2013-2014 Basketball

Just saw that the season started with a loss at Syracuse, 82-60. Cornell had a 14 point lead in the first half.

[scores.espn.go.com]

And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Playing top teams is how Cornell got ready for its run through the NCAAs in 2010.

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Don't undersell Louisville debate...I learned cross-x at their summer debate camp in '87 and became one of the top debaters in my state.

billhoward

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Playing top teams is how Cornell got ready for its run through the NCAAs in 2010.

The only way this team is going to the NCAAs is with a ticket. Next three games are, however, winnable (@ 'gate, v. Siena and Radford).

Robb

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Don't undersell Louisville debate...I learned cross-x at their summer debate camp in '87 and became one of the top debaters in my state.

But could you defend the perimeter?

This may be an even longer season than expected: Colgate 81 Cornell 58. And 'gate called off the dogs with 5 minutes to go; they could have won by 30+.

mountainred
This may be an even longer season than expected: Colgate 81 Cornell 58. And 'gate called off the dogs with 5 minutes to go; they could have won by 30+.

While I think it's clear the Freshman are Courtney's best recruiting class, in my view the team will need to show progress -- forget wins and losses -- to be deserving of returning next year. His ability to handle X's and O's is very much in doubt.

scoop85

mountainred
This may be an even longer season than expected: Colgate 81 Cornell 58. And 'gate called off the dogs with 5 minutes to go; they could have won by 30+.

While I think it's clear the Freshman are Courtney's best recruiting class, in my view the team will need to show progress -- forget wins and losses -- to be deserving of returning next year. His ability to handle X's and O's is very much in doubt.

It probably is his best class, though Hatter, Smith, David O. and company haven't shown much the last two games. The team still looks like a bunch of guys playing a rec league game. Not that I have a say it, but while I'm willing to cut BC a little slack because he lost his best player in Shonn Miller, blow out losses to the Colgates of the world just won't get it done.

mountainred

scoop85

mountainred
This may be an even longer season than expected: Colgate 81 Cornell 58. And 'gate called off the dogs with 5 minutes to go; they could have won by 30+.

While I think it's clear the Freshman are Courtney's best recruiting class, in my view the team will need to show progress -- forget wins and losses -- to be deserving of returning next year. His ability to handle X's and O's is very much in doubt.

It probably is his best class, though Hatter, Smith, David O. and company haven't shown much the last two games. The team still looks like a bunch of guys playing a rec league game. Not that I have a say it, but while I'm willing to cut BC a little slack because he lost his best player in Shonn Miller, blow out losses to the Colgates of the world just won't get it done.

Those three guys got a combined 30 minutes at Colgate. Blow out losses might be the time to get your young guys more minutes.

Worse defeat to Colgate in 61 years. The Binghamton debacle. Courtney has his work cut out for him.

billhoward

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Playing top teams is how Cornell got ready for its run through the NCAAs in 2010.

Speaking of Steve Donahue, I wonder how much more time he gets at BC. 1-34 so far this year.

nyc94

billhoward

ugarte

Rita

mountainred
And a 19 point lead in the second half to Bingo..before losing by 10.

It's a very young team. The youngersters have some promise, but this is going to be a long a season.

It was a long night in Louisville with Cornell losing 99-54 to the Cardinals. Just saw the lowlights (well, actually "keithlights" on ESPN2. Ouch.

They didn't score 100. They didn't double us up. Huge win for Cornell. Even if Louisville ran out their debate team for the second half.

Playing top teams is how Cornell got ready for its run through the NCAAs in 2010.

Speaking of Steve Donahue, I wonder how much more time he gets at BC. 1-3 so far this year.

Well, given the way our season's going, I'm sure we'd consider taking him back

Louisville may not have scored a 100, but Notre Dame did. The 101-67 loss drops Cornell to 0-9 for the first time in over a century (the 04-05 team started 0-10.) Curiously, that team is listed as having no coach, so the teams have that in common too.

mountainred
Louisville may not have scored a 100, but Notre Dame did. The 101-67 loss drops Cornell to 0-9 for the first time in over a century (the 04-05 team started 0-10.) Curiously, that team is listed as having no coach, so the teams have that in common too.

