No Family/No Chemistry

[bigskybound12]

Based on what I know its amazing this team won the amount of games this past year. Jones keeps talking about how they are family and the great chemistry they have. This is so far from the truth. The coaches do not treat hardly any of the players as so called family. When a player is down or needs help the coaches do nothing and basically ignore them. They communicate basically by text, thats right text. Players this year that did not travel where notified the day of travel by text and no explanations as to why. Basically dont pack you are not travelling. There is much more but I will jump to the chemistry issue. This team is divided big time amongst the players. You have Webb, Huff, Anderson, Antwi and Gentry on one side and the rest on the other side. These 5 call themselves the "five live" and was told after they won the championship these 5 formed a circle and celebrated among themselves while the others watched. If you closely watch games you can see they look for each other and not others. Many of you have mentioned how Jones has no discipline, that is true. He is so scared that huff is going to leave that he sais or does nothing to control him but yells at others all the time for the same mistakes that Huff makes but nothing is said to Huff. This causes alot of problems cause these players are not stupid. During one game a player asked Huff while on the bench why he doesnt cheer for the players on the court, Huff said F*ck you. Then this player asked again are you too good to cheer and he again said f*ck you. This is how it is. No chemistry at all. Dont know if these and other issues can be resolved but its going to take alot more from these coaches than they are showing. They must communicate and grow some balls. This is D1 basketball not elementary rec ball. so they need to start treating these players with respect and not just ignore them like they are nothing, ask Haugen how this goes. I hope these coaches grow, if not this team with its talent will be swallowed up in the Big Sky.

[ticklethetwine]

Based on what I know its amazing this team won the amount of games this past year. Jones keeps talking about how they are family and the great chemistry they have. This is so far from the truth. The coaches do not treat hardly any of the players as so called family. When a player is down or needs help the coaches do nothing and basically ignore them. They communicate basically by text, thats right text. Players this year that did not travel where notified the day of travel by text and no explanations as to why. Basically dont pack you are not travelling. There is much more but I will jump to the chemistry issue. This team is divided big time amongst the players. You have Webb, Huff, Anderson, Antwi and Gentry on one side and the rest on the other side. These 5 call themselves the "five live" and was told after they won the championship these 5 formed a circle and celebrated among themselves while the others watched. If you closely watch games you can see they look for each other and not others. Many of you have mentioned how Jones has no discipline, that is true. He is so scared that huff is going to leave that he sais or does nothing to control him but yells at others all the time for the same mistakes that Huff makes but nothing is said to Huff. This causes alot of problems cause these players are not stupid. During one game a player asked Huff while on the bench why he doesnt cheer for the players on the court, Huff said F*ck you. Then this player asked again are you too good to cheer and he again said f*ck you. This is how it is. No chemistry at all. Dont know if these and other issues can be resolved but its going to take alot more from these coaches than they are showing. They must communicate and grow some balls. This is D1 basketball not elementary rec ball. so they need to start treating these players with respect and not just ignore them like they are nothing, ask Haugen how this goes. I hope these coaches grow, if not this team with its talent will be swallowed up in the Big Sky.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Jones is shown the door soon. Maybe not this year but next year very luckily if things don't change and fast.

[coach daddy]

Based on what I know its amazing this team won the amount of games this past year. Jones keeps talking about how they are family and the great chemistry they have. This is so far from the truth. The coaches do not treat hardly any of the players as so called family. When a player is down or needs help the coaches do nothing and basically ignore them. They communicate basically by text, thats right text. Players this year that did not travel where notified the day of travel by text and no explanations as to why. Basically dont pack you are not travelling. There is much more but I will jump to the chemistry issue. This team is divided big time amongst the players. You have Webb, Huff, Anderson, Antwi and Gentry on one side and the rest on the other side. These 5 call themselves the "five live" and was told after they won the championship these 5 formed a circle and celebrated among themselves while the others watched. If you closely watch games you can see they look for each other and not others. Many of you have mentioned how Jones has no discipline, that is true. He is so scared that huff is going to leave that he sais or does nothing to control him but yells at others all the time for the same mistakes that Huff makes but nothing is said to Huff. This causes alot of problems cause these players are not stupid. During one game a player asked Huff while on the bench why he doesnt cheer for the players on the court, Huff said F*ck you. Then this player asked again are you too good to cheer and he again said f*ck you. This is how it is. No chemistry at all. Dont know if these and other issues can be resolved but its going to take alot more from these coaches than they are showing. They must communicate and grow some balls. This is D1 basketball not elementary rec ball. so they need to start treating these players with respect and not just ignore them like they are nothing, ask Haugen how this goes. I hope these coaches grow, if not this team with its talent will be swallowed up in the Big Sky.

