What's happened to Tulsa?
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They should be improved over last year but their team chemistry is rather lacking and they are awful freethrow shooters. I think Deandre Wright is one of their more talented players but he tends to ride the bench a lot and when he does see game action he is a fouling machine.
WTSooner
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I don't think Manning is going to get it done, but like somebody said the other day, it's probably too early to say that definitively, at this point.
There is plenty of local talent they should be getting in on, that could help them. I know they have Woodard and Wright, but they have likely missed on others. The talent simply isn't there right now. And if the talent isn't there, you better be an extremely well coached team. I don't think that is the case either.
Hate to say it, but I see them getting rid of Manning in 2-3 years, and starting over. Hate seeing both TU basketball and football so down, when I can remember the days of them both being very competitive, for what they are.
There is plenty of local talent they should be getting in on, that could help them. I know they have Woodard and Wright, but they have likely missed on others. The talent simply isn't there right now. And if the talent isn't there, you better be an extremely well coached team. I don't think that is the case either.
Hate to say it, but I see them getting rid of Manning in 2-3 years, and starting over. Hate seeing both TU basketball and football so down, when I can remember the days of them both being very competitive, for what they are.
oSuJeff97
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Basketball has been down for a while... they haven't been to the NCAA Tournament in like 11 years or something.
But the football thing is totally perplexing. They basically had their entire team back from last year when they won C-USA.... they the heavy favorite to win the weaker C-USA league this year... and they go 3-9 or whatever.
They better get it together because they're going to the AAC/old Big East next year and it will be much tougher.
Ham
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1. Agree about football. I can't believe they fell so sharply off the map. But especially considering they were in C-USA this year.
2. On a similar note, I was just about to post what you said in the last statement. They're going from a league with Rice, UTEP, UNT, UTSA, LA Tech, WKU, MTSU, UAB, Marshall, So Miss, FIU, FAU...in other words, no heavy hitters...to a league with Cincy, Memphis, UConn, Temple and SMU under Larry Brown. And not to mention Houston is getting better under James Dickey. And USF made the dance under Stan Heath just two years ago.
I hope Tulsa can get there but it looks bleak. Football might be in trouble too - with their possible 'John Phillips' being Blankenship. We shall see.
I think Manning does wonders with post players but I'm not sure he's able to run a program.
I met him once years ago and he didn't seem personable enough to recruit and lead a program, but that's a small sample size.
I met him once years ago and he didn't seem personable enough to recruit and lead a program, but that's a small sample size.
They were playing w/smoke and mirrors last year as the transfer qb from Nebraska really was not that good to begin with. His throwing motion and accuracy were rather poor. Plus, they had a key injury at the receiver spot and defensive backfield this past season. In addition, they got off to a poor start during non conference play and it snowballed throughout the season.
oSuJeff97
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Yeah -- I'm really surprised they haven't turned around basketball yet.
There's no reason they shouldn't be good in basketball... it only really takes a couple of players and the right coach to get a program like that going in the right direction.
They have nice facilities and a decent basketball tradition... they should be way better than they are.
I hope Manning gets them going in the right direction, but it looks like a rough start so far.
oSuJeff97
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I get how some injuries can cause a season to go sideways, but to go from the consensus pick by everyone to win a relatively weak conference to 3-9? That's just horrible.
DenverSooner
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badger
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If I'm not mistaken, TU mens bball played one of the top early schedules in the country. They may right the ship during C-USA play.
As for TU football, starter (and ex-Husker) Cody Green had an October injury, and we all know how starting QB injuries can derail a season.
As much as I wish TU the very best, they are in a difficult position to succeed, being the smallest school enrollment in FBS (unless something's changed recently) and competing for recruits with some top area FBS programs that have all been to BCS bowls recently
As for TU football, starter (and ex-Husker) Cody Green had an October injury, and we all know how starting QB injuries can derail a season.
As much as I wish TU the very best, they are in a difficult position to succeed, being the smallest school enrollment in FBS (unless something's changed recently) and competing for recruits with some top area FBS programs that have all been to BCS bowls recently
ByronHoustonsSweatyPalms
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brettromar
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TU Football has dealt with twice as many injuries as OU. They lost a several OL from last year, then the injury bug hit. They lost their top 4 WR's during the year and that crippled the offense.