<meow>

I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Ken711
I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Why wait?

billhoward

mountainred
Louisville may not have scored a 100, but Notre Dame did. The 101-67 loss drops Cornell to 0-9 for the first time in over a century (the 04-05 team started 0-10.) Curiously, that team is listed as having no coach, so the teams have that in common too.

<meow>

Not even a chuckle?

mountainred

billhoward

mountainred
Louisville may not have scored a 100, but Notre Dame did. The 101-67 loss drops Cornell to 0-9 for the first time in over a century (the 04-05 team started 0-10.) Curiously, that team is listed as having no coach, so the teams have that in common too.

<meow>

Not even a chuckle?

ok -- I found that rather amusing

Jim Hyla

Ken711
I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Why wait?

Change coaches during a season rarely happens.

Ken711

Jim Hyla

Ken711
I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Why wait?

Change coaches during a season rarely happens.

But, if you're going to change, it can make sense. And just because it rarely happens, isn't a reason for it not to happen.

Jim Hyla

Ken711

Jim Hyla

Ken711
I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Why wait?

Change coaches during a season rarely happens.

But, if you're going to change, it can make sense. And just because it rarely happens, isn't a reason for it not to happen.

The practical reason is that your search is limited, as it will be very hard to pry away a quality candidate in mid-season. Unless the plan is to promote from within, you still have to wait to the end of the season to find the full-time replacement.

mountainred

Jim Hyla

Ken711

Jim Hyla

Ken711
I won't be surprised to see a coaching change after this season.

Why wait?

Change coaches during a season rarely happens.

But, if you're going to change, it can make sense. And just because it rarely happens, isn't a reason for it not to happen.

The practical reason is that your search is limited, as it will be very hard to pry away a quality candidate in mid-season. Unless the plan is to promote from within, you still have to wait to the end of the season to find the full-time replacement.

Exactly. Un;ess you are planning to hire the assistant (which I wouldn't expect under the circumstances) you're going to end up with a lame duck interim coach for the rest of the season anyway. It just doesn't seem worth it barring some sort of actionable cause.

The collapse of the basketball program continues. The Big Red loses to St. Francis 72-62. The team now has two double digit losses at home to bottom 20 teams (Bingo and StF). I don't see any way the administration can bring BC back for another season.

mountainred
The collapse of the basketball program continues. The Big Red loses to St. Francis 72-62. The team now has two double digit losses at home to bottom 20 teams (Bingo and StF). I don't see any way the administration can bring BC back for another season.

Agreed. A change is needed for next season.

Sad situation. Have to feel sorry for the players and their families.

Based on the tables I saw in the tribune we are the only winless team left in D1. Ugh.

JayFisher90
Based on the tables I saw in the tribune we are the only winless team left in D1. Ugh.

#1 draft pick though, right?

Trotsky

JayFisher90
Based on the tables I saw in the tribune we are the only winless team left in D1. Ugh.

#1 draft pick though, right?

"Conscript"

Probably less funny if you're the player, his girlfriend, his parents, the coach, or the concession stand workers. NJIT ("Newark's MIT" lost 51 straight.

billhoward

Trotsky

JayFisher90
Based on the tables I saw in the tribune we are the only winless team left in D1. Ugh.

#1 draft pick though, right?

"Conscript"

Probably less funny if you're the player, his girlfriend, his parents, the coach, or the concession stand workers. NJIT ("Newark's MIT" lost 51 straight.

The string probably won't last past Oberlin on January 11th, as the Yeoman are pretty bad even for a D3 squad.

Interesting would Cornell welcome back Donahue?

When he was hired away from Cornell to replace Al Skinner, Donahue was lauded by many as an ideal fit in Chestnut Hill. Donahue had been the architect of Cornell’s brilliant run at the end of the last decade. In his last three years there, the Big Red went 72-21 (38-4 Ivy League). Donahue won three straight Ivy titles after decades of Penn-Princeton dominance in the Ancient Eight.

