SEMO announces three men's basketball players no longer on the team

Posted Friday, December 11, 2015, at 11:15 PM

The Southeast Missouri State athletics department announced Friday night that a trio of sophomores are no longer part of the Redhawks' men's basketball team, which has started its first season under coach Rick Ray 0-8.

Guards Marcus Wallace and JT Jones and G/F Ladarius Coleman are no longer part of the program.

A spokesman from the athletic department did not immediately confirm whether the three players were dismissed from the team or chose to leave the program.

"Our program was unfortunately not a good fit and I want these young men to have the best opportunity to be successful," Ray said in a press release. "I think Marcus, Ladarius and JT are all fine young men, and wish them the best."

Wallace had played in all eight games and started two. He was averaging 7.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Coleman averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in six games. He was suspended the first two games of the season due to a violation of department policies during the 2014-15 school year.

Jones, a walk-on and Sikeston graduate, averaged 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. He'd played in five games and started three.

Southeast's roster will be down to 10 players when it hosts Ole Miss at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Redhawks previously lost a pair of junior college transfers. It was announced on Oct. 21 that forwards Clyde Santee and Xavion Dillon were no longer part of the program.

Santee did not meet transfer qualifications and Dillon chose to move home for personal reasons.

The firing of assistant coach Jamie Rosser was announced on Nov. 4 for a "violation of policies and procedures."

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5 players now. Not the team I bought tickets to see. Wallace was OVC newcomer of the week several times last year.

-- Posted by SEMO72a on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 9:27 AM
I'll be surprised if they win 2 gms should have kept dicky in my opinion

-- Posted by HOLYCOWMAN on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 10:28 AM
Please don't be misled. "Coach" Ray dismissed the boys from the team. They did not quit. I'm confident the boys can find another place to play. However, "Coach" Ray coukd make it extremely difficult if he tells a potential coach a bunch of half truths and outright lies. According to what I've been told by one of the players..."Coach" Ray said he would provide a good reference to any potential coaches. To say I'm skeptical at this point is an understatement.

If any of these three have a problem finding a place to play we will know the truth.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 10:30 AM
Well that's one way to ensure you will never get another recruit from Memphis, Little Rock, or Southeast Missouri.

-- Posted by Crash Davis on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 12:29 PM
Didn't think about it like that, Crash....but you are exactly right. It's tough enough to recruit for SEMO as it is.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 12:55 PM
Sounds like he may have done these kids a favor... He let them off a sinking ship. Agree with everything Rocket has said, I am also a fellow SEMO alum, kind of want to put my diploma in a closet and tuck it away for a while. Who lets players go in the middle of the season? Good job ******* off the locals in your first 1/4 season there coach Ray... Good luck drumming up local support for the foreseeable future. Gonna take a helluva turnaround to gain their trust now. Local support is all you had, and it's standing at the gallows as we speak.

These are all good kids from what I hear with good family support... They will find a landing spot.

-- Posted by secretagentman on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 12:57 PM
Support? What support? Nobody goes to the games. Getting rid of these three isn't going to lower attendance. None of you go to practice everyday. Because of this, you have no idea about the situation, no matter what or who tells you.

-- Posted by ozzyandharriet on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 2:31 PM
ozzyandharriet...I beg to differ. I happen to have intimate knowledge of the situation.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 2:52 PM
I know your relationship with JT and the Bulldog program as a whole. And in no way am I trying to bash or paint JT in a negative light. I love watching him compete. But, the fact remains, you're not directly involved with the situation. That doesn't mean that I'm saying the person talking to you is a liar. But we all know there's always two sides to the story.

-- Posted by ozzyandharriet on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 3:06 PM
ozzy....I agree that there are two sides. However, I have other information too. I'm not going to debate you on here as to what I know.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 4:34 PM
I agree with ozzyandharriet only to the fact that there are two sides to every story. But when there are 4 sides, as in this case, and three are EXACTLY the same and only one differs, I'm going to have to believe the majority!!

