Five Questions | A Triumphant Return

1. In my mind, any bowl game appearance is a cap to a decent year. The quality of the bowl indicates just how decent of a year it was. But would being the fifth best team in the Big 12-2 tickle me with feathers? Heck no!

2-3. I’m not qualified to speak on such matters. (am I really qualified to speak on any matters??)

4. I think BG has some ground to make up. But the up side is that there is some decent talent already in place. I think we see a marked improvement this season just from fundamental coaching differences, and as the talent builds, we should (hopefully) a regular to the tourney.

As for the negative of Lubbock’s location being “the pits”. All I have to say is THANK YOU LORD that we are 570 miles from the circus that is Houston (no offense to all you Houston natives).

5. Let’s just say I’m more excited about basketball with BG at the healm.

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?
NO! I’d be OK with it, but happy? No way. I have high expectations every year, but I have a good feeling about this year and expect more than the status quo.
2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?
Just a little bit. I think we have the personnel and the coach to get this position to perform much better than last year.
3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?
Simmins.
4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?
It should be, but BCG has gotten off to a grat start by addressing the makeup of the team. As a result, I feel the team will easily win 20, maybe 25 games next season.
5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED?
I am more excited because we all know what BCG brings to the table, and part of that is exciting, defensive basketball that transcends well into the offense during play.

1. I could live with it. While I am hoping that the new 4-2-5 bumps the D up enough for the entire team to be better than 5th – it’s still the 1st year in that system. My scarlet colored glasses have me thinking we could be as good 3rd best in the league this year, though.
2. Again – I have high hopes for the new D. I am a little concerned, but I really think that a big part of the problem last year was the system.
3. I’m going with Leon Mackey.
4. Depends on the coach. I don’t think it will be tough for BG. Basketball is the easiest of the big sports to turn around. Given the right tools – which Tech has provided, I think that if a coach can recruit and is good at managing the game, which Gillispie is, then I think it can be relatively easy.
5. For the 1st time in a long time I am really looking forward to following Tech basketball!

1. I’d accept it, but really believe some improvement should be seen. Football involves a lot of players, and takes a while to develope true consistancy. We have a great recruiting class, but lost some experience from last year.
2. They’re young, but this is the year that last years first year players will show their experience. The new kids will learn fast, I believe. They all NEED to stay healthy.
3. I’m not sure I can answer this one, so I’ll let others do it.
4. Rebuilding is always a tough job. BCG is a coach that loves the challenge though. We have some decent talent coming back, and some that I believe should move on to other places. I saw a comment that John Wooden had quoted, during “The Players Championship” I think, this weekend;
“How to develope good (basketball) teams.” 1. Find the right players. 2. Teach them the fundamentals. 3. Turn them into a team.
I believe these are the same fundamentals that BCG adhere’s to.
5. I can’t wait! I love high school and college basketball, especially TT basktball, win or lose. This will be an exciting year reqardless of the final record.

1: Yes but I think Stanford’s a better team than #4 in the Pac12

2: Yeah. Tre Porter has the athleticism and the physical style of play to be a lockdown corner at the Div I level, but the fact that the staff has already admitted that we need him to wear more than one hat in the defense tells me the secondary’s still an ad-hoc affair.

3. Hmm. Pearlie Graves I think is poised to benefit the most from the influx of talent coming in, it will take some of the pressure off and allow him to be disruptive inside. Could be anyone, though, and to be honest it’s hard to measure the impact of good line play, as it can effect the game in more ways than just tackle and sack stats.

4. Any rebuilding job is tough, but Tech’s position is one of more general program malaise than a bright shining garbage pit of awfulness, so I guess it could be worse, but I think BCG needs at least one season to retool before we can start talking Tournament berths.