Sounds like somebodies mom or dad isn't very happy. This really isn't the place to throw coaches and/or teammates under the bus. Take it up with Coach Jones if you aren't happy your son/high school classmate didn't travel.

[UND1983]

It also sounds like he/she has concrete examples and know what they are talking about. Anyone who has watched UND play the past few years can identify with some of the examples they stated. There are major chemistry and ball hog issues on this team and nobody can deny that.

[sioux2013]

I have heard about these issues also and know several to be true. There are issues that need to be fixed, but I also believe they can be. Now based on other topics it looks like we may have a couple of scholarships to offer, so lets go out and get some solid 4/5 players.

[UNDsportsFANATIC]

The person who started this forum first of all is OBVIOUSLY a player or a players parent. Don't try and disguise yourself behind a name and drop the bomb on coaches and players. You have clear details of situations that happened that a "fan" wouldn't have. Wait wait let me guess, a player told gave this information, highly doubt it. You just created a page to air out this team. Not cool buddy, not cool at all. We know about the problems that occur, they can and will be fixed. We just came off of a conference championship, be happy, and live in the moment. If "you" or your "child" are unhappy....simply transfer! Go Sioux! And Congrats again on the ship!

[Siouxperman8]

Not much of a stretch to believe that they could know somebody on the team or close to the team.

[Irish]

Why all of the criticism for the thread starter and none for Huff and company? I have been following Sioux BB since the 70's and can't remember anyone else behaving like he does. Coach needs to be control and not afraid of his players. Coach Daddy's reflexive defense of Jones non withstanding, this has been a serious issue for the Sioux. Jones needs to be in charge. He has a non-productive senior class on scholarship and a group of talented sophomores that he can't control. Things need to change. No one should be bigger than the program.

[tnt]

Not much of a stretch to believe that they could know somebody on the team or close to the team.

I will only say that if this person is looking for a family environment, then be an example of the kind of environment you espouse. I don't think airing dirty laundry on a forum is benefitting the family atmosphere you say is lacking.

[Siouxperman8]

My point is that the person that started this forum isn't necessarily an unhappy parent or player as a couple of posters stated. UND and Grand Forks are fairly small communities and word gets around.

[UNDsportsFANATIC]

Who cares how small the community is...that doesn't make it right. The person made a forum to air out coaches and players. That isn't cool. We should still be in "celebrating" mode. You guys amaze me with your negativity. I know there isn't much to do in Grand Forks, but seriously, give these guys a break. They won the conference. What more are u ppl expecting? There are going to be "in-house" issues in every sport of every program. We know recruiting bugs is a necessary, we know there has been some immaturity, we've seen a horrible road record; buy why in the hell are u guys still focused on that and the season is over, not to mention going into the big sky as previous conference champs, with 4 of our previous 5 starters returning. There are more things to do in life besides talk down on "our" mbb program. Life isn't so bad, I promise ppl.

[coach daddy]

I think its also important to remember that this team beat So. Dak. St. (played in the tournament) and Montana (also in the tournament). In spite of the "issues" discussed in this thread, this team has some talented kids and sometimes with talent comes ego. Don't disagree that a head coach has to deal with it but if he thought it was a problem I believe he would deal with it. Coach Jones has been around enough major college bball to realize a kid who's a dumbass from one who is a cancer. You can win with dumbasses, you can't with cancers.

