CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- University of Charleston men's basketball Coach Mark Downey did more than prove his mettle while at Arkansas Tech.

His four-year tenure with the Wonder Boys began with a six-victory campaign in 2006-07 and concluded with a 30-2 season last year.

Still, he's having a hard time convincing many of his UC players that, in fact, his system works.

"I'm not very patient," said Downey, whose Golden Eagles have lost five of their last six games entering Saturday's West Virginia Conference game at Concord (3-4, 1-3 WVC).

"This has been extremely hard on me. I expect more than what we're getting from some of these guys."

In fairness, the Golden Eagles (3-5, 1-3) lost to a pair of nationally ranked teams - Bellarmine (Ky.) and West Liberty - in addition to perennial power Alderson-Broaddus.

However, UC's up-and-down pressure defense and halfcourt offense hasn't worked to his liking.

On Saturday, Alderson-Broaddus shot 68.8 percent in the second half of an 18-point win. Bellarmine - the second-ranked team in the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Division II Poll - shot 65 percent in the second half.

All told, UC opponents are shooting 49.3 percent in the second half, which includes an 8-of-21 (38 percent) against Bluefield and a 6-of-20 against Northern Kentucky.

"That's not acceptable against anybody," Downey said.

Surprisingly, the coach's credentials are lost on some of his players, even if his accomplishments in The Natural State aren't his top concern.

"Guys aren't listening to us," said the UC alumnus and Morgantown native.

"Let's say we run an offense and need a basket, we have four guys on the right page and one guy isn't.

"We had a big play early the other night and we ran a set where we usually get a layup. We had a perfect pass, the guy didn't move and the ball went out of bounds. (A-B) went down and got a 3-pointer, and it was a five-point swing and then it snowballed."

The situation certainly isn't dire at UC. A familiar face - John White - has performed well "but could do more," Downey said. The 6-foot-6 senior from Cleveland is averaging 13.2 points and 11.2 rebounds through eight games.

Also, new point guard and junior college transfer Marcus Knott is averaging 5.6 points, four rebounds and three assists.

"I'd like to see him score a little bit more, but he's helping the other guys buy in," Downey said. "He's doing well in running the show."

Senior Ibrahim Marone, who has been one of the team's most pleasant surprises, is having trouble staying healthy. He has had heel problems and ligament damage in his ankle, but will try to play through it. Surgery, Downey said, would likely keep him out until at least March.

Senior guard Jon Liggins leads the team with 17.8 points per game.

The Golden Eagles, who are surrendering 80 points per contest, visit the Mountain Lions on Saturday before a 25-day break.

Downey isn't questioning his techniques, but - eight games into his tenure at UC - he's getting antsy.

"I talk to former coaches and coaches who have been mentors and they tell me to keep plugging," Downey said. "They say I'm no different than I was a year ago. I'm doing the same things and working harder than I did a year ago. Things haven't been easy."