Game 22 - @ Southern Illinois - Jan 28

[GarretW1797]

In the last 10 years, we have 3 20 win seasons, and 5 losing seasons.

I worded that poorly, I was piggybacking off of another comment that said our "annual 20-14 record" but yes, since the last NCAA tourney appearance there's only been a few. Of those 5 losing seasons (assuming you mean that one of them is the 16-16 record in 2017-18), three were coming off excellent seasons where we either made the NCAA Tournament of won the MVC regular season title. One of those we had to replace the group of Wes Washpun, Paul Jesperson, and Matt Bohannon, and while Spencer and Isaiah had solid careers here, the other freshman replacement specifically for Wes was the infamous Juwan McCloud. Those Juwan McCloud at starting PG teams were never going anywhere. Another of those three we had to replace an NBA talent in AJ Green, which obviously was difficult and did not happen. And the other was the COVID year and when AJ was injured, probably the worst UNI team I've seen, but they get a slight pass due to the circumstances. The other losing record season I've yet to mention is when they made a run to the MVC championship game, which although they blew a second half lead, was impressive given the team we did it with. I always consider that one of my favorite teams to watch because Wyatt and AJ, especially in St. Louis, were super fun to watch.

If we look back prior to the 10 year window you chose and go back to Ben Jacobson's first season, then the 20 win season to losing record ratio becomes 10-4 (not counting 17-18's 16-16 record). I understand recency bias and that the worst teams in Jacobson's tenure have been recently, but I go back to my point that I don't believe a new coaching staff magically will fix that problem. To me personally, I think it would just make the problem worse. But we'll see what happens.

[06panther10]

I worded that poorly, I was piggybacking off of another comment that said our "annual 20-14 record" but yes, since the last NCAA tourney appearance there's only been a few. Of those 5 losing seasons (assuming you mean that one of them is the 16-16 record in 2017-18), three were coming off excellent seasons where we either made the NCAA Tournament of won the MVC regular season title. One of those we had to replace the group of Wes Washpun, Paul Jesperson, and Matt Bohannon, and while Spencer and Isaiah had solid careers here, the other freshman replacement specifically for Wes was the infamous Juwan McCloud. Those Juwan McCloud at starting PG teams were never going anywhere. Another of those three we had to replace an NBA talent in AJ Green, which obviously was difficult and did not happen. And the other was the COVID year and when AJ was injured, probably the worst UNI team I've seen, but they get a slight pass due to the circumstances. The other losing record season I've yet to mention is when they made a run to the MVC championship game, which although they blew a second half lead, was impressive given the team we did it with. I always consider that one of my favorite teams to watch because Wyatt and AJ, especially in St. Louis, were super fun to watch.

If we look back prior to the 10 year window you chose and go back to Ben Jacobson's first season, then the 20 win season to losing record ratio becomes 10-4 (not counting 17-18's 16-16 record). I understand recency bias and that the worst teams in Jacobson's tenure have been recently, but I go back to my point that I don't believe a new coaching staff magically will fix that problem. To me personally, I think it would just make the problem worse. But we'll see what happens.

I'm not saying a new staff would magically fix things either, it probably wouldn't. And I personally don't want to move on from Jake either.

My point is that things have been getting worse, and its weirdly happening at such a gradual slow pace that is difficult to even notice. To say its been frustrating to watch other programs in our league win right away with new coaches time and time again is an understatement.

I just don't think its out of line to say what is going on now is just not acceptable. That's all. Something needs to change, or at least be formally addressed by the staff or AD to get this back on track.

[UNIAlum95]

I'm not saying a new staff would magically fix things either, it probably wouldn't. And I personally don't want to move on from Jake either.

My point is that things have been getting worse, and its weirdly happening at such a gradual slow pace that is difficult to even notice. To say its been frustrating to watch other programs in our league win right away with new coaches time and time again is an understatement.

I just don't think its out of line to say what is going on now is just not acceptable. That's all. Something needs to change, or at least be formally addressed by the staff or AD to get this back on track.

Spot on. Changes needed. Status quo isn't good enough.

