Ray Blackburn

[therc]

Just received a technical foul for "unsportsmanlike conduct" according to Gary, and this is becoming a disturbing trend.

At the Bucknell game, Gary and John Watson talked about how he was "getting into it" with an official, and had to be pulled back by Coach Moore.

Following the Niagara game, Blackburn was trash talking with Tyrone Lewis in the final seconds, right in front of Joe Mihalich. Following the game, Schmidt got into Blackburns face and Coach Moore escorted him off the court.

I love Blackburn, and he gives us a lot offensively, but I really hope that somebody can get him under control.

[Bonas08]

nicholson now..

[donniesbu82]

Whats the score and how much time left?

[Bonas08]

65-52 we are winning with 53 secs

[donniesbu82]

Thanks Bonas08

[presstowin]

"Win with class, lose with class"

[bub]

Disturbing? The kid had 14 pts and 7 boards and has been the teams best player all year. What is disturbing about that? We are 9-4, 5 straight road wins and someone is concerned about technical fouls in the heat of action of a game you can't even see. You are lost

[therc]

Jan 3, 2009 15:10:28 GMT -5 bub said:

Disturbing? The kid had 14 pts and 7 boards and has been the teams best player all year. What is disturbing about that? We are 9-4, 5 straight road wins and someone is concerned about technical fouls in the heat of action of a game you can't even see. You are lost

I'm lost? Can you not read? Did you miss the part where I said "I love Blackburn, and he gives us a lot offensively"?

I recognize his value to our team. And, believe me, it's very likely that I'm more excited with our 9-4 start than you, seeing that I've been following our program for my entire life.

My post was about Ray losing his cool. And if this continues, it could hurt, especially in A-10 games. He's got a short fuse, which is understandable, but you HAVE to get it under control. The LAST thing you want is league officials discussing with one another how they'll be on a short leash with Blackburn.

Get a life.

[tomangelone]

Ray Blackburn has certainly helped our team immensely this season. However, there are many times where he just loses his head. Aside from his technical foul and on-and-off jawing contests with players/officials, Ray needs to understand his position. There are too many times that he goes banzai down the floor in situations that don't call for an up-tempo style. For every steal there seems to be a travel, carry, or ill-advised pass. Don't get me wrong, he's a great compliment to Eleby and a strong player, but his basketball IQ needs some improvement.

[CoachSBU]

No need to try and explain yourself therc....Blackburn has had his great moments, but he has also been one of the main reasons we were not 10-3 so far as his undisciplined play against Canisius help cost us that game. I'm thinking he probably has some rational reasons, but my question is, why does Coach Schmidt put Blackburn back in the game after the technical which occurred with less than five minutes left? With the circumstances being as they were (including a double digit lead) that type of play, giving the opposition multiple foul shots with the clock stopped is more of a time to send a message to a player who is supposed to be one of your team leaders. This should be the case especially when you're about to head into the conference schedule. As it is, Blackburn gets T'd up first, then Nicholson, the Freshman, gets one as he fouls out.
Kudos to Coach Schmidt for the talent he has brought in as well as some great personalities to rebuild the program, but I hope to see some better example set by Blackburn as the year goes on since I'm sure the coach KNOWS what he's doing. We'll see....

[therc]

Jan 3, 2009 15:51:26 GMT -5 @tomangelone said:

Ray Blackburn has certainly helped our team immensely this season. However, there are many times where he just loses his head. Aside from his technical foul and on-and-off jawing contests with players/officials, Ray needs to understand his position. There are too many times that he goes banzai down the floor in situations that don't call for an up-tempo style. For every steal there seems to be a travel, carry, or ill-advised pass. Don't get me wrong, he's a great compliment to Eleby and a strong player, but his basketball IQ needs some improvement.

Tom ... that's exactly right. And I think his careless mistakes are partly because of his attitude.

I can't help but think that every time Ray makes a mistake, picks up a foul he thinks he didn't deserve, misses a shot, etc. he honestly thinks that he can take the game over and be a hero. Every single time. What happens as a result? He commits another stupid foul, takes an awful shot, or turns the ball over.

Just so people like bub don't go crazy again, let me make this clear. Ray is a vital part of our success thus far. He's had some great games, some good games, and some bad ones. Every player does. But Ray needs to buy into the entire concept of team. If you struggle, there are four other guys on the court that can pick you up. It's not 1-on-5.

As for the attitude, I explained earlier how concerned I am with the fact that he may get a bit of a reputation with A-10 officials. What could he have been trash talking with Lewis about after the Niagara game? They had just beat us by 20. I've talked to some people who attended the Bucknell game and said that Ray just completely lost his cool to the officials, and was lucky he wasn't T'd up. And, obviously I wasn't there today, but I have a feeling that may have been the case again.

[hamrucker]

Jan 3, 2009 15:10:28 GMT -5 bub said:

Disturbing? The kid had 14 pts and 7 boards and has been the teams best player all year. What is disturbing about that? We are 9-4, 5 straight road wins and someone is concerned about technical fouls in the heat of action of a game you can't even see. You are lost

Not only did you take therc's comments totally out wrong, but Ray's been our best player? Ever hear of two guys named Andrew Nicholson and Jon Hall?

Ray Blackburn is going to give me an ulcer before this year is over. Like tomangelone stated, he is very up and down and at times plays entirely out of control. Ray also likes to hit a big shot, get the ball back in his hands, then turn it over. Or turn the ball over then come back and make a nice play. The best way to describe Ray is inconsistent, but you can't argue with the numbers he has been putting up. I'll take the good with the bad.

[Chuck]

Ray Blackburn certainly is not a "fine young man" and I couldn't be happier. With his athleticism, how great would Michael Lee have been if he had Ray's attitude. Ham is absolutely right you never know what is going to happen with Blackburn, but you can't deny the results. Everyone knows Ray leads the team with 40 turnovers (just 3 more turnovers than Matthews) but he also leads the team in assists, free throws attempted (which proves he makes things happen) and free throws made. He is currently the 3rd highest scorer on the team. Sure Ray cost us the Canisius game, but he almost single-handedly won the Princeton and St. Francis games. Bonnies would have less than 9 wins if Ray was not on the team.

[Locke]

Ray is a winner. I have had enough of players that don't care. Ray is going to leave it all on the floor. A little attitude is OK. Think Greg Sanders, Hagan, Belcher, Bremer, Winn. Not choir boys, but passionate players that gave their all.

[sony]

Without taking sides for or against the player - playing with passion and having an attitude do not necessarily make a player good or not. Of course you want players to be passionate about the team and the game and play with a positive attitude. But doing things like getting T'd up or playing out of control that hurt the team are never good. They add no value to the effort. The comment about basketball IQ was most appropriate. Add bball IQ with passionate play, a posiitive attitude and talent, then you may have something.