The Holy Land of Hoops

We've been here before, so it's not time to get too excited, but there's some cautious optimism among SHU supporters right now that Willard may be turning a corner. He's been much more active on the sideline this year and seems to be tougher on his players than in the past. He's also made some tough decisions that ended up working out, such as benching Whitehead for OT against Wichita State (though he's have been torn apart for that had they lost). Another pleasant surprise was him admitting and taking blame for his mistakes. He confessed that he over complicated the defense in the first half against WSU, essentially out coaching himself and getting the team torched. But he recognized the mistake, made the halftime adjustment, and it got the team back in the game. It's not something we've seen from him in previous years.

Again, we've been here before and need to see how he guides the team through the meat grinder of Big East play, but he's been doing things differently and so far it's been working.

It should be pretty simple. If they make the NCAA tourney, he stays, if not, he should go.

This team is talented. Just a matter of whether the kids can play like adults. At times they do, but then again Isaiah whitehead jacked a 40 foot jumper with time on the clock at the end of regulation against Wichita.

At the start of the season I was bullish on two teams that had been underachievers but I really liked their roster. Seton hall was one of them. I'm not sure if this is the team that gets them dancing, but I am leaning towards yes.

As far as williard keeping his job. If the team plays hard through the end of the year, as opposed to the implosion we saw last year, then I would give him a shot with this group next year. I don't see any of them going pro, so might as well see if he can make it with them. A strong nit run would keep,him around another yr for me.

They remind me of jay wright's 2004 team when his first recruiting class were sophomores.

NovaBall wrote:This team is talented. Just a matter of whether the kids can play like adults. At times they do, but then again Isaiah whitehead jacked a 40 foot jumper with time on the clock at the end of regulation against Wichita.

At the start of the season I was bullish on two teams that had been underachievers but I really liked their roster. Seton hall was one of them. I'm not sure if this is the team that gets them dancing, but I am leaning towards yes.

As far as williard keeping his job. If the team plays hard through the end of the year, as opposed to the implosion we saw last year, then I would give him a shot with this group next year. I don't see any of them going pro, so might as well see if he can make it with them. A strong nit run would keep,him around another yr for me.

They remind me of jay wright's 2004 team when his first recruiting class were sophomores.

The difference is this is Willard's 6th year with SHU and only has a single NIT appearance to show for it. If they miss the tournament this year and he's not fired, the fans might lynch AD Pat Lyons. A lot of fans didn't want him back this year.

What if they win the nit? That's a great building block for next yr.

I think the key is they must play hard through the end. Last yr they quit.

I tend to agree with you, mostly because I think this team has enough talent where they can legitimately be Big East title contenders in the next 2 years when these sophomores are juniors and seniors. Usually a coaching change results in players leaving and it would be really disappointing to lose any of these guys prematurely.

Like I said though, a lot of the fan base doesn't agree with me. They're out of patience and it's NCAA tournament or Willard's neck for them.

Jet915 wrote:It should be pretty simple. If they make the NCAA tourney, he stays, if not, he should go.

Its really not though. This team was picked what 7th in the preseason? Lets say they finish 5th or 6th and exceed expectations but just miss the tournament, can you fire him for that? He has 1 top 100 kid lined up and we actually have some recruiting buzz where 3 others are seriously considering SHU (Alpha Diallo, Taureen Thompson, and Eron Gordon).

If the team improves every game and just comes up short it will be a tough question. Its hard because the sophomores on the team deserve patience while Willard's staff has used it all up.

Now if there is another implosion like last year I am all for getting rid of him, but like 2012 said the team is playing real well and there is cautious optimism that they and WIllard turned the corner. We will find out soon.

I dont know, 6 seasons and no NCAAs, that should be a fireable offense at any Big East school....

What does Seton Hall's recruiting class look like for next year?

Personally, I believe he should've been fired a year ago. It's good Seton Hall has gotten off to a good start, but they also got off to a good start last year and we all know how that ended up. Like Jet said, if they find their way into the dance, he stays. Anything less than that, bring in the axe.