5. Yes, but “more excited” is a pretty easy step from “oh yeah, the United Spirit Arena. That’s where the volleyball team plays”

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL? Happy to be in a bowl. Yes. Happy with being 5th. No Way. I think we can compete with any of the 4 teams ahead of us. We have OKie Lite and aTm at home this year and UT and OU on the road. I think OU is the only loss. “If you ain’t first, you’re last!” — Ricky Bobby

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?
If we still had Willis at DC, than hell yes. Glascow eases my concerns. I think last year was a freak thing with the injuries. At least I hope it was a freak thing.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?
I think Mackey will have a better year this year because of experience on the next level. Especially with the oppositions’ Oline having to worry about the other guys on the dline. Devon Simmons will be a beast towards the end of the season.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?
I think any job is tough to rebuild, but BCG has shown he can do it two previous times. If he could do it in the arm pit known as El Paso, than he can do it in God’s Country.

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED

Yes.

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?
Yes and No. Yes because we made a bowl and No because that means we are in the middle of the big 12.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?
    NO. 6 reasons why
           a.) better Defensive Coach
           b.) more experience at CB
           c.) hopefully won’t have last years injuries.
           d.) We have a better/faster 2011 recruits than may be able to help
           e.) can’t be any worse than last year only better.
           f.) better pass rushers this year should help out the d backs.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?
        Simmons looks like a monster.
4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?
yes
5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED? not yet

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?
It would be a good bowl but my expectations are pretty high this year. No lower than 3rd in the big 12-2 is my hope.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?
No, I think a lot of our trouble at the CB position last year is due to poor DL play/injury. We didn’t even sniff the QB in the backfield last year.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?
I think it will be DL by committee. There will be more talent in these positions than what we usually have. I think it won’t be the effort of one single guy but the whole DL playing together to get pressure on the QB.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?
At the moment yes, but usually I would say ttu basketball has been pretty solid. We have been on a downward turn since BK left. I think the toughest part won’t be rebuilding but getting bodies to fill the arena.

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED?
Very excited. He is a great coach, recruiter, and strategist. I think this new tech team will play more fundamental basketball…..we have been missing that for a while!

1. I would only be happy with the Holiday Bowl if I were told to be happy with the Holiday Bowl. I do whatever hance tells me to do.
2. I believe we should have two cornerbacks on the field whenever the rest of our defense is on the field. It just makes things look symetrical. Now, if they actually pressed the line and played like real cornerbacks…..that would be impressive.
3. My hope is that anyone at the tackle spot takes up a lot of room, creates a total disruption of the backfield, oh and lets not forget to actually tackle the man with the ball.
4. tech basketball has gone so far off the reservation, it may take a while to rebuild.
5. but if there is anyone that can take us to the promised land, my money is on Billy Clyde. Say all you want about tubs being a recruiter, Billy Clyde must be one smooth talkin som bitch.

1. Happy with a decent bowl and a win more so than a great bowl and a mismatch.
2. I think there will be decent talent barring injuries, but the following year we should start to see steady improvement.
3. Mackey and Simmons.
4. Not that tough. Next year will be tough because of talent and experience issues, but after that, recruits will play wherever there is an opportunity to advance to a conf. championship or get TV exposure so the pros see them. We can do that once we start beating some good teams.
5. Yes. For the first time in a while. I had reserved cautious hope before. Now i can actually dream about success.

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?

I am happy every time TTU has gone to a bowl game. I am happier everytime we have won. Yes, it is way too early to decide that we might be satisified with such and such a bowl when the goal is to win the Big12.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?

I am concerned about the defense, it is new again. That alone brings the greatest concern to me.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?

Way too early to think about that, I don’t have a two deep…we will see that after Fall practice.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?

It is not tough for a good coach who can recruit….

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED?

I am more excited that we have chosen to make a change, that we got away from the new guy who was learning how to run a Div1 program without sufficient background. Gillispie looks like a good hire. He looks as good as Tuberville did to me.

1. Holiday Bowl – As long as Tubs continues to bring in talent and improves the record every year, then we should be happy. It is going to take time for him to bring in and develop the talent he needs to win, so patience will be necessary.
2. Cornerback – If we have zero injuries (which won’t happen), then we’ll be fine. Otherwise, it will probably be an issue. At least they won’t be thrown out on an island to get slaughtered like they were with Willis last year.
3. DT – By the end of the year, Simmons will be a force to be reckoned with.
4. B-Ball Rebuilding – All it takes is one good class, or one great recruit and you are “rebuilt” in college basketball today. I’m pretty sure BCG can get that accomplished.
5. BCG Excitement – I’m much more excited. It’s nice to have a head coach who has accomplished something more than being born to the right father.

