The Days of old Wide Legs are back.

[DECKS]

I give Eaves a pass for his first two or three years. He was definitely hamstrung by the 5/8 rule and was forced to play walk-ons; however I feel like this years team is a big let down. Other than Morgan and Hampton we should be beating the other MEAC teams. What's so frustrating is that any time we play a team with any semblance of a half court game we tend to lose. Why should we expect that to be different next season with a more inexperienced team?

[aggiejazz]

aahhbigboy said:

Man, it only takes 2 players. You don't need a full team to win in the MEAC. Morgan only had like 6-8 players last year and they won the conference this year with only a couple of changes. That tells me he is workng over the summer. Eaves doesn't even have to leave the state to finish in the top 3 in the MEAC. And I'm so tired of the resources argument that I don't know what to do. Here are 5 things Eaves can do starting today that will bring home a championship in 2-3 years.

1. Focus on 3 studs every year (Major D-1 transfers and High school kids only). Even if 1 signs, you greatly increase your chances of winning in the MEAC.

2. Leave the JUCO kids alone. They only give you 2 years and if they are coming to MEAC, chances are they are still developing.

3. Go to all of the State games and aau tournaments in the area. I go to several and I've never seen Eaves or Keyes there. Never.

4 Stop playing so many people. You can't consistently play 11-12 people a game and expect any kind of continuity. Furthermore, the kids lack confidence because they are not allowed to play through their mistakes without looking over their shoulder.

5. Consult with someone and get a REAL strength and conditioning program. Our players (especially the frontcourt) always seem to look weak compared to other teams.

These 5 things don't require anymore resources than Eaves already gets. If we can get him off the golf course and out of Kentucky recruiting, we may be able to do something. We don't need all those resources everyone keeps talking about.

#1 and 3, I don't agree with your premise that these are the solutions. There is a lot of resistance from players, coaches and parents to accepting an A&T scholarship if everyone feels the player should be playing at a major basketball school or a pre-dominately white school. I am disappointed in the lack of contacts this coaching staff has when it comes to getting players but I have heard this has changed for the better.

#2, I agree wholeheartedly that Eaves should do this since he is not good at picking JUCO players that will fit his system or use them correctly in a system that works for the player.

#4, I agree wholeheartedly. The talent is not there to play so many players like Arkansas or Georgetown used to do from the 1980's through the 1990's.

If you are going to play that many players then do what Dean Smith used to do. Dean Smith would substitute players as a whole unit for a few minutes while the starters rested or while the coach tried to get his starters to wakeup and get their heads back into the game. Plus in doing this is you would put in the second team that normally has practiced together as a unit.

#5, does take extra money to bring about. Solutions were discussed during D Todd era to get S&C coaches for the other sports but only football won out. I am hoping that the other sports will soon have a S&C coach for next year.

[econgrad71]

aahhbigboy said:

Man, it only takes 2 players. You don't need a full team to win in the MEAC. Morgan only had like 6-8 players last year and they won the conference this year with only a couple of changes. That tells me he is workng over the summer. Eaves doesn't even have to leave the state to finish in the top 3 in the MEAC. And I'm so tired of the resources argument that I don't know what to do. Here are 5 things Eaves can do starting today that will bring home a championship in 2-3 years.

1. Focus on 3 studs every year (Major D-1 transfers and High school kids only). Even if 1 signs, you greatly increase your chances of winning in the MEAC.

2. Leave the JUCO kids alone. They only give you 2 years and if they are coming to MEAC, chances are they are still developing.

3. Go to all of the State games and aau tournaments in the area. I go to several and I've never seen Eaves or Keyes there. Never.

4 Stop playing so many people. You can't consistently play 11-12 people a game and expect any kind of continuity. Furthermore, the kids lack confidence because they are not allowed to play through their mistakes without looking over their shoulder.

5. Consult with someone and get a REAL strength and conditioning program. Our players (especially the frontcourt) always seem to look weak compared to other teams.