BC wasn’t the only school interested in Donahue when it hired him. Given BC’s high academic standards, hiring an Ivy coach seemed like a pretty good move.

But after a solid first season in 2010-11 that finished with a 21-13 record and trip to the NIT, the Eagles have fallen apart. Since then, BC is 29-47 (11-24 ACC).

This year was supposed to be a turnaround year with potential for an NCAA tournament bid. Instead, BC is 4-8 with losses to Toledo and Auburn, and appears to be headed for another long year.


Ivy coaches have had mixed results in bigger jobs. Georgetown’s John Thompson III and Temple’s Fran Dunphy have thrived after success at Princeton and Penn, respectively, but both coaches changed their staffs and recruiting styles. Donahue took his Cornell staff with him and hasn’t been able to recruiting an ACC caliber roster.

While Boston College has struggled with Donahue, the Big Red have fared even worse without him. In the past three years, Cornell is 35-63. The Big Red (0-11) are the only team in Division I without a win this season (several schools only have wins over non-Division I teams).

If BC is willing to pull the trigger to start over, it’s fair to wonder if Cornell and Donahue might reunite.

[www.gazettenet.com]

I can't imagine that leaving to take an ACC job would have been burned any bridges, so who knows? I wouldn't be surprised if Penn is looking for a new coach this off-season as well and the Quakers made a run at Steve once before.....

mountainred
I can't imagine that leaving to take an ACC job would have been burned any bridges, so who knows? I wouldn't be surprised if Penn is looking for a new coach this off-season as well and the Quakers made a run at Steve once before.....

That's true, he did leave for a higher D1 position so maybe Cornell would seek his services again if they let Courtney go and Donahue is released by BC.

Ken711

mountainred
I can't imagine that leaving to take an ACC job would have been burned any bridges, so who knows? I wouldn't be surprised if Penn is looking for a new coach this off-season as well and the Quakers made a run at Steve once before.....

That's true, he did leave for a higher D1 position so maybe Cornell would seek his services again if they let Courtney go and Donahue is released by BC.

Imagine if we had welcomed back Ned Harkness after his ill-fated run to a job (Detroit Red Wings) that he was not suited for. Donahue has Philadelphia roots so a Penn or maybe Princeton job would not be out of the question. Maybe another D1 major sees the problem not as Steve Donahue but a poor fit between Donahue and BC. Villanova might be the best Philadelphia fit for Donahue. In pro football, a dismissed coach sometimes reloads by spending a year or two as assistant coach. Back to Cornell? That'd be nice. But how likely?

billhoward
Villanova might be the best Philadelphia fit for Donahue.

Why is Villanova a good spot for Donahue? This actually boggles my mind. Why would Villanova want to have anything to do with a guy who got dumped by BC for failing to recruit competitively? What makes Villanova - a consistently competitive, currently top 10 - a better fit than BC from Donahue's perspective?

Donahue grew up, went to college, worked early on in the greater Philadelphia area. At Villanova he'd have more talent to work with. That's why Donahue would want to be there; it's something he can dream about in the shower if nowhere else.

billhoward
Donahue grew up, went to college, worked early on in the greater Philadelphia area. At Villanova he'd have more talent to work with. That's why Donahue would want to be there; it's something he can dream about in the shower if nowhere else.

You answered the easy part of the question but not the hard part.

The only thing that gets him the Nova job is going there as an assistant, the HC vacating the position and he gets promoted. I don't see Wright going anywhere soon, though it seems he would love the Syracuse job.

I'm surprised no one posted this yesterday, but our men's basketball team was the subject of a feature piece in The NY Times.

dbilmes
I'm surprised no one posted this yesterday, but our men's basketball team was the subject of a feature piece in The NY Times.

Obituaries?

Trotsky

dbilmes
I'm surprised no one posted this yesterday, but our men's basketball team was the subject of a feature piece in The NY Times.

Obituaries?

Nah, missing persons.