1. No. This team should win all home games next season. A better defense should mean a few more wins which would mean we are looking at 9 or 10 wins. Any bowl game is good but lets not kid ourselves into thinking 5th place is acceptable.

2. I’m happy with what we have coming out of Spring. The DJ Johnson experiment was hard to look at last season so lets just keep him at safety for now.

3. Mackey. This guy is built to punish players and if he’s on the field in the fall you will hear his name all day long.

4. We are at the very bottom so rebuilding should be easy. A small improvement will go a long way into making fans believers. BCG is a great hire and I expect he’ll do very well in Lubbock as long as we can keep him here.

5. Yes. Best basketball hire we could have asked for with the current candidates. We could have pulled an aggie and hired a no name which would do nothing for our program.

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL? Depends on the situation for me. Albeit I haven’t looked that far into it. I f we made the Holiday Bowl because the other top spots in a strong conference were taken, then I’d be ok with it. Let’s be honest here, beating the snot out of Cal a few years ago is still my all time favorite Bowl Game.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK? Not as much as last year. We have a Corner Back coach that’s proven. I think he’ll get our guys on the right track and impress.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011? I think it will be Delvon Simmons. I seems to be the next in line to take over. I’m not saying Colby Whitlock was bad, but had somebody been real good the last few years, there would have been a fight for it. Just saying.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB? I’m sure it’s going to be tough, but I think we have the right guy hired to make it happen. BCG seems to be fired up about it already. I’ll watch and learn.

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED? Yeah. I haven’t been excited about Tech Basketball in years. This is looking to be a good year regardless of what happens.

I meant to add to those two questions an observation. The exerpt above included:

Another negative: Gillispie is inheriting a team that lost all of its top players.

My feelings are that yes, we lost some experienced players. But, none ever reached the level of play they were capable of, stunted in growth by the former staff. Pat was a nice guy, but had no clue about developing talent into stardom. We still have talent, but I think the “top player” tag may be more relevant with some of them than it was for any former player, so I don’t think we lost as much as thought.

1. I would be excited for the Holiday Bowl only because I live I San Diego and have already been planning the tailgate for the next time Tech plays out here.

2. I am not too worried about the cornerback position as long as we stay healthy. What makes me most confident is how our safeties and D line does, this will help the cornerbacks.

3. 2011 will be Mackey but Delvon will be the biggest inpack in 2012

4. If K-State can do it Tech can

5. I have always loved college bb and TT but that last few years have been difficult. Since BCG hiring I have been reading as many bb articles as football articles

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?

It’s a toss up. Hate to think that we would finish fifth with another middle of the pack team.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?

Yes. Even though the are a year older, they are still young.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?

Simmons.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?

No.

1) With so many top players leaving for the NBA after their frosh season, the playing field is leveled considerably.
2) Good players want to play for good coaches regardless where the coach is.

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED?

Yes. The reason I haven’t participated in much of the BB discussion is because I’ve have been so turned off by Tech BB over the past five years or so, I don’t know any of the players. I look forward to getting reacquainted with the program so I can discuss.

for jackson richards? Lets not forget he was an UA all american last year

1. WOULD YOU BE HAPPY WITH A RETURN TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL?
Somewhat similar take as EPRaider81. Depends on how we get there. I expect improvement on both sides of the ball. I also want a signature win. No, not A&M, we should beat them in Jones stadium. I’m looking to kick either OU, UT or Mizzou on the road.

2. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT CORNERBACK?
More concerned about defensive line play. If Tech can put pressure on the QB, corners will look much better this year.

3. WHAT NEW DEFENSIVE TACKLE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2011?
Mackey if they play him inside. Otherwise, Wesley.

4. DO YOU THINK THAT TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL IS A TOUGH REBUILDING JOB?
Nope. Right coach + 1 or 2 quality players equals quick turn-around. Doesn’t take alot in Basketball.

5. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED ABOUT BASKETBALL BECAUSE GILLISPIE WAS HIRED? Absolutely. Looks like a good homecoming for Gillispie.