re: KA style discipline

So in the end, does KA just let it slide? Then what's next? Coach is a push over, so we take things a little farther next time until we get to the point it can't be ignored anymore when it hits the internet or front page of a news paper?

I think abiding by team rules is a non negotiable thing. There are the rules, here are the consiquences. I also think team rules directly effect what you see on the court. Lack of control, composure, lack of discipline etc. I think there may be more to all this than whats on the surface. But I won't condemn a coach for suspending a player if they break team rules or the law. There has to be an authoritative figure. I think KA is establishing this figure. Maybe they are trying this coach to see how far they can take things. Maybe he has issued verbal warnings. We don't know that. All we can do.is throw stuff against the wall and maybe something sticks. But we really don't know for sure what is going in and what has really taken place. 18 to 20 something year olds. They are still kids. Now they are kids away from home. Free reign. There has to be parimeters.

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You obviously have never had kids or have been in a management position. When you are the boss/parent you have to make hard decisions when it comes to discipline. When you are told the rules, you follow them even if you think they are trivial or stupid. It doesn't make the players tPOS's-it means they need to be taught how the real world operates. Sure, the kids can transfer to another school if they don't like it but when basketball is over they can't transfer-away when the going gets rough with a job,ect. Aren't these kids supposed to be learning some life lessons or do we just care about the win-loss record? BTW, to suggest that KA had a bunch of "choir boys" at UCM shows how little you know about his years there. I still shake my head at some people who were outraged when Mike Dixon and DGB were cut loose-yah, that's the kind of kid I want representing my alma mater.

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^Quality post^

Like I said. I didn't so much question the initial suspension for Teki and Wright. Do I think that a 2nd game is a bit much? I do. But then again, for all I know, they went out drinking during their suspension, earning yet another suspension. I am curious what would happen if we suspended every player that ever consumes alcohol underage. I don't think any team in any sport could field a team. So yes, given what is known, I think 2 games plus is a bit of overkill given the violation.

The bigger problem, as I see it, is we're nearly at the end of the season. There have been various "issues" going on since the summer, yet they are still occurring. So either the kids aren't getting the message or KA's delivery of the message is poor or it wouldn't be ongoing as it is.

So yes, I think there have to be team rules. Yes, I think the team rules need to be enforced, and on occasion enforced by suspension. Yes, I think that the punishment does have to fit the crime. Yes, I think the rules have to be enforced evenly.

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WE DO NOT KNOW ALL THE FACTS

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Extremely true. And I am glad they don't air all of the dirty laundry as well.

As for dumping on KA, I don't know if most people just dump on him. I think that if John Wooden were coaching this team, people would still call this an embarrassing season that can't/shouldn't be duplicated. I've said it before, I don't care who the coach is, a bad season is a bad season. I get the reasons and/or excuses for the bad season and those are all fine. The question for me is what is the program going to be like in a year, in two years, in three years.

Along those lines, we have a crappy record, we have more suspensions than we do wins. It's going to be very difficult to recruit in that climate. Sure you can get the Puryear's and VanLeer's, who may turn out to be very excellent role players. But it's going to make it next to impossible to get Tatum. Or Porter. Or players of that level.

Time will tell.

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Along those lines, we have a crappy record, we have more suspensions than we do wins. It's going to be very difficult to recruit in that climate.

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Yes and no. I happen to believe it depends on what level of parental influence is involved in the decision to attend a particular school. I have to think most parents would applaud a coach who is keeping things under control and would want their son in that environment. If you read the Tribune article the other day about the Porter family, it would seem that KA's management style is right up their alley.

I certainly get what you're saying, but I don't think that that's the reality of it with a majority of the top talent these days. AAU coaches seem to influence kids as much as anyone.

The Porter situation is a little bit different and I wish that more families were like them frankly. I don't see how KA can miss out with the Porters. Whether it's his style. Whether it's his dad coaching at Mizzou. Whether it's the fact he's an instate kid. Whether it's both of his sisters already going to Mizzou. I would be pretty disappointed if we didn't land him.

And I'm done.

Damn man. Thoughts and prayers for Clark man. That was nasty.

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Damn man. Thoughts and prayers for Clark man. That was nasty.

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I missed it. Did he get rolled up on? Hope he'll be ok.

Sorry I'm late to the party. No, I do not have children. But I manage people every day, and know a little something about motivation and performance. I'm late getting home tonight because I had to fire an employee today, so I am also well acquainted with enforcing discipline. Sorry if I come across as a little tetchy, it's because I am today.

I was not in favor of this hire. I also hoped to be proven wrong. KA has my full support though, because Mizzou has my full support. I realized that this season was going to be bad; we have not lived up to even my low expectations. Those who think I'm leading the bashing don't post here much - I have deliberately stayed away from that talk, at least for the most part.

We don't know all the facts, and I'm happy we don't - these are still young people who don't deserve their every foible to be front page news. That said, what I see is a team (if you want to call it that) that has enormous discipline problems. They don't seem to respect KA, or each other, or the university they play for. If they did, their behavior would be different and we wouldn't have so many suspensions.

I believe that as a leader, if people aren't meeting expectations the first place you look is at yourself. Are expectations clear? Have I provided the tools necessary for success? If the answers are yes, then you look at the people being led. This is where I'm coming from - after 10 months on the job, I would expect him to have a stronger sense of team developed than what we see. I would expect to see guys that are working hard and getting better. I didn't expect a winning record, but I expect to see guys working together for the betterment of the team.

KA has a huge job in trying to change a culture and build a program. He has my support in doing it. But I'm disturbed that almost a year in, it doesn't appear that he has the majority of the team buying into his vision. I'm not even sure if he has a strong core group buying in yet. So, either that's in his leadership, or the quality of the young men on the team.

This will take time, but I'm not encouraged by the progress at this point. I really, really want to be wrong.