These 5 things don't require anymore resources than Eaves already gets. If we can get him off the golf course and out of Kentucky recruiting, we may be able to do something. We don't need all those resources everyone keeps talking about.

Aahhbigboy!! There's not too many things you've wrote on this message board that I've come close to aggreeing with. However, your suggestions here are well thought out and make much sense. This is what we need more of...AGGIE support! Eaves is here...and until he leaves, he's all we have. I still feel that he will pull this thing together, and years from now we'll be singing his praises... talking about what a great coach he is. (Am I dreaming... again?)

[aahhbigboy]

numberonebrave said:

D-1 transfers have to sit out a year...so you pay for one more year than you actually get..if you can get a stud D-1 transfer or HS player, why can't you get a stud juco player? chances are they are still developing?? Any more so than the D-1 transfer or HS player??? You imply that any player NCAT gets will still be developing if they are coming to the MEAC...Coleman is from Ky as was Booker...both were/are superior players..but I agree the lack of resources arguement is weak...recruit NC better.

When I referred to development, I was only referring to JUCO players. Stud JUCO players are only looking at the major schools because they only have 2 years to prove they can play professionally. Every one else (JUCO kids) are just looking for somewhere that will take them. True, major D-1 transfers have to sit out a year, but they are so much more of a value. When they sit out, they learn what the coaches want from them. They are more focused and their games (and bodies) get stronger. They get hungrier and they don't take playing for granted when they do hit the court. Keep in mind that Bright at Del St. (Cincy) and #32 for Morgan (Cal) are both D-1 transfers and they KILLED us. Furthermore, just look at the seaso we will have next year. We all know it's gonna be bad. But what if we had 2 stud transfers sitting out this year? Things would be a whole lot different. As I keep mentioning, Morgan had the most garbage in the conference last year, and all they did was win the regular season without a challenge this year. All on the strength of #32 and #34. That can't be ignored.

[aahhbigboy]

aahhbigboy said:

Man, it only takes 2 players. You don't need a full team to win in the MEAC. Morgan only had like 6-8 players last year and they won the conference this year with only a couple of changes. That tells me he is workng over the summer. Eaves doesn't even have to leave the state to finish in the top 3 in the MEAC. And I'm so tired of the resources argument that I don't know what to do. Here are 5 things Eaves can do starting today that will bring home a championship in 2-3 years.

1. Focus on 3 studs every year (Major D-1 transfers and High school kids only). Even if 1 signs, you greatly increase your chances of winning in the MEAC.

2. Leave the JUCO kids alone. They only give you 2 years and if they are coming to MEAC, chances are they are still developing.

3. Go to all of the State games and aau tournaments in the area. I go to several and I've never seen Eaves or Keyes there. Never.

4 Stop playing so many people. You can't consistently play 11-12 people a game and expect any kind of continuity. Furthermore, the kids lack confidence because they are not allowed to play through their mistakes without looking over their shoulder.

5. Consult with someone and get a REAL strength and conditioning program. Our players (especially the frontcourt) always seem to look weak compared to other teams.

These 5 things don't require anymore resources than Eaves already gets. If we can get him off the golf course and out of Kentucky recruiting, we may be able to do something. We don't need all those resources everyone keeps talking about.

To further #3 in the quoted post,

I just got back from the high school Regional finals at ECU. I searched high and low. I searched the bathrooms and concessions stands and I still haven't seen Eaves or Keyes. I saw one coach from T, but I've always seen him at Dudley games (light skinned, heavy set guy who joined the program last year). What made it so bad is that Jack Britt was playing in the 4A game!!! Who knows, maybe they've seen everyone there . But everywhere I go people, I never see these guys. That's how West gets away and goes to Hampton etc. That's how Rush went to UNC-Asheville to start with. You gotta be on these kids early.

All I'm saying is, all they need is 5K and a gas card and the job can get done. They're not working.

