"Is it coaching?"

[Bloo]

Sorry, not trying to pick on anyone, but this comment in the game thread was so over the top, I have to comment.

Folks, there are EIGHT players that hadn't played a minute of Lobo basketball going into the season. One of them- quite possibly the best one- still has yet to play.
We lost a player to the NBA that led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
We have FINALLY got some size in the post, but they are a freshman, another freshman, a sophomore that took over a year off, and AJ.
Some pretty damn good teams have struggled in Las Cruces to win, and some of those failed to win.

But seriously, are we calling Menzies' coaching better than Alford's because we have lost double digit leads down there in back-to-back years? SERIOUSLY???

C'mon, guys! This is NOT last year's team! They're young, they're coming together, they just won two road games in a couple of tough places to win on the road... I think we're coming along fine, and the best news is that this team is only going to get better!

Keep the faith, Lobo fans!

GREAT WIN, LOBOS!!!

[Garishwolf]

BLOO man stuuring de pot,,,,,,,,,,,LOL....................guud to see you my friend.............Our coaching will over come all obstacles in our way'...........like a song,,,,,Sir. miss yuz guyz........

[Bloo]

Dood, are you in the States yet? When are yuu gunna bee in toooooooooooooown???

[LoboColo]

Honestly, Bloo I'm not worried about our freshman. Kendall Williams is a keeper. Alex Kirk is giving us positive minutes, and it looks like the other freshman certainly can develop in to good,, solid players.

Having said that, I am a little alarmed at our failure to protect the ball. But that's something I put on are upper classman. We've just got to get better at taking care of the rock. We've got to value the ball. We're deficient in that area right now.

[GoLobos]

Great post....glad to hear from you Bloo!

[NMFANINOKC]

My only complaint is the prevent.. By this I mean when we get up by 10+ we go into this stall offense and run the clock/ Not a fan.

[Lobo_J]

Didn't see the comment in the game thread but I will say I was a bit puzzled why we didn't but more full court ball pressure with 5 miinutes left and OT with no point guards left for NMSU. Especially with Fatso I mean Gordo bringing the ball up the court.

That being said, I think Alford and Neal are great gametime coaches.

[ricoLobo]

Sorry, not trying to pick on anyone, but this comment in the game thread was so over the top, I have to comment.

Folks, there are EIGHT players that hadn't played a minute of Lobo basketball going into the season. One of them- quite possibly the best one- still has yet to play.
We lost a player to the NBA that led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
We have FINALLY got some size in the post, but they are a freshman, another freshman, a sophomore that took over a year off, and AJ.
Some pretty damn good teams have struggled in Las Cruces to win, and some of those failed to win.

But seriously, are we calling Menzies' coaching better than Alford's because we have lost double digit leads down there in back-to-back years? SERIOUSLY???

C'mon, guys! This is NOT last year's team! They're young, they're coming together, they just won two road games in a couple of tough places to win on the road... I think we're coming along fine, and the best news is that this team is only going to get better!

Keep the faith, Lobo fans!

GREAT WIN, LOBOS!!!

I saw that one, too -- sometimes you just have to shake your head.

[UWSLobo]

I vaguely recall reading the comment in question......I'm not exactly sure, but I think there is some frustration on the part of some that the Lobos have not been able to put away certain lesser teams, and as a result, have let lesser teams creep back into it in 2nd half.

For example, last season we go to BYU and beat a great team on their home court, yet struggle with MWC bottom feeders in the Pit. There was some feeling that last year's team played to the potential of the other team. In other words, their intensity level and execution was lacking at times against lesser competition, and this could be a coaching flaw (as well as a player flaw).

So the logic goes that if the Lobos cannot focus for a full 40 minutes and take care of business against lesser teams, they will surely lose against the better teams. When you see this pattern (lack of focus) over several years, you start to think it may be a coaching flaw.

I'm not sure if I buy into all this...just mentioning it as an observation.

On the other hand, the Lobos went 30-5 last season and are 6-1 this season and have displayed a great ability to win on the road, so if this is a weakness of the coaching staff, well it's getting a bit nitpicky. The good far outweighs the bad.

Again, I think there is some frustration that we seem to have so many nail biters.

