Diehards Giving Up

[AngryOtto]

After reading through the threads my greatest concern is that even the diehards are giving up hope. You expect the casual fan to only be interested when the team is winning, but when life long fans have lost interest in even watching the team we are in trouble.
I know fans come back quickly when winning starts but it seems we are at an all time low.

 

[dan7800]

After reading through the threads my greatest concern is that even the diehards are giving up hope. You expect the casual fan to only be interested when the team is winning, but when life long fans have lost interest in even watching the team we are in trouble.
I know fans come back quickly when winning starts but it seems we are at an all time low.

It's not the losses, it's that they are getting worse and are terrible now (games are not even competitive). The team has generally regressed each year for approximately the last decade.

 

[br801]

After reading through the threads my greatest concern is that even the diehards are giving up hope. You expect the casual fan to only be interested when the team is winning, but when life long fans have lost interest in even watching the team we are in trouble.
I know fans come back quickly when winning starts but it seems we are at an all time low.

Then they were never 'diehards' by definition.

 

[atlanticuse]

A decade of mediocrity will erode the greatest diehards.
Yes there are 'warm weather' or 'fair weather' fans, but seriously - our team has been teetering on the bubble since 2014.
A .577 winning percentage is not the sign of a good program, when the best lose 2-3 games the whole year (now out of 40 games).

 

[AngryOtto]

Then they were never 'diehards' by definition.

Not sure you say that when a lot of these fans have been committed to the program for decades. It’s not that they are switching their loyalty to another team, it is just a lack of interest is starting to set in.

 

[RF2044]

Here's what I find discouraging -- how the goalposts have shifted relative to what we consider success.

A lot of posters point to what a great job Red did last year... but DID he? We were massively uncompetitive in many losses, and while it was nice to get to 20 wins after failing to do so several preceding seasons under Boeheim, attaining that 20 win mark isn't particularly important / noteworthy the way it used to be. He's supposed to be some great recruiter, but after coming out of the box HOT landing Freeman / Westry right after being hired, we seem to miss out on just about every recruit we prioritize [Anthony notwithstanding].

This year, the wheels seem to be coming off, with no remediation in sight.

And then when you tack on the preceding 8 years of steady decline [and only .500 conference record], I'd wager that the fanbase is beyond saturation point, and approaching apathy given the state of the state.

I fear that 15K crowds are in the near future given the quality of the product on the court, which will make an even further impact.

But, that's what the University gets for letting JB hang on far too long, and hiring a generally unqualified replacement from within the program, who was one of the co-architects of the extended decline.

No coaching, no strategy, no elite recruits on the horizon, and massive roster turnover prior to next season doesn't equate to a recipe for success. Hope we pull out of this tailspin, but the rationalization, "wait until next year," and tolerance some fans express for doing the same things and hoping for different results is discouraging.

 

[kuethstheman]

Then they were never 'diehards' by definition.

My 55- year long fanaticism died hard. Very, very, very hard.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Then they were never 'diehards' by definition.

That's not fair. My apathy comes from a focus on my mental and physical well-being.
It's precisely because I'm a diehard, that I can't stomach more than a few minutes before coming to the realization that we're not gonna be competitive, at all, in that game . My heart and blood pressure can't handle the aggravation. JMHO

 

[BomberOrange]

Here's what I find discouraging -- how the goalposts have shifted relative to what we consider success.

A lot of posters point to what a great job Red did last year... but DID he? We were massively uncompetitive in many losses, and while it was nice to get to 20 wins after failing to do so several preceding seasons under Boeheim, attaining that 20 win mark isn't particularly important / noteworthy the way it used to be. He's supposed to be some great recruiter, but after coming out of the box HOT landing Freeman / Westry right after being hired, we seem to miss out on just about every recruit we prioritize [Anthony notwithstanding].

This year, the wheels seem to be coming off, with no remediation in sight.

And then when you tack on the preceding 8 years of steady decline [and only .500 conference record], I'd wager that the fanbase is beyond saturation point, and approaching apathy given the state of the state.

I fear that 15K crowds are in the near future given the quality of the product on the court, which will make an even further impact.

But, that's what the University gets for letting JB hang on far too long, and hiring a generally unqualified replacement from within the program, who was one of the co-architects of the extended decline.

No coaching, no strategy, no elite recruits on the horizon, and massive roster turnover prior to next season doesn't equate to a recipe for success. Hope we pull out of this tailspin, but the rationalization, "wait until next year," and tolerance some fans express for doing the same things and hoping for different results is discouraging.

Spot on. We cannot afford a third year of this.

