A TDCB Repeat: The Steve Victory Story

[aztarheel]

With basketball season on the near horizon, I thought I would re-post an old favorite from the Tournament Dreams College Basketball boards (which are no longer) over the coming days and weeks.

This is probably my favorite dynasty I've ever put together. It began with a simple premise -- create a coach and see if I could win a championship in TDCB in 15 years. It grew into a mini-phenomenon. The best part was how people joined into story and created their own characters that interacted with mine. I ended up playing the game for more than 30 seasons.

Fortunately, jksander, a moderator from the TDCB boards (I see him now over at WolverineStudios), salvaged most of my Steve Victory story before the boards closed down, and I think I have most of the rest on my computer.

I have two main motives for reposting it here -- one is to keep it in circulation (hey, I'm selfish). And two, I may yet have one more twist on the Steve Victory story before finally putting him to rest for good. Maybe...

And now, from the rerun files: "Steve Victory: NCT Title or Bust" (circa 2003-04):

Just an FYI: In the game Tournament Dreams, NCT = NCAA Tournament and ACT = NIT Tournament. That was confusing to some folks before. Also, I'll include other posters' comments and note who they are as we go along...

Enjoy...

AZ

[aztarheel]

As you might expect from his last name, Steve Victory loves to win. The man just can’t stand not being first.

His friends and family call him the most competitive guy on the planet. He gets sore when he loses in Monopoly or putt-putt. He hates it when people pass him on the freeway or beat him off the line at a red light.

While growing up, Victory channeled his ultra-competitive passion into a respectable prep basketball career. By the time he graduated from his rural high school in Florida, he had earned all-conference and all-state recognition. He got a few looks from D1 schools but settled on a Division II college, where he worked hard and earned all-conference by his junior and senior seasons.

But one thing gnawed at Victory as he surveyed his basketball career – his teams never won the “big one.” Sure, they won a few conference titles but nothing more prestigious. His high school team made it to the state finals twice, but lost both times (including a heartbreaker in double OT in Victory’s senior year). His college team also made it to the Division II Final Four his junior year, but again got sent home without getting to cut down the nets.

Determined to win that elusive championship, Victory got into coaching after graduation from college, first at his college alma mater, then as an assistant at Georgia State, Florida Atlantic and then at the University of Miami. His peers loved him. No one worked harder, stayed later to go over film or recruited more aggressively than Victory.

But Victory struggled being second or third in command. He hated that he never had the last word in the team huddle. He hated that the head coaches sometimes ignored his ideas for their own. He hated that other coaches and players sometimes seemed satisfied and didn’t want to get better. Though he knew his day would come, he craved the chance to lead his own program.

“I’ll bet,” he would often tell his friends and family, “if I became a head coach at Division I program I’d win a national championship in 15 years. Maybe sooner. I don’t care where I started. I can do it…”

Maybe it was his dad’s aloof response to his “15-years-or-bust” mentality. Maybe it was that his friends just chuckled when he told them of his prediction. But Victory became more determined than ever to prove them wrong -- and prove his last name to be true.

“15 years – or sooner – after I take my first D1 head job, I AM going to be cutting down the nets in the NCT title game,” he wrote in his journal. “I will do it.”

The clock started ticking on July 1, 2003. That’s the day the University of Central Florida made the 30-year-old Victory its new head men’s basketball coach...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason One 2003-04

(Note: This dynasty picks up with the start of the 2003-04 season. I used a game save created by TDCB designer Arlie Rahn, which he released before the 2003 NCAA Tournament. A lot of the big-name teams have real players...)

OK, so it wasn’t an ACC program or even a respected mid-major. UCF posted a 4-26 record in 2002-03 and only won two conference games. They were ranked as the worst Division I program in the country (CRI 320). But Victory wanted his chance, and when the Golden Knights came calling for a new coach, he jumped.

“I know you’re head coaching material,” his mentor at Miami had told him. “But this isn’t a great situation at all for you. Stick around here for a few more years and you’ll get some better looks at bigger programs. You’re basically starting at the very bottom rung right now.”

But Victory wouldn’t listen. “Gotta jump ship,” he said. “Gotta take my chance. Fifteen years is calling me…”

While zealous, Victory was no dummy. He knew he would likely never cut down the nets at UCF without a miracle or some major booster payoffs to stud players. So he outlined his plan for achieving his 15-year goal – inking it on a napkin while dining with friends at a popular Miami restaurant. Was it selfish? Sure, but he had to win:

* Spend 3-4 years at UCF rebuilding their program back to respectability, hopefully winning a conference title or two.

*Jump to a mid-major and build a program there for another 3-4 years.

* Jump to a big-time conference by year 6-9 (or earlier if the right situation arises) and hopefully get them championship ready in the following 5 years or so… The dream programs – anyone in the ACC, a select few other schools like Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona or a Florida school like UF, FSU or Miami...

But first, Victory had to prove himself at UCF...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – The First Season 2003-04

Victory’s first team at UCF was truly awful. Even the administration at the school thought so and told him to essentially “Go out there and just avoid embarrassment.”

A couple of players from this terrible team did strike Victory’s fancy, however. Junior SG Chris Dube had a mean outside shot, even if he couldn’t do much else. Sophomore center Ben Stout was a stout 7-1 and while not all that skilled yet had the potential and drive to get better. Frosh PG Chris Daniels looked decent as well.

Victory chose to redshirt Stout and Daniels, feeling that this would be somewhat of a throwaway year anyway. If those two had another year to develop without lost eligibility, and he could bring in a few quality recruits, UCF might be one of the top programs in the Atlantic Sun in a couple of seasons (just enough time for him to be whisked away to greener pastures, though he wouldn’t admit that publicly).

Sure enough, things started ugly for the Victory era. UCF opened the year 0-5, with an 81-48 loss to LSU among the worst. But over the next five games, Victory’s bunch matched their win total from all of last year. The victims weren’t all that glamorous – Louisiana-Monroe, William & Mary, Miami of Ohio and Coppin State – but when you only won four games a year ago, a 4-6 record looks pretty good.

The Golden Knights lost 9 of their next 11 games, but made a subtle adjustment on defense (installing the 3-2 zone) to win four of the next five. But the Knights never won again, losing their final three regular season games and then dropping a 53-52 Atlantic Sun tournament opener against Gardner Webb, which had finished second in the North Division. That would have been a coup to get that win… Victory was steamed, as the Knights closed the book on a 10-20 campaign one point shy of advancing to the second round.

“I’m pleased we won 10 games this year, but we have GOT to get better,” he screamed to his returning players in the locker room. “This summer, you had better be prepared to work your tails off.”

Team leaders for season number one:
Points: SG Chris Dube (14.1) and senior SF Robert Ross (11.0)
Rebounds: C Josh Bodden (5.7) – pretty tame
Assists: SG Tim Lazosky (3.2) and Dube (3.0) – tame as well

Mercer beat Ga. State to win the Atlantic Sun tournament.

Nebraska beat Texas Southern in the ACT final 70-59

Marquette beat Kentucky in the NCT championship 65-55 in Tampa. Victory was on hand and drooling over the environment.

“I’ve got 14 more years to get here,” he said, a bit of doubt in his voice. “The NCT feels like another world right now. I’m just trying to get out of the Atlantic Sun cellar.”

Two opportunities arise as conference rivals Stetson (18-13) and Samford (17-11) offer Victory jobs in the off-season. But those teams, while posting better records, seem to have lost a lot of their better players, and Victory would prefer not to jump ship to another school in the league (unless the UCF ship really starts sinking)… Other offers don’t do much for him either…

One interesting note from the season: Texas PG TJ Ford and Syracuse SF Carmello Anthony declare for the NBA draft – a year later than in “real life.” They are the only two underclassmen…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — Recruiting Year One

One of the tough parts of being a 30-year-old coach at a college that went 4-26 the year before -- recruiting is a beast. Though Coach Victory had five spots to fill, no one was biting and few were even nibbling. "Sorry coach, I have other plans for next fall" and "I thought Central Florida was Division II" were frequent comments...

One player finally took the UCF plunge in week 8, and four more followed at the start of week 10. Whew! The Golden Knights won't have to fold their hoops program after all...

Unfortunately, Victory's first class wasn't exactly the cream of the crop...

*Center Ryan Radford looks decent and will probably start as a frosh

*PG Kevin Martin might contribute in a year or two

*SF Johnny Armstrong, PG Ferron Wilkerson and SG Torrey Boozer look like busts. Boozer will redshirt with the hopes that something will develop...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — Season #2 2004-05

Victory goes into his second season in command hoping to continue last year's upward trend and win at least 15 or so games. Summer training didn't go all that well, however, but here's the lineup:

Starters:
PG Chris Daniels (redshirt frosh -- looks pretty solid)
SG Troy Lindbeck (junior -- a scorer, well-rounded)
SF Tim Lazosky (senior) and Michael Ellis (soph) will split time
PF Ben Stout (redshirt soph -- stands at a menacing 7-1 but can he play?)
C Ryan Radford (frosh -- the only '03-'04 recruit that likely will see lots of PT)

Others:
PG Kevin Martin (frosh)
PG Ferron Wilerson (frosh)
SF Marcus McGee (junior - coaches call him JAG - just another guy)
SG Chris Dube (senior - fell off face of the earth ratings-wise after decent jr. year)
SF Johnny Armstrong (frosh)
C William Bakanowsky (junior -- nothing much here)
SG Torrey Boozer (frosh - redshirt)

The expectations: same as last year, avoid embarrassment. Frosh class rated as "poor"...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — Season #2 2004-05

Victory's second year in command starts on a victorious note — the Knights take out Tennessee State on the road 72-69.