[bigskybound12]

Sounds like somebodies mom or dad isn't very happy. This really isn't the place to throw coaches and/or teammates under the bus. Take it up with Coach Jones if you aren't happy your son/high school classmate didn't travel.

Just like you posted on the womans bb forum, I have been around and I know players and their families. I am just sick of Jones talking about how much chemistry and how they are family is why I made this post. This is an open forum to discuss the good and bad of what we think. Everyone that knows any of the players knows what is going on. In spite of all of this I am very happy and excited they have won back to back championships. However, with this type of chemistry I fear the toughness of the Big Sky will show. We are not in the Great West anymore. We will have to have everything be right just to make the conference tournament. I will always be there to support but fear what I am hearing and seeing. Coaches must have discipline and develop these players. The development is not happening either. They are not helping them improve and that in itself is also an issue. There is more but since a lot of you don't want to read the truth at this point I will stop.

[fightingsioux4life]

Just like you posted on the womans bb forum, I have been around and I know players and their families. I am just sick of Jones talking about how much chemistry and how they are family is why I made this post. This is an open forum to discuss the good and bad of what we think. Everyone that knows any of the players knows what is going on. In spite of all of this I am very happy and excited they have won back to back championships. However, with this type of chemistry I fear the toughness of the Big Sky will show. We are not in the Great West anymore. We will have to have everything be right just to make the conference tournament. I will always be there to support but fear what I am hearing and seeing. Coaches must have discipline and develop these players. The development is not happening either. They are not helping them improve and that in itself is also an issue. There is more but since a lot of you don't want to read the truth at this point I will stop.

Please don't stop posting what you know because some people in our fan base don't want to hear it. The duckies and bunnies mentality that has infected our fan base is very disturbing. You can't criticize anyone for anything or you are called a bad fan. Sometimes the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, needs to be told so that things can get fixed. We are going into Division I, we need to have all systems fully operational or this thing won't work out the way we are hoping.

[The Sicatoka]

I will only say that if this person is looking for a family environment, then be an example of the kind of environment you espouse. I don't think airing dirty laundry on a forum is benefitting the family atmosphere you say is lacking.

Exactly.

[darell1976]

I think Faison is going to see what Jones can do the first year of the Big Sky and if we can't win the conference title or at least compete and end up in the cellar...then Jones should be fired. Let's just see what he can do with the BSC schedule and hopefully some more free throw practice.

[the green team]

Well what has been overall a fairly enjoyable experience. Discussing UND sports on this thread with both people who share the same views and trying to be respectful of others opposing views--although I don't always succeed. This opening post on this thread disgusted me so much, that I think I'm going to take a good long break from this site for awhile. I really find a post like that to be deplorable and reckless...and I will tell you why in a moment. I guess I have far better things to do than slop around in this mud. But since this is going to be my last post I would like leave with some final thoughts. And since this is going to be my last post...I'm going to make it a fairly lengthy one.

Wow, where do I begin.....

I agree with some that this is either a post from a player or a parent. I will tell you why I, and I repeat why I feel that this was unnecessary.

First off, lets address the issue of being so worked up about how players are notified of if they were traveling for road games. I honestly don't know how they do it... but if it's by text, I simply ask, how do you communicate with young people now days? You text them, because they actually look at there texts and respond.

Now you evidently have a big problem with this either as a parent or as a player. If you are a parent, my advice to you is to you is to 1. Butt out. 2. Butt out. & 3. Butt out. Listen this is college, the time of trying to influence coach's and protecting little Billy's or Suzie's feelings should be over...what kind of kids are trying to raise here? Being the parent of 3, I realize this isn't always easy, but now that a few of my children have reached the age where they are now playing in youth basketball & hockey., I see parents of today wanting to be their kids friend more than they want to be their parent. At every turn parents are looking for confrontation and influence and it's just so embarrasing.