[Neighbor]

Spot on. Changes needed. Status quo isn't good enough.

I will suggest that the most important change needed is with his most senior assistant.

[Khan4Cats]

Spot on. Changes needed. Status quo isn't good enough.

The problem with the changes is that the college landscape is changing just as fast as any other changes.

We tried going up-tempo in offense for a few years since the defense first approach was being rule-booked out. That didn't work out for us particularly well.

We've opened up our recruiting footprint from IA-WI-MN. Our top contributors remain the ones we have from IA-WI-MN, as the two Michigan players are spot players, the three internationals are either red-shirting or a spot back-up. Our CO via NE transfer is hurt but was contributing before that. Our MO sharpshooter is shooting with blanks. You can argue about 4 kids from Cedar Falls but 3 are essentially walk-ons/deep-bench players and 1 is our top player.

With NIL, we can get what we get but its not going to be without warts and even after we sign them, the way things are going, they could still end up bolting before ever stepping on campus, and we won't even have a friend hat to remove for them to be eligible elsewhere immediately.

[Fran McCrabby]

I like Sonnen, but when that assistant position opened up I would've really liked to see Jake bring in new blood to the team. I know we say this every year about this time but our future looks bright with Jalen and Zavier. Like we always say we probably need a point guard if Trey is done with his eligibility. Also will take a sharpshooter. The annual shopping list for this team.

[BobCat]

Just for fun since the last decade had been talked about. Here are the postseason appearances (NCAA, NIT only) for MVC, A10 and MAC teams that have been in the league 10 years.

VCU 8
Dayton 7
Akron 6
St Bonaventure 5
Davidson 5
Bradley 5
Northern Iowa 4
Drake 4
Toledo 4
St Louis 4
Richmond 4
Buffalo 4
Kent State 3
Saint Joseph's 3
Rhode Island 2
Illinois St 2
Missouri St 1
Ohio 1
George Mason 1
Miami(OH) 1
Duquesne 1
Indiana St 1
Southern Ill
Ball State
Bowling Green
George Wash
UMass
Central Mich
Eastern Mich
Fordham
Northern Ill
Western Mich
La Salle
Evansville

this does include 2020, when UNI was named to the NIT before it cancelled. Other schools as well where that applied. MVC is normally ranked at/just under A10 and just above MAC, so a nice comparison.

[Wxcpanther]

I worded that poorly, I was piggybacking off of another comment that said our "annual 20-14 record" but yes, since the last NCAA tourney appearance there's only been a few. Of those 5 losing seasons (assuming you mean that one of them is the 16-16 record in 2017-18), three were coming off excellent seasons where we either made the NCAA Tournament of won the MVC regular season title. One of those we had to replace the group of Wes Washpun, Paul Jesperson, and Matt Bohannon, and while Spencer and Isaiah had solid careers here, the other freshman replacement specifically for Wes was the infamous Juwan McCloud. Those Juwan McCloud at starting PG teams were never going anywhere. Another of those three we had to replace an NBA talent in AJ Green, which obviously was difficult and did not happen. And the other was the COVID year and when AJ was injured, probably the worst UNI team I've seen, but they get a slight pass due to the circumstances. The other losing record season I've yet to mention is when they made a run to the MVC championship game, which although they blew a second half lead, was impressive given the team we did it with. I always consider that one of my favorite teams to watch because Wyatt and AJ, especially in St. Louis, were super fun to watch.

If we look back prior to the 10 year window you chose and go back to Ben Jacobson's first season, then the 20 win season to losing record ratio becomes 10-4 (not counting 17-18's 16-16 record). I understand recency bias and that the worst teams in Jacobson's tenure have been recently, but I go back to my point that I don't believe a new coaching staff magically will fix that problem. To me personally, I think it would just make the problem worse. But we'll see what happens.

And oh BTW that season where we made a run to Sunday, we did it in the first year where we experienced Austin Phyfe health issues, and had to roll with Luke McDonnell at the 5 spot. We made it work, and he performed admirably, but the fact that we made it that far with him is REMARKABLE.