Tobin looked and sounded defeated in that short presser.
Cant blame him. He said it will get fixed but I assume he means for next year.
He said we will fix it not now but we will fix it. So obviously he means next year. Going to have to run several players for next years team to be good, and can’t lose Quigley.
It’s a talent issue. Specifically, not enough talent and reliance on players with sadly mismatched skills in terms of the roles they are being asked to play. Of the experienced players the closest thing we had to an alpha was Gordon, and he was an undersized, albeit athletic, ball hog with a temperamental nature who quit on the team.
Tobin could have done a better job too but this is a talent issue.
We will have 7-10 new players next year as well. We’ll see if he can recruit a better team
Yes he deserves a break for putting together a whole new team.
Yes he has not done a great job coaching this year.
But the season ended when GG quit.
Finally got some time with my laptop here in surprisingly chilly San Diego. I wanted to expand on this post because there are a lot of good points in here, as I have already indicated.
Y'all have seen me get angry with folks out here this year, from Super to the younger guys here and on Twitter. See, I'm a big picture guy, and I don't think it's fair to put a label on stuff or call Tobin a failure when season 1 is still going on, yada yada yada. Even now, I'm hesitant, because sports are insane and wonderful and unpredictable and the minute we all pack our bags, this wack-ass bunch will figure it out and win 4 straight in AC. It's sports, the improbable often becomes probable.
That noted, I will say now that I apologize to the Iona fans that I've gotten angry at, but understand that all I was trying to do was keep a positive vibe out here. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm best friends with Tobin or anything, but I do know him enough to know this is absolutely killing him. The guy has won his whole life, everywhere, and now, he's not. I know I couldn't sleep after coaching my team to a Pop Warner loss, so I imagine he's just about worn out. I'm sure he's not giving up per se, but I do suspect once this season DOES end, presumably by the quarters in AC, a part of him will be relieved so that he can being the 2024-25 campaign by saying goodbye to the old guys and the weaker frosh, and hitting the portal and JUCO ranks to replenish. I suspect he has a better idea of how to navigate the portal, NIL, etc, than he did 12 months ago, so all we can hope is we'll see the fruits of that enhanced knowledge by this time in 2025. But, to get back on track, many of you are angry, sad, disappointed, etc, and you have every right to be, so have at it. But I WILL save some drama, he's not getting fired or anything, so let's not get stupid with posting stuff like he should be fired. Vent, yell, stamp your feet, rant about how this year sucked and why--but be realistic, is all I ask.
Next point in the post above: 100%, this was a crazy scenario where he had to reply on the portal and a large freshman class to fill the roster. Unprecedented, and even the best coaches are gonna have misses and aren't going to know in advance how well guys will mesh. The idea of getting a bunch of grad kids and a bunch of freshmen made sense, but the grad kids didn't get it done, they didn't provide leadership, and there are too many one-dimensional guys in there. It's not easy to do what Tobin TRIED to do. I think we ALL know that and I think we all UNDERSTAND that this type of season was going to be a possibility. BUT.....you guys are also right that something happened in February, obviously centered around Gordon, and that this team lost its way. Remember when we won 5 of 6? We were looking good, scoring points, feeling as capable as anyone. Then, again we don't know what, or at least I don't, something happened, and the dynamic shifted. The shift coincided with Tretout's return, and with that, soon after, Gordon was gone. Completely educated guess is that there was something amiss between the two of them, they each wanted to be the alpha but neither really knows how to be, and instead of coexisting things went south. Gordon established himself as a superstar in this league when Idan was out, and it all changed when he got back. I don't know anything for a fact, it's just a complete guess on my part. But all I know is that Gordon left and then, save for the game at Marist, our season collapsed. IMO, we got the answer to the "who's the alpha" question, and he took off for whatever reason, and when that happened, ANY chance we had of being a threat in AC went out the window. And, in fact, without him we are clearly the 2nd worst team in this league.
And yes, the problem isn't that the Gordon departure happened, but that Tobin allowed it to happen. Again, I have NO idea how things went down, but losing Gordon was huge, not just for this season but he would have been the unquestioned alpha next season. Now, Gordon obviously has some stuff going on in his own head, but there's no questioning his talent, and I really really wish Tobin could have found a way to get the kid to stick it out for 3 more weeks, because then you do have that window to work on him staying. I don't know what drove Gordon to go--maybe he's got some jackass in his ear telling him he can play at a much higher level and get buckets of NIL. Yeah, that's not happening. I guess I'm just saying I would have done whatever I could to convince him to stay. I'm not saying Tobin didn't, because I don't know, but I guess what I'm saying is that if Tobin really really wanted him to stay, he would have found a way to convince him to do so.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. I hope the team finds a way to get it together to beat Siena, and then go into AC with at least some hope of getting out of the PIG. As we've all discussed out here, NO ONE in this league is so good that we won't have a chance in a quarterfinal, but that's a long way away right now.
