The 2009-2010 season (my sophomore year) was a major setback for the program, finishing 11-21 (3-11). Sharp-shooter James Rahon had since transfered to San Diego State, leaving both Foster and Trasolini to fill a major offensive void. With losses to everyone from Gonzaga to Rice, Bronco players and fans hoped to come back the next season ready to play harder and win more - they did both. The 2010-2011 season was a major success, statistically. The Broncos went 24-14 (8-6) and were crowned Champions of the CIT Tournament. Kevin Foster had a monster year with 20.2 PPG and 140 made three pointers, the most in all of NCAA D-1. Marc Trasolini had a solid season averaging 12.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, while shooting 52% from the field. However, over the span of Keating's four year career, players transferred and there was a lingering rumor amongst students that particular players flat out did not like playing for him. Whether those rumors be true or false, my Broncos had a fantastic year and I actually felt my Freshman year dreams of NCAA Tournament fame maybe, just maybe, would become reality.
...Fast forwarding to present day 2012...
Well, this one sure is tough to write. The Santa Clara basketball team has yet to win a game in West Coast Conference play. Sitting in last place with an 0-8 WCC record, the Broncos are 8-13 overall and watching their season slip away in front of them. For those who have not followed the season very closely, I know what you're asking: What the fuck happened? (Will Ferrell in Step Brothers voice, see link) Unfortunately, Marc Trasolini, our veteran post man, tore-up his knee in an exhibition game early in the year, ultimately ending his season. This was undoubtably a major blow, but the team rallied together and won a nail bitter against the Big East's own, Villanova. Finishing the preseason 8-5, the Broncos approached league play ready for battle against Gonzaga, St. Mary's, and newly added heavy weight Brigham Young University...too bad we forgot our armor, weaponry, horses, and battle strategy. The Bronco basketball team has lost eight straight in conference and things are only getting worse. To add insult to injury, Kevin Foster, the team's leading scorer and best player, was suspended indefinitely for Driving Under the Influence (if you have not heard that by now, you're living under a rock).
So, what is the problem? To be honest, I don't know. DUIs and season ending injuries certainly do not help, but the rest of the team cannot be 0-8 bad. I know they aren't. Players who could have added some experience have left (the aforementioned Rahon, PG Robert Smith, PG Troy Alexander) and those who are left to play have not had much experience other than Raymond Cowels and Evan Roquemore. This is where I have to ask the obvious question: what is Kerry Keating doing?
Losing the team's top big man to injury is completely out of the coach's control, but what about everything else? Let me be clear, I am not asking for a firing for two reasons. First, I am not in the position to make that call, plain and simple. Secondly, our Athletic Department signed him to a three year contract extension prior to this year so firing him would be pointless. However, if I were a man in the position to make a call as important as this, here is what I would take into account. An overall record of 66-68 is nice, 24-32 in the WCC is less than stellar, but not awful. However, Keating's teams have only beaten Gonzaga once and St. Mary's once; arguably our two biggest rivals. We have played these two teams close, taking both to overtime in different occasions, but a loss is a loss. Rivalry in college basketball is everything. With that said, rivalries are not quite rivalries if you win only one contest in five years as coach. And how many players have left? It seems at least a player or two transfers every year. Okay, it is not that many, but the players who primarily leave are point guards, also known as "the coach on the floor;" it is a pretty important position. How can their be chemistry in the locker room and on the floor when players do not want to be there?
It is a confusing time for Santa Clara basketball fans. We're not just losing some games, we're losing them all. Personally, I have gone from watching live, to watching on my computer, to following the ESPN Game Tracker, to checking the morning paper the next day, and I know I'm not alone. I want to be a fan and I want our team to finish games. Hopefully our mighty Broncos can salvage what is left of this already disappointing season and win a conference game. What a bummer.
On a lighter note, check out Will Ferrell's freak out as Brennan Huff from Step Brothers. Ferrell and co-star John C. Riley have just realized they are being thrown out:
1 comment:
CIT championship? cool. Inability to win in the WCC, not ok. The only rivalry that we've been somewhat consistent in has been with USF. I'll give him one more year with Tras and Foster back and then it might be time for the boosters to pony up some more money for a coach.
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