Willard's Fire

[Piratz]

Loved how KW was in there firing up the guys in the team huddle immediately following Delgado's dunk that made it 67-54.

FS1 picked up some of the f-bombs, but I loved it. Keep them fired up and set a tone!

 

[catholicman]

Amen, sans the profanity!

 

[TheBluePirate]

And his first miked up break was strong as well.

Team on fire.

This was another big step.

 

[Save Continental]

the difference is unbelievable. I love it. That was no bogus emotion, his face was tomato.

another lock down second half. Ellenson should tell the scouts to come back over the weekend....

 

[dr bill1]

Now that's what

Loved how KW was in there firing up the guys in the team huddle immediately following Delgado's dunk that made it 67-54.

FS1 picked up some of the f-bombs, but I loved it. Keep them fired up and set a tone!

This is the coach we were hoping for. Keep up the f-bombs, the picnic analogies and stoke the fire!!

 

[catholicman]

Passion replaces deer in the headlights! lol!

 

[shu09]

Loved how KW was in there firing up the guys in the team huddle immediately following Delgado's dunk that made it 67-54.

FS1 picked up some of the f-bombs, but I loved it. Keep them fired up and set a tone!

GREAT win! It's a long season but it appears KW has found it. That sequence was awesome and exactly what a good coach should be doing. No letting up in that spot.

 

[Piratz]

Exactly, shu09. This on the heels of the Wichita State game is really very encouraging to me.

He did a terrific job tonight and so did his team. Great stuff.

 

[anon_4htvdezyfe7k9]

What has changed his personallity? Threat of losing his job? His own Personal development? The fact he doesn't have a reason to make guarantees to any players? I don't really care as long as he sustains it, but makes me wonder.

 

[Hall91]

It's still early but a tip of e cap to Willard for having this team together and focused. We'll eventually see some adversity so we'll see if the unselfish play can remain.

 

[RLNJ13]

some people really know how to give compliments.....

 

[Piratz]

He looks in charge with a good feel for his team.

 

[Fzacsattac]

I have to say KW did a nice job tonight. Great way to get these guys on the same page.

 

[statenman]

This is the 3rd or 4th year that we looked good starting the BE season.

 

[dr bill1]

What has changed his personallity? Threat of losing his job? His own Personal development? The fact he doesn't have a reason to make guarantees to any players? I don't really care as long as he sustains it, but makes me wonder.

Winning builds confidence within the coach. This bunch of guys are very tough dudes. They have big balls.

 

[anon_4htvdezyfe7k9]

He looks in charge with a good feel for his team.

Agree. But after 5.5 years, its fair to wonder what changed if this is something that will be sustained.

 

[dr bill1]

This is the 3rd or 4th year that we looked good starting the BE season.

Keep your glasses on. This is no fluke.

 

[Section112]

I thought his substitutions were spot on tonight and he handled the foul trouble perfectly. Well done coach!!

 

[Piratz]

This is the 3rd or 4th year that we looked good starting the BE season.

That's true and certainly all of us have been through some down times the past 5 years. However, if you watch closely this year it's been different. There are positive signs emerging with both KW and the team, so here's hoping they come to fruition.

The comeback against Wichita State and winning the Big East opener on the road against a good Marquette team by 20 after being down by 1 at the half? I'll take the blue-colored glasses if that's what you want to call it. This has been impressive.

 

[Seton75]

Agree. But after 5.5 years, its fair to wonder what changed if this is something that will be sustained.

Wonder tomorrow, celebrate tonight.

 

[Piratz]

Agree. But after 5.5 years, its fair to wonder what changed if this is something that will be sustained.

No idea and we'll find out. Everyone's different in when they "get" it.

 

[SnakeTom]

I think it has more to do with some very talented players now being Sophomores rather than Freshmen. Believe it or not experience does count.

Tom K

 

[Pirate64]

Sometimes in a guy's career he tries a new way that works .That feels better to him - either by necessity or self evaluation.

All of a sudden, the results and the applause start coming. That's what we've got here.

It happened to me when I was about 35.

We will never see the old laid back "Mr Rogers" KW again. Guaranteed.

The surprise is that it did not happen sooner given his long apprenticeship under Uncle Rick. But at last the emotion has rubbed off.

Tonight Kevin Willard was Rick Pitino right down to the F Bombs.

Now this is something to get very excited about.

 

[Piratz]

I think it has more to do with some very talented players now being Sophomores rather than Freshmen. Believe it or not experience does count.

Tom K

It does, absolutely. And they're developing on KW's watch, which he should get credit for, the same way we'd be screaming for regression.