67-59 St. Peters; 0-12

Al DeFlorio
67-59 St. Peters; 0-12

18 in a row...ouch.

0-12 team gets national exposure (well, sort of) against St. Bonaventure Saturday at 2pm on NBCSports.

Yep. We'll certainly get exposed. Happy New Year Al.

TimV
Yep. We'll certainly get exposed. Happy New Year Al.

The secret's already out. We suck!

The Courtney era may be coming to a an end.

Ken711
The Courtney era may be coming to a an end.

Let's just hope the press release is appropriately written to satisfy the masses here.

At some point, our discussion of basketball deserves a football flag for piling on. The players are still representing Cornell and they're probably trying as hard as the players from Harvard and Princeton, or as our hockey team. Just without the wins to show for their work.

Chris '03

Ken711
The Courtney era may be coming to a an end.

Let's just hope the press release is appropriately written to satisfy the masses here.

If the Bill Courtney era comes to an end after this season, there won't be any questions about the reason.

Good thing Arizona is not on the basketball schedule. Wazzu and their ineptitude were the butt of the late night sportscenter.

I didn't see any piling on the players, did you?

On NBC Sports TV (Sat 1/4 2 pm). The pre-game was about 90 seconds. Announcers quoted STB coach Mark Schmidt saying, "Cornell is the best 0-12 team in the country."

[edit add]: 38-28 at the half, so Cornell is keeping it respectable.
[edit add]: 81-57 final as both teams empty the bench. The spread going in was 20 and that was about where it ended. Too bad.

billhoward
Announcers quoted STB coach Mark Schmidt saying, "Cornell is the best 0-12 team in the country."

Are there any others?

Al DeFlorio

billhoward
Announcers quoted STB coach Mark Schmidt saying, "Cornell is the best 0-12 team in the country."

Are there any others?

Trying to be charitable here, Al. The announcer added, "Of course, he [Schmidt] didn't mention Cornell was the only 0-12 team in the country."

Courtney has to go. He can recruit but he doesnt know how to coach. There is talent on this team but they havent improved at all in his 4 years. They dont play like a team. They stand around the outside of the 3pt line passing the ball around and then as the shot clock runs down a player is left to make a play on his own.

This winless start may end up as a good outcome because they were never going to be competitive in the league with him and another middling just below .500 year the school may have given another year due to Miller's injury. Now they have to fire him and they can start next year fresh with a new coach and Miller back if he doesnt transfer.

Wth another ugly loss to Harvard, I would be surprised if Donahue wasnt fired this year. He would be a great hire but I would be surprised if he came back. The program is almost back to where it was when he started. There are plenty of mid major schools in better conferences that would want to hire him. He built Cornell from nothing into a 3 time Ivy champ and Sweet 16 winner. It didnt work out at BC because he was never a good recruiter which is more important in the big conferences

phillysportsfan
Courtney has to go. He can recruit but he doesnt know how to coach. There is talent on this team but they havent improved at all in his 4 years. They dont play like a team. They stand around the outside of the 3pt line passing the ball around and then as the shot clock runs down a player is left to make a play on his own.

This winless start may end up as a good outcome because they were never going to be competitive in the league with him and another middling just below .500 year the school may have given another year due to Miller's injury. Now they have to fire him and they can start next year fresh with a new coach and Miller back if he doesnt transfer.

Wth another ugly loss to Harvard, I would be surprised if Donahue wasnt fired this year. He would be a great hire but I would be surprised if he came back. The program is almost back to where it was when he started. There are plenty of mid major schools in better conferences that would want to hire him. He built Cornell from nothing into a 3 time Ivy champ and Sweet 16 winner. It didnt work out at BC because he was never a good recruiter which is more important in the big conferences

That pretty much sums it up.

phillysportsfan
Courtney has to go. He can recruit but he doesnt know how to coach. There is talent on this team but they havent improved at all in his 4 years. They dont play like a team. They stand around the outside of the 3pt line passing the ball around and then as the shot clock runs down a player is left to make a play on his own.

