Ritchie McKay Loses Player

[OrangeandBlack74]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2260964

[tornado]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2260964

As talented as Teague was, he somehow landed in McKay's doghouse.
New Mexico is NOT deep in talent, and uses one or two walk-ons at almost any given time on the court. McKay is getting increasing criticism because the players he recruits are so bad or end up leaving. And you can't count Granger, as Danny was not a recruit (or was he??).
The only decent players McKay has presently (Walters, Chiotti) are actually holdovers from the prior coach's era. All the players McKay has recruited have been busts.

The New Mexico schedule isn't as ultra cushy as it was last year, but they do still have Alcorn State, San Diego, Radford, Dartmouth, Texas Arlington, and the very, very weak Mountain West conference teams. The Conference this season is ranked behind several weak mid-major conferences, and NOT ONE team in the Mountain West has a non-con SOS under 100, and only one has an RPI of less than 100, and that's Colorado State.

[BradleyBrave]

That's a crying shame.

My prediction is that McKay won't be there in 2 years.

[chitownBUB]

UNM re-upped Ritchie all the way through 2010.
His original contract was a five year deal that would have
taken him through 2007, but after lucking into the NCAA
tourney last season (they got blown out in their first round
game, scoring 11 points in the first half against Villanova) with
an unexpected win in the MWC tourney,
the school decided to offer the three year extension that
carries all the way through 2009-2010, at $500,000 per year.

If they fire McKay, they'll be on the hook for $1/2 mil per
year 'til the end of the decade!!

[BU fan]

They have their savior, JR Giddens, eligible next year.

[Biff]

He played 8 minutes in 8 games? And 7 of those minutes were at the end of a blowout. Why do you bother recruiting a JuCo if you are going to do that to him?

Do we know the kids cell phone number?

[chitownBUB]

In another player-discipline issue, the Arizona Wildcats'
top player and top scorer Hassan Adams had a little run in with the law last week, and got himself arrested.

Well, most schools would suspend the kid until things got cleared up.
Jim Les suspended Jabbar Battle, and even Bill Self kicked Giddens off the team, but Arizona coach Lute Olson doesn't really want to play without his best player, so he finds an excuse to blow this whole thing off.

Thhis article also points out that another top Arizona player faced some discipline issues, but he didn't miss any games either.
Guess it depends at some schools how many points you score.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/5162116

[BU1999]

Read about all these college players,
marijuana possession, counterfeiting, larceny, fighting, becoming a
pro then renegging, even accepting over $5000 of illegal benefits.
Try to find even one of these guys with substantially more penalty
than Patrick O'Bryant got for his "crime".
Hard to believe the NCAA actually considers this all fair.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9099076

[BradleyBrave]

Interesting stuff about his contract. Obviously UNM didn't do their homework on McKay's coaching past. A 6 year extension for 1 MWC Tournament title? Seems like a bit much. UNM will be kicking themselves in about a year or 2 for that one.

[BU fan]

McKay loses another player, the second player to leave New Mexico in the past couple weeks. Joel Box, a Division II junior college All American from John Wood Community College, was touted as the replacement for Danny Granger. He cites lack of playing time, as he averaged less than 10 minutes a game.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/ncaa/12/27/bc.bkc.newmexico.boxqui.ap/

Didn't someone here or on the other board say that Division II JuCo players seem to never make it at Division I colleges? I am beginning to believe it. If a 1st team All American can't make it at a mediocre school hurting for a big man, then he probably should be looking to go to a Div II or lower college. Rodney Edgerson is also struggling to get playing time at Wash. State.

[chitownBUB]

Joel Box is from Rockford Christian Life HS, and Quincy College.
His brother is a freshman at Sauk Valley CC.

[BU fan]

Joel Box went to John Wood Junior College in Quincy.
Not Quincy College. John Wood is a Division II JuCo in the CCCI, the same conference as ICC.

[Biff]

Maybe Ritchie McKay is in some hot water at New Mexico?
There are numerous threads on their fans boards very critical of him for all the player defections (16 players have left in less than 4 seasons), the poor schedule they play, and the falling attendance.

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4346736,00.html

http://mb14.scout.com/fnewmexicofrm13

http://newmexico.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=912&fid=180&style=2&items=75

[tornado]

Maybe Ritchie McKay is in some hot water at New Mexico?
There are numerous threads on their fans boards very critical of him for all the player defections (16 players have left in less than 4 seasons), the poor schedule they play, and the falling attendance.

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4346736,00.html

http://mb14.scout.com/fnewmexicofrm13

http://newmexico.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=912&fid=180&style=2&items=75

Wow, tough call for lame duck AD Rudy Davalos who is done after this season (retiring).
As they just signed McKay to an extension of his contract, through several more years. (through 2010)

[user1]

McKay loses another player, the second player to leave New Mexico in the past couple weeks. Joel Box, a Division II junior college All American from John Wood Community College, was touted as the replacement for Danny Granger. He cites lack of playing time, as he averaged less than 10 minutes a game..

News now is that Joel Box explored his options and found that very few other schools appeared to want him.
he has therefore returned "apologetically" to the Lobos and has been reinstated.

In an odd show of dissent, during the news conference to announce Box's return (referred to as a "rambling 30-minute news conference")
"McKay insinuated that Box was spoiled. And UNM Athletics Director Rudy Davalos, who essentially brokered Box's return, said the once-and-again Lobo was soft."

