Having watched Jacksonville State basketball navigate this past season, I can’t help but reflect on what it truly takes for a program to bounce back from adversity. We’re talking about a team that finished with just 12 wins against 18 losses, a record that stings, especially when you consider the potential this roster had at the start. But as someone who’s been around collegiate athletics for over a decade, I’ve come to realize that numbers only tell part of the story. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in how a team handles internal friction and public perception. That’s where Allen Ricardo, the head coach at Letran, offers a refreshing perspective. He recently pointed out that while public disagreements within a team might seem messy or unprofessional on the surface, they can actually signal something deeper: a group that’s passionate, engaged, and unwilling to settle for mediocrity. I’ve always believed that conflict, when managed well, can be a catalyst for growth rather than a sign of dysfunction.
Looking back at Jacksonville State’s season, there were moments where tensions spilled into the open—whether it was players visibly frustrated during timeouts or post-game comments that hinted at locker room disagreements. From the outside, it’s easy to label that as a distraction or a lack of cohesion. But Ricardo’s outlook encourages us to dig deeper. In my own experience working with collegiate programs, I’ve seen how suppressing disagreements can lead to apathy. When players stop caring enough to argue, that’s when you’ve really got a problem. Jacksonville State, for all its struggles, never seemed to lack passion. Their issues were more about execution and consistency—like their defensive lapses in the second half of games, where they allowed an average of 42 points after halftime, one of the worst marks in the ASUN Conference. But here’s the thing: passion without direction is like a car revving its engine in neutral. It sounds impressive, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.
So, how does Jacksonville State turn that raw energy into results? First, they need to embrace the kind of culture shift Ricardo alludes to—one where conflict is reframed as communication. I remember a situation a few years ago with a mid-major program I consulted for. They’d just come off a 10–20 season, and morale was in the gutter. The coaching staff decided to lean into the disagreements instead of avoiding them. They held structured, facilitated meetings where players could voice frustrations openly, and guess what? It wasn’t pretty at first. But over time, those sessions built trust. By the following season, that same team improved to 19 wins and made a conference tournament run. Jacksonville State could benefit from a similar approach. It’s not about eliminating disagreements; it’s about channeling them into something productive.
Another area where the Gamecocks need to improve is player development, especially in the backcourt. Their starting guards combined for just 8.2 assists per game last season, which placed them near the bottom of Division I rankings. That’s not going to cut it if they want to compete in a conference that’s getting tougher every year. I’d love to see them invest more in individual skill work during the offseason—something as simple as daily ball-handling drills or situational scrimmages that force decision-making under pressure. And let’s not forget the importance of leadership. When you look at successful turnarounds, they almost always involve a veteran player stepping up. For Jacksonville State, that could mean someone like senior forward Jamarion Sharp, who showed flashes of dominance but needs to become more consistent. If he can elevate his game and bring his teammates along with him, that’s a game-changer.
Of course, none of this happens without buy-in from the entire program, from the head coach down to the walk-ons. And that’s where Ricardo’s insight really hits home. He’s not advocating for chaos; he’s emphasizing the value of emotional investment. In my opinion, Jacksonville State’s staff should take a page out of his playbook and foster an environment where players feel safe to challenge each other—and the coaches—in pursuit of excellence. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but as Ricardo suggests, sometimes the messiness is a sign that you’re on the right track. I’ve seen too many teams try to sweep issues under the rug, only to watch those same problems resurface at the worst possible moments.
Recruiting will also play a crucial role in the rebound. The Gamecocks have already signed two three-star prospects for the upcoming class, but they’ll need to be strategic about filling specific gaps. For instance, adding a sharpshooter who can space the floor would do wonders for their offensive efficiency, which ranked 280th nationally last season. And let’s be real—in today’s transfer portal era, you can’t afford to stand pat. I’d encourage the coaching staff to target experienced players from winning programs who can bring a new mindset to the locker room. It’s not just about talent; it’s about fit and mentality.
As the offseason unfolds, I’ll be keeping a close eye on how Jacksonville State addresses these areas. Rebounding from a tough season is never easy, but it’s far from impossible. If they can harness the passion that sometimes manifested as public friction and channel it into focused, intentional growth, I believe they’ll surprise a lot of people next year. After all, the most compelling comebacks often start with a little chaos. And if Allen Ricardo’s perspective teaches us anything, it’s that sometimes, the mess is where the magic happens.