This winless start may end up as a good outcome because they were never going to be competitive in the league with him and another middling just below .500 year the school may have given another year due to Miller's injury. Now they have to fire him and they can start next year fresh with a new coach and Miller back if he doesnt transfer.

Wth another ugly loss to Harvard, I would be surprised if Donahue wasnt fired this year. He would be a great hire but I would be surprised if he came back. The program is almost back to where it was when he started. There are plenty of mid major schools in better conferences that would want to hire him. He built Cornell from nothing into a 3 time Ivy champ and Sweet 16 winner. It didnt work out at BC because he was never a good recruiter which is more important in the big conferences

Second acts don't typically go well and I don't see this set of players performing well in a Steve Donahue system. I will always remember Coach D and that 2010 fondly, but I think we need a new direction.

Weird stat: Oberlin is on a three game road trek. We are the second winless team they will play during that set of games as they handled Cairn on Saturday. How often does that happen in January?

mountainred
Second acts don't typically go well and I don't see this set of players performing well in a Steve Donahue system. I will always remember Coach D and that 2010 fondly, but I think we need a new direction.

Weird stat: Oberlin is on a three game road trek. We are the second winless team they will play during that set of games as they handled Cairn on Saturday. How often does that happen in January?

Where's Elias sports bureau when you need them?

I just hope they make a change after this season, another year of this isn't tolerable

phillysportsfan

I just hope they make a change after this season, another year of this isn't tolerable

I totally agree, Philly. I know losing Miller hurts, but the lack of progress over the season is discouraging. It's hard to remember but these guys were fiesty against Syracuse and should have beaten both Loyola and Binghamton, but let them off the hook. That happens with teams replacing a bunch of minutes, but I didn't think it would be highwater mark of the season.

Streak ends. Cornell beats D3 Oberlin 77-55.

George64
Streak ends. Cornell beats D3 Oberlin 77-55.

The solution is clear.

Ned Tomic was the big dog in the win: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks. He's from NE Ohio and probably wanted no part of hearing about an Oberlin win.

I'm going to buy tickets for the basketball game at Columbia, but, unlike at Newman, the Columbia arena appears to be assigned seating rather than general admission. Does anyone know which section at Levian is usually the Cornell/visitor's section? Am I correct in assuming that section D which the seating chart says is directly behind the visitor's bench is the visitor's section? Thanks

George64
Streak ends. Cornell beats D3 Oberlin 77-55.

No D3 shouldnt count

phillysportsfan

George64
Streak ends. Cornell beats D3 Oberlin 77-55.

No D3 shouldnt count

A new losing streak begins tonight, 2 Ivy wins would be an accomplishment at this point

phillysportsfan
A new losing streak begins tonight, 2 Ivy wins would be an accomplishment at this point

An accomplishment or a miracle.

phillysportsfan
A new losing streak begins tonight, 2 Ivy wins would be an accomplishment at this point

To the team's credit they didn't quit. Columbia was up 18 with the ball with 5:30 to go and the Big Red started a run that cut it to 7 with Scelfo on the line for 3 at :50. Dom then missed two of three and Cornell didn't score again in the 71-61 loss. Of course, there is the problem of falling behind by that many, but I'm looking for a bright spot.

We just play so small; guards played 160 minutes tonight. That's basically running a four guard offense for the entire game. If we pressed all the time that might make sense, but we don't.

On the bright side they did play well in the 1st half, they werent chucking 3's like they usually do. They were really attacking the basket and the defense was good. 2nd half everything fell apart. Courtney has to go. If they finish the year with 1 win, I dont see how he comes back

phillysportsfan
On the bright side they did play well in the 1st half, they werent chucking 3's like they usually do. They were really attacking the basket and the defense was good. 2nd half everything fell apart. Courtney has to go. If they finish the year with 1 win, I dont see how he comes back

It was nice to see them not chucking 3's. Under BC, more than 40% of our shots have been 3's. While Steve's offense was allegedly three-ball happy, none of his teams took that many. The only team that was close -- the 2010 team -- was literally the best in the nation at shooting the 3.

