I am not sure the exact, pathetic, miniscule number, but UNH is a small handful of Div 1 hoop teams who have NEVER, EVER, made the NCAA Basketball tournament in EITHER Men's or Women's basketball. The men have NEVER, EVER even made their conference tournament final. At some point, the law of averages would tilt in your favor that someone would toss up a half court heave that would fall in to get you to at least the final, but alas, NONE of the vaunted hoops coaches in UNH history could even get the teams that close.
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UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Some comments I've read online is that its difficult to attract good talent due to the facilities at Lundholm...and that UNH should can bball and go back to baseball/softball. General feeling was that Herrion did a great job considering what he was up against facilities wise. I am not a hoop follower but have heard that on a few occasions what a 'dump' Lundholm is. UVM's mens bball is also an older gym but there are plans to build a new, stand alone bball facility there? No idea...
All of that said, you'd expect that eventually, you'd make it to a Final game as you pointed out, even besides the fact that UNH hasn't ever been considered a bball school. Argument too about playing at the 'Whitt...alot of 'trouble' to do that for the few fans that would attend the games..from what I've also garnered from these recent comments about the program. I know Chuck has felt they should be playing there?
Lundholm is a dump. I cringe that they even play the HIGH SCHOOL final there. But for anyone who has been to Patrick Gym (yes gym) at UVM, it is pretty much a spitting image of Lundholm. The difference is that UVM goes out and gets some above average coaches and at least supports the teams. They got lucky on a few ocassions and made the tourney and even had some success (beat Syracuse in first round). Doesnt take much to lift the fortunes of a sport (see Gonzaga).
UNH needs to go out and find an up and coming YOUNG coach looking to make a name. Ask Marcy Carsey, Joe Faro or another deep pocket alum to pledge $500,000 so you can bump the coach up $150,000 a year for a 3 year run. This brings you into the $400,000 range. If they have success, they will probably leave after 3, but who cares, you are on the Hoop map. Dangle the carrot to the coach AND the players that the plan is to move across the street to the Whitt (you CAN fill it, google the UNH Florida game to see) and see what comes of it. Pitino started coaching at BU, Thibideau from the Knicks started coaching at Salem State (that gym was a major dump). NOW you would have a plan.
If you want to see what a coach can do that can actually recruit? At a small college? Look up the hoop coach at MERRIMACK. They just went D1 in hoops 3 years ago, and he got them to the conference final. They WON but because of a grace period they cant go to the Big Dance. Oh and with their uptick, they moved their games from a GYM into the Lawler rink, where the hockey team plays. Still not terrific but a HUGE step up in facility.
Does Merrimack have any other coaches who have turned the fortunes around of any other Sports???? Maybe did some solid recruiting or jumped in the portal???
UNH needs to go out and find an up and coming YOUNG coach looking to make a name. Ask Marcy Carsey, Joe Faro or another deep pocket alum to pledge $500,000 so you can bump the coach up $150,000 a year for a 3 year run. This brings you into the $400,000 range. If they have success, they will probably leave after 3, but who cares, you are on the Hoop map. Dangle the carrot to the coach AND the players that the plan is to move across the street to the Whitt (you CAN fill it, google the UNH Florida game to see) and see what comes of it. Pitino started coaching at BU, Thibideau from the Knicks started coaching at Salem State (that gym was a major dump). NOW you would have a plan.
If you want to see what a coach can do that can actually recruit? At a small college? Look up the hoop coach at MERRIMACK. They just went D1 in hoops 3 years ago, and he got them to the conference final. They WON but because of a grace period they cant go to the Big Dance. Oh and with their uptick, they moved their games from a GYM into the Lawler rink, where the hockey team plays. Still not terrific but a HUGE step up in facility.
Does Merrimack have any other coaches who have turned the fortunes around of any other Sports???? Maybe did some solid recruiting or jumped in the portal???
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I agree with Whalers about Lundholm and also the comparison to Patrick. I don't really care one way or the other whether they play across the street or not. But as someone who actually saw UNH basketball games in the Whitt I found it a bit underwhelming. Sure, there was a big crowd when they played a top ranked Florida team, with a local star to boot. However I can recall many more nights when the atmosphere was just awful, and it felt like watching a game in a dome. There wasn't even a need to take down the high glass and the netting at the ends of the rink, which only made the ambience worse. In fact, I spoke with a couple UNH players at the time who welcomed returning to Lundholm hoping the smaller venue might create more excitement. Careful what you wish for.
There are also logistical issues. Changeover impacts the practice schedules of both the men's and women's hockey teams. Does the opposing team get a shootaround day of game, which also affects c/o. There is also the money issue. I don;'t believe the changeover crew works for UNH, so that is a cost. Its not like you're telling Buildings and Grounds to put down the basketball court between 7 and 3. And undoubtedly there would be Title IX issues. There is no way you can play men's games over there without doing something similar for the women's program.
I'm fine either way, and hope it works out where ever they play. I just don't think its a "slam dunk," (pun intended.)
There are also logistical issues. Changeover impacts the practice schedules of both the men's and women's hockey teams. Does the opposing team get a shootaround day of game, which also affects c/o. There is also the money issue. I don;'t believe the changeover crew works for UNH, so that is a cost. Its not like you're telling Buildings and Grounds to put down the basketball court between 7 and 3. And undoubtedly there would be Title IX issues. There is no way you can play men's games over there without doing something similar for the women's program.