-- Posted by Bleedredandblack on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 4:45 PM
If any of you are at each and every practice, continue to speak, otherwise what you are saying, even if it is coming from a player involved is one sided. You can't speak to what happens at practice or in the training room etc. Coach Ray is not here to make you a fan of him, he is here to build a winning program, and while that has not happened yet, there had to be a reason to let them go. At least they will be able to play at the semester next year if they want.

-- Posted by Soccer08 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 5:22 PM
Pat, I don't disagree with you, I just meant that the ppl on here discussing don't have the knowledge to publically be saying much of this.

-- Posted by Soccer08 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 6:00 PM
On the radio today the broadcasters kept saying... "Coach Ray has had experience with this type of situation, he's gutted a team and started over"

It didn't work the first time at Mississippi State. .. So the confidence that it will work at SEMO is not high.

I hope it does work.

-- Posted by secretagentman on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 6:04 PM
Also. I didn't say this would Lower attendance. I said this wouldn't generate the local support they're after. If I implied attendance would decrease after this, it was certainly unintentional. Either way, good luck to SEMO and the recently departed players.

-- Posted by secretagentman on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 6:14 PM
PatK...you have no idea what you are talking about. JT started 3 of the first 4 or 5 games. I agree something changed...

And, this is a public forum. I can say what I like just as you can and we are both entitled to our opinions.

It's funny that you say he "couldn't play at this level" while starting "at this level" and contributing in big ways last year. Is he an All-American? No. Is he headed for the NBA? No. Can he contribute at SEMO? Yes. And the last statement isn't an opinion...it's a fact. If you say that about JT, then you have to include Marcus and LA. They are both kids who can play at this level.

I distrust him because the guy flat out lied to my wife and me when he first came to SEMO. I don't believe anything that comes out of his mouth. That IS a fact.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 6:52 PM
what did he lie about?

-- Posted by RiceHarper on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:04 PM
Wasn't he starting while those other 2 guys were out?

-- Posted by BIGELW on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:08 PM
BabeBaseball...I'm not going to get into it on here.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:11 PM
"Rocket" you are embarrassing yourself and in turn the young man you are sticking up for. "Rocket" I would be willing to bet he didn't lie to you, I'm sure he said something and you heard what you wanted to, not what he actually said. Quit going on a witch hunt "Rocket".

-- Posted by Soccer08 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:17 PM
Rick Ray is a hack. He has never built a winning program. He's a crappy coach, and an even worse individual. I'm not sure how he did it, but he's actually managed to make a bad program even worse. I hope he eventually realizes that coaching basketball just isn't his cup of tea.

-- Posted by T-Roll on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:23 PM
I should also add that not having to play for this POS is the best thing that could have ever happened to these three guys. SEMO has never been serious about its basketball program. They have always settled for mediocrity. They probably thought they would get more of the same from Ray. Little did they know that Rick Ray hasn't even reached the level of mediocrity. He's so awful that he would have to win 3 national championships just to be classified as terrible.

-- Posted by T-Roll on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:29 PM
Soccer...you have your opinion. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to someone who is clueless. I met Ray at a Redhawk Roundup. He flat out lied to my wife and me....to our face. I don't have to explain myself to you. You don't have to believe it.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:45 PM
Come on Rocket what did he lie about? You got me wandering what's actually going on.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 7:56 PM
When I see you, ask me about it.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 8:08 PM
It's truly sad a coach would let 3 athletes go during a season for not fitting in program. Poor excuse.

Dickie Nutt improved your program every year and made OVC tournament last 3 years and you crapped on him. Good luck with Coach Ray!

-- Posted by rodanderson999@gmail.com on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 8:24 PM
iI like how the other jones couldnt make a shot if his life depended on it, and he fits into the program and starts.