I have to figure this is BC's last season. I wonder how many Ivy wins it would take to convince Andy that he deserves one last season with Shonn back.

Meanwhile Zach Spiker has Army at 5-1 in the Patriot league, 9-8 overall. Last year they finished 16-15 which was their first winning season in 28 years. Its a shame he left right before the Sweet 16 year, he would have been the logical replacement for Donahue

phillysportsfan
Meanwhile Zach Spiker has Army at 5-1 in the Patriot league, 9-8 overall. Last year they finished 16-15 which was their first winning season in 28 years. Its a shame he left right before the Sweet 16 year, he would have been the logical replacement for Donahue

Yep.

[cornellbball.proboards.com]

Basketball blog guy was saying Courtney has a 5 year contract so probably unlikely Courtney gets fired this year

Cornell now 1-15 after a 74-58 home loss to Columbia.

Ken711
Cornell now 1-15 after a 74-58 home loss to Columbia.

It was 51-49 Big Red with 10 minutes to go when the Lions threw it into another gear.

Brown 78 Cornell 66. The Big Red killed a much taller Brown team on the offensive glass, but it wasn't enough.

mountainred
Brown 78 Cornell 66. The Big Red killed a much taller Brown team on the offensive glass, but it wasn't enough.

Shooting 3 for 22 beyond the arc doesn't help.

Can they beat Yale to avoid 1-17?

Ken711
Can they beat Yale to avoid 1-17?

Unlikely -- Ken Pomeroy gives the Big Red a 6% chance at winning. Yale draws a ton of fouls and Cornell sends team to the line like it's our job. But after last night we are probably "due" for a good a night from behind the arc.

mountainred

Ken711
Can they beat Yale to avoid 1-17?

Unlikely -- Ken Pomeroy gives the Big Red a 6% chance at winning. Yale draws a ton of fouls and Cornell sends team to the line like it's our job. But after last night we are probably "due" for a good a night from behind the arc.

Close game but unfortunately 1-17.

In an interesting bit of compare and contrast: Dartmouth lost its best player (and one of the league's best) for the season a few weeks back. This weekend they swept Penn and Princeton.

mountainred
In an interesting bit of compare and contrast: Dartmouth lost its best player (and one of the league's best) for the season a few weeks back. This weekend they swept Penn and Princeton.

You're not implying anything about the coaching, are you

mountainred
In an interesting bit of compare and contrast: Dartmouth lost its best player (and one of the league's best) for the season a few weeks back. This weekend they swept Penn and Princeton.

Cut it to 3 late in the game, succumbed 61-57. Dartmouth comparison is interesting but Cornell has more than one player.

Cornell has now lost 23 consecutive games against Division 1 competition.

last D1 win was 2/16/2013 almost a year ago, still crazy that we had a half time lead over #1 Cuse

can't deal with Courtney's nonsense for another year

phillysportsfan
last D1 win was 2/16/2013 almost a year ago, still crazy that we had a half time lead over #1 Cuse

can't deal with Courtney's nonsense for another year

But according to BRF, it's a certainty he's coming back. Hard to believe he could stick around after this train-wreck of a season, but we'll have to see.

scoop85

phillysportsfan
last D1 win was 2/16/2013 almost a year ago, still crazy that we had a half time lead over #1 Cuse

can't deal with Courtney's nonsense for another year

But according to BRF, it's a certainty he's coming back. Hard to believe he could stick around after this train-wreck of a season, but we'll have to see.

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Nonetheless, I'm going to predict D1 win #1 will come on Friday. Hard as it may be to believe, but Jerome Allen may be an even worse bball coach than Courtney. Penn is incredibly inefficient on offense, so they may not torch our D. They like to run up and down the court, which plays into the one thing we do well: have our guards run the floor in transition. And while the Big Red is still playing hard for Courtney (they had chances to give up in their last four games but fought back), Penn looks like they are just going through the motions. Plus, we've won 4 of the last 6 in the Palestra (that's just fun to type).

mountainred

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Agree with your statement on trump, but your first sentiment really kills recruiting.