 

[LAorange44]

The post game threads and streams are more fun than the games themselves. I’ve missed maybe 10 games in the last 25 years. But even I’m at the end of my rope. It’s not fun anymore.

 

[Cuse44]

what maybe sadder is there are kids in high school who have no memory of a great Cuse team (2010). They grew up only knowing mediocrity and that’s not a good way to create the fanbase we knew.

 

[br801]

That's not fair. My apathy comes from a focus on my mental and physical well-being.
It's precisely because I'm a diehard, that I can't stomach more than a few minutes before coming to the realization that we're not gonna be competitive, at all, in that game . My heart and blood pressure can't handle the aggravation. JMHO

Sure it's fair. As your post suggests, maybe everyone's fandom has a limit, and there actually are no true diehards, but just people living lives that intersect with sports teams and programs, and whose level of involvement ebbs and flows over time. Be well.

 

[Marroniac]

I went 25 years without missing many games. Skipped school as a youngin . Then missed some work as an adult.

A few years ago that started to fade. This year I’ve watched maybe 15-20 minutes of actual game time. I miss it, but this ain’t it.

 

[OHIORANGES]

After reading through the threads my greatest concern is that even the diehards are giving up hope. You expect the casual fan to only be interested when the team is winning, but when life long fans have lost interest in even watching the team we are in trouble.
I know fans come back quickly when winning starts but it seems we are at an all time low.

I’ve been a fan since 1969.
IMO we need a new coach next year unless there is a miracle this year

 

[OrangeCrush22]

The fans, like the program, are apathetic. It speaks to the strength of our fan base we still get 15k. The fans deserve better. Taking a shot in the Ark State coach has to be the next move and it should happen after this season. CBB doesn’t have that many proven coaches since the old guard stepped down and the ones that are around are married to their programs such as Mark Few.

I truly think one of the major issues is our boosters have long relationships with JB, Autry, and the assistants. They have access to the program that they may no longer have with an outside hire. It’s even noticeable on this board with the most connected posters being the most reluctant to acknowledge program atrophy.

Look at what happened with Georgetown “keeping it in the family” for decades due to similar reasons. We are on that trajectory towards complete irrelevance with an inability to string together winning seasons.

 

[cusefan88]

The Syracuse family narrative to hiring needs to be thrown out. Very few assistants became good head coaches under JB. Jason Hart and perhaps Gmac in the future are the only relevant former players.

It's just not a good policy because that tree is bare.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I considers myself a diehard. I’ve had season tickets for 20 plus years and have been an appointment seaking fan on TV since I was 10 years old in 95. It’s getting increasingly more difficult to make the trek up to the hill during the week. Maybe some of that is age or maybe some of that is us not having a chance in some of these games.

 

[gmoney44]

what maybe sadder is there are kids in high school who have no memory of a great Cuse team (2010). They grew up only knowing mediocrity and that’s not a good way to create the fanbase we knew.

Yup. Ask the football team. They have lost out on 25 years worth of fans. Go to the games and you can really see it. It’s all people my age and older.

 

[SoBristol]

Here's what I find discouraging -- how the goalposts have shifted relative to what we consider success.

A lot of posters point to what a great job Red did last year... but DID he? We were massively uncompetitive in many losses, and while it was nice to get to 20 wins after failing to do so several preceding seasons under Boeheim, attaining that 20 win mark isn't particularly important / noteworthy the way it used to be. He's supposed to be some great recruiter, but after coming out of the box HOT landing Freeman / Westry right after being hired, we seem to miss out on just about every recruit we prioritize [Anthony notwithstanding].

This year, the wheels seem to be coming off, with no remediation in sight.

And then when you tack on the preceding 8 years of steady decline [and only .500 conference record], I'd wager that the fanbase is beyond saturation point, and approaching apathy given the state of the state.

I fear that 15K crowds are in the near future given the quality of the product on the court, which will make an even further impact.

But, that's what the University gets for letting JB hang on far too long, and hiring a generally unqualified replacement from within the program, who was one of the co-architects of the extended decline.

No coaching, no strategy, no elite recruits on the horizon, and massive roster turnover prior to next season doesn't equate to a recipe for success. Hope we pull out of this tailspin, but the rationalization, "wait until next year," and tolerance some fans express for doing the same things and hoping for different results is discouraging.

I say Red and Mintz did a great job getting 20 wins - because that team was limited in talent. How do you win 20 when you have Bell and Taylor at the forward spots? You take full advantage of the under-sized Brown and have Mintz and JJ drive at every opportunity.

As far as no elite recruits, and massive turnover - well, we want to toss most of the current roster, try again with the portal, and build around Freeman, Moore, and the good recruits we have signed. Obviously, we need to rebuild the roster and the portal may make that possible. Use Carmelo or whatever it takes to do much better in the portal!