[Aggie9195]

Wests mom's played basketball at Hampton just like Rush's moms's played at A&T. Ive heard from many Hamptonians that West going was already a done deal. We didnt have much, if any, of a chance of getting him to come here.

[numberonebrave]

Frye ( HE FITS THE DESCRIPTION) was at the game you mentioned. Perhaps Eaves was at another game and Key at yet another. There were several sites. Since Craft of Jack Britt has already signed, I would say they are aware of the players on that team. I do not see how you can conclude that they " are not working".

[aahhbigboy]

Yeah, that's his name, Frye. I don't have to use the fact that they don't aggressively recruit NC to conclude that they are not working. Look at the roster we have now. Look at next year's roster. That's all you need to come to that conclusion. There were only 2 sites in NC yesterday. Greenville and Hickory and like I said, who knows, maybe they've seen all they wanted to see. But if that's the case, don't have lackluster talent when the season starts. That's all I'm saying. I bet if we checked the travel log for Bibbs (and her staff) for the past 2-3 years, I bet NO ONE can say that they haven't been visible. And what do they have? D-1 transfers and stud freshman. No JUCO action. And what did they just do? You all should begin to get the point here soon.

[aggiechamp]

The name of the game is money. We don't have it so we can't send more than one guy to a game. Second, we have to recruit where we have a chance to get talent. Un fortunately, in NC it is too difficult for A&T to recruit. Finally, I've copied this article from the football board here. It is relevant to all HBCU sports.
HBCUs struggling to survive
By Dana O'Neil
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: February 15, 2008
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Athletes and Students Can Find a Home at an HBCUNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As a record-setting superstar quarterback at Grambling State, Doug Williams enjoyed all the glory and fame that goes with being a shark swimming in a kiddie pool.



As a head coach at his alma mater, Williams lived in the underbelly. He saw downtrodden facilities and budgets squeezed for the very last dollar, universities trying as hard to survive as to compete.



He left his alma mater last season for a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Williams' heart and passion still lies with the plight of the HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities). The first black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl and win the game's MVP, Williams knows all about overcoming hurdles, but he has come to believe that HBCUs are too busy shouting into the wind about what they aren't instead of figuring out how to maximize what they are.



"You have to recognize who you're competing against," he said. "With talks of bowl games and NCAA Tournaments, we're not going to compete for that anymore. You can't say whether it's good or bad, because it is what it is. You can't change it so you may as well embrace who you are."



That, however, is not easy to do at universities exhausted from uphill battles.



At the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in January, what started off as an inspirational look at the history of the HBCUs with comments from a who's who panel of former athletes instead turned into a vent session once the formal presentation ended. Frustration is palpable among HBCU athletic administrators, exhausted from trying to stretch a dollar and keep flailing programs alive with little to no help from the university, graduates or even the state. Some administrators stood up and called out NCAA President Myles Brand, demanding that the NCAA do more to help its struggling members, while others asked unanswerable questions about how they were to survive when the money just didn't come in.



They, like the panelists who talked about overcoming adversity and long odds, take pride in their resourcefulness in the face of no resources, and the pluck and moxie they employ to keep things going.



But pluck and moxie only gets you so far, particularly in a world ruled by dollars and cents. There is genuine and legitimate fear that the schools that count Walter Payton (Jackson State), Willis Reed (Grambling State) and Harry Carson (South Carolina State) among their alumni are in a battle they are no longer equipped to fight and that the proud programs of the past could disappear altogether.



Black Magic
"Black Magic," which features Pee Wee Kirkland, is a four-hour, two-part film scheduled to debut on ESPN at 9 p.m., ET, on Sunday, March 16, and Monday, March 17, 2008. The film tells the story of the injustice which characterized the civil rights movement in America as told through the lives of basketball players and coaches who attended historically black colleges and universities.

According to the 2007 budget figures from the Office of Postsecondary Education, Delaware State has the deepest athletics pockets among all HBCUs. Out of 339 Division I institutions, its $17.2 million budget ranks 124th.