[tannji]

Hmm.... 6-1 record projects out to.... 30-5??! Not sayin nothin... just sayin. = )

[70degrees]

Didn't see the comment in the game thread but I will say I was a bit puzzled why we didn't but more full court ball pressure with 5 miinutes left and OT with no point guards left for NMSU. Especially with Fatso I mean Gordo bringing the ball up the court.

That being said, I think Alford and Neal are great gametime coaches.

Its hard to draw up a press when you havent tried it all game, there is too much risk involved. I think having man to man with kendall guarding Gordo was our best bet, and it worked.

[Digital Lobo]

In the three prior seasons that I watched Steve Alford's Lobo basketball teams, they each got progressively better as those seasons unfolded. I love that this season's team with so many new (and young) players are 6-1 with only one bad loss and without one of our best players (presumably) in Drew Gordon and without one of our other best players (PMac) for a stretch of games. I don't need the Lobos to blow away their opponents by double digits to get me excited. If they win a bunch of single digit games that is perfectly righteous in my book.

[Lobo_J]

Its hard to draw up a press when you havent tried it all game, there is too much risk involved. I think having man to man with kendall guarding Gordo was our best bet, and it worked.

Nothing to draw up having the guy guarding the point pick up full court.

[pjamj]

Sorry, like Bloo, I call complete and utter BS on anyone questioning this coaching staff, arguably becoming the best coaching staff in the entire 100+ year history of Lobo basketball!

Seriously guys, think for just a second what Alford has done in NM.

Unfreakingbelievable is what comes to mind! Our road record alone under Alford is remarkable for ANY program and at any level, especially considering where it historically has been. There has been a total of ONE game going on 4 years that was a bad road loss, 'it happens' is an understatement!

2 out of 3 years Alford has led the team to MWC titles, post season play in all 3 of his seasons, a 3-seed last year and a second-round appearance!

We have won a helluva lot of games since Alford arrived, isn't that the goal?

WTF and WTF (W=why) would anyone question the coaching? I will call that for what it is; moronic, uninformed, ignorant, etc.

Sheesh, anyone questioning the coaching ability needs 10 seconds of rapid-slapping!

[UNM Class of 1972]

Sorry, not trying to pick on anyone, but this comment in the game thread was so over the top, I have to comment.

Folks, there are EIGHT players that hadn't played a minute of Lobo basketball going into the season. One of them- quite possibly the best one- still has yet to play.
We lost a player to the NBA that led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
We have FINALLY got some size in the post, but they are a freshman, another freshman, a sophomore that took over a year off, and AJ.
Some pretty damn good teams have struggled in Las Cruces to win, and some of those failed to win.

But seriously, are we calling Menzies' coaching better than Alford's because we have lost double digit leads down there in back-to-back years? SERIOUSLY???

C'mon, guys! This is NOT last year's team! They're young, they're coming together, they just won two road games in a couple of tough places to win on the road... I think we're coming along fine, and the best news is that this team is only going to get better!

Keep the faith, Lobo fans!

GREAT WIN, LOBOS!!!

I didn't read the game thread and will not because the game is over.

Whoever, said that is an idiot and I don't want to know who it is.

[NMFANINOKC]

Sorry, not trying to pick on anyone, but this comment in the game thread was so over the top, I have to comment.

Folks, there are EIGHT players that hadn't played a minute of Lobo basketball going into the season. One of them- quite possibly the best one- still has yet to play.
We lost a player to the NBA that led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
We have FINALLY got some size in the post, but they are a freshman, another freshman, a sophomore that took over a year off, and AJ.
Some pretty damn good teams have struggled in Las Cruces to win, and some of those failed to win.

But seriously, are we calling Menzies' coaching better than Alford's because we have lost double digit leads down there in back-to-back years? SERIOUSLY???

C'mon, guys! This is NOT last year's team! They're young, they're coming together, they just won two road games in a couple of tough places to win on the road... I think we're coming along fine, and the best news is that this team is only going to get better!

Keep the faith, Lobo fans!

GREAT WIN, LOBOS!!!

I made the following quote and I sure hope that this is not what you were referring to. (Mike had mentioned something about putting teams away)

Mike, this seems to be a COMMON occurance with this squad. Getting leads of 10-15 and then letting teams come back. What is up with that? Coaching? I mean really, NMSU is about as below average as they come. Why can't we just extend and put teams like this away?