But then UCF doesn't win again during the non-conference campaign. They push Houston before falling 67-66. They give Western Kentucky a good battle but lose that one 68-66. The rest of the non-league games are pretty awful — Fairfield (L 58-77), UMass (L 54-84), Davidson (L 59-87), Cleveland State (L 44-64), etc.

Can you get fired midseason in TDCB? For a time, UCF’s CRI is 320 — worst in Division 1. Ouch.

The biggest problem: UCF’s inside game is almost non-existent. Center Ben Stout may be 7-1 but he only weighs 180 pounds (not so stout). Opponents shove him around with ease. He gets a few rebounds now and then but just doesn’t know how to score (or shoot for that matter). Ryan Radford proves pretty tame as well and eventually ends up on the bench.

Guard Troy Lindbeck is a pleasant surprise, averaging about 16 ppg. Daniels is a capable PG (11.2 ppg, 5 apg), and Michael Ellis eventually wins the PF job over Radford, putting in about 9 ppg. But the lack of a post presence just kills any hopes of winning most games.

A ray of hope emerges at the start of the Atlantic Sun campaign. Lindbeck pumps in 35 points, and the Knights trounce Troy State 97-76. UCF loses at Stetson but then beats Mercer 64-62 and Samford (Victory wishes it were Stanford) 69-66.

But that ray disappears pretty quickly, and Knights only win three more games (Troy State and Mercer again, plus a victory at Jacksonville State). The final regular season record: a very unsightly 7-21, 6-10 in the Atlantic Sun.

Victory’s 15-year quest takes a step backward instead of forward.

"He looks the part of a stellar coach," one newspaper columnist writes. "But a Steve Lavin haircut and Bobby Knight scowl have yet to translate into bundles of wins for the 31-year-old – and aging quickly – head coach."

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting Update Year 2 (2004-05)

The recruiting trail proves as tough as the season for Victory. Scholarships get offered – scholarships get turned down. But the frequent rejections prove a blessing in disguise for UCF. Victory finds two gems late in the process.

The first is a maverick PF named Tim Weaver from Simpsonville, S.C. He boasts the pedigree to play for a big-time program (.400 has him listed #72). But his grades and his off-the-court troubles ("Coach, I got suspended from school again") keep his top choices like Memphis, Oklahoma State and Marquette from making offers.

Victory uses this to his advantage when courting Weaver. "We’ll help you get those grades up at UCF. And frankly we can use somebody like you on our team to rough things up. We’re too passive right now. You’ll probably start."

In week nine, Victory discovers that few schools are looking seriously at SG Greg Martin despite his ranking with the scouting services (#67 by Hoops Galore and #72 by .400). The Washington DC product has great stats (29.5 ppg and 7 apg) and a great GPA (3.16). Yet, his top choices (ironically also OSU, Marquette and Memphis) shy away.

Both sign with UCF in the final week. This could be the break that Victory needs to move the Knights up a few rungs in the Atlantic Sun…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Postseason 2004-05

As 10th-seeded Central Florida prepares for its Atlantic Sun tournament opener against #7 Samford, Victory frankly is worried about his job. A couple wins in the tourney, plus his solid recruiting catch, should be enough to keep him around another year. A quick exit, and he could have plenty of time to play golf with buddies Matt Doherty and Larry Eustachy.

Practice leading up to the Samford game proves as intense as ever. Fortunately, the Golden Knights respond when Thursday rolls around, winning their post-season opener 79-72 — in overtime. Troy Lindbeck scores 29 points and grabs seven rebounds. Lazosky, Ellis and Daniels also reach double figures in scoring. Finally!

Victory’s bunch surprises again the next day, knocking off #2 Jacksonville 78-74. Lazosky, a senior, scores 24. Lindbeck pumps in 20. Daniels dishes out nine assists. The Knights reach the Final Four (well, at least one kind of Final Four). Two more wins, and no doubtin’, UCF is NCT-bound!

Unfortunately, the run ends there. Central Florida blows a 33-17 lead in the semifinals and falls to #6 Stetson 58-54. The second half is much like the regular season – outscored 41-21. But at least Victory has something to hang his hat on heading into year three of his NCT quest…

Top seeded Belmont wins the Atlantic Sun tournament 71-49.
Ohio State beats St. Peter’s 82-60 in the ACT final.
Notre Dame overcomes North Carolina and Oklahoma in the NCT Final Four. Again, Victory is in the stands (this time in Denver) dreaming of his day, while watching the Irish cut down the nets following their 66-55 triumph over the Sooners…

2004-05 Central Florida Leaders:
Points: Junior SG Troy Lindbeck (16.4), Frosh PG Chris Daniels (11.2)
Rebounds: Soph C Ben Stout (7.3-he did get a little better), Soph SF Michael Ellis (4.7) – it’s weight room time for these two in the summer
Assists: Daniels (5.5), Lindbeck (4.4)
Blocks: Stout (1.7)

No one from UCF makes all-conference... only Lindbeck deserved a look...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Spring/Summer 2005

Maybe it’s his potential. Maybe it’s the way he wooed two solid recruits to come to struggling Central Florida. Maybe he just has everybody fooled. Regardless, Steve Victory is a pursued man even though he has only 19 career wins to his credit in two seasons at UCF.

Eleven different schools contact him with job offers, including four rivals from the Atlantic Sun. None had winning records the season prior, but one school does warrant a closer look – the College of Charleston.

The Cougars finished 11-18 in ‘04-’05, not much better than UCF’s 9-22 mark. But the school does have better prestige than UCF (10 points higher), and the previous coach built a pretty solid foundation. The sophomore class – seven strong – was listed as "good" by the folks at .400 Software when they came in as freshmen. Five of the seven have good ratings already and great potential. That's the best part -- they should get even better.

Victory steals away for a weekend visit to Charleston. By Sunday, he’s being offered the job. He didn’t expect to be moving on so soon, but this looks like a great step for man driven by one quest – to win an NCT title before he turns 45 (now only 13 years away) . After an early evening walk on the beach, he accepts.

He tells school officials and his returning players Monday morning. By Tuesday, he’s packed and on the road to South Carolina. The Golden Knights are stunned, especially recruits Weaver and Martin, who had started hanging around campus to get a jump on their first year in college. Victory doesn’t look back as he pulls away from Orlando, his steely eyes focused now on making the College of Charleston Cougars the best they can be…

[aztarheel]

posted by jksander:

Good luck at College of Charleston! Thirteen years to go in what must be the first dynasty in a long time that I've been compulsively reading

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — Preseason 2005-06

Victory has a little more spring in his step as he gets ready for his third season as a head coach. The first two were a grind, and the frequent losses took their toll.

Though the move to Charleston was widely criticized, Victory likes his new team a lot. The situation feels much better than UCF. Coaching should be fun again. The lineup is much more talented and much more balanced. Best of all -- there is only one senior, and he's a role player. The future looks bright for the Cougars.

Victory didn't entirely leave Central Florida in a lurch. Even he was surprised to see .400 Software name his recruiting class of PF Tim Weaver and SG Greg Martin fifth in the nation. Fifth! Both should start as freshmen. Too bad they couldn't come with him...

Here's the lowdown on Victory's new team at Charleston:
Prestige: 31 out of 100
Expectations: Keep the games close
Freshman class: rated poor
Overall talent: Below average (at least they're not awful like UCF)

The lone senior is PG Miles Pittman, a decent backup.

The junior class includes SF Luke Desmond, SF Lamont Johnson and PF Carlyle Zimmerman. All three will start with Desmond moving into the SG slot (the old coach left Victory only three guards in all, and no SGs. Guess what position Victory will recruit?

The sophomore class, the one Victory is most excited about, includes PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (a starter from Waterloo, Ontario), C Bobby Robin (another starter but low GPA), C Matt West, C David Qualls, C Maurice Fisher, PG Jordie Fitz and SF Andrew Blackwell.

Frosh SF Teron Watkins and PF Rodney Boykin (academic problems) likely won't play much early on...

Victory sets a goal of winning at least one SoCon title before his sophomores graduate. He'd like to see this group make it to the post-season every year, be it the ACT or NCT. That, of course, will get his name circulating with even bigger programs and keep him on pace for his NCT championship goal...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Season THREE (2005-06)

Here's the kind of man Steve Victory is: He ditches Central Florida in a flash, then calls a few weeks later to schedule a game with them as the new coach at the College of Charleston. UCF officials stammer, then say yes. Then Charleston bumps them off the schedule a few weeks after that in favor of a regional rivalry game with South Carolina... Oh well...

Victory's first game as the Cougars' new coach goes perfectly. Charleston destroys visiting Lehigh 94-56. All five starters score at least 13 points. At last, a team that can score!

In game two, the Cougars hang right with #18 Rutgers before falling late 84-81. SF Johnson scores 27 points. "It's never satisfying to lose a game," Victory tells the press. "But this is as close as you can come to being satisfied. This team has a great future."

Charleston finishes the non-conference campaign with an 8-5 record, winning their last four games. They played decent in a 76-63 loss to South Carolina (CRI 55) but got drilled as expected by #3 Arizona 84-54. The most notable win -- over Oregon State 74-62. They also beat a few of Victory's old Atlantic Sun rivals, Florida Atlantic (83-52) and Jacksonville State (74-61).

Lamont Johnson emerges as the leading scorer, averaging about 17 ppg. Desmond pumps in about 12, and Robin and Zimmerman score about 11 each. Dmitrovic is a great point guard, averaging 7.4 assists per game, including a whopping 15 against Jacksonville State.

"Hey, lets go out there and get our Southern Conference title this year," Victory tells his young troops. "Why wait till some of you guys are seniors?"

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SoCon Schedule 2005-06

Though one of youngest head coaches around, Victory has been involved in basketball long enough to know conference play is always a lot tougher than early-season games against non-league foes. Everybody seems to play on a higher level. Opponents have scouted your team for years and years, and know your tendencies. Rivalries bring out more fans.

