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February 6, 2008

Bill Reynolds' hoops chat transcript

Below is the transcript for this week's college hoops chat, with Bill Reynolds. Next week, we'll have URI guard Jimmy Baron at 1 o'clock Thursday. More details on that later.

Bill Reynolds: Hi everyone, i'm in the house and ready go

marchessau: I can understand how you can attack PC fan's booing at the Dunk. It is college sports and the student athletes shoild not be exposed to booing. However, how else do you suggest fans who are totally frustated with Welch show their concern when the college administration seems completely oblivious to their concerns?

Bill Reynolds: Fans can express their displeasure by e-mailing the AD, e-mailing the president, whatever. in other words, there are better and more effective ways to it.

PC 71: Bill- Great article the other day about Welsh. I have been a fan sense 71 but will never give one more dollar if the powers to be get rid of Welsh this year.When you look at his record of getting us to post season { NIT, NCAA} why can't folks see he is right in line with every other coach during the Big east years?

Bill Reynolds: PC '71, let's forget welsh for a second. in the 30-year history of the Big East the Friars have one had two years where they've won an NCAA Tournament game, '87 and '97, and have never been a consistent winner in the Big East. that's just a fact. So it seems to me that fan dissatisfaction - however understandable - should be put in a larger context.

friarfem: bill, i read your article today about welsh and the fans--i'm part of that fan base, but not a booer--i don't think its good for the kids trying to win nor the recruits sitting there--some of your comments though are confusing--it doesn't sound like you think we should be in the big east 'cause we can't recruit the players we need--reasoning being we're recruiting against some heavy hitters, true, but why than can baron recruit-yes, the a10 is not as strong top to near bottom as the big east, so baron is probably recruiting against several teams for top players rather than 7-8 schools--what i see is though is that each year under welsh we've had this wishy washy type seasons--

Bill Reynolds: Friarfem, good question, and sorry i'm confusing. PC should be in the Big East, because it's too much of a cash cow not to be in it. But to think it's somehow the school's birthright to be very successful in it - when it really hasn't been in 30 years - is unrealistic. which doesn't mean it can't happen - history tells us it can - but it's not easy. History tells us that, too. It seems to me that the real problem is not Welsh's coaching - regardless of what you think about it - but the fact that there's not one player on the Friar roster that any of the top teams wanted. Take away McDermott - recruited by Duke, every other Friar is essentialy here because the glamour teams didn't want them. The result? Up and down seasons, just what we have now.

THL: Thank you for your time today. At this stage of the season...do you feel that Tim Welsh will be the coach of the Friars next year?

Bill Reynolds: I wouldn't went to bet my life on it.

PC4eva: whooooooooooooooaaaa. I understand that expectations need to be tempered. But is it too much to ask to win more than 2 Big East tourney games?

Bill Reynolds: PC4eva, no, it is not too much to ask to be better than 1-7 in Big East tournament games, as Welsh has been.

Josh M: Bill, as usual, many thanks for all your great material. What do you think are going to be URI's biggest strengths and weaknesses down the line? Do they have the talent to pull off an upset if they make it to the big dance?

Bill Reynolds: Thanks for the kind words, Josh. I think URI definitely has the potential to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. Their biggest strength? Multi-dimensional. The fact they could pound Dayton last week with Will Daniels being a non-factor is a great sign. Weakness? Their lack of a big defensive presence underneath.

THL: Bill, do you believe that Sharaud Curry, if cleared by the doctor, should play rather than red-shirting and saving the year for the future?

Bill Reynolds: THL, if were advisiog Sharaud Curry I would tell him to red-shirt. certainly it's in his best interest at this point. Whether it's in the coaching staff's is another question.

PCfan78: But don't you agree at some point a coach has done as much as he can with a program. Isn't a new or a different approach sometimes a positive.

Bill Reynolds: PCfan78, I do agree that at some point a coach as done about as much as he can with a program, and I also know that 10 years is a long time to be anywhere in this day and age, but that's for the school to decide. In regards to Welsh, I just don't like the booing

Wally: Hey Bill really enjoy your column and keep the book referrals coming. First of all I am releasing a statement: This whole booing thing from Friar fans is upsetting. Friar fans have a history of showing their ignorance by leaving early win or lose and chooosing the wrong venue when displaying their frustration with the coach. For the most part though Friar fans are very loyal and passionate about their team. I get so mad and embarassed at the booing. Anyway, what do you think the Administration has planned for Coach Welsh? I believe that if they don't want him they should buy out his contract at the end of the season. Of course they better have a replacement in mind that can recruit and has thick skin, so that leaves Bobby Knight out. Hey Bill remember our days in the Air National Guard ond our basketball tournaments with the Army. I have meetings from 12 - 2 today, but I am looking forward to your response! Thanks Bill!

Bill Reynolds: hey wally, I know that PC fans are loyal and passionate. I also know it's frustrating when you are paying good money to watch a team that doesn't live up to your expectations, and I know that coaches in this day and age get bought out all the time. It's the booing I don't like.

rhody74: Bill, I know you're not the URI beat reporter .... but have you heard how Will Daniel's ankle is doing? Will he be available against UMass?

Bill Reynolds: rhody74, i hear that Will Daniels will play.

