Why would the loss be a tipping point compared to the last two games?
Fair point.
Because as frustrating as we have been against lame-ass barely div 1 schools at home for the last 30 games, this one is on the road and has the potential to turn into a 20-point win for Richmond.
Because if you are going to consider letting Manning go before the last week of the season, RIGHT NOW or in the next week would be the best time. IF we get too far into December and closer to our ACC schedule, the less likely I think it is.
We lost to Houston Babtist IMO because we have so little faith in Sarr defensively, we put in Ikenna Smart. Seems like a nice guy, and a grown man, but he is like the Predator is out there. He cuts a path. I'll leave it at that. I think only Jesse the Body Ventura could handle him. He's certainly getting his money's worth on fouls. But a 5-pt play ... He simply should not see the court in the last 3 to 5 minutes of games, basically after we are in the bonus.
He WOULD have been in the game last night if he hadn't have fouled out. So, what does Manning do? He puts it Sunday Okeke, who has barely played, and he proceeds to immediately put Western Carolina on the line. And ... Manning kept him in. He gets the rebound and gets fouled. Very very very clearly should have been Sarr in there who is a decent foul shooter. These type of mistakes just cannot happen at the college level. It costs games. Manning is like the Jon Koncak of coaching. Every time we fuck up, he seems to wrap his arms around himself in his own bear hug. Koncak used to massage his wrists nervously when he fucked up. I think the two are kindred spirits. And both are rich as fuck. Anyway, Sarr is a decent player, or will be. I have always thought that Manning's saving grace has been his big man work, and certainly there is ample proof, but I just don't get Sarr usage this year and am disappointed with his development. The layup Western Carolina's "big" got on Sarr was a total hook and should have been a foul. You can't take Sarr out for a missed foul as much as that kid was killing us. Because
the alternative is Smart or Sunday. We only go as far as Sarr can hold down the paint. Mostly.