From today's basketball presser...

[Faustdog]

Rick Ray is feeling really sorry for himself and wants you to know that you should feel sorry for him too.


Rick Ray, on short bench: "There’s nobody in the country that has gone through what we’ve went through. I don’t care what level."


Rick Ray, on people who say they understand what he's going through: "No you don't. You really don't."

 

[patdog]

He's right. But he's not doing himself any favors complaining about it publicly though. I think he's definitely feeling the heat and is getting defensive.

 

[tenureplan]

I remember another coach that would get defensive like that...

 

[CrookedLetta4Eva]

I appreciate his honesty.

 

[Bob Sacamano.sixpack]

I haven't commented on Ray being hired nor this horrific season, but these comments are bush league. He either needs to nut up or resign.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

I do too. I would be stressed out too. That being said, he is being paid handsomely to deal with this stress and improve.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

Mayber Stricklin should consider resigning also, for his obvious flub of this hire.

 

[skb124]

How can you call it a flub of a hire at this point? Seriously? If its due to the results then you are an idiot and don't understand sports.

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

I present, exhibit A to my post from the other day on agendas.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

Yep. ^^^

he is getting defensive. and its getting old. shut up, stop complaining. coach and recruit. sell, don't complain about what you can't do. you have 4 years and are being paid handsomely

 

[maroonmania]

Rick Ray is feeling really sorry for himself and wants you to know that you should feel sorry for him too.


Rick Ray, on short bench: "There’s nobody in the country that has gone through what we’ve went through. I don’t care what level."


Rick Ray, on people who say they understand what he's going through: "No you don't. You really don't."

My only issue is the fact that some of this is self-inflicted and some is not. I understand injuries and I understand transfers, those are things a coach can't control. However, are you telling me that Rick Ray is doing such a lousy job of getting players to buy into his way of doing things that he is forced to kick off 2 players (Ziedaks and Smith) and suspend 3 others at various times (Borchert, Steele and RJohnson) while there is a rumor out there of potentially another suspension on the way? I feel this way about Ray just as I felt when Croom was kicking off and suspending football players left and right. And that is that its just as big a responsibility on a coach, if not moreso, to convince your players to buy into living up to the standards you're asking for as it is to dole out some discipline when they don't. So for THIS many players to have discipline issues before and during the season it sounds like to me Ray is having some trouble selling what he's preaching. So part of our issues is just bad luck but some of it is just our coaches and players shooting themselves in the foot REPEATEDLY. I don't know of another program in this country that have had this many players either be booted from the team or lose playing time over off the court stuff.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

and again, yep. lets just hope we don't hear about churchill again.

that would be knife in heart.

 

[Bob Sacamano.sixpack]

I agree with you. I'm not saying Ray won't be successful but he just doesn't need to make these comments. Yes, he was dealt a tough hand and the situation hasn't gotten any better, but that is why he's being paid over a million dollars a year.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Here we go again.

 

[aTotal360]

The euro and smith broke university policy, not RR policy. 3 strikes and you're off the team. RR had no choice.

 

[maroonmania]

The euro and smith broke university policy, not RR policy. 3 strikes and you're off the team. RR had no choice.

Realize RR didn't have a lot of time to turn those 2 around but if he could have gotten them to get with his program I don't think they would have been breaking university or RR policies. However, as stated, the stuff that happened with them was in August and RR had only been on the job about 4 months so those to me aren't as much his responsibility as these other midseason suspensions.