"We’re off to a decent start but if we don’t step things up another notch or two, this could go downhill fast," Victory tells his team before its Southern Conference opener against Furman.

Unfortunately, Victory’s team doesn’t exactly heed the message. After dispatching of the poor Paladins (CRI 302) by an 82-68 score, the Cougars lose six of their next seven games. Two losses are by 1 point. One other is by 5 and still another by 8.

Charleston does rebound a bit to finish the SoCon schedule 4-4, and they do conclude the regular season with a pleasing 81-72 win at Georgia Southern (CRI 91). But by that point the damage has been done. Another year in the cellar for a Victory coached team – eighth place in the 12-team conference with a 6-10 record, 14-15 overall.

The big problem – Victory’s boys can’t play defense. They frequently score in the 70s and 80s but can’t stop anybody, especially in the front court. Opposing teams have a field day breaking down the thin Charleston guard lineup. Reserve PG Miles Pittman provides a little defensive spark but isn't the offensive player starter Augustinas Dmitrovic is. Then Pittman goes down with an injury (out 3-4 weeks) and misses most of the conference slate...

The only way the Cougars will make the post-season this year – run the tables in the SoCon tournament… And that’s a long shot as the lower seeds must win four-straight…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting update 2005-06

With only one scholarship to offer, Victory holds nothing back when he goes on the recruiting trail.

"What do I have to lose by calling the top prospect in the country and offering him a free ride to a beautiful campus with a chance to start right off the bat?" he tells an assistant before a trip to see highly regarded guards Charlie Sagester and Nathan Webber.

Sagester and Webber eventually opt to go pro, and several other top-notch recruits ink elsewhere, but Victory feels pretty good about his catch when SG Jabari Tucker from New York inks in week nine.

Tucker had a great senior year in high school, pumping in 29 points and dishing out 4 assists for his NY prep squad. But the big question Victory finds himself asking – can he play defense?!?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Post-season 2005-06

Victory couldn’t have asked for a better performance from his Cougars in the SoCon tournament opener. Charleston avenges two close losses to ninth-seeded Wofford in a big way – 74-51. SF Lamont Johnson scores 19 points. C Bobby Robin has one of his best games, adding 14. PF Carlyle Zimmerman adds 11 boards. PG D. Augustinas dishes out 15 assists.

"Boys, if we play like this all weekend, we’ll win this tournament and sail right into the NCT," Victory says in the locker room after the rout.

Unfortunately, the Cougars left everything on the floor Thursday night and came out as flat as the beaches along the Grand Strand in Friday’s game against top-seeded Western Carolina. The Catamounts (what exactly is a Catamount anyway?) roll 76-54. Again, no defense and this time not much offense either. Luke Desmond (20 points) is the only Charleston player in double figures.

The final tally after Victory’s third season of college coaching: a 15-16 record. It’s the most wins he’s had, and the first time he’s won in a conference tournament, but again no ACT or NCT berth. Victory laments that he’s not Jonathan Sanders, who squeezed Kentucky into the ACT a few years back despite a losing record… "This team had the potential to do some damage in the post-season, but we were too inconsistent and it cost us," he said.

What made Victory seethe more – Central Florida had a great year (18-11 regular season), led by none other than freshman PF Tim Weaver, a first-team all-Atlantic Sun Conference pick, who averaged about 17.5 points and 8 rebounds per game. Arggg… At least UCF didn’t win the conference tournament, or make the NCT or ACT.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Summer 2006

Cleaning up the 2005-06 season:

Fourth-seeded Georgia Southern bounces #1 Western Carolina from the SoCon tournament, then gets the league’s NCT berth with a 69-63 win over UT-Chattanooga. And to think, College of Charleston beat Ga. Southern on the final night of the regular season… sigh…

TCU beats SMU 74-50 in an all-Texas ACT championship. Oklahoma outlasts Duke in the NCT championship 70-60. Victory’s a bit depressed as he schmoozes with fellow coaches from around the country at the Final Four in Memphis. "Where do you coach again?" several prominent coaches ask. "I thought Charleston was Division II or something."

Victory’s latest team did have a few record-breakers. Zimmerman set the new single-game and season Charleston record for blocks (7 and 55, respectively). Augustinas set a new Cougar mark for assists in a season (251). Let’s hope he can break the record for steals next season – CoC needs some defense!

Atlantic Sun athletic directors must really like Victory. He gets offers from five different A-Sun schools during the off-season. Central Florida is not on the list, however, content with its new chief and recent successes.

The most intriguing offer comes from north of the border – East Carolina. Victory ponders the jump to Greenville one Sunday afternoon, taking another long walk on the beach. It would be a chance to coach in Conference USA and play games against more respected foes like Louisville, Marquette and Cincinnati. But it’s ECU – not Louisville, Marquette or Cincy. Maybe he would go for it in football, but not hoops. This just isn’t a good move, plus imagine the howling if he left another program so quickly… Nope, he’s sticking with Charleston… "I've got to prove myself here," he says...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2006-07

Three summers ago, Steve Victory set out on a personal quest. He believed, though most around him scoffed, that he could win an national championship within 15 years of taking his first Division I college coaching job.

Now here he is — one-fifth of the way through his self-imposed deadline. Is he going to make it? While the journey so far has featured numerous potholes – three losing records, no post-season appearances, one job change – Victory remains as determined as ever. In his mind, this fourth season at the helm stands to be his breakout year. "Time to jump the learning curve," he said.

At least on paper, Victory does have a chance to advance his coaching career greatly with this bunch at the College of Charleston. The Cougar lineup will be Victory’s most talented team yet — and his most experienced.

Three seniors will lead the way – SF Lamont Johnson, PF Carlyle Zimmerman and SF Luke Desmond. Zimmerman and Johnson (last year’s leading scorer, 17 ppg) will start. Desmond (12.7 ppg) will be among the first off the bench (Z beat him out for a starting job).

The junior class is solid as well. Starting PG Augustinas Dmitrovic is back, and looks to be better defensively. Bobby Robin has developed into a solid starting PF (moving Zimmerman to SF and Johnson to SG). David Qualls looks like one of the top rebounders in the conference and will probably start in the middle. The bench is deep with juniors, especially in the paint: C Matt West (great rebounder as well), C Maurice Fisher, SF Andrew Blackwell (JAG) and PG Jordie Fitz (he may surprise if he earns some minutes).

Sophomore PF Rodney Boykin looks to be the top young guy and will get some PT this season. SF Teron Watkins is a space-filler. The lone freshman, SG Jabari Tucker, will ride the pine quite a bit but has the potential to contribute in a year or two – or if injuries befall the front court this go-around.

Expectations: Keep the games close
Prestige: 34 out of 100 (moved up a few notches from 2005-06!)
Overall talent: Solid
Freshman class: Awful (only one player taken into account but coach Victory disagrees with this assessment. "Give him some time to get seasoned to the college game, and I think he’ll be pretty good.") Victory would have redshirted Jabari Tucker this season if the roster wasn’t so thin in the guard spots… ??Victory’s personal goals: win at least 20 games, finish in the top 3 in the Southern Conference and make the post-season (ACT or NCT). His unwritten aim: to get noticed by bigger programs… the clock is ticking…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL Season #4 (2006-07)

Victory’s fourth year at the helm begins on a heartbreaking note. The Cougars travel to North Texas and fall to the Mean Green 78-77 in overtime. UNT sticks in the winning points in the final seconds…

For a minute after the loss, Victory looks like he’s going to self-destruct. He storms off the court, then walks a lonely corridor in the bowels of the Super Pit arena. "I can’t go through another losing campaign," he says to himself. "It’s going to kill me."

But he quickly pulls himself together. The season is still young. The key is to learn and move on. When he arrives in the locker room, Victory’s players are as mad as their coach had been. They, too, have dreams of 20-win seasons, winning conference titles and making NCT plans, and this wasn’t the start they had envisioned either.

In the next two weeks, the Cougars respond big time – topping East Carolina 77-65, Delaware State 81-62 and Eastern Michigan 68-58. Then, Victory gets the first real breakthrough moment he’d been looking for.

LSU agrees to a post-Thanksgiving meeting in Charleston, and the Cougars eat ‘em up like a turkey dinner. Final score: College of Charleston 88, Tigers 65. Bobby Robin scores 27 points. Victory glows after his best win yet – LSU came in with a CRI ranking of 51.

The Cougars brim with confidence three nights later as they visit Raleigh, N.C. for a showdown with N.C. State. Both teams are 4-1. State is ranked #25 in the nation. Charleston is supposed to be an easy victim on "Throwback Night" – the one game of the year the Pack plays in the old Reynolds Coliseum (they now have their own 21,000-seat arena).

Victory’s bunch dreams of playing spoiler on the court where folks like David Thompson, Thurl Bailey and Jim Valvano once roamed but loses a hard-fought contest 73-62. Victory doesn’t feel so bad. He finds himself dreaming of coaching in the ACC one day as his players board the bus for home. "Though I grew up a Tar Heel fan, if this job ever comes open I’m going for it," Victory tells an assistant…

Charleston boasts a CRI of 96 after two more wins: 84-66 over Western Kentucky and 78-67 over William & Mary. But now comes the "Murderers Row" stretch in the schedule. Four straight road games before the start of conference — at St. Bonaventure, at Kansas, at Florida State, at #19 South Carolina.

Victory would love a sweep, but even a 2-2 record against these four would be a breakthrough for his young club...

[aztarheel]

posted by jksander:

So, Victory, if you didn't get offered the NC State job, but you got an offer from lowly Florida State, would it still be good enough to move you up?


posted by aztarheel

Coach Victory would love a job anywhere in the ACC... even "lowly" Florida State... ;)

[nfg22]

Update PLZ>>>

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – More Season #4

Victory does get to crow a little bit after the four-game road trip – his Charleston bunch wins two of the four games.

