Yet this NYTimes article is throwing a big pity party for poor old Mike. Us Indiana Fans just don't give him a chance.
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At 13-6, Davis Is Not No. 1 in the Hearts of Indiana Fans - NYTimes.com
Mike Davis, the Indiana University men's basketball coach, leaned on the wooden lectern in the media room at Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon, again feeling as if he had to defend his team.
"It's really a shame what this team has to go through sometimes and hearing what they have to hear," said Davis, who coaches in a building where five N.C.A.A. championship banners hang from the rafters, including three won by Knight.
"It really disappoints me and it disappoints them," he said. "No one should pat you on the back when you lose a basketball game, but no one should crucify you when you're right there in the hunt."
I'd love to actually hear Davis' unfiltered words... but working from these. Here comes the pity party. It's the fans' fault the team has lost 3 out of their last 4. We shouldn't criticize though... they are in 2nd place... or not.
With little job security, Davis has struggled to recruit the state's top high school players. Before the season, Rick Greenspan, Indiana's athletic director, said that Davis needed to compete for the Big Ten title and make an N.C.A.A. tournament run to keep his job.Hmmm... another attempt through the media at getting that contract extension. Without it, Davis just can't get any recruits to come to IU. And who is Jazzy Hartwell? Agent, AAU coach? And he is trying to dictate that IU should give Davis a contract extension... right!
Davis's problems can be encapsulated in an encounter that took place before his team lost Nov. 30 to Duke, which was No. 1 at the time. Davis sat on a couch in the coach's office just off the court. On another couch were the recruit Darrell Arthur, Arthur's mother and his adviser, Jazzy Hartwell. Hartwell said that Arthur liked Indiana, but wanted the university to make a commitment to Davis.
5 comments:
ok, now
let's not blame the NYT for all the worlds problems.
i think this summarizes the oppositions viewpoint.
both sides now....
The dissatisfaction with Davis goes beyond the team's performance this season. The Hoosiers have missed the past two N.C.A.A. tournaments after 23 consecutive appearances. Even when Davis took the Hoosiers to the 2002 national-title game in his second season, he talked about one day wanting to coach in the N.B.A., riling a fan base that sees coaching at Indiana as the best job in basketball.
Wow! Joni Mitchell posting on my blog. I'm not worthy!!!
That is one paragraph of 30. If that is your idea of fair and balanced... you probably watch Fox News.
I'm waiting for the sign of the Stigmata to appear on Davis. This guy is wanting to become a bigger martyr than christ himself!
"I am persecuted. Woe is me. My keeds are persecuted. Woe is me. Our record is good but we're still persecuted. We're in contention, but we're still persecuted. My keeds are persecuted so all you mean IU haters need to leave them alone. They are fragile and stupid, can't you see that? That's why we're in whatever place we are. It's not me. I'm a good coach. Look at my record. I made it to the NCAA finals, yet I'm persecuted. Woe is me."
Somebody put a ball-gag in his mouth and shut him up. I'm tired of his jesus-complex. Just coach your team and act like a coach!!!
I hear ya, Spork Boy. Davis is quick to take credit for perceived successes...glass-half-full kind of guy. But there is always an excuse...I assume this latest negative talk (and DJ's injury) are on his list of excuses for the end of the Big Ten tourney when they don't make the big dance. Now, why was I here? Oh, yea....
Steve,
Just found your blog...very cool.
Didn't mean to get started on the IU Hoops debacle. I am a member of a group of die-hard IU fans known as the Dead Hoosiers Society (do you remember the Bagley boys?)...we circulate e-mail commentary after most games.
Anyway, I think your 'Survivor' take is right on...it is more of a 'team sport' (at least in the early stages of the game) than IU basketball has been for 3 years.
I will check back here when I can...keep up the good work.
Andy, I hope all is well with your family!
The Dead Hoosiers Society... that is truly outstanding. I remember the Bagleys. Say hi to John and Scott for me.
This blog started because of my frustration with IU. A bunch of us from IU would end up calling each other after every game and we'd end up repeating everything over and over again. So I started this as a release for all of us. It's been theraputic for me.
Your opinions are always welcome here.
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