Anyone still on the Barbee train?

Guy came in and everything people pointed to was promise or what he's done somewhere else, which is understandable. Then they blamed lebo or auburn culture. He's shown nothing in the way of convincing me he can do anythign for auburn basketball. He lost some really bad games earlier this year, then had a good stretch, then was unable to get his team ready to play a down UK team at home and it looks like we'll have a hang over from that for at least a few more games going forward.

I don't think anyone is expecting him to be a mirical worker but he should be doing better than sub .500 yearly.

Why is it so hard though? I feel like he is recruiting decently given the situation. He probably needs to land a few more good recruits but its not like all these programs that get into the tournament have all 4 or 5 star players. They have some really good coaching. I know these teams dont play in our conference but is our conference really that tough? Its hard to understand. At least for me.

Still on board. Most here were predicting a 7-9 or 6-10 SEC record this year. I went with 8-8, but I think Garrison is the only person here that predicted 8-8 or better.

We lost to Vandy but I still think we are about an 8-8 SEC team and make the NIT. Most here did not even think we would make the NIT before the season started. We may not, but we really should IMO.

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We lost to Vandy but I still think we are about an 8-8 SEC team and make the NIT. Most here did not even think we would make the NIT before the season started. We may not, but we really should IMO.

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.500 in the the SEC this year, like most years, isn't getting you in the NIT. Outside of Ole Miss and Florida, the SEC is terrible. Alabama could be decent, and Missouri should be decent, but I really feel a tanking coming for Mizzou now with all the uncertainty surrounding Frank Haith. Bad timing for Mizzou. But we're looking at 3 teams, maybe 4 AT BEST, being a legit possibility in terms of NCAA teams.

But back to Barbee, I've said from Day 1 that I wouldn't make any judgments on him until his fourth year. Having said that, our lack of defense, which is supposed to be Barbee's trademark, and our consistent inconsistency is alarming. We look good for a 4-game spurt and then look like a totally different team the next 4 games. Lack of basic fundamentals is also getting annoying. For the last decade, we haven't learned how to box out and get a rebound and Lord forbid we learn how to shoot a free throw.

Seven of our last eight opponents have scored at least 70 points. With three seniors in your starting lineup, guys that are supposed to know what's going on and how to communicate, that's terrible. But overall, if we can't compete in the SEC THIS year, that will be a very alarming sign. We still have some glaring holes (point guard, specifically), but there's no reason we shouldn't finish at or near .500 in conference play, especially after starting 2-0.

I'm still willing to give Barbee another year, but my lack of patience is starting to speed up a little bit.

Barbee: Great recruiter, not the best in-game. Substitution patterns are ridiculous.

This team suffers from having nothing inside. Whenever they go cold from deep or mid-range, they are pathetic. When they hit their jumpers, they are borderline NIT worthy.

Barbee is going to get one more year. Would love to see this team post-Chubb and Wallace. Lot hinges on how well these new big men will mesh next season.

And let's not forget KT HARRELL...best player we have, he'll be ready next year.

The two points about next year's big men and Harrell are valid... that's why i'm saying one more year to show improvement.

The thing is, we've seen AU be effective in recruiting with Cliff Ellis... we can all debate his sleaziness, but the bottom line is he got talent and much better results.

In the early 90s, we were on par with a program like Florida... and we've all seen what they've accomplished over the last 20 years (four final fours, two NCs). It's sad, really. Fans will support something that's at least decent.... hell, we filled up BEMC for a 2nd round NIT game against Baylor three years ago.

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And let's not forget KT HARRELL

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Heard the same kind of hype about Noel Johnson, who's another head-scratcher for this team.

Johnson will get hot for a short spurt, and then we 1) never find a way to get him any more looks or 2) we never see him again. And I don't understand this at all. It's like if he's making two or three 3s in a row, we get him the ball. As soon as he misses one, he vanishes. Very strange. That guy should be playing 30-35 minutes a game.

Noel is nowhere near the athlete KT is.. The hype is near the same but KT's play is head and shoulders above Noel. Noel has made his career at AU out of hitting a couple of threes then refusing to play defense. I promise you Harrell will do much more for the program. He's a hustle player.