The Cougars jump out to a 37-21 lead on St. Bonaventure then hang on for the 63-62 triumph. At Kansas, Charleston falls behind by 16 in the first half – maybe because Victory is drooling over the hoops environment in Lawrence and around Allen Fieldhouse – but rallies late to make it interesting (69-76 loss).

After dropping a 75-61 decision at Florida State (CRI 59), the Cougars get a huge in-state win at South Carolina, 75-70. The Gamecocks came into the contest with a CRI of 19 and a record of 7-3.

Victory’s not feeling too bad about taking an 8-4 record into the Southern Conference campaign, especially considering two of those defeats were to ACC schools and another was to Kansas, among the most storied programs in the land…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting Notebook 2006-07

Once again, recruits leave Victory hanging until the final few weeks of the process. The Charleston coach has three spots to fill, and it looks on paper at least like he snagged one solid prospect, one middle-of-the-road guy and one lemon.

Victory was about ready to go postal on the folks at Hoops Galore after signing PF Erazem Lekivicius out of Philadelphia in week 8. He appeared to be a decent enough player on reports the one-star scouting service had sent over (17 ppg, 5 rpg). But after inking his name on a letter of intent to come to Charleston, a gross mistake was found in Hoops Galore’s material. Lekivicius in fact was only averaging 6 ppg and just 1 rpg. He might not even be good enough to play intramural ball at Charleston, let alone Division I. Good grief.

Fortunately, Victory more than makes up for this potential bust by signing 7-0 center Kyle Johnson out of Ankeny, IA in week 10. Unlike Ben Stout of Central Florida, who stood 7-1 but only weighed 160 pounds, Johnson boasts a 266-pound frame – and great high school stats. He finished his senior year averaging 27 ppg and 11 rpg. How did Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Louisville pass on this guy? Maybe it was the broken index finger he suffered during the season...

The third catch is a bit of a mystery – SF Damon Bailey out of Baltimore. He’s got decent stats (21 ppg, 3.8 rpg) but didn’t get a lot of attention from his top choices Penn State or Virginia Tech... Wonder why?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SoCon Season 2006-07

League play begins just like the regular season – with Charleston suffering an overtime loss. Furman outscores the Cougars 15-11 in the extra period for the 74-70 triumph. Fortunately, Victory remains steady this time (unlike at UNT), and the Cougars rebound with five straight wins.

Charleston starts with a 72-61 decision over The Citadel, which had the highest CRI of any Southern team at 54. The Cougars then take out Georgia Southern, last year’s tournament champion, by an impressive 85-61 margin. The other three games prove close with CoC prevailing at Wofford (70-65), against East Tennessee State (71-68) and at Western Carolina (77-71).

Victory’s team stumbles unexpectedly at UNC-Greensboro 71-69 and loses again at UT-Chattanooga 71-68. But then the young coach makes a subtle change in his strategy. Victory had been trying to pound opponents with a strong inside game. But noticing that many of his teams points were coming from the small forward and shooting guard spots, he opted to be more perimeter-oriented. Bingo – Charleston clicks off eight straight wins!

The Cougars blow out Furman in the rematch 82-58. They pummel Appalachian State 84-45. They beat The Citadel again 69-58 (this time on the road) and get revenge against Chattanooga 80-68. Davidson falls 80-67, VMI slows it down but can’t win (55-54 Charleston) and Wofford goes under 75-60.

SF Carlyle Zimmerman and SG Lamont Johnson prove a dynamic duo, with both going over 20 points several times. PG Augustinas Dmitrovic pumps in 22 points and has 10 assists against Wofford. PF Bobby Robin is steady with 11 ppg and 7 rpg on average. C David Qualls pulls down another 8 boards a night or so.

Charleston’s streak sets up a winner-take-all meeting with Georgia Southern on the final night of the regular season. To the victor goes the spoils, in this case the SoCon’s regular season championship banner and a number-one seed for the upcoming league tournament. Victory’s bunch is ready. Zimmerman pours in 22 points, and the Cougars roll on the road 72-64.

Victory has to take a deep breath afterward – though the official conference title (and automatic NCT berth) goes to the tournament winner, the 33-year-old has just directed his first championship team. OK, so it’s not the NCT yet or even the ACC. But in just four years Victory has gone from coaching the worst team in college basketball (Central Florida’s 2003-04 CRI was 320) to leading the College of Charleston to a conference crown.

Victory literally runs instead of walks during his next trip to the beach. Along with the SoCon regular season championship, he’s achieved his goal of winning 20 games for the first time. There is still work to be done to make the NCT or ACT, but a 21-7 record (13-3 in the conference) sure looks a lot better than 10-20 or 9-22…

"If we play like we're capable I don't think anyone can beat us," Victory tells the press the night before the SoCon tournament opens. "Of course, anything can happen this time of year. We'll have to be at our best..."

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Postseason 2006-07

Unfortunately, Victory's first season to get excited about ends in a resounding thud. Eighth-seeded Davidson upsets the regular season champs 70-69 during Friday's tournament quarterfinals. Wildcat Brian Truscott takes the Cougars to task, scoring 23 points.

Charleston rallies from an 8-point halftime deficit but can't quite overcome it. Just like the season opener at North Texas — a 1-point loss. This one hurts worse.

Victory knows this is the end of his team's NCT chances, and he is right. #3 Georgia Southern wins another trip back to the Big Dance with a 66-57 win over #4 Citadel in Sunday's championship game. No one else gets in from the SoCon.

Fortunately, the ACT tournament comes calling for both Charleston and The Citadel. Strangely enough, if both teams manage to win their openers -- the Cougars draw Georgia State and the Bulldogs draw North Carolina (wow!) -- they would play each other in the second round.

Victory knows all about Georgia State. He had been an assistant there for a few seasons and then competed against them as Central Florida's coach for two years before coming the Charleston.

GSU scouted Victory's bunch well, and the Cougars came out extremely flat. Charleston suffers a first-round ACT defeat 65-53. Ugg. Victory and company had riden a wave for so long, 13 wins out of 15 final regular-season games. Then, just like that, two losses and the season is over...

The final tally: 21-9 record. Regular-season SoCon championship. ACT ouster in the first round. Bitter-sweet.

The Citadel also loses its ACT opener to the Tar Heels. Ole Miss outduels Tulsa 73-61 for the ACT title.

Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Wake Forest and Dayton draw #1 seeds in the NCT, but none make it to the Final Four in Minneapolis. The Mississippi State Bulldogs cut down the nets after a 67-55 win over Texas. Creighton (which beat Georgia Southern in the opening round) and Syracuse were the other two in the Final Four... Great season for the state of Mississippi basketball, winning both tournaments...

[aztarheel]

(Finally figured out some of my formatting issues with my one saved copy of this dynasty -- hopefully will be able to update more frequently now...)

Steve Victory JOURNAL — Wrapup 2006-07

Victory sulks for awhile after the tough ending to the season but as the initial sting wears off, he realizes he did take a big jump forward in his 15-year quest to win the NCT. Bigger programs had to know he was out there now. After all, he had beaten LSU and South Carolina, and given Kansas and N.C. State great games in their home arenas. Plus, he won a conference regular season title — in Victory’s opinion, much tougher than a weekend tournament.

Some final tallies on the season:

Leading scorers: SF Carlyle Zimmerman 16 ppg, SG Lamont Johnson 14.8 ppg
Leading rebounders: C David Qualls 7.7 rpg, C Bobby Robin 6.7 rpg
Leading assists: PG Augustinas Dmitrovic 7.7 apg

Dmitrovic does get on the all-Southern Conference team. Victory is surprised Zimmerman doesn’t get on, but there were some strong PFs and SFs this season around the league.

Final CRI: 58 (best in the SoCon)
Central Florida update: They started strong but finished 16-15, 6-11 in the Atlantic Sun. Tim Weaver led the scoring as expected...

No one from Charleston gets drafted to the NBA...
And, for a change, no tempting job offers from other schools arrive in the in-box. No need for intense walks on the beaches to ponder moves this summer for coach Steve Victory...

[aztarheel]

I didn't do this in my original dynasty, but I thought I'd add this in after each season to help folks keep up with Victory's career.

Some of the info is incomplete, and I'll need to check back with the original game file:

Steve Victory By The Numbers

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 ??
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
Totals 53-67 (.442) 26-26 (.500)

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 ACT College of Charleston 0-1

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
None

National Champions
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??

ACT Champions (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ???

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Journal – Season #5 (2007-08)

The headline at the top of the Charleston Post & Courier sports page makes coach Steve Victory smile as he guzzles his customary two cups of black coffee on the morning of the first day of practice.

Cougars poised for magical season
Victory, College of Charleston pursue coveted NCT berth

A lengthy article goes on to describe how 2007-08 looks to be *the* year for men’s hoops at the College of Charleston – to repeat as SoCon champs, to win the SoCon tournament, to upset some big name opponents and to do some damage in the NCT tournament.

“You can’t ask for more than to have seven seniors leading the way,” writes columnist Jeff Wilt. “Coach Victory seems to die a thousand deaths when his teams don’t make the Big Dance, but he shouldn’t have to experience that anguish this March if the Cougars live up to expectations.”

No pressure there, eh?

Those seven seniors were a big reason Victory came to Charleston three years ago. Of the seven, four will start on opening night against Fairleigh Dickinson – PG Augustinas Dmitrovic from Waterloo, Ontario (an all-conference performer a year ago), SG Jordie Fitz, PF Bobby Robin (a true center) and C David Qualls. Fellow senior centers Matt West and Maurice Fisher will be early off the bench. SF Andrew Blackwell is the only senior who likely won’t play very much.

