Pregame Fight?

the_one_32 · 03-18-2010, 07:01 AM

I was sitting in my seat about 45 minutes before gametime when I saw Larry Davis and Lance Stephenson walking back to the lockerroom during shoot arounds. As they entered the lockerroom for about 10 seconds the door stayed open and you could see Lance and Larry in each others faces about to fight. The head trainer had to seperate them and gave them a talking to. About 10 minutes later when they returned Larry was still acting childish and running his mouth but Lance showed maturity and didn't respond. Larry got so out of hand he was grabbed by the shirt by an assistant coach and taken to the lockerrom once again where I'm sure he got chewed out. The animosity between the two was apparent when during lineup announcements Lance Stephenson ignored Larry Davis' attempt for Lance to "hit the rock" and Lance stared Larry down. Anybody have any idea what this stems from?

Thegreatone · 03-18-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_one_32

I was sitting in my seat about 45 minutes before gametime when I saw Larry Davis and Lance Stephenson walking back to the lockerroom during shoot arounds. As they entered the lockerroom for about 10 seconds the door stayed open and you could see Lance and Larry in each others faces about to fight. The head trainer had to seperate them and gave them a talking to. About 10 minutes later when they returned Larry was still acting childish and running his mouth but Lance showed maturity and didn't respond. Larry got so out of hand he was grabbed by the shirt by an assistant coach and taken to the lockerrom once again where I'm sure he got chewed out. The animosity between the two was apparent when during lineup announcements Lance Stephenson ignored Larry Davis' attempt for Lance to "hit the rock" and Lance stared Larry down. Anybody have any idea what this stems from?

Don't know. I am not too worried though. 15 guys who are 20 years old are going to have little things pop up and they will forget about it tomorrow. No big deal in my opinion because they both played pretty well.

swg · 03-18-2010, 08:09 AM

Not great news, but solid reporting! This stuff cannot happen on a team that wins. One of the driving forces behind winning teams is unity. Cronin has got to have someone take over the leadership position on the team, if they are to succeed next year. Obviously (and unfortunately), Bishop will not be that guy. Lance will probably be the most natural suspect, as Gates just doesn't have it in him.
I'd like to see Cash step up towards the end of next year, and assume that role.

Not Guilty · 03-18-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swg

Not great news, but solid reporting! This stuff cannot happen on a team that wins. One of the driving forces behind winning teams is unity. Cronin has got to have someone take over the leadership position on the team, if they are to succeed next year. Obviously (and unfortunately), Bishop will not be that guy. Lance will probably be the most natural suspect, as Gates just doesn't have it in him.
I'd like to see Cash step up towards the end of next year, and assume that role.

Not true at all. This stuff happens all the time in team sports. Not every team is going to have perfect chemistry. You have to be able to move on from it though.

BearcatAlum1 · 03-18-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Guilty

Not true at all. This stuff happens all the time in team sports. Not every team is going to have perfect chemistry. You have to be able to move on from it though.

Agreed.

This is twice that Lance has had "altercations" with teammates. Rumors of Bishop v. Lance and Davis v. Lance have one common denominator: Lance.

However, I'm of the belief that Davis and Bishop have horrible attitudes and are selfish. I think there is some jealousy going on, but do not have facts to support it.

Bottom line: "Buy in" or get gone!

TheShoeFits · 03-18-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Guilty

Not true at all. This stuff happens all the time in team sports. Not every team is going to have perfect chemistry. You have to be able to move on from it though.

Just watched "First and 10" on ESPN2 yesterday. I can't recall who they were talking to. It was either Tom Izzo or Mateen Cleaves.

Anyway, they were telling a story about how Cleaves and Mo Peterson had each other by the throat.

This stuff happens all the time with every D1 school. Even on my high school basketball team. We had two of our better players constanly fighting. It never effected the way they played with each other or the way The team performed.

No big deal.

ready2go · 03-18-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShoeFits

Just watched "First and 10" on ESPN2 yesterday. I can't recall who they were talking to. It was either Tom Izzo or Mateen Cleaves.

Anyway, they were telling a story about how Cleaves and Mo Peterson had each other by the throat.

This stuff happens all the time with every D1 school. Even on my high school basketball team. We had two of our better players constanly fighting. It never effected the way they played with each other or the way The team performed.

No big deal.

Agree!

A fairly dominant small college northeast had fights every week in practice. That program has 10 national titles.

Its about competing and having a passion for the game. Do you blame those guys for being jealous? IMO if they weren't, then they don't care about the game anymore.

Thegreatone · 03-18-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ready2go

Agree!

A fairly dominant small college northeast had fights every week in practice. That program has 10 national titles.

Its about competing and having a passion for the game. Do you blame those guys for being jealous? IMO if they weren't, then they don't care about the game anymore.

Wooster?

swg · 03-18-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Guilty

Not true at all. This stuff happens all the time in team sports. Not every team is going to have perfect chemistry. You have to be able to move on from it though.

In practice, on a football field...sure. Right before a tourney game? Not on my team it doesn't. God help someone if I were coaching and I found out about it.
Why? Because during the game, I don't want fractured play (ie...I'm not passing to him).

ready2go · 03-18-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swg

In practice, on a football field...sure. Right before a tourney game? Not on my team it doesn't. God help someone if I were coaching and I found out about it.
Why? Because during the game, I don't want fractured play (ie...I'm not passing to him).

I don't necessarily agree that fighting is all that bad for a team. Competiton breeds success.

I will say though that it comes down to the program on how to handle it. If Mick knew about it, he sure didn't address it. At one point in the game Larry Davis shot a 3 from the side. He hit the other side of the rim and an offensive rebound was made. Immediatly that ball was rebounding, Larry demanded the ball right back. And guess what he shot it again from the same spot within 5 seconds. The commentators said Mick was screaming at Larry for the bad shot selection.

To me that shows the situation was not dealt with and Larry was acting childish. If Lance can do it, why can't I? is how I see it for Larry.

03-18-2010, 07:01 AM	#1
the_one_32 Recruiting Analyst Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: colerain Posts: 1,061	Pregame Fight? I was sitting in my seat about 45 minutes before gametime when I saw Larry Davis and Lance Stephenson walking back to the lockerroom during shoot arounds. As they entered the lockerroom for about 10 seconds the door stayed open and you could see Lance and Larry in each others faces about to fight. The head trainer had to seperate them and gave them a talking to. About 10 minutes later when they returned Larry was still acting childish and running his mouth but Lance showed maturity and didn't respond. Larry got so out of hand he was grabbed by the shirt by an assistant coach and taken to the lockerrom once again where I'm sure he got chewed out. The animosity between the two was apparent when during lineup announcements Lance Stephenson ignored Larry Davis' attempt for Lance to "hit the rock" and Lance stared Larry down. Anybody have any idea what this stems from?

03-18-2010, 08:09 AM	#3
swg Epic Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,155	Not great news, but solid reporting! This stuff cannot happen on a team that wins. One of the driving forces behind winning teams is unity. Cronin has got to have someone take over the leadership position on the team, if they are to succeed next year. Obviously (and unfortunately), Bishop will not be that guy. Lance will probably be the most natural suspect, as Gates just doesn't have it in him. I'd like to see Cash step up towards the end of next year, and assume that role.