Remember when our Seniors were Top 5 among Mids?

DCRAM

DCRAM

Joined
Apr 21, 2009
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I definitely do. I remember when Joey was considered one of the best passers and Kearse was considered one of the best defenders coming in as AG's first recuiting class and considered the 5th best nationally among the non-big six conferences.

But one thing I specifically remember where the teams in front of us. They were Memphis, Gonzaga, New Mexico State, and the purpose of this post...Pepperdine, who was ranked 4th.

So what has Pepperdine done since then? Well nothing at all. Since the 07-08 season they have only had 1 season in which they won more than 11 games and it was their first season. The next two seasons were 9 and 7 games respectively. There's not much hope for them this year either.

Just learning about this really strengthens my appreciation for what we have done here at VCU as a program. It takes more than just good recruits to win games. It takes a good head coach, staff, athletic office, fans, and community support to really take our program to the next level and luckly we've had that mix for many years now. Only a handful of programs can say that. We really are a special University with only the best days ahead of us. Our program is headed in the right direction and I predict amazing things both this year and the years to come.

I can't wait for this season to start!

For all those who would like a blast from the past and re-read the article, you can do so here:
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=682458

We were listed with some really good company who have made some serious noise since then.
 
It takes more than just good recruits to win games. It takes a good head coach, staff, athletic office, fans, and community support to really take our program to the next level and luckly we've had that mix for many years now. Only a handful of programs can say that. We really are a special University with only the best days ahead of us. Our program is headed in the right direction and I predict amazing things both this year and the years to come.
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Agreed! In addition to above, it takes a little luck...i.e., players have to stay healthy [Kearse], mentally be committed [Saintil], skills meet needs [several players could be inserted here, including some Shaka has churned] and coaches interested in building more than their resume for the next stop.

One constant VCU has had is quality fans/administration. [Always, good coaching...even our average coaches were not "bad"] I'm going back to Dana Kirk years...we've had lot's great bb coaches, even before Dana was Chuck Noe, another great coach of the past].

We can't control everything, but we can always control how we react to it. RamNation is just getting started! We will be a Sweet 16 Team...with players of character. I know it will happen. We will do it the right way and be successful.
 
RamJamFan said:
It takes more than just good recruits to win games. It takes a good head coach, staff, athletic office, fans, and community support to really take our program to the next level and luckly we've had that mix for many years now. Only a handful of programs can say that. We really are a special University with only the best days ahead of us. Our program is headed in the right direction and I predict amazing things both this year and the years to come.
Click to expand...

Agreed! In addition to above, . . . and coaches interested in building more than their resume for the next stop.

One constant VCU has had is quality fans/administration. [Always, good coaching...even our average coaches were not "bad"] I'm going back to Dana Kirk years...we've had lot's great bb coaches, even before Dana was Chuck Noe, another great coach of the past].

We can't control everything, but we can always control how we react to it. RamNation is just getting started! We will be a Sweet 16 Team...with players of character. I know it will happen. We will do it the right way and be successful.
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I have to disagree with the good coaching, Polio, Sonny, and Mack were all awful and should have been given a short hook. Those three ran the program in the ground and Sanders and I must say us the fans just stood by and watched. It took President Trani to step in and give us JCIII who turned this thing around.

As to the coaches looking for their next job, not an issue as well. The only way the get to the next level with the associated riches is to continue to win and improve this program. Therefore, I'll take an AG, JCIII, and yes a young Shaka anyway before I settle for Sonny, Mack or Mike Polio.

We are lucky to have had the influence of Trani and the hiring of Norwood. Love him or hate him Norwood is three for three in Men's basketball, on point for the Woman's BBall hire, and is on his way to something special in Men's Soccer.
 
Dang Mad90. That was one heck of a post. One of the best I have read in a long while. I may have a slightly different interpretation on how the JC3 thing materialized, and the motives behind Trani's hire..... but I was all for it at the time, and man did it work out for us. I was soooo over the crappy old coach coming here to retire type of thing. You're dead-on with your point- that hire started a very positive trend here at VCU. And yes, I would agree- it changed the direction, and everything else it would seem, about this program. I repeat- one heck of a post.
 
Mad90, you could not be more correct if you tried! We werre heading in the wrong direction,with no direction from the coaching staff. Norwood saw the light and villa 7 and off we go. The future is very bright for RamNation. Shaka and company will continue the tradition and get us to the next level of national recognition.
 
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