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 8:45 PM
Saying Ray has never built a winning program is kind of a stupid argument. He has been a head coach once for three years at a SEC school that had a lot of problems. It is almost impossible to build a program in only three years. Let's not act like he has been a head coach for 10 years and hasn't build a winning program. I am NOT a fan at all of what he did with these players but give the man time instead of saying he already is a horrible coach.

-- Posted by arich35 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 8:49 PM
They had a winning program for the few last years, their never gonig to beat out belmont and murray. Now the next three years they will be well under 500 agian. Its the reality of semo basketball. Dicky was doing fine for the money the university spends on the basketball program

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 9:00 PM
They also had a Tyler Stone, Bradley, or Johnson playing. Ray runs a different system and the guys he brought in are freshmen and one JC transfer. 2 of the freshmen are walk ons, he doesn't have a ton to work with currently. Nutt was here for awhile and had the players he wanted for how he wanted to run his teams and now Ray pretty much has to start over. He no doubt has a few talented players but they are still adjusting to playing a different style. Cleveland is starting to figure it out and he scored 25 points against a SEC school today. It takes time!

-- Posted by arich35 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 9:06 PM
Pat K is clearly clueless on the bench situation and I know I'm also gonna get ridiculed for this comment because of my screen name, BUT JT wasn't a dud on the bench and he did in fact cheer for his teammates but there wasn't much to cheer for; losing to a team by 30, when we played And1 street ball in the 2nd half against Bowling Green. The true difference today was somehow we played up to our competition and Ole Miss played poorly. Plus Coach Ray has played Ole Miss 6 times the last 3 years and knew their system probably pretty solidly. The difference in the bench was there was stuff to cheer for! They were in a close game with an SEC team who almost beat Kentucky last year. If PatK paid as good of attention as he seems to think, he would also know that against Bowling Green none of the coaches were standing up and getting excited like they were today. The difference? The game, score and opponent. Therefore, toss the bench comment and singling out JT because the games were entirely different.

-- Posted by bulldog21forever on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 9:45 PM
You expose your further lack of knowledge. All the other games haven't been very close either. Evansville was close and guess what JT started and had like 10 points. Not the only game I've seen, but it was the most recent. So I used it. My point still holds true that the other games were different. This was the only game with continuous excitement enough to get the bench and coaches going. Will the bench and coaches act that way against Belmont or Murray at the Show Me Center? Time will tell. Back to the point JT also played in games last year and gave the team a spark in OVC games in which we ended up winning. Most specifically the UT Martin and EIU games. Furthermore, by your acknowledgement of him starting and us getting beat like a drum, which somehow was only exposing his weaknesses, which you specifically pointed out? Your logic would say that in the game we got smoked by Bowling Green (in which JT played 0 minutes) that all of the starters from that game's weaknesses were exposed and should also find their rightful spot on the bench.

-- Posted by bulldog21forever on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 10:45 PM
Lol at patk

-- Posted by superunbiased on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 10:46 PM
Bulldog21forever - 1, PatK - 0.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 11:00 PM
arich35, can't build a program in 3 years? Look what Patterson is doing with the women!

-- Posted by whitey11 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 11:31 PM
If what the paper says is true i think ill just keep going to girls games and scratch the boys for few years until ray gets fired.

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 11:42 PM
Sad that this had to happen.

If the team was undefeated or even at .500, I'd be curious if a situation such as this would have arose. There is a lot of pressure in coaching college sports. If you can't win in efficient time, you will be fired. Obviously starting 0-8 meant that changes needed to be made to avoid that. However, I do not believe that called for kicking these three players off the team.

