NEWARK, N.J. — After receiving a three-year contract extension last September, Bobby Gonzalez boldly proclaimed that his team was shooting for the NCAA tournament this season.
“I wanted to be in the postseason my third year, so to me, there’s self-induced pressure on myself to get the team to the postseason because we haven’t been there yet,” Gonzalez said then. “The NIT is a lot harder to get into than it used to be, but I’m not going to be satisfied with the NIT — that’s not what I want for this team. I want this team to go to the NCAA.”
With three games left in the Big East regular season, the Pirates appear to have a legitimate shot at making the Big Dance for the first time since 2006 under Louis Orr.
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Pirate4Ever / February 24, 2010
Adam, A few observations from last night. I was seated right behind you. I wanted to get your attention on something that was going on at the Pirates bench late in the game. Here is the situation. The Pirates called a timeout late in the game after a Rutgers run. The team huddled on the floor except two players. Keon Lawrence and Stix Mitchell remained on the bench. After the timeout as the team went back to the bench, John Garcia ripped into Mitchell and Lawrence. It was heated and Garcia ripped into both of them verbally and with hand gestures. I read Garcia’s mouth and he clearly said, “This is bulls*t””. Mitchell argued briefly with Garcia as did Lawrence. It was very interesting to see.
Adam, this begs the question, why at this late part of the season is there still such a lack of team chemistry on this squad? It is obvious that Gonzalez runs a loose ship as I also witnessed many players laughing and making “faces” as the coach walked away from them on the bench. I also firmly believe that this is why this team can’t put away teams. There is obviously a lack of comraderie on this team and the coaches substitutions are a joke. His players are constantly looking over their shoulders when they are on the floor because they are afraid if they make a mistake or miss a shot they will be yanked from the game. He did this to Ferrakhon Hall who made the mistake of putting the ball on the floor instead of going straight up for a shot and Jamel Jackson who after hitting a three, missed a three and Gonzalez pulled both players. It seems that the only player who is allowed to play poorly and remain in the game is Hazell. He can miss shot after shot and Gonzalez leaves him in the game.
Bottom line Adam, I think this team doesn’t get along with each other and I think there is alot of jealousy with regards to playing time.
Sorry for the long post.
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