 

[Coach34]

My only issue is the fact that some of this is self-inflicted and some is not. I understand injuries and I understand transfers, those are things a coach can't control. However, are you telling me that Rick Ray is doing such a lousy job of getting players to buy into his way of doing things that he is forced to kick off 2 players (Ziedaks and Smith) and suspend 3 others at various times (Borchert, Steele and RJohnson) while there is a rumor out there of potentially another suspension on the way? I feel this way about Ray just as I felt when Croom was kicking off and suspending football players left and right. And that is that its just as big a responsibility on a coach, if not moreso, to convince your players to buy into living up to the standards you're asking for as it is to dole out some discipline when they don't. So for THIS many players to have discipline issues before and during the season it sounds like to me Ray is having some trouble selling what he's preaching. So part of our issues is just bad luck but some of it is just our coaches and players shooting themselves in the foot REPEATEDLY. I don't know of another program in this country that have had this many players either be booted from the team or lose playing time over off the court stuff.

I'm gonna have to disagree

When you have a group of players, that have skirted rules and discipline for a few years- and suddenly they are forced to do a 180 from that behavior- you are going to have some problems and slip-ups. Even though they maybe trying hard, they will still revert back to the undisciplined behavior at times. Quitting any type of habit cold turkey is tough, we all know that.

Ray has been consistent with his discipline. These guys know if they fail a drug test, they will get suspended. They arent being warned ahead of time anymore and they arent being sent to Houston to workout so they can avoid failing a coming test. I dont see how you can call it "not buying to Ray" when they are idiotic enough to choose drugs or skipping classes over being suspended and publically scrutinized.

Also, they focus totally on Ray during time-outs. You dont see them showing their *** or being obstinate during games. You also havent seen a Freshman suspended yet. That tells me alot and shows its the older guys having trouble conforming due to past behavior.

 

[DerHntr]

Similar to Freeze on twitter, know your role Coach Ray.

He is better off just working hard, talking about how hard he is working, and then giving us some results next season. When he is specifically asked about the situation he needs to be like a politician and not directly answer the question and instead talk about the way he is planning for next year and thereafter. Now that he has made these comments publicly, the reporters will start asking about it more often than before.

Sometimes I think new coaches need to go to a public speaking/perception course just as bad as new NFL players need to go to a personal finance course.

 

[gtowndawg]

In all seriousness, why did we not get 5 football players to play?

I really don't care who they are. It would at least be entertaining. I haven't watched 5 minutes of basketball this year. I would watch that. Can you imagine subbing in 5 football players at once for a couple of minutes, like a hockey line change?

I mean, we just got beat by 40. It couldn't be worse than Price playing (no offense). As a wise man once said, "Look around us Helen, we're on the threshold of hell!"

 

[DerHntr]

You also have to figure in the fact that the older guys have likely never dealt with this many *** beatings in a single season in their lives. They definitely did not have this issue at MSU. So you go from doing what you want, having decent crowds, and winning enough to flame out in the NIT (in the last few years which is their tenure with MSU) to what we are seeing now and you get issues with discipline.

 

[Hanmudog]

No one should be too upset about the season as a whole under Coach Ray. We are what I thought we were at the start, a 7-8 win team.

That being said, the Vandy game was inexcusably awful. You don't lose by 40 to a bad team at home and get outhustled as bad as we did and then not expect people to be upset.

The game at Bama was more of what I expected to see this year, tough play with good hustle but coming up short. You can't blame depth as a factor in us getting off to horrendous starts so often like we did against Vandy. As the game wears on I can see it but not going 0-17 right out of the gate. There is an issue there.

 

[InaccuratePredictionsDawg]

I've given this guy a pass...

..for this season since Stansbury coupled with other unforeseen circumstances left Ray with what amounts to a basketball program undergoing a self-imposed death penalty. So I really don't care what he is saying now. Actions speak louder than words anyway. But next year we can't be subjected to this ********. One year pass, coach Ray. Come November 2013, it's put up or shut up time.

 

[Seinfeld]

Fair point

Also, they focus totally on Ray during time-outs. You dont see them showing their *** or being obstinate during games. You also havent seen a Freshman suspended yet. That tells me alot and shows its the older guys having trouble conforming due to past behavior.