If off-the-court issues were happening, that's a whole different ball game in regards to being logical about making those decisions. But this doesn't seem to be the case according to reports. From where I'm sitting, the panic button has been pressed. We start the year bad so now we need to give the public and our bosses proof that we are making adjustments to cure the problem. I hope all of this pans out for Coach Ray, as human beings I do not believe it is right for us to wish bad on one another when these tough decisions are made. But in the same, it is not right to abruptly end THREE of your players' seasons just because they didn't fall in your system. If they are that out of wack, Coach Ray should have been able to display early signs to these athletes prior to the season that their futures in the program are not looking bright if something doesn't change. Not after we go 0-8. If he had done so and I am misled, then I sincerely apologize.

I feel so bad for the three athletes and their families. Each had good relationships with Coach Nutt and were persuaded that he would help their kids receive their college degree. Coaching changes such as this leave you at the new coach's disposal, in which most times they give two craps about that relationship with your old coach. Not bashing anyone, there is plenty of proof in that statement. Seeing a situation such as this, I hope everyone begins to understand that coaching college sports is a business.

As an old coach of mine use to say, "It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing milk bone underwear."

-- Posted by 24/7 champ on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 11:58 PM
Did anyone else see the article which was on semoball with quotes from players but is now gone?

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sat, Dec 12, 2015, at 11:59 PM
Its back

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:02 AM
Whitey, building a program takes longer then 10 games. You can't be that delusional to think she has already built a program. And no you can't build a program in 3 years, you can begin to build one.

-- Posted by arich35 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:02 AM
I could have read into a few comments wrong, but why can't these individuals continue to get their college degree? They can still receive their degree from Southeast or from another University of their choice? I hope they all do. Just because they don't play basketball on the team anymore doesn't mean they can't get a college education. When coaches change in college, it is difficult for everyone. Unfortunately, it is part of the system and how it works. Hopefully these three individuals continue to play basketball if it is their passion, if not hopefully they continue to get their degree.

-- Posted by John M Unterreiner on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:47 AM
PatK...your comments have been shown as irrelevant. Please go troll somewhere else.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 8:22 AM
And again, I know this is hard for a certain someone to understand but any argument you've had has been poor. It's fairly obvious you have something against Jones for whatever reason. I'm also not sure about when the last time a college basketball team was filled with 16 year olds..

-- Posted by bulldog21forever on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 9:00 AM
Ray's program, Ray's system, Ray's rules. A DI program with two walk-ons doesn't have much in the tank to begin with. It sounds to me like the three ex-players couldn't keep up with the motion offense and weren't good at hiding their discontent. New boss means new requirements, and in the real world, if you can't or don't want to adapt, you move on.

-- Posted by Marion_Morrison on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 9:54 AM
Marion...I don't disagree with you at all. It's his team, his rules...I don't think anyone disputes that. However, it's the process and how he did it. Friday night at 10:30? Insinuating that the players quit? And on December 11 when the team is 0-8? If you are going to be "the man" then act like it. Don't hide behind some poorly worded press release.

In my opinion, he is trying to use them as scapegoats to justify the team's poor play and W-L record. Again...if you're "the man" then act like it....the good, bad, and the ugly. It's ALL your responsibility...not just the good.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 10:46 AM
Some people are good at coaching basketball. Some people are good at public relations. Some are good at both, and some are good at neither. Could it have been handled better? Sure. Was it? No. I'm not sure where you get that they're being scapegoated, although the stellar effort against Ole Miss yesterday may be causing some butthurt among fans of the departed.

-- Posted by Marion_Morrison on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:08 AM
Rick Ray making new friends in semo area. He has never won anything anywhere. I don't see why people thought it would change when he got to SEMO ?

-- Posted by DA#1OLDCAT on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:19 AM
I agree with a better handling of the situation. This is same old SEMO and this is squarely on the administration. Clean out your athletics administration and get seasoned People who know how to run a department, market, and fundraise. Maybe then the hiring process can produce individuals who can handle D1. Instead of constant mistakes

-- Posted by semofan2 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:11 PM
arich: Not delusional. And Patterson is starting a process. 3 years: See Ron Shumate at SEMO.