"For so long, it was about keeping up with the Joneses," Southwestern Athletic Conference commissioner Duer Sharp said. "Well, we're not even in the Joneses' league anymore."



The Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) offers a glimmer of hope. In the latest RPI rankings, four MEAC schools rank under 200 (Hampton, at 142, is the best). No one in the SWAC boasts an RPI better than 220.



An HBCU hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game since 2001 when 15th-seeded Hampton shocked Iowa State.



"They've always been under-resourced, but frankly it's gotten worse comparatively than it has in the past," Brand said. "I think there's a real struggle going on to make sure they're healthy and well and can continue to educate people who want to be in those environments. That's a problem that goes well beyond athletics."



Since integration swung open the doors of higher education to everyone, enrollment at HBCUs has steadily dwindled and athletic programs have nosedived almost into oblivion. Given the chance to follow the money trail to better facilities and greater exposure, the best African-American athletes understandably don't choose HBCUs any longer.



We have to roll with the punches. We have to find a way to form our own championships, to be inclusive and make sure all of these schools start making money. The bottom line, we have to survive. That needs to be our goal.
--Doug Williams
There were pockets of hope. Alcorn State won an NCAA Tournament game in 1980, and Steve McNair infused hope in that same school's gridiron program in the early 1990s. But there has been no sustained excitement, nothing like the early years when the HBCUs regularly attracted the nation's talent.


Reed remembered growing up in Louisiana, working one summer in the same factory that employed his father. By the time the job ended, his hands were calloused and he was determined to find a different path. He wanted to be a teacher and a coach, never dreaming of a Hall of Fame career. He chose Grambling because it was close to home and because it was what he knew.



But those days, he believes are gone. There are few secrets in college recruiting, few hidden gems who get missed in the myriad of AAU tournaments. Rare is the truly talented player who takes the leap of faith to attend an HBCU.



"If you're good enough, eventually they'll find you," Reed said of big-time programs. "That's been proven over and over again. Wouldn't it make more sense to go some place and play than say sit behind a kid like Chris Paul? I think it would, but the parents, the coaches and the kids, they don't think that way anymore."



The athletes who do end up choosing HBCUs often wonder why they bothered. In an effort to really understand what's going on -- and not going on -- at his schools, Sharp regularly meets with the members of the SWAC Student-Athlete Advisory Council.



What he hears isn't good.



"A lot of our athletes are disgruntled," Sharp said. "They're frustrated by what they don't have, and many of them leave unhappy with the experience."



While many people shout at Brand to institute some sort of change, Sharp said the real blame lies with the individual institutions. His office constantly gets calls about sloppy fields or lousy facilities, but he is powerless to change them. He knows the schools are tapped out, that the basketball teams see almost none of the money they bring in from guaranteed games, that the NCAA Tournament opening-round game has almost solidified his member schools as one-and-done in March, and that the gate at football and basketball home games barely makes a dent in the overall expenses of each sport.


David Maxwell/Getty Images

Steve McNair starred at Alcorn State in the early 90s and brought national attention to the HBCU program.

But he also believes that it is up to the schools to ask the state -- all of the SWAC schools are state institutions -- for help.



"It's a government issue," Sharp said. "But there has to be some correspondence and some conversation. The schools need to say, 'We need some help with this. We haven't been able to upgrade our facilities in a number of years and we need some state support.' You've got to have people in rooms having those conversations. Until we get that, nothing will change."



Williams, however, sees another direction worth considering. He points to the football rivalry games -- the New Orleans-based Bayou Classic between Southern and Jackson State that has blossomed into a four-day event over Thanksgiving -- as a perfect example of what HBCUs can and should be doing. The bowl money, the financial windfalls that fall into the already burgeoning BCS school pots, isn't an option. Final Four payouts aren't going to happen.