Now if you're the player and have a problem with being notified by text and don't feel it's respectful enough- don't come on here and whine about it. I believe you should know where the coach's office is, go in and "say coach I need talk to you about this, I don't like being notified by text that I'm not traveling, I would prefer to be notified face to face" The point is you are not a child anymore, stand up for yourself and assert yourself, and if you want to be treated like an adult act like an adult. Don't go whining to mommy and daddy about, my feelings are hurt because I got a text that said I'm not traveling. Part of being in college is to grow up and learn how to handle things on your own. I'm not even saying that you shouldn't have a gripe about receiving travel arrangements via text messages. But handle it as an adult. There are people that are your age in war zones and they get orders to rush an entrenched armed opposing force- do they call their mommies and daddies to complain and for them to do something? I don't think so, reality check- if those men & women can have the gumption to go to their superior officers then you shouldn't have problem going to see the coach and lay out your issues. If you can't even do that then you've got bigger issues.

At the end of the post that started this thread, the author goes on to say that this isn't rec ball anymore, and that they need to start treating these players with some respect. I will concede that this isn't rec ball anymore, but that is where my agreement ends. This is college, believe it or not-- it is about winning. And people are going to get there feelings hurt, and guess what not all players are going to be treated the same way....THAT IS REAL LIFE. DEAL WITH IT.

I have actually heard stories over the last many years, that parents actually have the gall to call the staffs of either the men's or women's program to talk about... strategy or why their young suzie or johnnie is not playing more. Are you kidding me? Wow that is embarrasing. It's almost as if parents and players still think this youth, junior high or high school basketball. Do you think a coach like Bill Self puts up with any of that? Again having one child in the grand-am in GF this weekend you see these things. Honesly, I'm fortunate my kid does pretty well for his age but I am not holding any delusions of grandeur that he is going to play any college basketball. But let me illustrate this, picture because it played out the previous weekend with youth hockey almost in identical fashion.

I'm sitting watching the game, parents many who I know are getting worked up because some official who is either a teenager or college student missed a call. Really? What is even the point of that. The kid is just trying to make a little money to take his girlfriend to the movies. But what's even more humorous is when a few of their kids get substituted for during the game...then the very low key grumbling starts..."oh why did he take little johnny or suzie out". I didn't realize that I kind of had this bemused smile on my face sitting there listening to this, until my wife pointed it out.

Maybe I don't have the same perspective on this. Yes my kid starts, I rarely talk to the coach but when i have I have indicated many times that my kid doesn't have to start every game or any game for that matter, and don't worry about subbing for him all the kids need court time. I don't think that view is shared by most of my fellow parents.

Many of today's parents are super sensitive and only want to be best friends with their kids. And it would appear that in the last 15 years or so, those kids are getting to college and what you end up with is what you get with the opening opening post in this thread. A person who, because they can't deal with things in an adult like manner by confronting the appropriate and necessary parties has decided to take the easier far more insidious route by posting anonymously to a fan message board. And yes, you can argue that I am anonymous too, but then again I would never post anything quite like that either. If I decided to, I have no idea why I ever would...but if I did, I would at that point drop the anonymity and put my name on it. Because, when it gets to that point you if you feel that strongly about your postion in regards to an issue such as this...then put your name to it.

As I mentioned, when I came to this thread I was really dissapointed to read what I read. To the point that I've decided not to participate here for awhile. I need break from it. I'm a huge fan of all our sports programs, especially our basketball programs. Every college team has challenges within it's roster, ours is no different. But considering we have just been through the transition to D1, I tend to look at the positives. The winning seasons, the post season titles, all these have been tremendously valuable experiences for the players of our teams and I feel that it will help them with what will be the biggest challenge yet...The Big Sky.

[NODAK13]

Just like you posted on the womans bb forum, I have been around and I know players and their families. I am just sick of Jones talking about how much chemistry and how they are family is why I made this post. This is an open forum to discuss the good and bad of what we think. Everyone that knows any of the players knows what is going on. In spite of all of this I am very happy and excited they have won back to back championships. However, with this type of chemistry I fear the toughness of the Big Sky will show. We are not in the Great West anymore. We will have to have everything be right just to make the conference tournament. I will always be there to support but fear what I am hearing and seeing. Coaches must have discipline and develop these players. The development is not happening either. They are not helping them improve and that in itself is also an issue. There is more but since a lot of you don't want to read the truth at this point I will stop.

