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Patience for Cuonzo

  • When it came to Dooley I could not wait for him to get fired so I'm sure most would think I have the same attitude towards Cuonzo but that is not the case. Sitting at the game last night did not make my top 10 best things I've ever done list, but there is reasons for optimism if you look close enough. First, McRae might finally be stepping up and becoming the scoring presence he should be. For the life of me I've never understood why he didn't lead the team in scoring. Second, Josh Richardson is improving at a rapid rate and seems to have the desire it takes to be a very good player at the SEC level. Third, Jarnell Stokes is starting to wake up a little bit and looks like he may become the player we all thought he would be. (granted I think it'll take a year longer then any of us thought it would) Bottom line the loss of Maymon was huge this year, and I don't think this current team is better then a middle of the pack SEC team. However, I am willing to have a down year if it means setting up a great year which looks like could happen. Next year we are replacing McBee (thank God) with a 5* shooting gaurd and will have Maymon back. Not to mention another year of maturity for McRae, Golden, Richardson, Moore, etc. Losing Kenny Hall will hurt a bit, but not much with Maymon and Stokes down low. Cuonzo is a very good coach in my opinion, and given time will have success here. My only complaint with him is I wish he would get more fired up during games, but that's not his style, and just my personal preference anyway....The point of all this is to say I think he has the train moving in the right direction, just give him some time and it'll work.

    Imallvol

  • Imallvol said...

    When it came to Dooley I could not wait for him to get fired so I'm sure most would think I have the same attitude towards Cuonzo but that is not the case. Sitting at the game last night did not make my top 10 best things I've ever done list, but there is reasons for optimism if you look close enough. First, McRae might finally be stepping up and becoming the scoring presence he should be. For the life of me I've never understood why he didn't lead the team in scoring. Second, Josh Richardson is improving at a rapid rate and seems to have the desire it takes to be a very good player at the SEC level. Third, Jarnell Stokes is starting to wake up a little bit and looks like he may become the player we all thought he would be. (granted I think it'll take a year longer then any of us thought it would) Bottom line the loss of Maymon was huge this year, and I don't think this current team is better then a middle of the pack SEC team. However, I am willing to have a down year if it means setting up a great year which looks like could happen. Next year we are replacing McBee (thank God) with a 5* shooting gaurd and will have Maymon back. Not to mention another year of maturity for McRae, Golden, Richardson, Moore, etc. Losing Kenny Hall will hurt a bit, but not much with Maymon and Stokes down low. Cuonzo is a very good coach in my opinion, and given time will have success here. My only complaint with him is I wish he would get more fired up during games, but that's not his style, and just my personal preference anyway....The point of all this is to say I think he has the train moving in the right direction, just give him some time and it'll work.

    Thank you I agree completely. I'm so dissapointed in our fan base zo has coached one sec game in his second season. He needs more time then that. Next year the sun is bright no excuses next year. Need to cut him a little more slack and get behind hin. Pearl was great but he is gone and Martin is here so let's support our coach.

    KeenanMiracle

  • Well said. +1

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    UTFPMD

  • Well said! I couldn't agree more. Maymon being out is killing us but has really set us up for a good run next year. In watching the games which admittedly is hard sometimes I don't think it is scheme or coaching as much as players knocking down open shots.

    Jamesryan0203

  • Great post. The only thing I would disagree with is when you said "thank God" that Hubbs will replace McBee. I can't wait for Hubbs because he is a fantastic player, but if McBee hadn't gotten hurt then nobody would be saying that about him. That injury is hindering him more than he was letting on, and without it I think he would be shooting even better than last year.

    "I'm living my dream right now. I'm your football coach." -Butch Jones

    GeneralNeyland5

  • I just do not understand the lovefest for McBee. Now don't get me wrong, I truly believe he goes all out and absolutely tries as hard as he can, but bottom line is he is just not an SEC caliber player. I've actually gained more respect for him this year while he has been trying to play through injury, but at some point Cuonzo is going to have to pull his minutes back significantly if he can't start shooting better with the injury. You can't play your "shooter" if he is sub-30% from 3-pt land.

    Imallvol