UMassHoops.com

Not Trigger · Freshman Joined: 08 May 2003 Posts: 22

In my 40 years of following Umass bball, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a team that gets less out of its ability. For a while, I bought into the notion that the major issue was the lack of a quality point guard. But then I reckon back to last year when we had an experienced point guard. The problem runs deeper and after watching today's embarressment on the back of losing at home to the Bonnies, I believe it's time for radical surgery.

On paper, DK was the perfect hire. He's one of us, a proven recruiter and just leaving an eight year run under the tutelage of the best college basketball coach in the country. If successful, Derek is the guy who could not only build a strong and successful program but also a guy we could expect to be with us a while.

As I watch this team, it's not clear who is truly running the show. Body language says alot. During the games, DK stands on the sideline practically hyper-ventilating with his hands folded tightly against his chest. Wahlberg, saunters on the sidelines, suit jacket open, barking instructions to the players and most perplexing doing most of the substitutions. (I asked a former high level D1 coach about this and he told me he's never seen that before). If this is confusing to a fan, it has to be even more confusing to the players. I don't know of any successful sports team at any level without a clear leader.

The DDM is not working. The offense is a train wreck. It's Wahlberg's baby. He's not going to abandon it and I don't think DK is confident enough to make a requisite change with Wahlberg around.

Let's find out if DK is capable of being the good coach we all so desperately want him to be. The dynamic between him and Wahlberg is set and may be impossible to change. The only way to allow DK to take full control of the UMass basketball program and put his own stamp on the style of play most comfortable to him and his team is to cut the cord with Wahlberg. Only with an opportunity to run this team unencumbered by Wahlberg's apparent co-coaching will we ever find out if Derek is the right guy for this job.

Chizzle · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:31 pm Post subject:

Vince?
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rayers · Junior Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 531

I'm on board with this! Vance needs to go whether it's his fault or not. We need a fresh look and an offense not entirely geared to shooting three pointers. Absolutely horrible. I guarantee we would be more competitive in all these games with a simple scheme that has screens and post play! Vance's offense is great if you have NBA point guards.

bharms08 · Senior Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1284

im with chizzle, if you're going to start a thread calling for someone to get fired, at least get his name right
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78 · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 2358

I think we should also fire his evil twin brother, Vance.
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wsjer88 · Sophomore Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 140 Location: umass

I've bit my tongue about this for a while, regardless of the spelling at the start of the thread, I completely agree, Vance has to go. This is ridiculous, his offense, his "creation" is garbage. DK is letting him run this team and he has proven at his time at Pepperdine, he can't lead a team to wins. Part of this is DK's fault too, he needs to step up and sit VW back on the bench where he belongs. This guy needs to go at the end of this year. We need an assistant who 1) knows how to properly plan an offense and 2) doesn't interrupt the head coach in the middle of games.

PTrainXL · Junior Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 444

I actually really like Vince, he has hair and everything, however, Vance is bald, and bad at the offense he created.

chuff · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:23 pm Post subject:

Sorry - if you can't get the name right, I can't give you any credibility.
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Marty Peretz · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject:

Implicit in the "Fire Vance" argument is the belief that Wahlberg's departure would lead to the implementation of a new offense by DK himself. However, it's worth noting that DK's mentor, Cal, used this exact same offense at Memphis and uses it at Kentucky as well. Blame Wahlberg and create a fall man all you want, but what's the offensive alternative? Additionally, some people talk about running a traditional offense through our bigs, but neither Carter nor Bailey has shown any real ability to consistently finish around the bucket. We are a wing-driven offense and will remain so if we run the DDM. The problem is we are lacking a point guard to initiate great wing play because our point guards can't take anyone off the dribble and create space for the kick-out. The bigs can't get any thing on put bucks or quick 5-10 footers because our point guards enable opponents' bigs to collapse with ease. Give us a proven finisher down low and a point guard who can create even an iota of offense. If the DDM fails miserably with those two pieces to the puzzle in place, then call for Wahlberg's head. Until then, provide us with a rational alternative before coming out with such a bold proposal.
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PTrainXL · Junior Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 444

Marty you make a good point. Our best players are guys from 2-3 I consider Vinson a 3/4 hybrid. Our 1's and 5's are probably some of the worst in the league in points production. That is a glaring problem in my eyes.

econalum · Senior Joined: 12 Apr 2003 Posts: 1466 Location: Acton, MA

You have a system and recruit to it, OR, you have recruits and fit a system to them.

We seem to be on 3. We have a semi-system, but not the players. Shooting less than 20% is pretty pathetic, regardless of 'system'.

This season is a write-off - too bad, as we are not even in February. The good news: Hockey is happening and Lax is just around the corner.
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harbo · Senior Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 1229

bmc24 · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:23 am Post subject:

I agree that there is talent on this team. I know we are hellbent on running the DDM or the attack-attack-skip-attack-attack(Whalberg's original title)offense, but we need to adjust to our talents. we want to shoot a bunch of threes, but we only have a couple guys that can consistently shoot well from three. our Bigs lack passing ability and finishing ability, so I believe we need to use TV and Sampson Carter inside the paint to hit elbow jumpers, to lay down to the midpost and kick out to ricky and freddy on the perimeter. I know everyone thinks this season is a wash, and it may be. But i would rather win as many games as possible to get the ducks in a row for next season, and possible for once, make a run in the A10 tourney. That would go a long way..........one more note>.

DK....do not let VW make substitutions or call the shots on the sideline

LooneyGoon · Junior Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 727

Starting a thread to FIRE someone and misspelling their name puts into question your credibility. That, the fact you have 2 lifetime posts and the bulk of your reasoning for firing Walberg is poor "body language".

uz2b-len · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:54 am Post subject:

I don't care about how to spell the guy's name and I don't think it matters. He should leave at the end of the season. Whatever he knowledge he has to teach DK has been transmitted, and it's time for DK to be completely in charge. I don't think it's a good idea to fire people in the middle of the season. That would be confusing to everyone involved. Better at the end of the season when planning can begin for next year.
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