I definately have to agree on the lack of development. Its been four years and players like Wilmer, Archer, Haugen etc have not shown any improvement in their game at all. I dont really think the sophomore class showed alot of improvement either from last year and there is definately talent there. Dont know about the other issues but we all know from watching there are issues.

[UNDsportsFANATIC]

Well stated green team

[MoSiouxFan]

Good post, Green Team. Whether or not the offended party is the poster, I totally agree with your recommendation that the offended party go to the offending party like a man to take care of the offense. That's a principal that has it's roots in Scripture (Matt. 18:15), and is the correct way to handle an offense.

Hope you continue to post.

[bigskybound12]

So why is it every time someone posts something you don,t want to read it is a parent or a player? First, I am not a parent and second, no player is dumb enough to post about himself or the team. I am tired of how Jones portrays this team as in perfect chemistry and are together as one. If you want to continue to believe that than just go right ahead. I just stated a few facts and if you don't want to believe them then its your right. I have read so many negative posts in the past on this forum about players and coaches and which players should be cut or not cut. How is that positive for these players that you keep saying suck and should be cut loose. Its just Jones making everything sound so rosy when its not. Greenteam, if you are offended from my post then I don't know what you have been doing in the past when others post negative about the players. I'm addressing the coaches. Others have stated no chemistry and I am just pointing out examples of this. No direct communication and I am just also pointing out this. If the truth offends anyone than I am sorry. Wont happen again.

[green_sioux]

Excellent post Green Team.

Bigskybound. What are you basing Jones' attitude of "perfect chemistry" on? (Has he ever said that?, I dont' think so) A 20 second soundbite on TV or a quote in the newspaper? I never heard that. What exactly do you expect him to say when talking to the media? Do you want him to slam his players and their attitudes? It's called "coachspeak". All coaches do it. I don't want him to air any of team issues in the media. I tend to agree with some of the previous statements that Jones has been around big time college ball long enough to know the difference between ego and a cancer. It's a young squad and I'm patient enough to see what happens over the coming years now that we're through the transition.

You also say if the truth offends anyone you are sorry. What you anonymously state may or may not be exactly the truth. It's your unreferenced opinion. That's your right on a message board, but a big difference than "the truth."

Like you, I've been following Sioux BB for a long time. For me, since the mid 1960's. But, I don't know any of the coaches or players personally, so I don't have any special perspective. I do like the prospects going forward in D1 BB and the BSC schedule.

[The Sicatoka]

Time for today's non sequitor factoid:

Did you know that moderators and administrators on this forum can see the IP address that a post comes from?

[Let'sGoHawks!]

Time for today's non sequitor factoid:

Did you know that moderators and administrators on this forum can see the IP address that a post comes from?

Go on...

[UND Fan]

So why is it every time someone posts something you don,t want to read it is a parent or a player? First, I am not a parent and second, no player is dumb enough to post about himself or the team. I am tired of how Jones portrays this team as in perfect chemistry and are together as one. If you want to continue to believe that than just go right ahead. I just stated a few facts and if you don't want to believe them then its your right. I have read so many negative posts in the past on this forum about players and coaches and which players should be cut or not cut. How is that positive for these players that you keep saying suck and should be cut loose. Its just Jones making everything sound so rosy when its not. Greenteam, if you are offended from my post then I don't know what you have been doing in the past when others post negative about the players. I'm addressing the coaches. Others have stated no chemistry and I am just pointing out examples of this. No direct communication and I am just also pointing out this. If the truth offends anyone than I am sorry. Wont happen again.

bsb112 - your comments were very aggressive for a thread like this - but they certainly may correct. For you to be so outspoken about the program and coach Jones, you must have ties to the program in some manner. Can you give us some insight so we have a better feel about the accuracy of your post?