Hard to believe it's but 4 years since Cornell's Sweet 16 finish under Coach Donahue. Incredible how far the program has fallen in 4 years.

CAS
Hard to believe it's but 4 years since Cornell's Sweet 16 finish under Coach Donahue. Incredible how far the program has fallen in 4 years.

This could be some kind of record. Does anyone know?

TimV

mountainred

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Agree with your statement on trump, but your first sentiment really kills recruiting.

Has anyone (covering Cornell basketball) talked to the players, ask what they think privately? Maybe they like Courtney and they're giving it their best shot.

billhoward

TimV

mountainred

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Agree with your statement on trump, but your first sentiment really kills recruiting.

Has anyone (covering Cornell basketball) talked to the players, ask what they think privately? Maybe they like Courtney and they're giving it their best shot.

But liking a coach and giving it your best shot is not going to make up for a coach who is a bad teacher, does not organize a team's defense, does not implement a varied offense, or does not design a game plan that can beat the opponent of the evening. I'm not saying Courtney fits any of these descriptions, I'm not close enough to the action to know. I am saying that even if the players like him and are working as hard as they can, this will not get the team very far unless Courtney also coaches well.

Swampy

billhoward

TimV

mountainred

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Agree with your statement on trump, but your first sentiment really kills recruiting.

Has anyone (covering Cornell basketball) talked to the players, ask what they think privately? Maybe they like Courtney and they're giving it their best shot.

But liking a coach and giving it your best shot is not going to make up for a coach who is a bad teacher, does not organize a team's defense, does not implement a varied offense, or does not design a game plan that can beat the opponent of the evening. I'm not saying Courtney fits any of these descriptions, I'm not close enough to the action to know. I am saying that even if the players like him and are working as hard as they can, this will not get the team very far unless Courtney also coaches well.

I'm willing to assume they are "giving it their best shot;" I've watched virtually every game and have generally thought they were playing with maximum effort. Bill Courtney is certainly trying his best to win. By virtually every account Bill is a geninuely likable person who everyone wants to see succeed.

But that can't be the standard, can it? This is year four of the Courtney experience and the Big Red is 1-17 and rated the 342nd best team in the nation (out of 351) by Ken Pomeroy. Losing Shonn hurt, but there should be enough talent on the roster to avoid being one of then ten worst teams in the nation. Either Bill did not recruit enough legit D1 players (however much they hustle), or he is not capable of getting them to reach their potential. Maybe some combination of both. It's just clear this isn't working and after four years is extremely unlikely to work.

mountainred

scoop85

phillysportsfan
last D1 win was 2/16/2013 almost a year ago, still crazy that we had a half time lead over #1 Cuse

can't deal with Courtney's nonsense for another year

But according to BRF, it's a certainty he's coming back. Hard to believe he could stick around after this train-wreck of a season, but we'll have to see.

I generally agree with honoring contracts, if for no other reason than paying someone not to coach is a lousy use of money. 23 straight D1 losses trumps that in my mind, but I'm not the one making out the budget.

Nonetheless, I'm going to predict D1 win #1 will come on Friday. Hard as it may be to believe, but Jerome Allen may be an even worse bball coach than Courtney. Penn is incredibly inefficient on offense, so they may not torch our D.

Well, it sounded good. Penn wins 90-83 as a the Big Red can't overcome a terrible first half. Next is a Princeton team that is 0-4 in the league.

1-18 soon to be 1-19 after the Princeton game.

Ken711
1-18 soon to be 1-19 after the Princeton game.

The Ivies have been a nightmare for Princeton, but I agree.

Still, the team has been hanging around in every Ivy game. I think they've "covered" Ken Pomeroy's expected margin in every league game. With six of the last eight at home, they'll break through against someone.

1-19 after 69-48 loss to Princeton.

When is the last time an Ivy team went winless in league play?

Edit: Columbia 2002-2003. Dartmouth in 1964 and 1966 as well.