Sophomore SG Jabari Tucker, Victory’s first recruit at CoC, earns the other starting spot. Junior PF Rodney Boykin will see some minutes off the bench. Junior SF Teron Watkins and new recruits SF Damon Bailey, PF Erazem Lekivicius and C Kyle Johnson will probably just keep the bench warm, only getting into games when the scores are out of hand… Johnson, who stands at 7-0, looks promising but is playing behind four other senior centers this season. Next year he’ll be the man…

The Outlook:
National prestige: 38 out of 100 (up 3-4 notches)
Freshman class: solid
Overall talent: good
Game challenge: normal (wow - an improvement!)
Chances of Victory moving on to a bigger program if things go well: likely

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season #5 (2007-08)

The season doesn’t exactly get off to a magical start for the Cougars. Six minutes into the opener, starting PG Augustinas Dmitrovic, a returning all-conference player, collides hard with a Fairleigh Dickinson player. The word from trainers – a fractured wrist. He’ll likely be out 3-4 weeks. Two minutes into the second half, the injury bug strikes again. This time, it’s PG Jordie Fitz. Fortunately, he only turns an ankle, but he’ll still miss the rest of this game and probably one or two more…

That leaves only one true guard, Jabari Tucker, to finish out the contest. The Cougars hang in but lose in front of an expectant home crowd, 55-54. Yeesh – another 1-point loss to start the season. Victory doesn’t need that again…

Tucker starts at PG, and SF Andrew Blackwell steps in at SG in game two at Stephen F. Austin. Rodney Boykin starts at SF. The combination works well enough to secure a 64-61 win. Whew! Charleston wins again in game three (with Fitz back), knocking off Belmont 78-70. It’s in this game that Victory discovers Rodney Boykin is more of a player than he appeared at first glance. He scores 20 points on 9-for16 shooting from the field, dishes out three assists and has seven rebounds.

Boykin nails down a starting job for good in Charleston’s fourth game of the season – a stunning 69-40 victory against North Carolina. Yes, that North Carolina. The storied Tar Heels. In Chapel Hill, no less. Boykin scores 27 points to completely silence the Dean Dome crowd, including three 3-pointers. The Heels aren’t having the greatest of seasons under coach Roy Williams, and it shows as the Cougars outscore the boys in baby blue 38-16 in the second half. Charleston gets a nice mention on SportsCenter later that night. Victory quietly hopes the right athletic directors are tuning in…

The Carolina triumph is part of a 10-game win streak for the Cougars. Dmitrovic returns halfway through it, and Fitz becomes the trusted sixth man again. Here are the other victims:
@Rutgers – W 80-74
Howard – W 69-58
@ West Virginia – W 80-74
Weber State – W 67-42
Chicago State – W 67-63
@ Wichita State – W 69-54
@ Delaware State – 75-67

The final games of the non-conference slate are rematches from the season before — at LSU and at #20 Kansas.

The Tigers, remembering the thrashing they got the year before in Charleston, earn revenge 70-63. But Kansas crumbles much like North Carolina did a few weeks prior.

Victory gets a huge victory over the nationally ranked Jayhawks at Allen Field House – 72-54. Boykin (17 points), Tucker (14) and Fitz (13) lead the assault. Charleston moves on to conference play with an amazing 11-2 record. Just how good can this team be?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SoCon Season 2007-08

Knowing his team has a habit of crashing in conference openers, Victory talks about Davidson (CRI 270) like they are Duke or Kentucky. “Let’s take it to them, boys,” he says. “We might be making a name for ourselves nationally by beating Kansas and Carolina, but we are still good ol’ College of Charleston to the Wildcats. They probably don’t take you too seriously.”

Fortunately, the Cougars avoid the upset hex this time and win 71-52. They also take care of Wofford 80-57 and UT-Chattanooga 68-54. But those last two victories come at a price. SG Jabari Tucker breaks his jaw after taking a hard elbow and will be out 3-4 weeks. Fitz, a fan favorite as a hustling sixth man, tears ligaments in his knee and is lost for the season. Though not a starter, that could be a blow too hard to overcome for the guard-thin Cougars… The last senior on the bench, Andrew Blackwell, will get his chance to prove himself…

The Cougars stumble against UNC-G without two key guards 70-65 but manage to reel off another nice win streak after that, beating seven SoCon teams in a row. The 74-73 win over Georgia Southern proves the biggest. The Eagles are keeping pace in the conference standings, and both have CRIs (TDCB equivalent of RPI) in 30-40 range. Tucker returns just in time for this game (excellent trainer!), televised regionally by ESPN2, scoring 15 points. Boykin, suddenly the man again, adds 21.

After an 82-69 win over Furman, the seventh in a row for the Cougars, Victory wakes up to read that his team has been ranked in the top 25 – 23rd by the folks at .400 sports and 25th by the writers at IP. Like a little kid, Victory cuts out the rankings from the local paper and puts them in a scrapbook.

The rematch with Georgia Southern brings the Cougars back down to earth a bit. The Eagles are ready this time and take it to CoC 66-52 in front of their home crowd. The conference standings are tied once again. Charleston thumps VMI (62-46) and UT-Chattanooga (81-44) but then totally disappears in the rematch with Wofford, which pins an 83-55 loss on the Cougars. Where did that come from? Victory hopes it’s just an anomaly.

Fortunately, The Citadel helps Charleston by beating Georgia Southern, and the two SoCon heavyweights finish in a tie for the regular-season title with 13-3 records. It doesn’t feel quite as good as an outright title, but Victory won’t complain. It’s better than eighth or ninth… It looks like the SoCon tournament will decide who the true champ is…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting update 2007-08

It’s one thing to recruit for one or two positions. Try filling seven spots. That’s the challenge Victory faced this season – the downside of having a team with seven seniors.

The biggest catch Victory reels in for the Cougars – SG Chad Driver from Queens, a five-star prospect listed as the 10th best player in the nation by Hoops Galore and 17th by .400 Sports. His stats are eye-popping: 37.5 points per game, 5.5 assists and 5.7 rebounds. How did Charleston get him?

PG Scott Fields from West Virginia is listed as a 4-star guy by Hoops Galore, averaging 22.5 ppg and 11.2 apg. Both could start right off the bat next year (moving Jabari Tucker to SF?). But Fields may be an academic casualty, sporting a very low GPA and just barely sneaking into college. Victory feels he’s worth taking a chance on…

Victory lands two other guards – PG Jeryl Cage (16 ppg, 5 apg) and PG Austin Jarvis (22.5 ppg). Charleston won’t be guard-thin for a while, that’s for sure. The Cougars also get two in-state players – C Antwan Blackshear from Hanahan, S.C. and PF Antonio Hillier from Blacksburg, S.C. (19 ppg, 7 rpg). SF Wade Clemmons rounds out the class. He doesn’t look so good. He started his senior year of high school well but faded at the end…

Victory will be interested in knowing how .400 Sports will rank this class at the start of next year – and if he’ll be around to see any of them play…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Post-season 2008

Charleston draws a number one seed for the SoCon tournament (not sure how that happened) and opens against UNC-Greensboro, one of three league teams to earn a win against them in the regular season. Of course in that game, two of the Cougars’ top guards were hurt. This time, there are no struggles as the Cougars advance to the semifinals with a 64-43 triumph. Rodney Boykin plays big with 19 points.

Round two brings another chance at redemption for Victory’s crew. To advance to the SoCon championship, they must get by Wofford, a surprise team that engineered an 83-55 upset of the Cougars a few weeks prior. The Terriers had won 18 games coming into the post-season and boasted a CRI of 98, so Victory knows they aren’t a fluke. His worries prove true as Wofford stuns CoC again, this time by a 77-69 count. Troy Nilson makes 10-of-12 shots from the field, and the Cougars are forced to sweat out Selection Sunday rather than play for a spot in the NCT...

Things get even more bleak when Wofford knocks off Georgia Southern in the SoCon title game 74-69. The two best teams from the SoCon regular season might be watching the fifth-place Wofford Terriers out of Spartanburg carry the league banner into the NCT. Wouldn’t that be dreadful (unless you cheer for Wofford)?

Amazingly, the NCT selection committee doles out three bids to Southern Conference teams. Charleston gets a number nine seed in the South, facing Portland State. Georgia Southern is the #10 seed in the same region, opening against Oklahoma. Wofford must go out West as a #15 seed against Illinois...

Finally, Victory has done it. Five years into his coaching career he has taken a team to the NCT (i.e. the Tournament Dreams equivalent of the NCAA Tourney). And, with just one NCT victory during Friday’s opening round, coach Victory gets to take his team up against the mighty Kentucky Wildcats, the #3 team in the land.

“Hey, we’ve beaten Kansas and Carolina this season,” Victory muses to the Charleston press. “Why not take out Kentucky as well?”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tourney 2008 (yee-haw!)

Of course, there is this matter of Portland State, the number eight seed in the bracket alongside the Cougars. The Vikings have an identical overall record as Charleston (25-6), and they went 16-1 in their conference, the Big Sky.

The game proves everything you might expect from an 8-9 match-up – lead changes, numerous momentum shifts, great hustle on both sides. Charleston leads by 4 at the half 36-32. Unfortunately, they can’t hold on at the end, going down 64-60. It isn’t the greatest of games for the seniors. Only Augustinas Dmitrovic manages doubles figures in scoring, and he just gets 11 points. Bobby Robin scores 9 points and has five blocks.

The Charleston locker room proves a somber place afterward. No one wants to see this magical season end. Everyone had dreams of College of Charleston being this year’s Cinderella story. The glass slipper didn’t quite fit, however. Now, Portland State would try to make it till midnight.

“You will never know how proud I am of you guys, each and every one of you,” an emotional Victory says. “This was the most fun I’ve ever had being associated with the game of basketball. The basketball world took notice of the College of Charleston Cougars this winter…”

“Coming back next year, coach?” sophomore guard Jabari Tucker asks during a moment of silence.