It's their team, but I see a different coach so far. Even different from the one that coached a team featuring 3-4 Seniors starting on any given night a couple of years back.

 

[Pirate143]

Over the years, I have been critical,of coach. I have to say, give credit where credit is due. He is earning his extension.

 

[SnakeTom]

No question about it. If we are going to criticize the coach when things are not going well, he deserves full credit when we are playing well as we have in the past three games.

Tom K

 

[The SHUttle]

Like I said after Wichita State, this is the coach I thought we were getting 5+ years ago. Let's hope he and the team keep it up through the entire season once they start getting attention.

 

[Bluebeard]

The best thing I heard him say, was when MU called a TO with about 4:54 left in the game and they were up 13. He say this is not the ****ing time to be celebrating, as they were smiling and happy coming into the huddle. The team went back in the court and closed out a 20 point road win. KW said the right thing and the players responded.

 

[anon_x0d8d0dquuo4t]

Now they are only "young and stupid," to use the coach's words from last year, when they make dumb plays. But they are always tough and aggressive, which will almost always overcome the silly turnovers and bad passes they still make, albeit less frequently than last year.

 

[Vegas pj]

No question about it. If we are going to criticize the coach when things are not going well, he deserves full credit when we are playing well as we have in the past three games.

Tom K

What's good for the goes is good for the gander. Very happy with the result. Hope it continues into late February.

 

[MBF72]

Passion replaces deer in the headlights! lol!

Last year he had a Frosh-filled team that acted like freshmen(!), and he treated them that way. Different kettle-of-fish this year, though it is only one BE game. Lavin loves Willard, though the TV guys always support the coach in place. I recall when Blaney was sinking the ship at the end, Raftery having him a ringing endorsement.

 

[Pirate64]

The college basketball fraternity at work. Not so much in college fb.

 

[Piratz]

Last year he had a Frosh-filled team that acted like freshmen(!), and he treated them that way. Different kettle-of-fish this year, though it is only one BE game.

True, but he also had 4 years here prior to those freshmen last year. So far this is a different coach I'm seeing. This is a guy leading. Maybe he had to learn the hard way.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Darn I thought this thread was going to be about the people who were going to show Lyons who is boss by not renewing their tickets unless Willard was fired.

 

[Piratz]

Darn I thought this thread was going to be about the people who were going to show Lyons who is boss by not renewing their tickets unless Willard was fired.

LOLOLOL

I think every person will be more than happy if KW turns it around wins consistently. He's certainly been given more time and patience by SHU than most would ever receive. Five seasons of extreme losing is a heckuva long time to get a program turned around.

 

[Pirate6711]

This is the 3rd or 4th year that we looked good starting the BE season.

You really think that? Even last year's good start is questionable when you consider that after beating SJ and Villanova, we lost four of the next five. The 2012 team got destroyed by Syracuse to start the conference season, then won four in a row before losing six in a row. Really 2012 was probably the best start and that team finished two games under .500.

Last night was a great win. I think it's safe to say that and hope for more of the same.

 

[Manuelian]

Darn I thought this thread was going to be about the people who were going to show Lyons who is boss by not renewing their tickets unless Willard was fired.

Don't be silly ... the Administration is committed to Coach Willard and his group of sophomores through the 2017-2018 season ... let's make the most of it and enjoy the ride!

 

[catholicman]

Willard last season: Dumpster fire.
Willard so far this season: Fired up leader.

 

[dr bill1]

i have always said that the players make the coach. By that i mean a potentially good coach can't show what he has got in self- talent until his player-talent reaches a certain level of ability. Willard would have looked a lot better in the last 5.5 years if he had this group of players from the beginning. Last season could have been much better for him if his team had chemistry. This journey will continue if the recruiting stays on course. And by all indications it will. Success breeds success. Keep up the good work Coach and staff.

 

[SHUSource]

You really think that? Even last year's good start is questionable when you consider that after beating SJ and Villanova, we lost four of the next five.

How was last year's start questionable when it was better than this year's? Last night's win was very impressive - certainly the team's best of the year, and by a wide margin - but we were flying even higher last year after those New Year's wins against Villanova and St. John's. So let's not casually assume that the possibility isn't always lurking, especially when the pattern of historical precedent is pretty clear.

Obviously, there are plenty of variables that are different than last year's, but many are also the same. My skepticism may be unbecoming, but it's sincere. In and of itself, last's night's game was terrific - dominant on both ends. But, as I've said, we've seen this before. I'll eat my crow in March, if it's still on the menu.