Would/How Would Things Have Been Different If...

[ZuluWarrior]

I noticed on a thread that Hammb lists Dan D's contract end date as 3/10/07. I believe it was 3/10/00 or 3/11/00 when BG found out we were absolutely robbed from a birth in the NCAA Tourney.
Would it have made a difference today? Dan Dakich did things for BG basketball that Jim Larranaga and many before didn't come close to accomplishing. As much as I hated hearing Urban Meyer's departure news a few years back, that day in 2000 was the biggest disappointment in my BG sports history. I'm not saying Dan should stay, or go, but there was something special being built that crumbled over the next 3-4 years. Was that the cause, was it his move to WVA. or his inability to appear to connect to today's players? Probably all of the above, but I sure would have liked to have seen that team in a couple of rounds of the tourney in 2000.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

[JWEIII]

Perhaps I am missing your point, and I mean no offense, BUT IF my aunt had "pair" she would be my uncle. In the MAC, if you want in you have got to win the MAC Tourney. Right or wrong that's the way it is - and they knew it then. Didn't that team get bounced in the first round of the NIT, anyway? Kinda' hard to complain.

By and large I like Coach D, and say what you want, he wins games (2nd highest winning percentage in school history?). But to suggest that the 2000 team getting the shaft has had lingering effects on the program is a stretch, in my opinion. What about the 2002 team that ran into the Kent State buzzsaw? Equally shafted? But also an NIT flop.

If anything, I would say that it's a lack of post season chops that haunts the program. But you can't put that all on Coach D (who was the coach in '68?).

[orangeandbrown]

The coach in '68 was Bill Fitch. But that's neither here nor there.

The biggest turning point (at least chronologically) was the week in West Virginia.

[Globetrotter]

And the second biggest, atleast in recent history, was when Scott Vandermeer decided to transfer.

Vandy is currently averaging 2.7 blocks a game in limited minutes. Put him on htis team and this is a real team.

[Dayons_Den]

Dan Dakich did things for BG basketball that Jim Larranaga and many before didn't come close to accomplishing.

I don't have a strong feeling either way at this point as to whether Dakich should be here next season. I like his gruff, emotions on his sleeve demeanor, and am not a "hater." But I think you should be true to the facts here, the two previous coaches, (someone call me if I am wrong on who was the coach in '82-Weinert, right?- since I was 3 and living overseas. . .) both won M.A.C. championships only to fall in the tournament, as Dakich did.

[BGFan]

Dan Dakich did things for BG basketball that Jim Larranaga and many before didn't come close to accomplishing.

I don't have a strong feeling either way at this point as to whether Dakich should be here next season. I like his gruff, emotions on his sleeve demeanor, and am not a "hater." But I think you should be true to the facts here, the two previous coaches, (someone call me if I am wrong on who was the coach in '82-Weinert, right?- since I was 3 and living overseas. . .) both won M.A.C. championships only to fall in the tournament, as Dakich did.

You're correct. Weinert was a good coach and had some really good teams during his tenure here. I believe he was the coach when MSU came into BG and got spanked resulting in Heathcoat (sp?) stating that he'd never play at another MAC school again. We then turned around and beat them the following year AT MSU.

[Globetrotter]

For both parties it is best if Dakcih leaves.

Dakich needs a fresh start. So does BG. And We have Lamonta Stone on staff who could be a contender.

[orangeandbrown]

And the second biggest, atleast in recent history, was when Scott Vandermeer decided to transfer.

Vandy is currently averaging 2.7 blocks a game in limited minutes. Put him on htis team and this is a real team.

Man, that's an amazing statement. First, he's playing 20 minutes a game.

FG%: 41.8%
Rebounds: 4.9
Fouls: 3
PPG: 4.4

He might turn into a nice player, but there's no evidence of it yet, even with the blocks. There is no reason to think he's the second biggest turning point in our recent history, and most likely, he's a one-dimensional player who is fortunate to be in D1 ball.

[BleedOrange]

Dan Dakich did things for BG basketball that Jim Larranaga and many before didn't come close to accomplishing.