But again, right or wrong, Ray is the one that chose to come in with the "new sheriff in town" mentality. No one's arguing against him about that, but there's no need to get up and cry about it during a presser

 

[skb124]

I agree with you. The comments probably shouldn't have been made, but I really don't know the context of the question or if he just came out and said that. And like you I don't know if Ray will amount to much either. I have no loyalty to him other than he is our coach now, and I will support him. He has 4 years for me, and if he doesn't produce then he needs to be fired. But people need to at least give him a chance, and blaming this year on him is not doing that.

 

[maroonmania]

I'm gonna have to disagree

When you have a group of players, that have skirted rules and discipline for a few years- and suddenly they are forced to do a 180 from that behavior- you are going to have some problems and slip-ups. Even though they maybe trying hard, they will still revert back to the undisciplined behavior at times. Quitting any type of habit cold turkey is tough, we all know that.

Ray has been consistent with his discipline. These guys know if they fail a drug test, they will get suspended. They arent being warned ahead of time anymore and they arent being sent to Houston to workout so they can avoid failing a coming test. I dont see how you can call it "not buying to Ray" when they are idiotic enough to choose drugs or skipping classes over being suspended and publically scrutinized.

Also, they focus totally on Ray during time-outs. You dont see them showing their *** or being obstinate during games. You also havent seen a Freshman suspended yet. That tells me alot and shows its the older guys having trouble conforming due to past behavior.

OK, I can kind of go with the drug thing but if its a "going to class" thing, heck, we only have about 7 or 8 scholarship players total. Seems to me we could assign each assistant coach (or basketball admin guys) a player or 2 and escort every blame one of them to every class on their schedule to avoid the suspension garbage until they get in the habit of actually being responsible enough to go on their own+.

 

[DAWG61]

Why did we hear nothing of their previous 2 other suspensions? Why was Deville Smith booted after just one suspension? How many games would this roster win with? PG Deville Smith, PG Josh Gray, SG Jalen Steele, SG Craig Sword, SG DJ Gardner, SF Rodney Hood, SF Fred Thomas, SF Shaun Smith, PF Shawn Long, PF Roquez Johnson, PF Kristers Zeidaks, C Gavin Ware, PF/C Fat Boy Sidney and PF Arnett Moultrie. That's 14 players so 1 too many but that is what our roster could be right now minus the one player. A roster like that probably lands Pollard too.

 

[skb124]

Agreed

 

[Coach34]

But again, right or wrong, Ray is the one that chose to come in with the "new sheriff in town" mentality. No one's arguing against him about that, but there's no need to get up and cry about it during a presser

Well, it's that mentality that got him hired. It was specifically what the administration was looking for.

I do agree that he needs to quickly stray away from the "woe is me" crap asap. Anybody with a brain can see he's got it tough. He needs to stay positive to the media and get thru our game in the SEC Tourney. The nightmare will then be over and he can start building for next year

 

[CadaverDawg]

Ray is a pretty knowledgeable coach, and I actually learn a lot listening to his radio show. He goes much more in depth on strategy and adjustments than Stans ever did on the show from the few times I've listened.. But he also does too much complaining about what he's up against. We all know what he's faced with, and the media talks about it the entire game while we're getting our asses handed to us, so you can stop now Rick.

I remember how we all crucified Freeze, no pun intended, when he was poor mouthing Ole Miss and the wilderness they were in when he took over, so if anyone can honestly say Ray is okay saying this **** repeatedly, you're probably a hypocrite.

I see what he's doing though...he's a young, first time head coach, so he wants any future employers to recognize the turd he has been dealt. I wouldn't want this piece of **** on my résumé unless it had a huge asterisk by it, showing the pile of feces the job is this year......especially as the first head gig on my résumé.

