It was interesting to watch the post game interview with Coach on the LU website. He mentioned the bad shooting night for Turk, Peterson and Dante. He also repeated over and over that SIU played with physicality and confidence as if he was trying to send a message to our team. He also really challenged Montel James. Explaining that we were beaten in the post and Montel would have to be more physical. I think this will be the issue all year......ou trebounded,little scoring inside making it harder to get good shots outside......oh brother. I sure wish I knew how we ended up with out a post presence. I do not think Montel can play center with out another force inside(CHristian Thomas). I forgot Knuth being out which might have helped especially since he was able to go inside/outside. Well this will be a challenge for Coach and the kids.

I think we should stop with the ultimatums. To state that the situation is unacceptable ? Really?
We as fans only see the game from the sidelines and cannot possibly know the intricacies of this situation close up and personal.
I suggest that as fans we are either in or out.. If we are in, then critique is fine but ultimatums have no place.
Personally,I support PM, and as coach, he knows way more than we do about why and what. Look at the stats on the SIU game.
At the end of the day, rebounds and poor shooting. PM is just as aware as we are of the big guy situation. We were down four at the half, and got killed on rebounding in the second half.
Lets get over it CT is gone. Ingram is a talented player in his own right, but asking him to be CT is not real.
I believe that PM gets the best out of recruiting that he can.
How do you sell an empty stadium? Or apathetic students and alumni. How about we do something to fill the seats. That is something we could do.
Discussion with athletics about ticket distribution to HS kids, elementary schools.... Group tickets to same as a reach out to the community. i would assume there is a ton of grade school basketball that would bring groups to games. I will tell you that I hate losing games, burt really hated seeing an abundance of SIU fans in our arena.
PS Jeff White had a heck of game. His own players think he is the best ball handler on the team..... Sounds like a true point guard to me....
I assume PM saw the same. Go Ramblers
In it to win it..... Happy New Year.... GO RAMBLERS

Amen!!!! Well said Rambler guy. Well said!

WHOA !! Wait a minute !! Just a darn minute !!
WE are ALL Fans here --the best there are--ALL of us. As Fans we are entitled to praise AND complain--not false praise or dishonest complaining. A review of back posts shows little of each. OH, we have been there with praise , but as true Fans we are wont to see and hope for good things , deserved or not.
---BUT SIU pulled back the curtain on us and most of us {Fans) found that hard to take. They made us --some of us--feel cheated. (As Fans our bubble was burst)

Porter has done a fantastic job so far. I feel he will get our gang back to what we thought they were .

Having written this, it is now time to move up--
As Seniors must leave after doing the job, Porter in this same way must get what he has to win win win. Can he do it ?? Chances are he can--I am NOT looking for just winning , but winning the VALLEY sooner than later and then he must get us back to the TOP --as we used to be. If not, as Seniors leave the program, he will have to do the same. IT is now or soon will be "rug cuttin' time"

Indy St will be a win for us--I feel it.

One of the nice things about the board is the ability to disagree in a friendly manner. No one objects to differing points of view.
What I find is humorous though is when the same person (no one specific in mind here so it is not personal), in one post mentions how great everything is and then in the very next post after a loss posts that the apocalypse is about ready to descend on us.
That is their right to do, I just find it humorous. Sometimes I look to see who the author is and then laugh my ass off at the wild gyrations.

What I liked about Ramblerguy's post was his comment that there are things that go on behind the scenes that we do not know about.
Not every loss should be attributed to coaching deficiencies nor should every victory be attributed to coaching genius. This game is played by young men who pretty much were stars in high school, have a tremendous egos and are at the height of their physical prowess. I, for one, would not want my livelihood to be dependent upon 18 to 22 year olds.
Being a college basketball coach is extremely difficult because of the recruiting aspect among several other things. Given the history of mediocrity of Loyola and so many years of neglect, I think Loyola has woken up to the fact that athletics can be a major factor in the image of the university and is working to improve the commitment. Is it perfect? No.
Will it ever be? no. But Father G was a man of his word and the new interim President has done a lot behind the scenes as well. We also have an AD who has created a positive atmosphere in the athletic department and makes decisive decisions behind the scenes, does not seek credit and has a long term vision. You may disagree with the money spent on the CBI but know this AD Watson did not hesitate to make the decision.
In addition on the positive side of the ledger we have the new arena, larger salaries, upgrades in student support academically. Heck, three years ago, we bussed everywhere and since joining the Valley have made a major commitment to charters. Heck in the last three years, we have had trips to a tourney in Florida, a tourney in Vegas and a tourney in Alaska and next year the Virgin Islands. We have first rate coaches in Swopes and Moser. And I know this Porter works his ass off and is committed to the well being of the student athlete. (he has done a lot of little things to make the process better and he certainly commits his time and demands excellence from his staff).The AD is building the right support staff and is committed to raising money through corporate sponsorships and alumni outreach.
He will raise revenue with his plan. A new practice facility is on the horizon.
Guess what, in a news flash: There is politics at Loyola and it can impact athletics at times. So sometimes things have to be navigated around and through those shallow waters as well. But, then come to think of it, there is politics in any organization.
Impatient yes. I personally have seen more Loyola basketball in the past than I will see in the future. But the present make up of thestaff is, I believe, a group that will get us to better days.
Last year we all got a taste of better days. There is something called the arrogance of certainty. I for one was guilty of this and on paper this group looked poised to take another step forward. It is not and has not happened. Winning the Alaska tourney was going to be a slam dunk. Beating Cleveland State, another slam dunk.
Did not happen. But it is a long season and there will be more disappointments but also pleasant surprises.
With age comes a little more balance and perspective. Now the question is: is it partly cloudy or partly sunny?

Streak,

Until Loyola has a couple more big men who can rebound, play sound defense, and score a few points, I think we will be seeing a lot more clouds than sun.

And That Galena is just about the ONLY problem I have with Porter. He MUST recruit good solid BIGS --He must do it asap !!