THL: If Tim is gone next year, where do you feel the Friars will look for a replacement. a mid major head coach, an assistant from a big time program, or a head coach currently at a so called high major program?

Bill Reynolds: THL, if PC were to replace Welsh odds are they would go out and find the Tim Welsh of 10 years ago, a successful coach at a mid-major school.

riron: bill what is the problem with weymi Ef.. he makes PC a much more explosive team when he's on the floor yet welsh is not playing him--is there a problem?

Bill Reynolds: riron, i really don't know the problem with Weyinmi. He's the ultimate trick or treat player, and I've long thought that as he goes the Friars go. He is the best athlete on the team, can be explosive, and I always think the Friars are better off when he's in the game, but that's just me.

PC4eva: and if we are going to punt on being competitive in the Big East, why stay in the league?

Bill Reynolds: pc4eva, if PC were not in the Big East they'd be back in Alumni Hall and no one would care. We've all been too spoiled.

friar: Thanks for your time today Bill. Any word on Curry being redshirted?

Bill Reynolds: Friar, I would bet anything that he will be red-shirted, but then I would have bet on the Pats winning the Super Bowl, too.

rhody74: Bill .... as a URI fan, I'd be thrilled if PC gave Tim a 10-year extension, but that's just me. ;-)

Bill Reynolds: rhody74, great line. you should be doing this chat, not me. Just as long as you don't fire Baron and bring back Harrick and give him a 10-year extension

Josh M: Bill, what are your thoughts on RIC's potential in tournament play? They started off with a bang with the Holy Cross win, played Umass Dartmouth tough (with a rematch still to come) but got wiped out by Amherst and havent received any top 25 votes in a couple of weeks.

Bill Reynolds: Josh M, you just made history with the first RIC question.
All i know is they're not as good as they were last year - no crime in that - so I wouldn't get my hopes up.

PC4eva: BIll, thanks for taking the questions. I know that I made a comment earlier which was critical of Welsh...and I am. His biggest failure to me is his inability to a) consistently develop players and b) the systematic loss of players throughout their 4 years. Thoughts? Having said all that though, PC fans have to decide for themselves what type of coach they want. A solid, apologize the phrase, "mediocre" coach, or a bright s"shooting star" who always has eyes for the next job. You cant have it both ways. I dont think Welsh fits either bill, which is why I am not a huge supporter.

Bill Reynolds: PC4eva, good question, eva, a sold ``mediocre'' coach or a shooting star? In a perfect world I think any program would want the bright shooting star, for when he leaves that means he had great success or he wouldn't be leaving, if that makes any sense.

friarsb: Hi, Bill..Many people are thinking that if Coach Welsh is not back next year, that the decision process for a replacement may involve not only Fr. Shanley, but also folks like Dave Gavitt and even Rick Pitino. If this is the case, do you think Richard Pitinio would be a legitimate candidate for the PC job?

Bill Reynolds: friarsb, i love Richard Pitino and think that someday he will make a great coach. But he is in no way ready for a job like this. Not now.

THL: Bill, on the other hand, if the Friars somehow make a comeback and manage to finish the season strong, and Tim is extended...do you see a three year extension so he can recruit being to tell the kids that he will be at PC in the future?

Bill Reynolds: THL, if PC does decide to extend Tim Welsh it would probably be in the two- or three-year range.

Bill Reynolds: I've got 10 minutes left if you're still in the house here

ladygrad: Bill, lately you have been like a rational parent getting kids to stop squabbling. If we are passioante about our teams, we are accused by media (Giacobbe) of pretty much having no life. If we do not express pasion about our teams, we are accused of having no spirit or loyalties. So how do we show our balance?

Bill Reynolds: ladygrad, you're right, it's like a balance beam. Just don't cross the line, and booing does that. anyhting short of that? go to it

THL: Bill, thanx for answering these questions....one more quickie...in your opinion, what was the best Friar team of the BE era?

Bill Reynolds: THL, I think the most talented Friar team of the Big East era was the '97 team, which had three guys who eventually spent time in the NBA on it, but the '87 team was the most fun. no one could have made up that year.

ladygrad: Do you think Coach Baron is a target for being recruited by other schools?

Bill Reynolds: ladygrad, jim baron absolutely becomes a target for bigger schools with his great season. that's how the system works.

friarsb: Bill...another question: Do you have any insight relative to the new CBI tournament? Does it start this year, and is it designed for teams that don't even make the NIT?

Bill Reynolds: friarsb: the new CBI tournament starts this year and will be selected after the NIT field is selected. There's no truth to the rumor the Friars are a lock.

ken: I couldn't disagree more . . . booing does not cross the line. Yelling obscenities and throwing things crosses the line. Welsh has earned the booing with zero NCAA wins, 2 NIT wins, and 1 Big East tourney win in 9 years. When I'm frustrated at a game I cant email the AD!!!

Bill Reynolds: ken, you can if your bring your Blackberry. just kidding. I understand your frustration, i just think booing hurts a progam more than it helps it, regardless of the circumstances.

Bill Reynolds: Thanks everybody. I'm told there will be a full transcript of this chat online later today at projo.com, and I apologize for any questions i didn't have time for. Over and out.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:23 PM | Permalink