First let me say that I was a little tippsy lastnight however that being said, I did not mean anything by this comment that MM is a better coach, this has anything to do with Coach Alford or that he cannot coach or anything like that. I respect the takes that Mike gives on here about X's and O's and when I mentioned us losing leads as "Is it coaching?" I meant is it the style that we seem to play when we have these leads? From the games that I watch, our style does seem to change dramatically when we get leads over 10. Alot of slowing down, milking clock and lastnight it resulted in numerous late clock three point bombs. Seems to go away from what we did to get the lead. Then when games get closer we do the usual and that is pound DG to the rim, get to the line, etc. Trust me, I was simply just asking Mike if he thought it was a coaching style that changed with leads. Wanted his opinon.

With let let me also say that it was dissapointing to lose a 17 point lead. Yea I know anyone could say that but 20 turnovers and sloppy play vs. a team that while they are athletic in certain spots does not have the talent we have and coaching is a MAJOR mismatch was hard to watch. NMSU is a team that does nothing but play street ball, put some pressure on you and hopes for the best. We are 15 - 20 points better than this team and I think it will show in one week.

[a1lobo]

My only complaint is the prevent.. By this I mean when we get up by 10+ we go into this stall offense and run the clock/ Not a fan.

I agree with you NMFANINOKC! When we are up 10+ we should start to press and really get the opponent tired. We have the legs to play this type of up tempo style of ball. We are going to be deeper than more than 75% of teams, so why not do this?

[NMFANINOKC]

I agree with you NMFANINOKC! When we are up 10+ we should start to press and really get the opponent tired. We have the legs to play this type of up tempo style of ball. We are going to be deeper than more than 75% of teams, so why not do this?

And I am not saying change the entire style of play when you are up by 10, I just figure why not continue to keep the same approach you have and just go from there. Hey, I am a basketball guy so I could be way off here. That is why I was aksing Mike, he seems to know quite a bit about the game.

[Gonzlobo]

Jeez people, people are allowed to ask questions about tactics. If we think the press should've been employed or a flipping TO should've been called, then why can 't it be discussed? Steve is an excellent coach, but he's not immune from Monday morning QBing.

[NMFANINOKC]

Jeez people, people are allowed to ask questions about tactics. If we think the press should've been employed or a flipping TO should've been called, then why can 't it be discussed? Steve is an excellent coach, but he's not immune from Monday morning QBing.

SO what you are saying is we do not have a good coach? We are being outcoached? LOL, please note the sarcasm. I do agree with you. Hell, if I am totally wrong in asking then I want someone with a deeper knowledge of the game to let me know. That is how you learn! As for SA and staff, I LOVE THOSE GUYS!

[Hoopsfanatic]

Its BASKETBALL people a game of RUNS, did we get the W ? Thats all that matters at the end of the day and on paper! HipRaiseDaRoof

[Mark]

I agree with NMFAN. It is coaching!! Were 36-6 in the last 2 years with 12 true road wins in that same time. I was at the game and what some fans can't seem to do is give credit to other teams. State is BIG and very athletic. Kabongo has 3 inches on Gary. Gillenwater is a freaking MAN. That guy is a stud! Laroach is wild but that's how they like to play. Watson (who wanted to come to UNM at out Elite camp) is HUGE and is every bit as big as Eman if not bigger. I mean, For this team to bus 2 hours to Carbondale. Play. Bus 2 hours back to St Louis and fly 3 hours home. School work for finals. Bus 3 1/2 to state and at the next night is crazy. Maybe it's the players just getting fatigued? Shoot. There was about 6-7 mins last night where we played like last year. We looked awesome. But the Aggies did what they do. Aggressive pressure D seemed to rattle us and get us out of wack. Even though our guard play was great last night we did have some issues when they extended their pressure.
When we play state everythig gets thrown out the window. It's a rivalry game. I don't care if we have 30 TO's and 1 assist.
All I want to see if a W.

[LoboColo]

Yeah, rivalry games throw everything out. I don't know why some people thought when we were up 17 it would be cake walk. That was a way too early lead in a rivalry game. I was thinking even then the Aggies would come back.