So, go nuts, y'all. Say what you must, because you're not wrong. And whenever this season wraps up, Sharkey, I86 and I will be all over the interwebs, scouring for recruiting info as we rebuild. I'll be time to forget about this season and start fresh, and I think we're all looking forward to it.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
Guy, thanks or your thoughts and I'm in agreement. I've been following Iona basketball since the 1960s along with all the ups and downs. . .mostly ups luckily for all of us. Unfortunately this Iona team is basically unwatchable.
As the basketball season winds down at least we have some games left for Caitlin Clark and her Iowa team. . .for those of us who like to watch good basketball. Guy thanks again for your thoughts.
1. Tobin is trying to build a culture here that will sustain winning for the long term at a time when college hoops is very unpredictable. If one guy is a cancer it’s better that he goes than stays no matter how good of a player he is, imo. If the guy wants more money, everyone here lamenting his loss can help by contributing to the NIL. I’m sure most of you do or contribute in other ways.
2. For everyone who wants “better recruits,” see #1 above and be mindful that recruits visit this board.
At times it feels like we have the illusion that we are sitting in a bar somewhere, talking to each other and no one else can see or hear what we say. There are times in fact where I’ll post something that is intended for outside viewers and not anyone here.
So recruit A has talked to John Dunne and he says I'm going to visit Iona next and Dunne says read their message board for a week to see what the most ardent fans think. Recruit A comes away thinking we think the coach is incompetent and the program is cursed and can never win a NCAA tournament game. And we’re completely obsessed about our former coach and we can’t get over that he left. Now I'm not saying we can't be honest here, but we all want to win and land great recruits, so are we helping with some of the stuff we post or are we just perpetuating what we don't want? I don't know the answer; maybe we should think or take a ten minute break before we post at times.
Last Edit: Mar 8, 2024 9:11:37 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
Yes he deserves a break for putting together a whole new team.
Yes he has not done a great job coaching this year.
But the season ended when GG quit.
Finally got some time with my laptop here in surprisingly chilly San Diego. I wanted to expand on this post because there are a lot of good points in here, as I have already indicated.
Y'all have seen me get angry with folks out here this year, from Super to the younger guys here and on Twitter. See, I'm a big picture guy, and I don't think it's fair to put a label on stuff or call Tobin a failure when season 1 is still going on, yada yada yada. Even now, I'm hesitant, because sports are insane and wonderful and unpredictable and the minute we all pack our bags, this wack-ass bunch will figure it out and win 4 straight in AC. It's sports, the improbable often becomes probable.
That noted, I will say now that I apologize to the Iona fans that I've gotten angry at, but understand that all I was trying to do was keep a positive vibe out here. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm best friends with Tobin or anything, but I do know him enough to know this is absolutely killing him. The guy has won his whole life, everywhere, and now, he's not. I know I couldn't sleep after coaching my team to a Pop Warner loss, so I imagine he's just about worn out. I'm sure he's not giving up per se, but I do suspect once this season DOES end, presumably by the quarters in AC, a part of him will be relieved so that he can being the 2024-25 campaign by saying goodbye to the old guys and the weaker frosh, and hitting the portal and JUCO ranks to replenish. I suspect he has a better idea of how to navigate the portal, NIL, etc, than he did 12 months ago, so all we can hope is we'll see the fruits of that enhanced knowledge by this time in 2025. But, to get back on track, many of you are angry, sad, disappointed, etc, and you have every right to be, so have at it. But I WILL save some drama, he's not getting fired or anything, so let's not get stupid with posting stuff like he should be fired. Vent, yell, stamp your feet, rant about how this year sucked and why--but be realistic, is all I ask.