 

[johnson86-1]

But again, right or wrong, Ray is the one that chose to come in with the "new sheriff in town" mentality. No one's arguing against him about that, but there's no need to get up and cry about it during a presser

I'm not sure he really had a choice on the new sherriff in town approach. I don't think he could ease into having the players follow reasonable rules. What's he going to say? "Guys, for now, I'm going to keep giving you a heads up before you have to take drug tests, but know that by February, you're going to have to pass them on your own?" I don't see how that's going to work. I think you just have to set the rules and be consistent. For the most part, the hand was dealt before he got here. Maybe some coach, some where could have reached these players prior to them getting themselves kicked off the team. But you can't really expect it of anybody. If a player knows failing another drug test will get him kicked off the team, but does it anyway, then clearly that player just didn't care that much about basketball.

 

[aTotal360]

not sure on Smith, but the euro was sitting out because of the transfer policy. I don't pretend to know the specifics of RR's team rules or how he enforces them. RS might not have suspended kids for violations. He might only suspend them after the 2nd strike. He might only suspend them after a major violation or after multiple minor violations. No clue. It's just painfully obvious that RR doesn't put up with as much crap.

As for how many games would we win...who knows and who cares? What's done is done.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

The 30 - 40 point losses at home are troubling to me too.

 

[rabbitthedawg]

Looks as most of you guys, including coach34 are getting just what you asked for. Fire Stans and we'll get this great national coach to take us to the promise land. How is that working for you?

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

If everyone agrees that this season is a pass then why should the players not have the same attitude? Why should they give a ****?

Someone should tell Ray just to smile and say we are 5 or 7 years away from winning.

 

[UIUCDog]

Blah, blah, blah.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

I'm sure Mullen and Co. would love that.****

I'm sure they would love to risk some of their players getting injured(because they are not in basketball shape) for your entertainment.**

I really don't care who they are. It would at least be entertaining. I haven't watched 5 minutes of basketball this year. I would watch that. Can you imagine subbing in 5 football players at once for a couple of minutes, like a hockey line change?

I mean, we just got beat by 40. It couldn't be worse than Price playing (no offense). As a wise man once said, "Look around us Helen, we're on the threshold of hell!"

 

[Philly Dawg]

I heard Ray liked Zideckis. We could have used him.

 

[mstateglfr]

Why did we hear nothing of their previous 2 other suspensions? Why was Deville Smith booted after just one suspension? How many games would this roster win with? PG Deville Smith, PG Josh Gray, SG Jalen Steele, SG Craig Sword, SG DJ Gardner, SF Rodney Hood, SF Fred Thomas, SF Shaun Smith, PF Shawn Long, PF Roquez Johnson, PF Kristers Zeidaks, C Gavin Ware, PF/C Fat Boy Sidney and PF Arnett Moultrie. That's 14 players so 1 too many but that is what our roster could be right now minus the one player. A roster like that probably lands Pollard too.

I really dont even know what your point is here. Are you upset with Ray for not keeping this group together? Are you upset with Stans for not keeping this group together? Are you upset that Stans didnt suspend enough players for long enough times? Are you upset with Ray for suspending too many for too long?

Its just such an odd post because you include players who were gone before last year's season even started.
- DJ Gardner? Really?...is he even still playing? I dont think he is. He was at JUCO last season, but now?...
- Shawn Long? Didnt he leave school shortly after classes started to be at home and had a kid born? He never even played for us. Though from having followed his stats, he would have been a HUGE benefit to the team. Seriously huge.
- Moultrie?...he was a first round pick, are you including him because he would have stayed? Or just longingly wishing he were still here?


You list a mix of last season players, this season players, and players who never even suited up for MSU. They werent all going to play together, unless first round Moultrie was going to come back for a 5th year of college, and unless players whose behavior was slightly less than impressive suddenly improved.

Odd post.

 

[DAWG61]

It was just to point out the crazy amount of turnover that's happened to the MSU basketball program in the last 2 years.

 

[gtowndawg]

There has to be some football walkons that can play basketball

that, no offense to them, Mullen doesn't really care about.

Again, we're comparing these guys to Price....