys. It will be interesting to see what happens. I, too question some of the "happenings" on the court. But I am smart enough to realize what I know about basketball would fill a thimble in the ocean of knowledge that is coach Flan.
I got realy pissed at one of those described "fans" earlier this year. After the usual mindless ranting I always hear from this "genius", I suggested he get Don on a cell phone during the games to fill him with all the sage advice he comes up with. (ops, I dangled a preposition, forgive me J.P.) I also pointed out that if he had only been whispering in Don's ear during his highschool days, he might have had a little better record. Maybe Don could have won those 13 games he lost and gone a perfect 414-0 instead of 401-13. He hasn't spoken to me since. An unexpected result and pleasure.

[sandia mt]

to use a phrase from the 60's - Right on guys.
Go Lobos. Beat the Aggies!

[sandia mt]

sometimes I enjoy the games and the team more if I don't read message boards.
(but then I can't help myself)

[txlobo95]

From Dawg:



I am hoping for the best, but do agree with Coach when he said he needs better players.


He's got all the players he and his staff have recruited here. Only he and his staff can change that.

It'll be interesting to see the opinions come out if Coach Alford and staff continue to recruit to a high level and turn NM into a power player on the men's side.

from snoopeme:



And afterall, without these differing opinions what would this site be like? Pretty boring if everyone agreed all the time wouldn't you say?


Yep

[engr]

always use the initials IMO or IMHO on many posts.
When people are typing, I assume it is their opinion. IMO, or IMHO really just a minor detail.

he has put the Lady Lobos on the national map for women's basketball and I think we're lucky to have him!
I don't think we are national. We have never won an outright MWC regular season championship...tied with Utah once. We have won the tournament many times...but ask any coach and player to see what means more to them. We have a nationally rated fan base...that does not make us a national player. We would be a national player if we were a consistent top 20 program.

It will be interesting to see how the fans will react. It is a distinct possibility that this will the first year that we our average is less than 9K per game. I'll be there; always am (at least now when my daughter is not practicing AYBL or has a game the same evening).

I have agreed with many of the more "controversial" posters on recruiting. "IMHO" we have only one recruiter that we rely way too much on (thanks Miss Sanchez). We did have Jody Henson (who brought us both Katie and Julie; two of the best players in Coach Flan's tenure here), and Hazel Tull Leach. Other than that Coach has surrounded himself with coaches who have had no collegiate experience in recruiting or coaching. In today's reality world of WCBB, that handicaps the program from the start, and is alot to overcome.

Here's hoping he can overcome.

[Lobodawg92]

He's got all the players he and his staff have recruited here. Only he and his staff can change that.

Worded in that manner, that is not true imo. He has recruited some big time kids, they elected not to come here, so he has not got all the players he and his staff have recruited here. Sometimes it sounds like a lot of people think that blue chippers are easy to sign. I don't believe it, nor do I believe Coach is ignoring the best players he can get.

Also, for some time we were a top 25 program. We are well known in the world of women's college basketball. Lot's of people are aware of New Mexico. Heck, Arizona was sure as heck excited about beating us here. Why? Cause it means something. The baggies were excited about beating us. Lot's of teams would take a win at the pit.

I hope we get back to the top 25 soon. Every school goes through rebuilding, and as I had said earlier, I am not sure how good this set of girls can become. We hung with Cal, played pretty well against Stanford, not so well against Az, and the baggies are good this year. If this team continues to improve like Coaches past teams, I think we will be pretty good by years end, and have a very bright future. Glass half full, or half empty? Some seem to think it is drained.

Go Lobos!

[txlobo95]

Worded in that manner, that is not true imo. He has recruited some big time kids, they elected not to come here, so he has not got all the players he and his staff have recruited here.


Dawg, how did all these players get to UNM if our coaches didn't recruit them?

I realize there are many other players that have spurned us for other schools, most recently, this Nov, Jenny Gilbertson spurned us for K-State. Big deal, that will ALWAYS happen. We will never sign all the top recruits they would like to sign.

"IMO", I'm not sure we will ever get a top 25 recruit (blue chipper) unless there is some type of connection to UNM through a parent or family friend or something. Or she is homegrown in our region.

I was simply saying, every player on this team was a recruit that our coaches went and recruited. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Loboexpat]

When people are typing, I assume it is their opinion. IMO, or IMHO really just a minor detail.

I don't think we are national. We have never won an outright MWC regular season championship...tied with Utah once. We have won the tournament many times...but ask any coach and player to see what means more to them. We have a nationally rated fan base...that does not make us a national player. We would be a national player if we were a consistent top 20 program.

It will be interesting to see how the fans will react. It is a distinct possibility that this will the first year that we our average is less than 9K per game. I'll be there; always am (at least now when my daughter is not practicing AYBL or has a game the same evening).

I have agreed with many of the more "controversial" posters on recruiting. "IMHO" we have only one recruiter that we rely way too much on (thanks Miss Sanchez). We did have Jody Henson (who brought us both Katie and Julie; two of the best players in Coach Flan's tenure here), and Hazel Tull Leach. Other than that Coach has surrounded himself with coaches who have had no collegiate experience in recruiting or coaching. In today's reality world of WCBB, that handicaps the program from the start, and is alot to overcome.

Here's hoping he can overcome.

UNM LLBB might not be a national power but ask around the country in women's BBall circles and I'll bet you two lobo dogs and a frontier roll that they know about this program and have good things to say. It might not extend to the east coast, but there's respect for what Flan has done here on more than a local scale.

[Lobodawg92]

Dawg, how did all these players get to UNM if our coaches didn't recruit them?

I realize there are many other players that have spurned us for other schools, most recently, this Nov, Jenny Gilbertson spurned us for K-State. Big deal, that will ALWAYS happen. We will never sign all the top recruits they would like to sign.

"IMO", I'm not sure we will ever get a top 25 recruit (blue chipper) unless there is some type of connection to UNM through a parent or family friend or something. Or she is homegrown in our region.

I was simply saying, every player on this team was a recruit that our coaches went and recruited. Nothing more, nothing less.


As to the players we have, of course he recruited them. You did not say he has recruited all of the players that are currently here. Your statement was that he's got all the players he and his staff have recruited here. That is point blank not true, as evidenced in your 2nd paragraph. He has obviously not got all of the players he has recruited here.

Perhaps you meant that he has recruited all of the players he has here at this time, perhaps you meant to imply that he has not got all of the players he has recruited here. I got in hot water with you for taking what you implied, and not what you said. Now I am in hot water for what you said and not what you meant to imply? :rolleyes:

You know the funny thing about all of this, is that I started this thread based on a conversation with someone else. It originally had nothing to do with this board.

[snoopeme]

:look Wow, this thread is getting really hard to follow! LOL Maybe it will soon collapse of its own weight and everyone will soon start talking about how we disemboweled the Aggies on Friday night.

I feel pretty confident that the rematch will be quite a different story....and I'd hate to be NMSU coming into The Pit!

Go Lady Lobos! Beat NMSU!!

[txlobo95]

soon start talking about how we disemboweled the Aggies on Friday night.

I just got back from the men's game after steam rolling the Aggies. If the women play with that much enthusiasm and have as much fun as the men, they should steam roll the Aggies as well. Go ladies and kick some Baggies back to Cruces! :>