My earlier comment about being worried about turnovers, since this is a thread on coaching ability, I guess might be taken as a slap at the coaching staff. Didn't mean it to be. It's just a problem area I didn't expect, and I am sure Alford knows this is an issue and is dealing with this better than anyone.

All in all isn't this what we thought we'd see: A team with a lot of potential, but that would really look like it need a little seasoning. I'm pleased with where we are, and I still think we have more room for upside improvement given our talent, youth and coaching than any of the other big four in the MWC.

[Ltlf]

There are many, many here that can judge basketball talent better than me. What I saw from NMSU though was a very, very agressive team. I saw a team with a lot of quickness.

The Aggies were aggressive on offense, defense, and rebounding. When they didn't have the ball, they went to it with aggression and quickness. When they did have the ball they went to the basket with aggression and quickness. Their aggressiveness let them come back from a big deficit and their aggressiveness kept them in the game afterwards. Their aggressiveness probably did them in in the long run. Two point guards fouled out leaving them with only their stud offensive player who played too many minutes at the pace of the game. Bottom line for me - NMSU is NOT a terrible team as the same guy kept repeating over and over ad nauseum last night. The number of turnovers and the difference in rebounding was not fun to watch, but a good portion of the reason needs to be given to the Aggies and their aggressiveness and quickness.

The bottom, bottom line is that the Lobos won. They won playing against a style that they had not seen before last night. Thirty minutes into the game the score was basically tied. It was a gut check after that and the Lobos won. I was rooting with everyone here for the win, but felt after it became a tie game that the experience playing against the Aggies (and the Aggie style) will be very beneficial in the long run.

Our coaching staff instills that will to win and to do it against adversity. I'm glad my favorite sports team has the coaching staff it has. It's hard to understand that PMAC can hit two huge threes and miss 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch. It was a very good thing that DG was able to get to the line and hit the FTs down the stretch.

[Roob]

Lots of valid points on here. Do we have an outstanding coaching staff? Yes. I think most everyone would agree - 10 seconds of rapid-fire head slaps not required (though that is a funny visual). But can we question certain tactical moves or substitution patterns employed by the staff? Of course. That's one of the fun things about this site - everyone gets the chance to play the backseat driver. It's a stimulating part of the game - the cerebral part of the game. It's okay to second guess. I'm sure the staff second guesses themselves as well when they sit down after the game. It's human nature.

[UWSLobo]

Yes, we have to give NMSU some credit, and Gillenwater is very, very good. He singlehandedly kept them in the game. Troy also torched Michigan State for 17 pts and 11 rebounds in the NCAA 1st round last year too. Michigan St was up 31 to 16 in that game before NMSU came roaring back (and the Aggies were actually up 61 - 59 at one point) only to lose 70 - 67. Laroche, Gordo, Gillenwater, and Watson all played in that game, so these guys are no slouches.

Oh, and after beating the Aggies by just 3, the Spartans went to the Final Four before falling to Butler by just 2, 52 - 50.

[Pause The Noose]

I know it would be nice if we could keep those big leads especially against our rivals but I've always been impressed by Coach Alford's teams ability to still win the games even after letting a team comeback. You're talking all that emotion and all that momentum that the other team is playing with, yet these guys still stay focused and find a way to pull it out.

[Burro lobo]

Want a comparison of two teams we played this year with very athletic teams, but with different coaches that greatly affects their fates, Cal with Montgomery and NMSU and Menzies, if Montgomery was coaching that talent and size, the Aggies would win a lot of games. Aggies are a talented bunch that plays street ball with no discipline and it appears very little structure and still are able to play it close against UTEP twice and this first game against the Lobos. After next Saturday's game I hope they start playing with more of a structured offense, but till then they can continue to play like Aggies.

[loborick]

I think the Aggies compare very favorably to us. They have some good young talent and some more experienced players. Gillenwater is a stud and kept them in the game in the first half. If not for him the game would have been over. The difference in the game last night was coaching. Yes, we made some bad mistakes and turned the ball over way too often, but when it came down to the gae, we toughed it out. That is coaching.

[wolf1960]

its got to be a joke when someone posts Alford is being outcoached.... i want the W again here in the pit....