Victory smiles and says nothing, putting an affirming hand on his player’s shoulder. “Good question,” he thinks to himself. “Am I?”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Cleaning up 2007-08

Coach Victory stays around for the Kentucky-Portland State game on Sunday. It turns out to be all Wildcats. In fact, the NCT is all Wildcats the rest of the way as Tubby Smith’s crew earns yet another national championship for the already glory-rich school.

“It would have been tough, but I think we could have given Kentucky a good game,” Victory muses to his assistants. “Our players weren’t the blue-chippers that Kentucky has, but they really didn’t fear anyone all season.”

[Author’s note: for the heck of it, I re-simmed the Portland State-Charleston game from a previous game save. Charleston won on the second re-sim but then lost to Kentucky by about 18-20 points. I was just curious to see how the Cougars would do against the eventual NCT champs]

Cleaning up the 2007-08 campaign:
• Fordham knocks off Wisconsin in the ACT finals.
• Georgia Southern gives Oklahoma a great run in the NCT opening round before falling 76-74. Greg Gumble goes crazy during the CBS “Live Look-in”.
• Wofford gets walloped by Illinois in its opener. Oh well, at least three SoCon teams got in... that in itself is a bit of a miracle...

Victory is a bit miffed when he sees the conference awards list. No one from Charleston (or Georgia Southern) is on there. Jabari Tucker’s injuries probably kept him off the list. Despite his ailments, he finished averaging 14.2 points per game – a team high. The all-conference SG from Furman only averaged about 9.5 ppg but did have more assists.

“You would think the TDCB sportswriters would give an edge in all-conference balloting to a player or players from the regular-season championship team,” Victory says in the latest Post & Courier. “Who cares if a guy averages 15 points a game if his team finishes 5-11 in the conference? How valuable is that?”

Ironically, it’s the underclassmen who lead the Cougars in many stat categories this season. After Tucker’s 14 points a game, junior Rodney Boykin (who was thrust into a starting job because of injuries) comes in with a 13.5 ppg average. Augustinas Dmitrovic is the top senior with a 10 ppg average and leads in assists with 7.2 per game.

David Qualls had a monster year on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds a game to go with his 9.7 ppg. Robin averages 7.1 rebounds per contest. Qualls, Robin, Boykin and Matt West get at least one block per game.

No one from Charleston gets picked in the NBA draft, though a couple guys with size like Robin and Qualls may try to get on in Europe.

Victory is pleased to see his top two recruits from his Central Florida days, Tim Weaver and Greg Martin, both get picked in the first round. Weaver goes 10th, and Martin 22nd. Both are leaving school after their junior seasons (wow- I guess Victory is a pretty talent evaluator). That will leave Central Florida in a lurch no doubt. The Knights finished in the middle of the Atlantic Sun pack this season – no post-season for them…

[beargrowlz]

A catamount is a large powerful wild cat (Felis concolor) of mountainous regions of the Western Hemisphere, having an unmarked tawny body. Also called catamount, mountain cat; Also called panther, puma; also called regionally cougar, painter.

The word "catamount" is actually short for "catamountain."

I think it's a cool name for a team.


-Bear

[aztarheel]

A catamount is a large powerful wild cat (Felis concolor) of mountainous regions of the Western Hemisphere, having an unmarked tawny body. Also called catamount, mountain cat; Also called panther, puma; also called regionally cougar, painter.

The word "catamount" is actually short for "catamountain."

I think it's a cool name for a team.


-Bear

agreed -- thanks for stopping by ...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After Five Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
Totals 78-74 45-42

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
None

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham

[beargrowlz]

Pulling for Steve to end up at Providence College and take them back to the Final Four. :)

-Bear

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Summer 2008

Coach Victory comes back from his latest Final Four trip eager to see what’s waiting in the e-mail in-box. More specifically, what schools out there want his services.

Victory believes his recent track record warrants some looks from bigger programs out there. Maybe a struggling Big East, ACC or SEC team — Alabama for instance had a really crappy year and has a prestige now of just 36 — would turn to this 35-year-old rising star to lead their team out of the ashes.

There had been rumors that Clemson was looking for new blood. That would be a logical move for an upstart coach from Charleston. All Victory knows is that something has to happen this summer if he wants to keep on pace to meet his NCT-championship-in-15-seasons goal. He has to milk this great 2007-08 season for all it’s worth.

Alas, Victory is bummed when he scans the offers. Grambling? Appalachian State? Belmont? CENTRAL FLORIDA?

Yes, Victory’s replacement at UCF has himself moved on after three winning seasons in Orlando. For the heck of it, UCF’s athletic director buzzes Victory to see if he wanted his old job back. Thanks, but no thanks.

One offer does get Victory’s interest, if only for the conference this team plays in. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (not Chapel Hill unfortunately) calls on Victory about coming north of the border. The 49ers play in Conference USA. Their school prestige is lower than Charleston’s (36 as compared to 38) but the conference itself has much more clout that the Southern (Marquette for instance won the NCT in 2004).

Victory pays a weekend visit to the Queen City, but this time he doesn’t shake hands on the deal right away. He’s got to think this one over first. The decision isn’t as clear, not like the decision to jump from Central Florida to Charleston three years ago.

Here’s the dilemma:
If he goes to Charlotte, he’ll take over a truly awful team. Since the recruiting the previous few seasons was pretty bad as well, Victory won’t really have a base to work from (like he did when he came to Charleston). It will take a lot of time to turn the 49ers around, maybe too much time to meet his 15-year goal.

But Charlotte does play in a more well-known conference. Getting good kids to come to Conference USA will probably be easier than luring them to the SoCon (where most teams have a prestige of 23-25 out of 100).

If he stays in Charleston, he will continue on with a pretty solid team. Jabari Tucker and Rodney Boykin will be back. Kyle Johnson, his 7-foot prospect, will finally have the chance to prove himself. And a couple of hot shot recruits like SG Chad Driver (top 20 in the nation according to .400) should be enough to put the Cougars in the NCT hunt again – if not this year then the following winter. Yet, CoC plays in the Southern Conference. Will staying a coach in the Southern hurt his chances to climb the ladder to bigger and better programs (and derail his 15-year timetable)?

Victory returns to Charleston and spends a lot of time on the beach, walking and thinking… Internet chat rooms heat up with speculation. He was seen playing golf yesterday with Charlotte boosters, one writer claims. But he went back home to Charleston to think it over, another retorts. Charlotte plays in a better conference, someone writes. But Charleston has a better *program*, comes yet another retort.

Cloudy the future is...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Decision 2008

“I’m staying,” Coach Victory announces at a press conference that bears a striking resemblance to one held by Roy Williams in Lawrence, Kansas several years prior.

Only this press conference comes from Charleston, S.C. And while it doesn’t generate the headlines or attention that Williams did when deciding between the Jayhawks and Tar Heels, it is a bold step for a 35-year-old coach who wants to win an NCT title by the time he turns 45.

Victory is spurning his second offer to be a coach in Conference USA, this time saying no to UNC-Charlotte.

“This was a very hard decision,” Victory tells media members. “I went back and forth for several days. Early in the process I was sure I was going to Charlotte. I even starting planning some summer training and started scouting opponents in the conference. But I just couldn’t ever bring myself to close the deal.”

While the move may appear to be loyalty on Victory’s part – and he does genuinely like coaching at College of Charleston – it’s mostly selfish in nature. He believes he can advance the Cougars more over the next 2-3 years – and thus draw better offers from bigger programs – than if he “started over” at Charlotte. The base for success just doesn’t appear to be there in 49er country.

Time will tell whether Victory made the best decision. The reality is, while he may have a decent program at CoC, he’s still coaching in the Southern Conference. His biggest rivals are still foes like Wofford, Georgia Southern and The Citadel and not bigger names like Marquette, Cincinnati and Louisville.

“Charleston fans need to remember,” writes Post & Courier columnist Jeff Wilt, “that Victory is a man eager to move up the coaching ladder and put himself in a position to coach at a higher level. We’re living on borrowed time right now. Each season he stays here – be it one year or 21 years – should be savored.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season #6 (2008-09)

Season number six in the Steve Victory era – his fourth at College of Charleston – plays to mixed results.

The Cougars thank their coach for not bolting to Charlotte by losing their first two games – to UNC-Wilmington (63-77) and Southern Miss (60-78). But then they beat instate rival Clemson 73-68. There’s a 1-point loss to winless Middle Tennessee State (ugg – they have a CRI of 314), but then a couple of impressive triumphs over TCU (83-68) and South Carolina (73-62 – USC’s CRI is 59).

All told, Victory’s bunch gets through the non-conference slate with a 6-6 record. It’s here that the young coach realizes just how good he had it last season with seven seniors. This winter, Charleston is starting two freshmen – PG Scott Fields and SG/SF Chad Driver – as well as one sophomore, 7-0 center Kyle Johnson. Only senior PF Rodney Boykin and junior SG Jabari Tucker logged any real quality minutes the year prior.

Driver has proven himself to be quite the player. He’s twice been named freshman of the week for the conference already. He pumped in 25 points against Memphis (another nice win, 73-68 over a team with a CRI of 112). Driver also scored 23 on Middle Tennessee and 21 against South Carolina. Victory puts him up there with Central Florida standouts Tim Weaver and Greg Martin as his best finds. And Driver doesn’t seem to mind playing out of position, small forward instead of shooting guard. (How long will he stick around?)

Victory has had to experiment plenty with sets and sliders (how you establish your offensive and defensive game plans in TDCB). Turnovers have been a problem. So has fatigue. His latest move, to dump the motion offense and switch to high post and some triangle, seems to have paid off. The Cougars followed up their wins over TCU and South Carolina with a 64-62 triumph over Furman to start the SoCon campaign, raising the record over .500 for the first time. (Victory’s teams have a habit of losing that conference opener, so the coach is pleased).