-- Posted by whitey11 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:47 PM
DA#1OLDCAT....you are exactly right.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 12:59 PM
I'm on record as saying that unless you were there, you don't really know firsthand. Parents, although very close to their children, ar getting their information second hand. That's what makes this so difficult.

1-why would Rick Ray cut a local kid who is not on scholarship who also appears to be a good student?

2-and if he's cutting one walk on player(JT) then why didn't he cut the other walk on (gullet)?

3- Marcus Wallace was one of the best players on that team. Why would you cut a kid like that for no reason?

It hard to not feel sorry for these kids because they are basically losing 50-65% of this season. But the answer most likely isn't because Rick Ray is an idiot, is it?

-- Posted by ozzyandharriet on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 1:20 PM
Rick Ray is an idiot. That's not really in question.

http://www.redcuprebellion.com/2015/12/12/9925624/southeastern-missouri-ole-miss...

-- Posted by T-Roll on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 1:23 PM
I still think u have to give him a chance to build a program. It's not like he's been a head coach for a long period of time. I'm just glad ole Dickey is gone, he WAS definatly proven not be a good coach over his long career. Is Ray the answer? I don't know but u have to at least give him a few years to find out.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 1:25 PM
Whitey, she is in a process, yes. Just like Ray is in a process. Patterson has not built a program at all and will take time. I still think in 4 years she will be at a bigger school anyways because she is a great coach in the making and this is just a stepping stone for her.

Ray's process is going to take much longer

-- Posted by arich35 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 1:32 PM
I'm not extremely keen on NCAA eligibility rules... Will these kids lose a year of eligibility from this?

-- Posted by secretagentman on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 1:59 PM
Wow! I think the link pretty much spells it out and shows Ray's class....or lack thereof.

Ole T-roll got 'em again!

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 2:01 PM
If they transfer at semester they will have to sit out until Spring 2017 (before conference starts next year). Not sure what happens if they stay in school until the summer and then transfer even though they aren't playing basketball

-- Posted by arich35 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 2:02 PM
Secret...if they transfer to another D-1 school to play hoops, they will lose a year. If they transfer to a lower level (i.e. D-2) they will not.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 2:03 PM
One thing's for sure....there is more talk about the men's team than probably in the history of the program. I'm not sure this is the type of talk they want though.

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 2:04 PM
^ I was always taught there's no such thing as "bad press" haha.

Wonder if that's also Coach Ray & SEMO's philosophy? If so, it's working.

-- Posted by secretagentman on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 3:41 PM
I've heard the same thing, secret. Ha!

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 4:04 PM
As bad as Semo has been Ole Miss only won by 11. That's not saying much about their program either and hey Semo actually looked to have played better.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 7:40 PM
If you guys want to see the classy coach SEMO has, please do me a favor and click on the link on T-roll's post above. It speaks volume. Read all the way to the end.....

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 8:52 PM
Wow T Roll that clip speaks volumes . This is who Alnutt hired!!! Another costly mess Alnutt left for SEMO. And letting Dicky Nutt go ..... Big mistake

-- Posted by redboy on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 9:37 PM
How can 2 guys each be averaging 23 min per gm and not be a good fit for ur system

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 10:10 PM
Hawk85, I was wondering the same thing. If they aren't a good fit then limit their minutes until they can get it together in practice, not just get rid of them.

-- Posted by arich35 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 10:36 PM
SEMO looked sharp in the Ole Miss game. Maybe Rick Ray is on to something.

-- Posted by cker23 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 10:40 PM
I'm sure bulldog and rockets are completely unbiased in their opinions on J.T. Jones but I do not believe he has the ability to significantly contribute to a winning team at the D1 level. I was happy to see Semo give a local guy a chance to play as that's something we don't often get to see but I never expected him to give them much. Sure he could go out and play every night and Semo could go out and be a mediocre team yet again. If they want to get out of the cellar they'll simply have to do better.I don't know about all the stuff about if he was a good teammate or not so I'll leave that out of it. Maybe if he had the chance to stick in the program and develop he could be a serviceable player for division 1 and it really is a shame we won't get to find out. But until all the details are known I don't think bashing Coach Ray is the answer. I hope nothing but the best for all 3 players and hope they can continue to play ball, get an education, and be successful.