Next point in the post above: 100%, this was a crazy scenario where he had to reply on the portal and a large freshman class to fill the roster. Unprecedented, and even the best coaches are gonna have misses and aren't going to know in advance how well guys will mesh. The idea of getting a bunch of grad kids and a bunch of freshmen made sense, but the grad kids didn't get it done, they didn't provide leadership, and there are too many one-dimensional guys in there. It's not easy to do what Tobin TRIED to do. I think we ALL know that and I think we all UNDERSTAND that this type of season was going to be a possibility. BUT.....you guys are also right that something happened in February, obviously centered around Gordon, and that this team lost its way. Remember when we won 5 of 6? We were looking good, scoring points, feeling as capable as anyone. Then, again we don't know what, or at least I don't, something happened, and the dynamic shifted. The shift coincided with Tretout's return, and with that, soon after, Gordon was gone. Completely educated guess is that there was something amiss between the two of them, they each wanted to be the alpha but neither really knows how to be, and instead of coexisting things went south. Gordon established himself as a superstar in this league when Idan was out, and it all changed when he got back. I don't know anything for a fact, it's just a complete guess on my part. But all I know is that Gordon left and then, save for the game at Marist, our season collapsed. IMO, we got the answer to the "who's the alpha" question, and he took off for whatever reason, and when that happened, ANY chance we had of being a threat in AC went out the window. And, in fact, without him we are clearly the 2nd worst team in this league.
And yes, the problem isn't that the Gordon departure happened, but that Tobin allowed it to happen. Again, I have NO idea how things went down, but losing Gordon was huge, not just for this season but he would have been the unquestioned alpha next season. Now, Gordon obviously has some stuff going on in his own head, but there's no questioning his talent, and I really really wish Tobin could have found a way to get the kid to stick it out for 3 more weeks, because then you do have that window to work on him staying. I don't know what drove Gordon to go--maybe he's got some jackass in his ear telling him he can play at a much higher level and get buckets of NIL. Yeah, that's not happening. I guess I'm just saying I would have done whatever I could to convince him to stay. I'm not saying Tobin didn't, because I don't know, but I guess what I'm saying is that if Tobin really really wanted him to stay, he would have found a way to convince him to do so.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. I hope the team finds a way to get it together to beat Siena, and then go into AC with at least some hope of getting out of the PIG. As we've all discussed out here, NO ONE in this league is so good that we won't have a chance in a quarterfinal, but that's a long way away right now.
So, go nuts, y'all. Say what you must, because you're not wrong. And whenever this season wraps up, Sharkey, I86 and I will be all over the interwebs, scouring for recruiting info as we rebuild. I'll be time to forget about this season and start fresh, and I think we're all looking forward to it.
Great post. The season is what it is. Just my opinion, but going after each other, or calling Tobin another Tra Arnold doesn't accomplish anything.
Still believe some still underestimate the damage Pitino did to the program.
Agee Crawford Nikolic DVE Ross Gist Washington Perez Ristanovic
Willing to bet if that's the Roster Tobin has his 1st season, he's right at the top of the MAAC. Shit, Pitino walked in having an All-Maac caliber backcourt in Gist and Ross as well as DVE. Tobin had Oz, who unfortunately had his season derailed by injury.
Do I agree with everything Tobin has done on the sidelines? Nope. Do I vent on Twitter? Yup. But I'm just a keyboard warrior...lol. just trying to be realistic and fair over the situation.
I'm hoping for a miracle run in AC, but just don't see it. The grad transfer recruits just have not played up to expectations, wildly erratic, so can't see them stringing together 4 straight solid games.
Honestly, I have moved on to next season and concentrating on recruiting. So far 3 highly regarded FR recruits, at least on paper and by recruiting services. TBD if it translates to the court next season. Based on this year's 5 man recruiting class it's only fair to give Tobin and staff the benefit of the doubt.
Let's see how it all plays out before we make decisions on Tobin, especially after an unprecedented rebuilding job
Yes he deserves a break for putting together a whole new team.
Yes he has not done a great job coaching this year.
But the season ended when GG quit.
Finally got some time with my laptop here in surprisingly chilly San Diego. I wanted to expand on this post because there are a lot of good points in here, as I have already indicated.
Y'all have seen me get angry with folks out here this year, from Super to the younger guys here and on Twitter. See, I'm a big picture guy, and I don't think it's fair to put a label on stuff or call Tobin a failure when season 1 is still going on, yada yada yada. Even now, I'm hesitant, because sports are insane and wonderful and unpredictable and the minute we all pack our bags, this wack-ass bunch will figure it out and win 4 straight in AC. It's sports, the improbable often becomes probable.
