[warladytigers]

Mikey, on 24 December 2011 - 05:32 PM, said:

BigBlueBagel, on 24 December 2011 - 01:29 PM, said:

Pretty sure we're watching her swan song.

First of all, welcome!

Now, I had really high hopes when Nell was hired. That continued right up until the '07-08 season, which I thought was a big disappointment. The early exit in the SEC tournament and the subsequent one win, then 28-point loss by the top-seeded Tigers in the NCAA tournament to end the 08-09 season confirmed what I'd been coming to fear: When we run into a well coached team, such as Vivian Stringer (Rutgers)or Melanie Balkom (Vandy) puts on the floor, we're a gone goose regardless of how much of a talent advantage we have.

Speaking of talent, Nell lucked into two of the better players in Auburn history. Bonner wasn't highly recruited because people thought she was too skinny and Whitney Boddie had to work summers and didn't play AAU basketball so she was under the radar. Those two could have played on any past Auburn team.
However, to my knowledge (and I try to pay attention) Nell has never signed a player that had a legitimate offer from Tennessee, Georgia, LSU or any of the ACC schools that take women's BB seriously. We can't beat those people if we cant get at least some players they want.

All in all, Nell runs a clean program, her team has a good image and the kids don't get in trouble. If that's enough for some, then Nell Fortner is fine at Auburn. Those of us that have witnessed big-time winning at Auburn and want to see more feel like we need a change.

PS: Our most recent loss, to the Marist Red Foxes, is a perfect example of an extremely well-coached team with lesser talent whipping our Tigers. I'm tired of it.

[warladytigers]

Shame on the Auburn women for losing to Marist early in their season - who just beat Georgia in the first round of the NCAA 76-70...shame, shame shame.......

This post has been edited by warladytigers: 18 March 2012 - 03:33 PM

[Mikey]

warladytigers, on 18 March 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

Shame on the Auburn women for losing to Marist early in their season - who just beat Georgia in the first round of the NCAA 76-70...shame, shame shame.......

So you think an SEC team losing to Marist isn't something to be ashamed of? Andy Landers would not agree with you. I think any time a team loses to one with lesser talent, it's a coaching failure.

Are you on the search committee to find us a new coach? If so, fielding a team that can beat the Marist Red Foxes should be one criteria.

Now that that's settled, I really do enjoy watching Marist play. They are well coached and play team ball like a well-oiled machine. That's how they beat teams with much more talent than they have. I don't think Marist has a single player that would have started on Auburn's team this year, yet they are in the tournament and Auburn is not. That's why we needed a coaching change.

This post has been edited by Mikey: 18 March 2012 - 07:23 PM

[AUn Collierville]

Maybe we need to hire Marist's coach.

[Mikey]

AUn Collierville, on 18 March 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

Maybe we need to hire Marist's coach.

Maybe, maybe not. I think he may be a guy that's found a perfect fit at his current school. The style of player that he has at Marist would be hard to find near Auburn and I'm pretty sure they would not stand up well to a full season of the physical pounding they'd have to take with an SEC schedule.

However, they sure are fun to watch. It's worth seeking them out on the TV.

[warladytigers]

While Marist may not be in the SEC or a league that some of people posting consider top tier........their record for the past four years is pretty good - 112/22 over all and 66/6 in conference play...seems like something is going right for them so while AU lost to them and the Red Foxes beat GA - it doesn't mean that they are a non-issue in the NCAA and the tournament....

This post has been edited by warladytigers: 20 March 2012 - 11:53 AM

[warladytigers]

per Phillip Marshall - Head coaches at North Carolina State, Miami and Georgetown are high on Auburn's list of potential replacements for Nell Fortner....nothing from hoopscoop as yet.

[AUslug]

Glad to see Nell leave, hopefully new coach can upgrade talent and style of play.