So instead Williams believes it is up to the HBCUs to grow what they have, to back the rivalries and make an almost internal championship among the member schools. Let the outside competitions -- the I-AA football playoffs, the NCAA tourney -- be an additional carrot, but turn the heart and soul of the HBCUs into the schools' strength and income source.



It is a hopeful, if not altogether easy plan to pull off, but to Williams the choice is simple.



"You can't say whether it's good or it's bad; it is what it is," he said. "We have to roll with the punches. We have to find a way to form our own championships, to be inclusive and make sure all of these schools start making money. The bottom line, we have to survive. That needs to be our goal."



Dana O'Neil covers college basketball for ESPN.com and can be reached at [e-mail].

[numberonebrave]

"No JUCO action"....Starter Nancy Rembert is a JUCO player...."Look at the roster we have now. Look at next year's roster".. "I bet if we checked the travel log for Bibbs (and her staff) for the past 2-3 years, I bet NO ONE can say that they haven't been visible". Visible perhaps, but we do not have many women from NC either , however, I am sure we go after the good players , they just opt for other (WF, ODU, UNC-C) schools...Eaves may have been in W-S , someone else could have been in SC or VA...There was a coach at the game(s) you mentioned. Do you have to have more than one coach at the game?

[numberonebrave]

"True, major D-1 transfers have to sit out a year, but they are so much more of a value. When they sit out, they learn what the coaches want from them. They are more focused and their games (and bodies) get stronger. They get hungrier and they don't take playing for granted when they do hit the court. Keep in mind that Bright at Del St. (Cincy)" Bright did not sit out , he went from Cinn to a Juco and then DSU..I can not comment on the kids at MSU..must look them up.. I think most transfers want to play right away and are not likely to sit out at a MEAC school...I think Coppin had a 6-8 kid a few years ago, but I do not recall many of those stud ( would a pt g be included?) types in the MEAC.

[aggiedog]

Williams is correct when he says HBCUs will have to grow their own fund raisers like the BAYOU Classic or other activities.We need to face the fact that the white power structure don't care if all HBCU programs fold. I believe we need to stop complaining about what we are not receiving from the state and go after our 30,000+ alumns to give back more to help our programs. " God bless the child that has his own"

[aahhbigboy]

numberonebrave said:

"True, major D-1 transfers have to sit out a year, but they are so much more of a value. When they sit out, they learn what the coaches want from them. They are more focused and their games (and bodies) get stronger. They get hungrier and they don't take playing for granted when they do hit the court. Keep in mind that Bright at Del St. (Cincy)" Bright did not sit out , he went from Cinn to a Juco and then DSU..I can not comment on the kids at MSU..must look them up.. I think most transfers want to play right away and are not likely to sit out at a MEAC school...I think Coppin had a 6-8 kid a few years ago, but I do not recall many of those stud ( would a pt g be included?) types in the MEAC.

Hampton has like 2-3. Morgan has 2. Del has 1. Everyone else is fairly comparable to us, talent wise. Furthermore, transfers CAN'T play right away. And a D-1 going to a JUCO and then to Del is probably better (especially with a talent like Bright), even though I don't like that he loses a year.

For football, you need money. No doubt. But basketball doesn't need all this money from alumni. The "money" games that they play is more than enough. What I'm saying that Eaves and Keyes need to do doesn't really cost that much. If what some of you are saying is true, then how did the girls get so good so fast? There is a big pool of talent between Virginia and Georgia. $5,000 and a gas card is all you need to win the MEAC.

[Aggie77]

aahhbigboy said:

The money games that they play is more than enough. .

It’s this type of comment that loses credibility points, because it implies that you think the basketball program gets to keep the revenue for money games.

[aahhbigboy]

aggie77 said:

aahhbigboy said:

The money games that they play is more than enough. .

It’s this type of comment that loses credibility points, because it implies that you think the basketball program gets to keep the revenue for money games.

It loses no credibility points for my argument. I'm saying they can do 5 times better with less money than they get now. It doesn't matter if they get to keep all of it or not.