“Hey, we’re still on pace to be state champs,” Victory quips. “We’ve beaten Clemson, South Carolina and now Furman.”

While Victory would love for his team to three-peat as SoCon regular season champions, he knows simply an upper division finish is a more realistic goal. The Cougars’ CRI is over 200 this year as opposed to being in the 30s, 40s and 50s a year ago… Victory can’t help but wonder if he made the right decision by staying… “Can’t look back now,” he thinks. “Wonder how the 49ers are doing anyway?”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SoCon Season 2008-09

As a matter of fact, Charlotte is doing pretty decent, better than Victory expects to see. The 49ers open the 2008-09 campaign with a 9-4 record, including a big 35-point win over Victory’s alma mater, Miami. Yeesh. It figures. If nothing else, Victory is determined to have a better record than the team he turned down.

Charleston’s conference schedule can be described as nothing less than nerve-wracking and nail-biting just about every night. Of the Cougars’ 16 SoCon games, 10 are decided by 7 points or less. Three go to overtime. Victory looks as if he’s about to have a heart attack every outing.

Fortunately, Victory’s crew does OK despite its youth, finishing the SoCon schedule a respectable 10-6 – good enough for second place in the South Division behind new power Wofford and fifth place overall in the 12-team conference. There is one stretch where Charleston tops Davidson, UNC-Greensboro and UT-Chattanooga by scores of 68-66, 69-66 and 67-66. Victory is hunched over exhausted after each contest.

A four-game win streak over East Tennessee State, The Citadel, Chattanooga and Western Carolina actually puts the Cougars in position to three-peat as regular season champions. But alas, Charleston drops its final two regular season games to Wofford (who else?) and Georgia Southern. Ga. Southern escapes by 2 points, though Wofford took it to Victory’s team by about 20.

Chad Driver continued to drive the team during the SoCon schedule. The Fabulous Frosh SF scored about 15 points per game and only failed to reach double digits three times. He even played a few weeks at point guard when freshman Scott Fields went on academic probation. SG Jabari Tucker and PF Rodney Boykin made for a powerful trio along with Driver, adding 14 and 12 ppg respectively. Sophomore SF Damon Bailey had a couple of monster games when inserted into the lineup with Fields out – getting 19 points against both VMI and Davidson.

The final tally heading into the post-season – Charleston owns a 16-12 overall record. A half-game better than Charlotte (16-13) for those keeping score at home.

Nothing short of a four-game sweep in the SoCon tournament will put the Cougars into the NCT. They’ll likely need to make it to Sunday’s championship game to even garner an ACT berth. Both are long shots — but stranger things have happened during Victory’s six-year coaching career.

[aztarheel]

Originally Posted by: Zorro25

GO TERRIERS GO!! GO TERRIES GO!! HECK YEAH!!!!!

Sorry, I lose control sometimes

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting Update 2008-09

Charleston has just two spots to fill this season, and coach Victory thinks he’s going to get a stellar power forward in Brandon Pepper out of Florida (33 ppg, 11 rpg) to take one of them. Pepper would be the perfect replacement for Rodney Boykin and a great compliment to SG Chad Driver and 7-0 center Kyle Johnson.

There is only one problem. The prep standout spends a little too much time playing Tournament Dreams College Basketball on the computer and not enough time in the books. He fails his entrance exams for college and must go the JUCO route. Rats. He had shown interest since the early weeks. No wonder N.C. State and Vanderbilt backed off (especially Vandy).

Victory does get two decent-looking players late in the game. PF Ryan Washburn (11.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg – good potential, according to a 3-star scouting service which is usually accurate on these matters) and SF Senecca Mitchell (#87 player in the land, according to 3-star gurus, averages 16 ppg, 9 rpg). Victory had fun recruiting a JUCO player out of Las Vegas named Vegas Card. He was averaging 28 ppg but signed with Boise State instead of Charleston. He barely made the entrance requirements (GPA 1.82). Actually, I'm not sure how he made it in there...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SoCon Tournament 2008-09

Conference tournaments have been the one sore spot for coach Steve Victory in his first five years as a head coach. He’s had at least some sort of success in most every other arena – recruiting, big non-conference games, important conference games, job offers – but only once has his team even made it to the semifinals of a league tourney (last season Wofford picked them off as the number one seed in the semis).

Fortunately, Charleston, a number five seed, does an about face this season. Victory’s Cougars get red hot and reel off four straight wins to capture the 2009 SoCon tournament championship – and thus the league’s only automatic berth into the NCT.

Unbelievable!

Four nights. Four games. Four wins. (Sorry Wofford fans, the Terriers get knocked out by Western Carolina in the semifinals – probably a good thing for CoC; they can’t seem to beat those guys).

Here’s the lowdown on each game:
• #5 Charleston 63, #12 UNC-Greensboro 54: The Cougars erase a 36-31 halftime deficit with a 32-18 run in the second half. Rodney Boykin grabs 14 rebounds to go with his 12 points. Scott Fields and Chad Driver also add a dozen points each.

• #5 Charleston 76, #4 East Tennessee State 75 (OT): Again, the comeback Cougars erase a halftime deficit. The big three – Boykin, Driver and Jabari Tucker – reach double figures as does reserve PF Erazem Lekivicius, who adds 12 points in 17 minutes. Delicious.

• #5 Charleston 74, #8 Western Carolina 61: The Catamounts (or Catamountains?? -- ;) ) do Charleston a huge favor by upsetting favored Wofford the night before. Fortunately, they have nothing left, and the Cougars win rather easily. Tucker and Boykin get 19 points each. Chad Driver drives and dishes for eight assists.

• #5 Charleston 74, #3 Appalachian State 62: The Cougars fell behind again in the first half but roared past the Mountaineers with a 40-24 second-half explosion. The stat sheet for Driver and Tucker is amazing. Driver scores 28 points, including four-of-five 3-pointers. Tucker pours in 22 points and also manages to dish out 10 assists. Backup PG Jeryl Cage steps in for starter Scott Fields, who got hurt against WCU, and doesn’t score – but provides seven key assists and no turnovers. Nice!

Victory again looks like a kid on Christmas morning as he ascends the ladder to cut down the nets. Chad Driver, Jabari Tucker and Rodney Boykin take turns hugging on the tournament trophy and giving interviews to local media outlets. Victory mugs for the cameras, throwing both arms into the air with the drama of the winner of the Tour de France bike race.

“We did it! We did it!” he keeps saying to anyone within earshot.

Even if Victory doesn’t reach his 15-year NCT goal, he’ll always have this – a “rebuilding” team, which snuck up on the favorites and stole a championship. :D

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT 2008-09 (surprise!)

Charleston’s reward for winning the SoCon – a date against Louisville in the first-round of the NCT tournament. The Cougars garner a #15 seed in the South, meaning Rick Pitino’s Cardinals are the #2. CoC missed out on its chance to play Kentucky in last year’s tournament because they couldn’t get past Portland State. Now, they do get a chance to play against the other storied program from Blue Grass country. Louisville won the NCT in 2003.

Ironically, the team Victory chose not to coach this season (UNC-Charlotte) helps out with some scouting. The 49ers upset Louisville, currently ranked 11th in the country, by slowing things down to a crawl on one of the last nights of the regular season. The final score: an unsightly 46-42 decision that made you wonder if someone forgot to turn the shot clocks on.

Victory knows his bunch can’t run with the Cardinals. So he, too, opts to try and slow things down. For a half, the ploy works OK. Charleston is still hanging around, trailing just 30-28. Will this be another episode of the Cardiac Cougars show? Will the CoC take off after the break and turn a small deficit into a huge win (and a huge upset)? Afraid not.

While Louisville isn’t able to blow things open completely, they do jump to a double-digit advantage and cruise home 68-53. Jabari Tucker leads the Cougars with 18 points. Chad Driver has a bit of the “deer in the headlights” look in his first NCT appearance and gets just 7 points on a poor night of shooting.

Victory isn’t too upset about this game, however. He knows his Charleston bunch overachieved just to get to the NCT (sending regular-season champ Wofford to the ACT – sorry Zorro). And they gave a decent showing against one of the top programs in the land. This should make the returning guys hungry for more next season…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Cleaning up 2008-09

Wofford, steamed over getting snubbed by the NCT selection committee, drills UCLA in its ACT opener 73-53 and then knocks off Holy Cross to advance to the quarterfinals. The run ends there for the Terriers as they are beaten by eventual runner-up Texas Tech. (Maryland knocks off the Red Raiders in the title game).

Louisville got bounced from the NCT in the next round by Texas. St. Joe’s, Mississippi State, Cal and Arizona make up the Final Four cast in Seattle. St. Joe’s absolutely dismantles MSU in the semifinals by an 81-38 count, then edges Cal 62-59 for the NCT crown. So much for the Southeastern Conference being able to boast of having the NCT champ three years in a row (MSU, then Kentucky in 2007 and ’08).

Amazingly Charleston SG/SF Chad Driver gets snubbed in the all-conference balloting – not even a mention on the all-freshman team even though he led Charleston in scoring. Voters apparently didn’t like that he didn’t have more assists or rebounds (his shooting percentage was pretty stellar). Somehow PG Scott Fields does make the all-freshman team – as a SF, which is where Driver played all season. Fields averaged about 9 ppg and 8 apg, though he missed four weeks due to academic issues.

“I’m not even going to try and make sense of that one,” Victory says. “I’m glad Fields got some recognition, but I think they just put names in a hat and pull them out for these awards. They sure don’t look at a player’s impact when voting. Like his last name suggests, Driver drove this team this year.”