I'm fine either way, and hope it works out where ever they play. I just don't think its a "slam dunk," (pun intended.)
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ClOuD 9
New member
They used to have a lot more in-game content on Twitter, i.e. rolling commentary and run of game tweets; this may have been lost as social media managers changed over the years.
Now we just get lines, start / end of period score updates, and UNH goals (often up to 10 minutes after they've been scored). They completely stopped tweeting opposing teams goals, penalties, and power plays making it useless for trying to live follow games.
You don't need to play every home game at The Whitt to sell the facility to recruits (men or women), just some...
This is a good sign for UNH Athletics & the hockey programs. At least we now have proof that the AD is willing to try for improvement and cares about competing at a certain standard of success. This decision likely means a new beginning for the men's team next Spring, and at some point soon, one for the women's team as well.
SNHUPenman
New member
I think you can say Herrion did a good job with what was given to him while also saying 18 years without so much a sniff at the AE title game is more than enough runway to know it was time to move on. How they haven't lucked into a game is beyond reason. People will say the basketball program doesn't matter, and to be fair compared to hockey and football they are right. BUT if you are going to field a program, you should be all in. Men's soccer has become a regular in the national tournament. They went and grabbed a coach who knew how to recruit in NH. He literally brought his program from SNHU to UNH. Now, you try and do that in basketball. More people will hear of your school/program if you make the NCAA Men's Tournament - more so than the hockey tournament.
We all love hockey, but it's small potatoes compared to the basketball tournament. No one expects anything more than them making the tournament, and getting romped by a 1 or 2 seed. That is ok. Just get a seat at the table...experience that damn thing.
I am hopeful AD Rich makes a good hire. But she can't take too long. They need to start building that roster. Also, no clue where they look. SNHU Men's HC is coming off a great season in Manchester and was a former Assistant at BU - he would know the recruiting landscape better than most around - I think. But that transfer portal - with the right coach, can make a 20 win season happen quickly...
MS7 is next. Hope we don't have to wait 12 more months though.
We all love hockey, but it's small potatoes compared to the basketball tournament. No one expects anything more than them making the tournament, and getting romped by a 1 or 2 seed. That is ok. Just get a seat at the table...experience that damn thing.
I am hopeful AD Rich makes a good hire. But she can't take too long. They need to start building that roster. Also, no clue where they look. SNHU Men's HC is coming off a great season in Manchester and was a former Assistant at BU - he would know the recruiting landscape better than most around - I think. But that transfer portal - with the right coach, can make a 20 win season happen quickly...
MS7 is next. Hope we don't have to wait 12 more months though.
UNH's top three scorers are all in the portal (five total players in the portal). Scorers 4, 5 and 6 were all graduate students. The only player left who scored more than 2.0 points per game is Christian Moore (5.0 PPG)...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Speaking of 'lucking into a game' UNH hockey has missed the next round the last 3 seasons in close games, 2 in OT.
2021: BC 3-2 qtrs (and being down 3 zip in that one and after soundly defeating Maine 7-2 in the first round) 2022: BC (again) 4-3 OT 2023: PC, losing 2-1 OT FWIW dept
Of course one could argue they wouldn't be in the playoffs at all if it weren't for the infamous MBEGAM (do I have that acronym right???) round! ;-)
Hear your point about basketball frenzy. They don't call it "March Madness" for nothin' ha!
this is so true, but even with the limited exposure, it can make a HUGE national marketing difference. I dont have the exact figures, but when UNH made the Final in 1999 and the game is on ESPN, applications jumped significantly. Memory says it was 30+%. THAT is a significant marketing shot in the checkbook.
ClOuD 9
New member
I was having this discussion with a UNH alum yesterday. He suggested that with the addition of a good amount of resources (possibly at the expense of hockey) UNH bball could make the NCAA tournament, which would bring a ton of recognition.
My counter was that with a whole heck of a lot less resources UNH women's hockey could WIN the NCAA tournament. This would not result in the same level of brand exposure, of course.
SNHUPenman
New member
What we need is for someone who cares about UNH athletics AND is rich to donate. Or better yet someone needs to win one of those mega lotteries. I'll pay for it all friends.
The following UNH basketball players are listed in the 2022-23 Transfer Portal...
Kyree Brown*
Nicholas Johnson*
Clarence Daniels
Anthony Lopez
Ridvan Tutic
Brown & Johnson are listed as graduate transfers. All five entered just yesterday.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
When might we know if there is going to be any portal activity arising from the Men's Hockey program?
HockeyRef
Well-known member
This was discussed in a Twitter thread...underclassmen may come in next week. There are already some in now
but they didn't have complete seasons with their teams...
As per Mike McMahon College Hockey News and the Mack Report as I asked that same q..
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Have you checked out Goose? I heard one of their songs on the radio the other day (Hungersite), pulled up a video of their concert, and their keyboard guy happened to be wearing a Dave Brubeck 1995 shirt.
https://youtu.be/eq-qxBXq3EE?t=184
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktjYcMyW9H0
They seem to play this region
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/03/...flown-so-high/
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A shame that he could not recruit and coach like he played. Sigh.
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