EternalOptimist

When I heard Dakota State gave USD and SDSU a good run, I thought we have some issues. Not having their best player hurt Dakota State, but UND did what was needed to get out, and stay out to a considerable lead. I wouldn't say we played out best basketball, but a W is a W - take it and get ready for Summit League play.

Please help me understand how the process works. Normally, if a coach gets an extension it usually happens before the start of the last year of the current contract. This gives the most stability to the program as the future is understood. In the case of UND, it It is now getting close to 2026, and roughly half way through the season of the final year of the coaches current contract. I assume the renewal of the contract would be public so we'd know either way. Is the renewal of the contract dependent on some level of success, or other markers? Is every week that goes by an indicator there won't be a renewal? Help me understand what is going on with the contract - or what we can read into the delay. Thanks

Agreed - The college basketball climate has changed. It used to be you bring in HS kids and work with them expecting them to learn year 1 & 2 and produce year 3 & 4. With the portal and ability to hop around, it just seems like if you want to be competitive now you need to recruit the portal for experience. Either go out and find really good D2 kids with experience and are ready to make the jump, or possibly solid high major kids that just are not seeing the playing time they would like to see, but understand college basketball and the work it takes. This year UND brought in 4 freshmen (A3, twins, Ouse). Sure, there have been bright spots and the talent seems to be their, but A3 went through some issues (and may or may not be done with them). One Curtis twin hasn't been with the team for weeks, and the other has gone from being a starter to not playing. Ouse still looks lost and confused, and despite what Sather says, is fairly unproductive. UND should have re-shirted them and allow them to figure it out. Instead, because he already has a few that are not working out for him for whatever reason, he has had to rely on them and it hasn't gone well. Last night's game was awesome and a pleasant unexpected surprise. I don't think we have turned a corner and will now be a contender in the summit league. It's the bed that Sather has made, the question is, can he overcome all the challenges he has created for himself? or will they part ways with him.

Which is interesting. Marley not getting in. Micah hasn't even been on the bench the last few games, is he even with the team?

Is there any advantages in letting him go now, run with an interm coach wile looking for another head coach? Or is it better practice to wait until the season is over?

New coaching staff - that's the answer. I

Yep, I've actually seen almost every game for many years now. Not only that, I've seen pretty much every MN kid play live in HS multiple times. I also know what happens when you squash players confidence. After all that, this is what I've come to. You dont have to believe it, its my opinion. UND have had some great players, but the one common thing in the last 7 years is the coach.

No way, that is not an upgrade. Danielson?

I think we do ok in the portal, and recruiting. I know i might be in the minority on that. The problem is we cant coach what we have, and they are sucking the life out of the players. Re-watch the game and check out the body language in the huddle and the bench. Also, the 1st few games, players looked like they were flying around, now they are going through the motions, hoping to not get subbed out or yelled at.

No focus, no grit, no smiles, no good. Players not making shota, Staff has lost the locker room.

This performance screams of issues between coaches and players. The confidence level seems to be sucked put of these guys. Western Illinois hasn't won a D1 game yet this year, and they are on the road beating the Hawks.

And yes, the removal should have happened years ago. I'm just curious with the portal happening very soon after the end of the season, do you wait until that last game, or make the decision sometime during the season? If an extension comes, that would be bad

How long before they either announce a men's basketball coach contract extension, or a removal? And when would be a good time for that?

That's a very interesting article - paints both sides of the picture. It's a lot of $$ for a player to turn down, especially when they dream of playing after college and want to get into a program that can help them. The other side of that story, that's a lot of $$ to pay a player. And when the player struggles and the team struggles, the critics will come out. I'm sure Trey is working his butt off and probably isn't happy with the results in some of the games. I also believe he probably is harder on himself then others are on him - which usually doesn't help progress. Totally understand the community & donors disappointment about a slow start from the team, especially with the amount of $$ that has been spent. The struggle with the portal and the climate of sports. Thanks for posting it.

Gotta hand it to Sather and staff, up 30 and Crown playing guys that dont usually play and he's sticking to the rotation.

20 seconds left, down 3, and after the timeout, we attempt a contested layup. Bad coaching is right.

You can think he's a good shot or a bad shot, it really doesn't matter , Guga cant play the whole game and Josh seems to always be in foul trouble. As a staff, its him or Erikson to give Guga a break. Pick your poison, but at least allow them some time. They will both miss shots and make mistakes because neither has had meaningful minutes.

Subbing... once again, they dont give him any time. Now something must be up with A3, so he gets time and we see he really should be getting time.

And an instant yank from the game. That's a perfect example of sucking the confidence out of a player. 30 seconds of play time and a wide open shot miss, and pull him. Im not defending him missing, but let him at least break a sweat. Its either get him some time or let Josh foul out. If he is a shooter, he'll come out of it, if he isn't you'll know, but this 1 minute or less crap isnt helping anyone, or the team. Might as well keep him on the bench

I'm not convinced of it either - Those categories are what I believe "they" (the players) will be thinking - not necessarily what the reality is.

It will most likely be a 100% complete rebuild, but maybe that is what is needed. Let's play it out for (my opinion only). Assume: UND finishes in the bottom 3 of the summit league and does nothing in the tournament. Coach relieved of duty after the season Out of eligibility (unless the NCAA changes things): Reggie Thomas, Eli King, Garrett Anderson, George Natsvishvili Hit the portal for a better team and or $$: A3, Greyson Uelman, Curtis Twins Hit the portal for an opportunity: Bothun, Erikson 50/50 they stay or go: Zack Kraft, Anthony Doppler, Josh Jones, Wylee Delorme Staying: Karson Ouse Incoming: Carter Evenson & Sage Hanson Decommits: Jayden Moore

This is the game where the staff lost the team.

Coaches had Ouse playing the big, if this isnt rock bottom, I hate to see what is.

You'd think after picking up fouls on that earlier, you wouldn't do it again, but i guess not.

True. But he isnt ready and it shows. Why they insist on putting him in there is mind boggling. Especially when the staff should be on the hot seat. I dont get it. It falls in line with other play time decisions - they dont make sense sometimes. Are we sure Sather doesnt have the extension already?