Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

[dan_beeding]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

In a month, if he is not starting, and we have lost 10 or more games, I will agree. Until then, enjoy the games and the player introduction sans Eric Coleman.

[jman2004]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

If it's just that you want him "labeled" a starter...then you just don't get it. You're like the kid on my high school team that didn't try very hard after the coach took him out of the starting lineup because "he deserved to start".

I'm not like that kid, I get your point. But you can't tell me that being "labeled" a starter (especially when you've been a darn good one for 3 years) doesn't mean "something" to these guys. Maybe he's accepted his new "role" but you can't tell me that this all hasn't meant something to him. I can tell it has when he makes comments like he has in the newspapers. He's "accepted" it because he's above it. That doesn't escape the fact that it's dumb.

NOW, I'm serious, I understand we can complain about it all we want and it won't change, so I really really really promise I'll TRY and stop complaining about it.

[dan_beeding]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

I understand we can complain about it all we want and it won't change, so I really really really promise I'll TRY and stop complaining about it.

I agree. As much as I wish Jake would bench Jordan for long enough to give him an earfull about playing like a 7 footer anytime he isn't aggressive, especially late in the game with the other team's bigs in foul trouble, I realize this is a message board. Fun to voice one's opinion and read others', but that's all it should be.

[clenz]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

Ok so my question wasn't answered. I got a politician answer to my question. He was tired because he was playing too much, I get that. But was him starting broke? Did it need to be fixed? Or was it just his minutes that were broke and needed to be fixed?

I'm not *****ing about the not starting anymore I'm trying my damnedest to understand why he wouldn't be starting. The "if it ain't broke don't fix it" finished it for me. Dan made my point for me so I'm done with that. I want to know if him starting was broke, or if him playing too much was broke

[UNIAlum95]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

I keep going back to the last time a Valley player was named both first team All-Valley and was given the 6th man award.

[UNIPNTHR]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

...and he is still putting up POY type numbers off of the bench...

How many 6th men are voted Player of the Year?

*Yes, I realize we should be worried about team goals rather than personal accolades.

[dan_beeding]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

Last season was broken. Our bigs looking stronger down the stretch of the game this year is something I don't think we should feel like we need to fix. Look at how EC has taken over the last two games at the end, rather than being too gassed to get a big board or take it hard to the bucket (Nevada and UE).

[UNIPNTHR]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

Last season was broken. Our bigs looking stronger down the stretch of the game this year is something I don't think we should feel like we need to fix. Look at how EC has taken over the last two games at the end, rather than being too gassed to get a big board or take it hard to the bucket (Nevada and UE).

So why can't Coleman start and either Jordan or Koch come in quick off the bench to keep EC rested and ready?

[clenz]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

still no answer from dan_beeding to my question. Was it Coleman starting the last three years that has been broke? Or has it been his minutes that has been broke?

[dan_beeding]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

[email protected] feel free to email him and ask him.
I don't have the answers, all that I'm saying is that what we're doing this year is going to save our crucial guys' legs. If it takes Coleman sitting the first 4 minutes of the game, getting a feel for the refs/game flow, and coming off of the bench, then I'm for it. I'll lead the lynch mob when we lose our 9th game early in the season, but until then, I'm happy with this team. With the exception of Josten, who will log as many minutes as anybody in UNI history unless Haak and Dunham keep improving, I feel like this team will be as fresh as any Panther team that we've seen in March.
As for bringing JE off of the bench, I agree with that 100%. He is a force, but should be much more dominant than he is. Think of all the mismatches he creates, yet still has yet to take over a game the way Patrick O'Brian did against us a couple of years ago. Our best match-up against him was a great post player, Stout, and he still made us look silly. He also created shots for Will Franklin and company that made them a tough team to beat (i.e. Sweet 16 run). That's what an aggressive 7-footer does for a team.

[jman2004]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

So why can't Coleman start and either Jordan or Koch come in quick off the bench to keep EC rested and ready?

EXACTLY! But no one apparently wants to touch that question.

[clenz]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

So you agree with bringing both EC and JE off the bench? Doesn't one of thsoe two have to start?

[UNIPNTHR]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

EXACTLY! But no one apparently wants to touch that question.

I wasn't trying to sound revolutionary. I've seen you ask it several times already. Just thought it would be an appropriate time to re-ask it... to no avail.

[jman2004]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

Argh! I said I'd stay away!

[dan_beeding]

Re: Do YOU want Eric Coleman to start???

Last season was broken. Our bigs looking stronger down the stretch of the game this year is something I don't think we should feel like we need to fix. Look at how EC has taken over the last two games at the end, rather than being too gassed to get a big board or take it hard to the bucket (Nevada and UE).

still no answer from dan_beeding to my question. Was it Coleman starting the last three years that has been broke? Or has it been his minutes that has been broke?

Since I know it is tough to do the work to read into a post, I will make a blatant attempt to make it obvious what I thought was broken. Eric Coleman and Grant Stout played too many minutes. Last season was near the top of my list for disappointments (right up there with the loss to Delaware), and I believe that more minutes is a big reason for that. Against Bradley in the MVC tourney, he played 27 minutes, was 3-9 for 8 points and had 6 rebounds.
At this point last year in the game against Evansville (1/3/07), he played 28 minutes, had 7 pts. and 6 rebounds. Two nights ago, he had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and played only 19 minutes.
My point is, less minutes, just as much production, and I'm willing to sacrifice his minutes right now for more quality minutes down the road in St. Louis.