That noted, I will say now that I apologize to the Iona fans that I've gotten angry at, but understand that all I was trying to do was keep a positive vibe out here. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm best friends with Tobin or anything, but I do know him enough to know this is absolutely killing him. The guy has won his whole life, everywhere, and now, he's not. I know I couldn't sleep after coaching my team to a Pop Warner loss, so I imagine he's just about worn out. I'm sure he's not giving up per se, but I do suspect once this season DOES end, presumably by the quarters in AC, a part of him will be relieved so that he can being the 2024-25 campaign by saying goodbye to the old guys and the weaker frosh, and hitting the portal and JUCO ranks to replenish. I suspect he has a better idea of how to navigate the portal, NIL, etc, than he did 12 months ago, so all we can hope is we'll see the fruits of that enhanced knowledge by this time in 2025. But, to get back on track, many of you are angry, sad, disappointed, etc, and you have every right to be, so have at it. But I WILL save some drama, he's not getting fired or anything, so let's not get stupid with posting stuff like he should be fired. Vent, yell, stamp your feet, rant about how this year sucked and why--but be realistic, is all I ask.
Next point in the post above: 100%, this was a crazy scenario where he had to reply on the portal and a large freshman class to fill the roster. Unprecedented, and even the best coaches are gonna have misses and aren't going to know in advance how well guys will mesh. The idea of getting a bunch of grad kids and a bunch of freshmen made sense, but the grad kids didn't get it done, they didn't provide leadership, and there are too many one-dimensional guys in there. It's not easy to do what Tobin TRIED to do. I think we ALL know that and I think we all UNDERSTAND that this type of season was going to be a possibility. BUT.....you guys are also right that something happened in February, obviously centered around Gordon, and that this team lost its way. Remember when we won 5 of 6? We were looking good, scoring points, feeling as capable as anyone. Then, again we don't know what, or at least I don't, something happened, and the dynamic shifted. The shift coincided with Tretout's return, and with that, soon after, Gordon was gone. Completely educated guess is that there was something amiss between the two of them, they each wanted to be the alpha but neither really knows how to be, and instead of coexisting things went south. Gordon established himself as a superstar in this league when Idan was out, and it all changed when he got back. I don't know anything for a fact, it's just a complete guess on my part. But all I know is that Gordon left and then, save for the game at Marist, our season collapsed. IMO, we got the answer to the "who's the alpha" question, and he took off for whatever reason, and when that happened, ANY chance we had of being a threat in AC went out the window. And, in fact, without him we are clearly the 2nd worst team in this league.
And yes, the problem isn't that the Gordon departure happened, but that Tobin allowed it to happen. Again, I have NO idea how things went down, but losing Gordon was huge, not just for this season but he would have been the unquestioned alpha next season. Now, Gordon obviously has some stuff going on in his own head, but there's no questioning his talent, and I really really wish Tobin could have found a way to get the kid to stick it out for 3 more weeks, because then you do have that window to work on him staying. I don't know what drove Gordon to go--maybe he's got some jackass in his ear telling him he can play at a much higher level and get buckets of NIL. Yeah, that's not happening. I guess I'm just saying I would have done whatever I could to convince him to stay. I'm not saying Tobin didn't, because I don't know, but I guess what I'm saying is that if Tobin really really wanted him to stay, he would have found a way to convince him to do so.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. I hope the team finds a way to get it together to beat Siena, and then go into AC with at least some hope of getting out of the PIG. As we've all discussed out here, NO ONE in this league is so good that we won't have a chance in a quarterfinal, but that's a long way away right now.
So, go nuts, y'all. Say what you must, because you're not wrong. And whenever this season wraps up, Sharkey, I86 and I will be all over the interwebs, scouring for recruiting info as we rebuild. I'll be time to forget about this season and start fresh, and I think we're all looking forward to it.
As to Gordon, persuade him to stay, that would have been good. Beg him to stay, no way.
Quitting on your team because you don’t like what’s going on is inexcusable.
Thanks Guy. Agree with much of your analysis. Despite my foot stomping and whining I'm actually a big fan of our coach. I am hopeful he will straighten this out. Regarding Gordon, I have no idea what went on and perhaps it was beyond repair, but we have had some difficult characters here before and were able to get through it. That includes one guy who actually quit the team and came back and another who had such emotional issues that they basically had to keep an eye on him at all times. Again, every situation is different and I have no idea what went on with Gordon. I said before the season that no matter what happened I was just happy and relieved that our former coach was gone. Well, the season was disappointing, but I am still happy he's gone. If this is our fate going forward, then so be it. But, Iona was successful before he was here and I am confident the Gaels will be successful in the future. I will be in AC next week. Might be a short stay, but when you're a fan, you're a fan. If I'm there for the good times I should be there when times are tough. Looking forward to it whatever happens. Go Gaels!