I don't have a strong feeling either way at this point as to whether Dakich should be here next season. I like his gruff, emotions on his sleeve demeanor, and am not a "hater." But I think you should be true to the facts here, the two previous coaches, (someone call me if I am wrong on who was the coach in '82-Weinert, right?- since I was 3 and living overseas. . .) both won M.A.C. championships only to fall in the tournament, as Dakich did.

You're correct. Weinert was a good coach and had some really good teams during his tenure here. I believe he was the coach when MSU came into BG and got spanked resulting in Heathcoat (sp?) stating that he'd never play at another MAC school again. We then turned around and beat them the following year AT MSU.

Actually, those were Larranaga's teams. BG played MSU in a three game series under L. We lost the game at Jennison, but we one the game at Breslin and the game at Anderson when they were #5 in the nation. We lost to MSU later under coach L when AD matched up against Shawn Respert.

In the early 80's, Weinart had a team lose in the NIT to a MSU that had Scott Skiles and Kevin Willis. A key play in that game was a mental gaffe by David Jenkins who failed to advance the ball over a hash mark for five seconds and cost us crucial possession late. (...otherwise, David Jenkins was one of the best players that I've seen at BG).

[Globetrotter]

And the second biggest, atleast in recent history, was when Scott Vandermeer decided to transfer.

Vandy is currently averaging 2.7 blocks a game in limited minutes. Put him on htis team and this is a real team.

Man, that's an amazing statement. First, he's playing 20 minutes a game.

FG%: 41.8%
Rebounds: 4.9
Fouls: 3
PPG: 4.4

He might turn into a nice player, but there's no evidence of it yet, even with the blocks. There is no reason to think he's the second biggest turning point in our recent history, and most likely, he's a one-dimensional player who is fortunate to be in D1 ball.

Last year we had no post threat whatsover. We would have had an improved year last year. Lefeld and Marschall would have been better because of his presence. Never understimate the affect of a shotblocking big man. He is in the middle of his sophomore season. He could be NBA bound on Defense alone. Legit Big men are very hard to find.

[JWEIII]

And the second biggest, atleast in recent history, was when Scott Vandermeer decided to transfer.

Legit Big men are very hard to find.

Ture, but he always looked too much like Timothy McVeigh for me (but I'm sorta strange, anyway).

[BGFan]

Dan Dakich did things for BG basketball that Jim Larranaga and many before didn't come close to accomplishing.

I don't have a strong feeling either way at this point as to whether Dakich should be here next season. I like his gruff, emotions on his sleeve demeanor, and am not a "hater." But I think you should be true to the facts here, the two previous coaches, (someone call me if I am wrong on who was the coach in '82-Weinert, right?- since I was 3 and living overseas. . .) both won M.A.C. championships only to fall in the tournament, as Dakich did.

You're correct. Weinert was a good coach and had some really good teams during his tenure here. I believe he was the coach when MSU came into BG and got spanked resulting in Heathcoat (sp?) stating that he'd never play at another MAC school again. We then turned around and beat them the following year AT MSU.

Actually, those were Larranaga's teams. BG played MSU in a three game series under L. We lost the game at Jennison, but we one the game at Breslin and the game at Anderson when they were #5 in the nation. We lost to MSU later under coach L when AD matched up against Shawn Respert.

In the early 80's, Weinart had a team lose in the NIT to a MSU that had Scott Skiles and Kevin Willis. A key play in that game was a mental gaffe by David Jenkins who failed to advance the ball over a hash mark for five seconds and cost us crucial possession late. (...otherwise, David Jenkins was one of the best players that I've seen at BG).

All of the years are starting to run together, I guess. I can no longer keep them straight. I could've sworn it was Weinert, though......oh well.

[Globetrotter]

And the second biggest, atleast in recent history, was when Scott Vandermeer decided to transfer.

Legit Big men are very hard to find.

Ture, but he always looked too much like Timothy McVeigh for me (but I'm sorta strange, anyway).

Yes he did. And he missed his mom. Imagine this lineup.

PG Hamblet Jr.
SG Samarco Sr.
SF Miller So.
PF. Marschall So.
C Vandermeer Jr.--Lefeld

You can never overstate the ability of having an eraser down low. You cna be more aggresive up on the wings if you know that if they get by you the ball might just be going in the stands anyway. Note to Otis Polk.