-- Posted by jshuttlesworth on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 10:40 PM
jshuttlesworth...that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. In my opinion and two D-1 coaches, he could fill a role and even started some games. Is he a high D-1 player (i.e. Kentucky, Duke, etc)? No. Is he a potential NBA candidate? No. However, he can fill a role and did that when given the chance.

JT does not need me or anyone else to justify his position on the team. He worked his hiney off to get where he has is and has overcome more than you will ever know. He turned, at least, 2 games last year into W's with his effort, intensity, and defensive pressure. (UT-Martin and Eastern Illinois)....in the team and Dickey's own words. The measureables don't measure heart, effort, and intensity. If some of JT's other teammates, last year, had that level of effort their record would have improved immensely. But that's my opinion....

-- Posted by Rocket689 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:16 PM
Ive been holding my comments till I could gather my thoughts, first off is like to address shuttlesworth and patk for the comments and opinions about jt. First off he is from the definite basketball town in this part of the state, in support terms. Do you honestly know how many people went to the games just because he was a part of the team, now im not saying by any means that you should keep a player to be a show pony for money just saying that that one very tiny act of local support by semo generated revenue, who woulda thought right? Second the sitting on the bench with a frown, not being able to play at a high level, etc lets look at his path. He is 6 4 maybe, overcame so much in his life, did EVERYTHING the right way, he worked hard, went to class, no arrest stories in the papers like football walk ons who weren't cut, he could have went far left given his circumstances, yet he passed up whatever other offers he had to play for semo as a walk on. He literally had nothing handed to him, worked for it all, and if you even know him on a minuscule personal level you'd know all you need to know.. Which says enough, and what does he get for all of that? A good ol boot before his 10 games of the season, so my thing is all these people are saying you can't change a team in 10 games or that those 10 games simply can't be a judge of a coach then how in the hell can the same thing be said about the judgment of a player??? Does a major coaching change not take time for a player to adjust to not to mention the complete change in style of play..

And since the coach obviously had his mind made up why didn't he just do it before the season? Could he not? I honestly don't know? And if he could have would it have saved these kids who were thought to be good enough at one point a season?

This isn't starkville bud, and semo isn't a real d1 team imo. A lot of people think that cape can pull in high level recruits, and to them i say why? A kid whose considering state and semo which one do you honestly think they'd go to?

And now that its become known that you could get the unexpected boot if you dont fit this coaches style of play, that just puts an even bigger damper on us.

Now lets look at this like a business, your coming off of a mediocre shipping year, you've already missed the last 8 shipping deadlines, so the leadership decides to let go 3 of your 13 workers that they feel dont work up to par. And in this situation they can't even hire someone else. How in the world does that make sense?

So if someone gets hurt not everyone will have a backup right? What about 2 injuries? Is there even a possible way that semo could get a transfer that could play this year?

In all honesty what would have hurt letting these 3 guys finish out the rest of the year? Anything? He could have still had his meetings letting them know that after this year they wound need to transfer because there wouldn't be a spot for them on next years team. But to go short handed on a year that you've already wasted of theirs is just not right and you will not convince me that it is.

And I seen the semo conference tourny brought up asking if the coaching staff was there. Its an all week tourny so they could have made one game.. Not even him personally, but if they want any chance landed the 3-4 studs semo area has coming up these next few years you better start REAL early, and 2 of them are from the hometown and have ties with a player you literally just screwed over. And if anything get your butt in a seat for a simple PR reason, because they desperately need the support. I was on campus at the dorms for Saturdays game and a line of students were walking to and from the stadium... For a chance to see Ole miss and a FREE STAR WARS T SHIRT for the first 500 students Lol

Semo ol semo your becoming a joke, and as a friend of jt and former classmate I will not be attending a game this year

Thank you rick ray

-- Posted by superunbiased on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:31 PM
Went to girls gm today but wont be going to any boys gms this year for sure.