[user1]

More news, as Joel Box left the team again and then was coaxed back another time by McKay.
This is becoming a side show, and the team is getting distracted.
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4394200,00.html

[user1]

(Warning--this comment will sound somewhat negative, but it is simply factual)

The clamor is getting louder as the Lobos under Ritchie McKay are self destructing, and calls are mounting for the firing of McKay. Lots of calls, and loud ones at that.
Here is the column of the New Mexico basketball beat writer in the Alb. Trib.
and it is pretty hostile and abusive toward McKay and the AD who has just resigned McKay to a five year contract extension!!
that carries through 2010.
It would cost them nearly $2 million to buy out of this contract!!
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_columnists/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19871_4435901,00.html
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4435886,00.html

Didn't we once discuss this apparent curse that has befallen the University of New Mexico ever since they broke rules to tamper with Danny Granger?
Here is an interesting post from 3 years ago (7/04) on the Lobo's board that discusses all the bad things that just seem to keep happening at New Mexico.
http://newmexico.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=558&tid=20043671&sid=912&style=2

[Bravesguy]

Sadly, that list of things that seems to be the curse on UNM was only the beginning.
Since that list was compiled, there have been players committing suicide, numerous incidents of players in legal trouble and bar fights, a player with rape allegations, several more flunked out, a couple left for no reason other than burnt out, etc.
Then several ex-players had trouble, not just the Dennehy's (murder) and Parmier (transcript fraud and having his wins and NCAA, Division II National Title taken away from school), and numerous ex-players who were run off then flourished elsewhere (Chad Bell at Nevada, Jamaal Williams at Washington)
and then came injuries to Granger, and slippage in the draft related to concerns about his knee.
Then a 3 year stretch of horrible recruiting, leaving McKay with little talent except a starting five of 2-who were recruited by his predecessor and a mix of kids who don't belong at Div I and walk-ons. Not one of McKay's recruits in 4 years have stayed more than 2 years and most have questionable talent, and this latest stuff with Joel Box quitting twice then being talked back is proof of the chaos the program is in.
Also, now their season tix and attendance are at all time lows since they built the Pit.

[tornado]

I know it's old news, except I ran across a recent article by one of the Albuquerque writers, who confirms that New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay did indeed break recruiting rules then lied about it when luring Danny Granger to UNM.

In fact it is stated as if it is widely known fact that is a standard by which other things are measured.
"..UNM hoops coach Ritchie McKay convinced Danny Granger to become a Lobo."
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_columnists/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19871_4834009,00.html



In another totally surprising (to some) and almost unprecedented move, New Mexico has slashed their ticket prices for the upcoming season. Almost all of college basketball is raising prices as the popularity of the sport skyrockets, but at New Mexico, the fans are staying away in droves as they continue to post record low attendances, not surprising considering the thugs and hapless stiffs they've recruited
and the horrible cupcake opponents they've lined up.
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4839042,00.html
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4841484,00.html
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4844485,00.html

[BradleyBrave]

But hey, they got Danny Granger. He obviously resurrected their program to all new heights. When was their last Sweet 16?

[tornado]

One more really bad blow and a terrible insult to New Mexico people,
the one time Marquette Golden Eagle, Ryan Amoroso, a highly touted big man who was seeking to transfer for more playing time, had been heavily "recruited" by Ritchie McKay in hopes he'd end up as a Lobo.

Just a couple hours ago, though, it was posted that he has stated (to the Milwaukee Journal & Sports Illustrated) he will commit to arch rival Mountain West San Diego State who wasn't even in the running for him a few days ago.
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=2&date=7/16/2006&id=8614
I guess Amoroso got tired of waiting for McKay and UNLV to come up with a scholarship, so he took the one SDSU had available.
I hope he goes for 30 & 20 on UNM!

[collegehoopjunkie]

I saw this article, and there is one comment that opened my eyes.
It is basically an admission that it was a bad
mistake to bring in players with "baggage". Even though this particular coach continues to do exactly
that by pursuing all the most troubled transfers.
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/sp_lobos/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19873_4950963,00.html

"batch of players brought baggage and confusion.
That group failed miserably,"
Transfers have highlighted McKay's recruiting career at UNM. Former Kansas guard J.R. Giddens and forward Aaron Johnson from Penn State likely will lead this year's team. Granger, now an NBA rising talent, started his college career at Bradley.

[tornado]

I saw this interesting article on New Mexico.

It literally calls the place a haven for transfers with troubled pasts and a revolving door. Lots of transfers in and seven players have left in the past two years.

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/oct/13/unm-mens-basketball-transfers-troubled-pasts-find-/

[Braves4Life]

I saw this interesting article on New Mexico.

It literally calls the place a haven for transfers with troubled pasts and a revolving door. Lots of transfers in and seven players have left in the past two years.

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/oct/13/unm-mens-basketball-transfers-troubled-pasts-find-/


Sounds like he's trying to be like Tark and become the new UNLV (or Cinci) :roll:

[chitownBUB]

He's trying to turn New Mexico into Boys to Men West.
It has been well documented how many of his transfers ended up getting getting onto more bar fights, rape accusations, and other issues.

[Braves4Life]

Mark my word....................

This punk McKay will go after X. Crawford. If for no other reason than to p*ss us all off! :evil:

[tornado]

I have it on good authority that XC is a lock for BU.

[COACHCORN]

DONT COUNT ON X IN NEW MEXICO

[flipper]

DONT COUNT ON X IN NEW MEXICO

:mrgreen: