2024-2025 NW Men’s and Women’s Basketball.

[libertybearcat]

Yes, the money for AD was taken care of. From everything I’ve heard/read, the boosters were fully on board with making it happen. I’m not on the inside to know what the other demands were, or if they were completely out of reach, but some (in the football forums) who have more intimate knowledge than me made it sound as if they weren’t.

I can tell you with 100% certainty...the money was raised. Tatum knew AD wanted AP gone...so when he had AP handle the calls to AD it was obvious he wasn't going to give in on that point of contention. Hell, AP told AD NW couldn't afford what he wanted which wasn't true! I don't know if AP knew the money had been raised...but Tatum did.

[Alfred33]

I can tell you with 100% certainty...the money was raised. Tatum knew AD wanted AP gone...so when he had AP handle the calls to AD it was obvious he wasn't going to give in on that point of contention. Hell, AP told AD NW couldn't afford what he wanted which wasn't true! I don't know if AP knew the money had been raised...but Tatum did.

Well that’s kind of a big ask. Seems like it could have been handled better, but I guess it’s kind of hard to put any blame on AP if his only choice was to go look for another job.

[libertybearcat]

Well that’s kind of a big ask. Seems like it could have been handled better, but I guess it’s kind of hard to put any blame on AP if his only choice was to go look for another job.

Definitely was...from a coach's perspective don't you need a strong and effective Athletic Director in order to set yourself up for success? From all I've heard and seen...AP is none of those things.

[Alfred33]

Definitely was...from a coach's perspective don't you need a strong and effective Athletic Director in order to set yourself up for success? From all I've heard and seen...AP is none of those things.

Absolutely. Personally, having nothing to do with work, I like AP… I’ve said that before, but I do feel and have heard the same. That he’s more of a figure head than a leader. He was Jasinski’s guy and that obviously has left a bad taste in AD’s mouth. At the same time, I can’t really say he mucked this up, because it was a no win situation for him. Tatum not having the onions to make that decision himself doesn’t really surprise me… probably hoped that by having AP take those calls, he and AD could find some common ground. And if AP didn’t have all the information, that’s definitely a fail on someone’s part.

Hopefully McMenamin is successful here and this will end up being a nothing burger. To be honest, I was really surprised when I heard that AD was interested in coming back at all. I know it’s home, but his legacy would never be any higher than it already is and the expectations would immediately be through the roof. I think we did him a favor.

[libertybearcat]

I like AP as a person too, but you're in a performance based job...you have to perform...and it doesn't appear he is performing very well. I don't blame AP on the lack of hiring AD...I'd say it is more on Tatum.

I hope JM does great...just not sure he has a plan to compete in this day and age...NW has a new Capital Campaign going on and from what I'm hearing they're hitting up the big money guys to try to fund NIL...not sure there's enough money to spread to make both successful...especially when they realize it is an animal that has to be fed EVERY year! AD had a plan to address the changes...I liked his plan...not sure if it would have worked, but it was a different approach...which IMO is what is needed.

Lots of headwinds going against higher education and my thought was making a splash hire in AD could have helped NW better navigate those challenging waters. Truly hope NW has positioned themselves to handle the coming challenges on the student side of things.

[TigerAlum]

So for the last few weeks in this post and jumping over to football to try to understand more...people don't like AP but why?

You all have been successful under him in major sports. He let go of football which everyone wanted, people say they understand Ben wasn't staying forever, is it just because AD didn't come back? Yes basketball struggled this year but the Ben took everyone and it's a new guy.
Maybe AD used/entertained NW to get more at UCO.

From an outsider it just doesn't necessarily add up to me.

[libertybearcat]

So for the last few weeks in this post and jumping over to football to try to understand more...people don't like AP but why?

You all have been successful under him in major sports. He let go of football which everyone wanted, people say they understand Ben wasn't staying forever, is it just because AD didn't come back? Yes basketball struggled this year but the Ben took everyone and it's a new guy.
Maybe AD used/entertained NW to get more at UCO.

From an outsider it just doesn't necessarily add up to me.

The AD position is more than FB and BB...those are typically the money generators and help improve student recruitment...but there's administration duties, fund raising, maintaining good relationships with former athletes, especially those who've won championships or have played for them, not embarrassing NW when hosting Conference events, losing quality athletic department staff...taking forever to hire replacements...the list is a long one and growing.

[TigerAlum]

The AD position is more than FB and BB...those are typically the money generators and help improve student recruitment...but there's administration duties, fund raising, maintaining good relationships with former athletes, especially those who've won championships or have played for them, not embarrassing NW when hosting Conference events, losing quality athletic department staff...taking forever to hire replacements...the list is a long one and growing.

I understand that it's more than that but those are the complaints I hear.

[Alfred33]

NWm’s 2 game win streak ended at the hands of Newman tonight. The women got an overtime win as they try to secure a spot in the conference tournament. Molly Harnett led the way with a career high 31 points and Kelsey Fields secured a MIAA season high 21 rebounds.

I caught the second half of the women and most of the men’s… it’s a little sad to see the crowd.

[NWFanatic]

Sadly NW keeps their streak alive(winless at home) with 1 last chance Saturday to end it

[Alfred33]

Some interesting ex-Bearcat news…

I just happened to stumble on Jonah Hinton tonight. If you remember him, he was kind of an exciting point guard recruit out of the Chicago area. He redshirted 2 years ago. When he was recruited, I think a lot of us thought he’d be the next point guard after Trevor. Bennett kind of took that and ran with it, but still thought they might make a nice guard combo someday.

I never got the story on his decision to leave, but he transferred to a Juco last year, had a good season and is now playing 27 minutes a game for D1 St. Bonaventure of the A10.

And now you know… :)

[NWFanatic]

Women win/men lose to finish 6-22 with no home wins

[ZubCat81]

[QUOTE=NWFanatic;n881246]Women win... Men lose to finish 6-22 with no home wins[/QUOTE]

Transfer portal will be interesting for this team. Whatever vacancies this Bearcat team has to fill, this first year record for this coach is likely going to be prove to be more than the challenge he is likely to face, if he's still around. AP can't exit fast enough.

[Purple Mav Man]

Transfer portal will be interesting for this team. Whatever vacancies this Bearcat team has to fill, this first year record for this coach is likely going to be prove to be more than the challenge he is likely to face, if he's still around. AP can't exit fast enough.

Ditching the coach after one season, a big-time transition season at that, would probably set the program back even further.

Edit: fixing broken quote

[libertybearcat]

[QUOTE=Purple Mav Man;n881267]

Ditching the coach after one season, a big-time transition season at that, would probably set the program back even further.

Definitely. Gotta give him an opportunity to get his type of guys in. I was disappointed they didn't seem to get much if any better as the year went on...that is a concern.