All that said, and I am a diehard since the Bing years, there is no reason to expect much of the current team. The talent is not there - plain as day. I watch but can’t be surprised or disappointed game to game. No need to thrash Red after every game - what really can you expect?

 

[hoopsupstate]

I considers myself a diehard. I’ve had season tickets for 20 plus years and have been an appointment seaking fan on TV since I was 10 years old in 95. It’s getting increasingly more difficult to make the trek up to the hill during the week. Maybe some of that is age or maybe some of that is us not having a chance in some of these games.

You should drive two hours each way for a game. It’s getting harder to want to make the trip down. I’m not giving up yet. Looking forward to flying to San Diego tomorrow at 5:30 am for the bowl game. It will help to rejuvenate me and mingle with SU fans. We’ve been lucky for many years with SU hoops. Almost every program goes through some tough times. Fran has shown how quickly things can change.

 

[cuseinseattle]

After reading through the threads my greatest concern is that even the diehards are giving up hope. You expect the casual fan to only be interested when the team is winning, but when life long fans have lost interest in even watching the team we are in trouble.
I know fans come back quickly when winning starts but it seems we are at an all time low.

I'm not giving up hope or not watching. I just say that because I like the way it makes me feel.

 

[Cusefan0307]

You should drive two hours each way for a game. It’s getting harder to want to make the trip down. I’m not giving up yet. Looking forward to flying to San Diego tomorrow at 5:30 am for the bowl game. It will help to rejuvenate me and mingle with SU fans. We’ve been lucky for many years with SU hoops. Almost every program goes through some tough times. Fran has shown how quickly things can change.

I go to most football games as well, but I won’t be at this years bowl game. That said Fran is giving me more motivation to go to football games than basketball.

 

[Red2003]

Ahh the Festivus Airing of the Grievances has started already.

All I’ll say is that the Football team has given me hope. Every day I tell people that the Hoops team needs to just copy the Fran Brown playbook and philosophy.

Maybe last Saturday was rock bottom or maybe it’s still coming. I’m over Autry and don’t think he has the chops but still can say I hope that things turn around.

The best thing Autry can do now is to have the balls to completely flip the script and ask for help. Clean house as soon as he can and look in the mirror and understand that him and his staff are part of the problem and need to change. If that doesn’t happen through the 2nd half of the season then someone else needs to come in and clean house.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

I hate this years team and honestly I don't need college basketball in my life NBA and NCAA lax will fill the void.

Not really interested in trashing Red or Carlos and I'll probably watch half of the games rest of the way. Neutral college hoop before the tournament I'll pass on uconn winning two titles still disgusts me.

Don't care if we lose Kiyan if it means an outside hire. If we have to keep him hire Hopkins or something it can't be Autry under any circumstances.

 

[sufandu]

Here's what I find discouraging -- how the goalposts have shifted relative to what we consider success.

A lot of posters point to what a great job Red did last year... but DID he? We were massively uncompetitive in many losses, and while it was nice to get to 20 wins after failing to do so several preceding seasons under Boeheim, attaining that 20 win mark isn't particularly important / noteworthy the way it used to be. He's supposed to be some great recruiter, but after coming out of the box HOT landing Freeman / Westry right after being hired, we seem to miss out on just about every recruit we prioritize [Anthony notwithstanding].

This year, the wheels seem to be coming off, with no remediation in sight.

And then when you tack on the preceding 8 years of steady decline [and only .500 conference record], I'd wager that the fanbase is beyond saturation point, and approaching apathy given the state of the state.

I fear that 15K crowds are in the near future given the quality of the product on the court, which will make an even further impact.

But, that's what the University gets for letting JB hang on far too long, and hiring a generally unqualified replacement from within the program, who was one of the co-architects of the extended decline.

No coaching, no strategy, no elite recruits on the horizon, and massive roster turnover prior to next season doesn't equate to a recipe for success. Hope we pull out of this tailspin, but the rationalization, "wait until next year," and tolerance some fans express for doing the same things and hoping for different results is discouraging.

Red's year last year shouldn't judged based on this year it should be judged based on the previous few years. In that context it was a good job. The problem is that there has been no building on that and instead we've seen regression. If we looked organized and played hard, I could take a little hardship with some nice young players on the roster and a couple more coming next year. However, we look the opposite of organized and play lackadaisically.

The goalposts moved a long time ago. When people started being satisfied with being on the good side of the bubble, hoping to make an unlikely run to the sweet 16 instead of being disappointed we weren't a top 4 seed, the goalposts had been moved and cemented in a new place.