The last I heard they were playing 20 something freshman due to injuries. Bill won a ton of games last year and those were his players. He recruited over half their roster and was more responsible for that roster than Graham ever was.
IF they struggle next year, then maybe. However injuries can cripple a season, especially at a school the level of TU.
I couldn't disagree more with Byron.
OSU fans complained about losing Stewart, TU lost their top 4 WR's.
OU complained about losing their players. TU lost twice as many starters during the year and the best Defensive player a week before the season started.
The last I heard they were playing 20 something freshman due to injuries. Bill won a ton of games last year and those were his players. He recruited over half their roster and was more responsible for that roster than Graham ever was.
IF they struggle next year, then maybe. However injuries can cripple a season, especially at a school the level of TU.
I couldn't disagree more with Byron.
OSU fans complained about losing Stewart, TU lost their top 4 WR's.
OU complained about losing their players. TU lost twice as many starters during the year and the best Defensive player a week before the season started.
NickZepp
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I guess that's about right. In the 90s throughout the early 00s they seemed to always make the ncaa tournament and win a game just about every year. Nearly made a Final 4 one year with Self as the coach I think.
oSuJeff97
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Yep.
In that year (1999-00), if you recall, OSU was playing Florida and TU was playing North Carolina in the Elite Eight. If both teams had won their Elite Eight game, we would have played each other in the Final Four.
That would have been nuts.
As for TU -- they made the tournament 8 of 9 years in between 1994 and 2003. Stretching back to the 80s, they made the tournament 13 times in between 1982 and 2003.
And they are now on their 10th season in a row without making it.
It really is too bad that they picked "stability" over success when they hired John Phillips.
I was actually very surprised that Wojick didn't have more success.
badger
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It seemed more to me that they were tired of "paying the price," so to speak. As in, Todd Graham commanded a bigger paycheck than local guy Blank. After a few years of expensive postseasons (including one to Hawaii Bowl), they probably decided to be frugal after Graham left for a seasonal stop at Pitt
DenverSooner
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There is a simple solution to that problem. Hire a first time coach and put in his contract an actual covenant not to compete rather than a buyout. Someone would agree to those terms, especially if the covenant went away if the coach were terminated and if they had to match competing offers or allow him out of the covenant.
Ham
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You think they regret firing Wojcik? He did a good job in his first year at Charleston. I think Manning has a chance to succeed if given time, but I don't know how patient they are going to be.
I hear you and I appreciate the viewpoint and (at least) partially agree with your post. And actually, I hope you're totally right. That said, OU was hit with a significant amount of injuries and arguably overachieved to go 10-2. That's because we had some quality depth and some competent coaching...mostly.
Quality depth is the responsibility of the head coach as well. If we're going to 'award' Blankenship credit for recruiting the current squad then let's also have Blankenship shoulder the blame for those depth issues.
But it's all relative to your opponents. Sure OU being OU can recruit a certain quality depth but we're also playing much tougher competition. It's not like Tulsa limped to 5-7 with some close losses against good programs like Houston, SMU, UCF and East Carolina. They went 3-9 and often weren't even competitive. They were 2-6 in conference, getting waxed by programs like UNT and UTSA that were in the Sun Belt or WAC a year ago.
Injuries are a factor, no question. But not to that extent. I hope Blankenship succeeds but I believe the jury is definitely out.
I hear you and I appreciate the viewpoint and (at least) partially agree with your post. And actually, I hope you're totally right. That said, OU was hit with a significant amount of injuries and arguably overachieved to go 10-2. That's because we had some quality depth and some competent coaching...mostly.
Quality depth is the responsibility of the head coach as well. If we're going to 'award' Blankenship credit for recruiting the current squad then let's also have Blankenship shoulder the blame for those depth issues.
But it's all relative to your opponents. Sure OU being OU can recruit a certain quality depth but we're also playing much tougher competition. It's not like Tulsa limped to 5-7 with some close losses against good programs like Houston, SMU, UCF and East Carolina. They went 3-9 and often weren't even competitive. They were 2-6 in conference, getting waxed by programs like UNT and UTSA that were in the Sun Belt or WAC a year ago.
Injuries are a factor, no question. But not to that extent. I hope Blankenship succeeds but I believe the jury is definitely out.
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