Wichita: Not that I agree with everything you have said or all of your opinions, but I understand your position on Porter. You couldn't be more wrong on Brent. mictO85 is absolutely right. The program had been spiraling downward every year on Riley and the real reason he left was because he knew what the roster was comprised of and he was never going to be able get another contract, at OU, or anywhere else, if he didn't jump ship while his record would still get him a job. In virtually every way, Brent has improved the football team, save and except last year on offense. The reasons for the offensive woes are several, including a couple put on Brent. But, he has set out to fix those problems. Even great coaches have occasional failures, the question is do they introspectively and intelligently figure out what happened and set in motion proper fixes. I think he has done that with the offense, but only time will tell.
As for Porter, I normally wait a day or two after a loss before posting in order to regain rationality and some sense. I didn't the other day and posted I thought he should be fired. I owe him an apology. Having played sports, watched all manner of sports all my life, and raised a son that played sports until he got out of college, I can say with absolute certainty that just because a kid is coached doesn't mean he always follows that coaching or does what he is told. I was mad at Porter the other day because anyone that has ever watched or played basketball, every coach down to the YMCA kids league, knows that officials abhor calling fouls at the very end of a game and prefer to let the players decide the game. Even with regard to calls they would make nearly every time earlier in the game. With a 2 point lead, I thought Sam not getting out and under Pedulla and forcing him to dribble was so fundamentally flawed as to be unforgiveable and stupid. With a 2 point lead at the end of the game, you have to switch on every screen, body up and stay under the shooters and don't foul them on a shot going to the rim. That's it. It isn't complex. If they get around you, and you can't defend without fouling them, let them have the layup. Then, try and win or go to overtime by taking the last shot. Simple, take losing in regulation out of play. So, when Sam didn't get under Pedulla and stayed off of him so he could cut off a drive to the basket, I blamed Porter and that was the last straw for me.
However, I listened for the first time today of his postgame interview with Toby. He had instructed his kids to do exactly as I stated he should have and Sam just, for whatever reason under the pressure of the circumstances, stayed off of Pedulla and just tried to defend the shot. So, I put that on Sam and not Coach. And, the same situation with Dayton in the corner. I blamed Porter for Dayton's not taking the shot and driving the baseline. Again, I was wrong. Porter's play was to drive with Duke and the fall back was Dayton in the corner. Perfect coaching in my mind. Dayton got the ball with time to shoot, and just decided to drive the ball. Under pressure we don't always do what we are supposed to do. Dayton should have take the shot from the corner. Just like Pedulla, a kid running isn't in the sight line from his eyes to the back of the rim.
Lots of people would prefer someone other than Porter to be coach. I might too. But, he hasn't been the disaster some make him out to be, considering the mess he walked into and the complete change in the college game. He will have his third winning season in four years. He has recruited well and shown a good eye for talent in many cases, although he has not been able to retain some players for whatever reasons This year, he had a decent non conference schedule and was undefeated, has won 4 conference games in one of the best conferences in history, and has lost 5 conference games by less than 4 points. In 4 games, he had a lead late and essentially lost on the last possession. mostly with really tough shots by opponents. He is just 5-6 possessions going our way from having an winning record in conference and upper bid in the NCAA Tourney this year.
Frankly, I don't really care what Joe does with Porter after the year. I will support him and the team next year, or if Joe lets him go, I will support whoever he brings in. I am more of a Tubbs philosophy guy than anything else, and I don't think those coaches to exist. So, whether Porter or someone else is the coach, I will be supporting a coach that doesn't have a style consistent with what I prefer. Given the choice, I would like Nate Oats, but he isn't leaving Alabama. So, I am fine with Porter if Joe is. I regret and hereby take back my demote and/or fire Porter posts taken in a fit of post game rage.