-- Posted by hawk85 on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:39 PM
Marion is getting off being a troll and we're feeding her.

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Sun, Dec 13, 2015, at 11:52 PM
Coach Nutt took over a dumpster fire of a program and progressed each of his first 3 seasons. In his 4th season the team took a step back, and he was swiftly fired.

Knowing this, how secure do you think Coach Ray feels after an 0-8 start? So the coach takes drastic action and dismisses 3 players.

I've never heard of student-athletes being dismissed mid-season like this. Have you? Arrests, bad behavior, failing grades, sure. But that doesn't seem to be the case with these 3.

At this point the A.D. should have looked after the best interest of the student-athletes and persuaded Coach Ray to reconsider. He should have reassured the coach that his job was secure and that he would have time to build his program with his players.

But maybe being a temp himself, the A.D. simply deferred to the coach.

Whatever the case, this move was all kinds of bad. Bad for the student-athletes. Bad for the coach's reputation. Especially bad for the administration that allowed it to happen.

Of course if Coach Ray starts winning, all will be forgiven. Until then, enjoy the circus.

-- Posted by Fish on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 1:28 AM
Fish you are right about the dumpster, but Alnutt fired Nutt over W & L. Ray is 0-9, boots 3 kids in middle of season who did not break any rules, and admin supports him! But then again new people in charge. they stood by their coach at the expense of 3 kids futures.

It would not be surprising if entire team walks off the court in protest, they are the ones who make it happen. That would be a statement! Missouri football made a statement!

-- Posted by semofan2 on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 7:56 AM
If I was a player at SEMO I would be concerned that I also would be expendable and would start to wonder when I get kicked to the curb.

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 8:10 AM
OH MY to the link by T-Roll!!!! There is no excuse for that. Class act, Ray....

-- Posted by displacedshsfan on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 8:38 AM
They should've handled the situation differently and but i don't think he ruined their futures. They weren't going to have a future at Semo anyway if they didn't fit what he was wanting to do. At least this way they can still have a year and half left to play instead of only a year if he would've just kept them on and not played them any. And the Missouri situation is totally diferent and way more important than what has happened at Semo.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 10:03 AM
BIGELW you are correct. Kim didn't go in there and kick players off the team. Players left on their own accord.

-- Posted by exzalmanian on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 11:39 AM
Went and watched 3 rivers boys play, if u want to see exciting well played ball go watch them. They are ranked in top 15 in nation. Better bball than semo!

-- Posted by HOLYCOWMAN on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 11:43 AM
TRC drop down to 20th. Mac is at 17th.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 12:23 PM
still fun to watch.

-- Posted by HOLYCOWMAN on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 12:40 PM
MAC is made up of all new players this year. Not one player returned from last years team. Their new coach and AD did it the proper way, by releasing them well before the school year started.

-- Posted by BonScott on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 12:55 PM
There wasn't but 2 guys on scholarship that were freshman on last years team and Pow wasn't planning on coming back anyway so there was actually on 1 player they didn't sign back.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Mon, Dec 14, 2015, at 1:12 PM
I only attend a couple games a year when in town, but I've never seen more than 300-400 fans in attendance at a game, so I doubt the community is in an uproar over this, although a few family friends may have the right to be. I asked around last night and this morning, and no one seemed to care....hotel staff, restaurant, Academy Sports, etc. a People around here do not rally around SEMO sports.

It's a good lesson for life to learn that you have to do what the boss says. And part of 'doing' is attitude.

-- Posted by Nada on Tue, Dec 15, 2015, at 7:58 AM

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