So if one is able to tell, from the comfort of the stands and behind his television, that Floyd is being an "A-hole" to his team, then in what way is he not "connecting" and what evidence is there that he is being an A-hole? How has he "lost touch"? Those are easy cliche words to toss around. Instead of using a hip word, I would like to know specifically how today's coaches "connect" to today's players? Izzo, Huggins, Martin, Pearl, heck even K are known to be hard asses and disciplinarians. What exactly are the dynamics of "connecting" with today's players? Honest question.
In my opinion, besides the obvious lack of rebounding, I think the two biggest deficits in this team is leadership and chemistry. We haven't had an identifiable true leader since Bo's senior season. None of last year's seniors ever took the role of leader. It looked to me as if Omega was going to take that role when he returned to the team, but sadly hasn't. Vint nor Morris seem to want the job. I think Touchet has the biggest potential of taking on a leadership role. The lack of chemistry, to me, is both sort of understandable, and yet dumbfounding. It's been duly noted that along with the red-shirts, and given the new comers, this was an inexperienced, or young team. The lack of chemistry at the beginning of the season was expected, but should have been worked out by conference time. I think two things are at play here. One, I think Floyd spent too much time tinkering, or experimenting with different line ups and combinations. Especially in the back court and in the wings. Given the lack of depth and injury in the front court, he didn't have much of a choice there. If anything, I feel he didn't give enough playing time to Romain and Thomas. Maybe he should have been playing the heck out of them before conference. He would say during his post game conferences early on that they were trying to learn who could do what, and what worked well. I don't think we learned a thing. Up to this point, I feel like Moore and Artis have had a bit of a prima donna attitude, and that has effected their play at both ends of the floor. I wouldn't be surprised to see Artis' minutes dwindle, and wish Touchet had had more PT during pre-conference. Somehow, I get the feeling the team has yet to get comfortable when Artis and Moore are on the floor. This team has not learned, or refuses to learn the value of every offensive possession. Particularly at crunch time and that is maddening.
I find it curious that several here who complain about the lack of defense (and yes, obviously our defense lacks immensely this year) also call out Flaggart as being pretty much useless. Flaggart for the lack of minutes he's getting, leads the team easily in taking charges, something that Artis, Moore and Morris should be excelling at. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Two, Floyd is paying big time for not recruiting, or not being able to land an impact front court player. Losing Bo, Lang and Hunter (should have suspected he would jump) in successive years, this was not going to be a surprise. The lack of foresight here is inexcusable, duly noted here by pretty much everyone. Really need a home run here next year, by Floyd or whomever.
JudenSmithFan's third paragraph is downright shameful. Floyd did state, he or his coaches would never go after a player "who had ever laid his hands on a woman" to quote his exact words. I understand the frustration of Artis not living up to the hype, but to single him out as a rapist, and just who are these other shady people you speak of? That is taking a very low road to make a point. He was not charged, he was vetted, up to now, as far as anyone knows, has been a good student and citizen. I'm sure no one is happy with his play, but there's no need to attack his character to attack Floyd. Carlos used to say, "would you let Artis date your daughter?" Which I thought was stupid. But I'll go one better on him, not happy that Artis is here? Man up and go up to his face and tell him, you're a rapist and I'm not happy that Floyd recruited you to UTEP. Better yet, tell it to Floyd. He's available every Wednesday. That was cheap and pointless shot. I also feel you would not have used it had Artis' play been up to par and we had a much better record. Pathetic and cowardly example, IMO.
Tell you a little story. Back in the '09-'10 season I worked with the company that drove the BB team to the airport and back when they came home. I drove them about 5-6 times. The first time, I was dismayed at the way the N word was thrown around by several of the players. I won't single them out, but I was surprised at who some of them were. I didn't say anything the first time, but the second time I did speak up.
I flat out told them before we left I did not appreciate the use of the word, even if it was among themselves, and was disappointed in the use, given the history of UTEP. To their credit, they politely apologized and discontinued using it, at least in my presence. Peel an onion, there's lots of layers. The only other person I've shared that story with is my wife.
I haven't given an opinion on Floyd because I'm still on the fence. I've been digesting the opinions of everybody and I'm just as frustrated as everyone else on here. I do think a team's play is the reflection of it's coaching, to a large degree. However, there are some tangibles that are beyond a coaches control. It wouldn't surprise me if he resigned at season's end. I just don't know what good it would do to fire him at this point. I'll continue to support them when I can.