Rodney Boykin inks his name on a couple of Charleston records as he prepares to graduate – getting 10 blocks in a single game and finishing the season with 66.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Off-Season 2009

As Steve Victory made his rounds at the Final Four, it seemed the same old faces approached him about job opportunities. How many times does he have to say “no” to programs like Campbell, UNC-Greensboro and Florida A&M anyway? He’s surprised Central Florida doesn’t come after him yet again (the Golden Knights finished 12-18 this season).

Then, while checking e-mail as he waited for his flight back to South Carolina, Victory gets an intriguing message. The subject header says simply “Coaching Position.”

We have been following your performance at College of Charleston and would like to talk to you about considering a head coaching position at Alabama. We were 9 - 21 last season, while playing in the SEC. We feel that our university can offer you a fresh start and a chance to build a winning program from the ground up. We are looking towards the future and feel you are the coach that can take us to the next level.

Alabama A.D.


Victory is floored. He gets goose bumps right there in the airport coffee shop.

Alabama? The Crimson Tide? The place where Bear Bryant once stalked football sidelines? He’d never even really considered ‘Bama as a basketball school. Now, as he waits for his plane, the Crimson Tide is all he can think about.

This is it, Victory realizes. This is his big chance to jump into a major conference – the SEC, winners of two of the last three NCT titles. OK, Alabama’s program is in shambles right now and no where near Kentucky or Mississippi State (the Tide's prestige has dropped to the mid-30s - top programs like MSU and UK are in the 70s and 80s). But Victory’s 15-year plan, which seemed derailed a bit last season by the lack of quality job offers, is now ahead of schedule. Victory didn’t think he’d be in a major conference until years eight or nine of his career – or later. Or ever.

The coach doesn’t hesitate to reply to the Alabama A.D. He changes his flight itinerary right there in the airport and agrees to meet with ‘Bama school officials the following morning in Tuscaloosa.

By that afternoon, the deal is finalized, and the morning after that the 36-year-old is announced as the new head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Steve Victory is on the move again, thanking his lucky stars he didn’t take that job at UNC-Charlotte last season after all. And, of course, grateful for everything he’s learned and gained while at the College of Charleston...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: jksander

Rock on! Alabama? That’s a helluva jump from CoC!

Posted by: AZTarHeel
QUOTE

Originally posted by jksander
Rock on! *Alabama? *That’s a helluva jump from CoC!

Yep, I was totally floored... But their program really stinks big-time... prestige is only 34 and only a handful of wins each of the past 4-5 seasons... Big task ahead for Mr. Victory... Makes for good dynasty story-telling, though, eh?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After SIX Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
Totals 98-87 59-48

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
None

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preparing for ‘Bama 2009!

Coach Steve Victory took the Alabama job pretty much sight unseen. He heard the words “Alabama Crimson Tide” and “interested in me” and jumped without checking on much of anything else.

Victory knows the hoops program is in pretty bad shape. Mike Shula’s football team at Alabama [editor's note - haha] has been averaging more wins per season than the hoops team in recent years. The Tide’s 9-21 record in 2008-09 represented the third-straight winter of single-digit victory totals. ‘Bama hasn’t had a winning season in five or six years.

So, needing a crash course in Alabama hoops history, Victory sets about on a search in between unpacking and meeting his new colleagues in Tuscaloosa. Here’s the summary of what he’s learned – ‘Bama is definitely a football school.

The Tide has never won a national championship in men’s hoops – or even been to the Final Four or Elite Eight. The only trips to the Sweet 16 were made in 1976, ‘82, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ’90 and ’91.

The only time Alabama has been ranked #1 in the nation in men’s hoops came in December 2002, and that team coached by Mark Gottfried wound up 17-12 – losing in the first round of the SEC tournament to Vanderbilt and falling to Indiana in the opening round of the NCT.

The most successful coach in Alabama history – so far – has been “Wimp” Sanderson, who went 267-119 from 1980-92 and piloted the Tide to six of its seven Sweet 16 appearances. But even his name has been a bit scarred because of a sexual misconduct claim made against him.

The local newspaper, The Tuscaloosa News, trumpets Victory’s arrival with this play on words in a headline:

From Wimps to Victors?
‘Bama turns struggling program over to eager young coach with a great last name

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Seventh Season 2009-2010

Just how much is ‘Bama struggling in the men’s hoops world? Just compare the Tide’s vitals with College of Charleston, the Southern Conference program Victory left after four seasons.

Prestige Points (1-100, higher is better): Alabama 34, Charleston 41 (up 10 points during Victory’s tenure)
Freshman Talent Level: Alabama – awful, Charleston – good
Overall Talent: Alabama – awful, Charleston solid
Game Challenge: Alabama – brutal; Charleston – normal
2008-09 Record: Alabama 9-21, Charleston 20-13
Last 4 Years: Alabama 36-83, Charleston 81-45
NCT Appearances Last 4 Years: Alabama 0, Charleston 2
ACT Appearances Last 4 Years: Alabama 0, Charleston 1

“I’d love to say we’re going to come in and win right away,” Victory tells the Alabama press. “But I don’t foresee that happening in this case. There is just too much ground to be made up.”

But make no mistake, Victory does have ambitious plans for this program. He’s warming to the idea that his may be his last stop as a coach...

“I’d like to be the first coach to hang an NCT championship banner in Coleman Coliseum,” he says boldly. “And I’d like to do it within the decade (actually within nine seasons if you’re keeping score on his 15-year quest).”

“This season, I’d like us to play .500 ball, and I’m most interested in getting a Top 20 recruiting class to come to Tuscaloosa,” Victory says. “I’d like us to finish out of the cellar in the SEC, swipe at least one tournament victory and beat Auburn every time we face them. If we get to the ACT or NCT, that’s just icing on the cake.”

Within three or four seasons, Victory wants ‘Bama in the SEC title hunt and wants the team to become a regular in the NCT.

Of course, all that depends on getting the elite players to come to Alabama, something Victory did an above-average job of during his other two coaching stops. The early recruiting trail proves tough at his new gig, however.

Numerous conversations with prospects go something like this: “I’d dig a chance to play in the SEC, but I don’t think Alabama is the right situation for me.” Translated – if you were Florida or Kentucky I’d be drooling. But you suck, so I’m outta here.

One recruit even wonders aloud: “Is Alabama in Division I? I thought it was a Division II program or something.” Ouch…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Alabama Non-conference 2009-10

Steve Victory is amazed just how undisciplined and out-of-shape his new team is. “My old boys from Charleston would whip your tails,” he says during one summer workout. The new coach actually cuts one guy, wondering just how a 5-9, 143-pounder with absolutely NO skills ever got a scholarship to the University of Alabama.

Here’s the lineup as ‘Bama prepares for its season opener against UNC-Asheville.
PG: Sophomore Barry Seamon (decent assists man)
SG: Junior Maurice Cambridge (probably the best scorer)
SF: Sophomore Michael Cook (a converted PF, doesn’t look so good)
PF: Senior Dominque Little (too bad he’s not younger, OK ratings)
PG: Senior Daniel Starkey (good rebound potential)

The backups who’ll see some PT include PF Jimmy McArdle (senior) and SG Alex Knox (senior walk-on). The rest of the guys are there to keep the bench warm and hand out towels during timeouts. It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a first-year senior walk-on (Knox) is listed as the sixth-best player on the team by the assistants!!

The opener actually goes better than Victory expects. Yet it wraps up with a familiar ending – a 60-59 loss (are 1-point losses to open the season programmed into Victory’s dynasty or what?). Cambridge scores 23 so that’s positive.

‘Bama drops a 61-55 decision to a solid Gonzaga team then gets thumped by Albany 66-42 (uggg!). Victory worries about losing by 50 at North Carolina in game number four, but the Tide actually shows up for this one. The Tar Heels, ranked in the top 35 in CRI, barely escape 74-68.

Just when he’s ready to repeat Bobby Knight’s famous words – “Are we ever going to win a game?” – Victory gets a victory in game number five. Of course, the opponent is hapless Maryland Eastern Shore (CRI 270), but the coach treats the 86-67 triumph like a win over the Maryland Terrapins. Dominque Little scores 23, and Maurice Cambridge adds 22.

Alabama gets a little win streak going, topping Norfolk State 73-65 and then grinding past Alcorn State 55-45. But a .500 record eludes the Tide and they drop their next four – to Bradley 64-59, Oklahoma 66-57, Radford 82-64 (yuk!) and Birmingham Southern 62-61 (ouch – we lose some more in-state credibility).

Fortunately, the non-conference slate draws to a close with an impressive 73-53 popping of Florida State (CRI 85). This team is capable of playing competitive hoops when they want to.

Victory makes one positive lineup change midway through the non-conference slate. Noticing that SF Michael Cook is averaging only 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, he shifts Jimmy McArdle into the three spot. McArdle responds with games of 12, 9, 16 and 22 points respectively. The coach hopes that pays more dividends when SEC play cranks up. It’s going to be tough. LSU (16th), Kentucky (6th) and Florida (19th) are all ranked by the pollsters. Mississippi State is coming off a national runner-up finish. Everyone’s CRI is 79 or better. Alabama’s CRI: well over 100.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Season 2009-2010

Actually the Tide did have one more non-conference game (oops missed it), and Victory’s bunch comes out on top – 62-59 over Nebraska. Of course, the Huskers are about like ‘Bama. Both may be good in football, but both are struggling mightily on the hardwood.

The Tide faces #4 LSU in its SEC opener and loses as expected 72-54. They bounce back with a pleasing 78-71 win over South Carolina (CRI 73), but that will be the only time Victory’s bunch reaches .500 in the league standings. Alabama loses six of its next seven games and ends SEC play 5-11. Ugg.

There were rays of hope despite all the setbacks. The Tide swept Arkansas 65-60 and 75-59 (relegating the Hogs to the SEC cellar). Maurice Cambridge scored 36 points, and the Tide upset Florida in Gator Country 78-76. UF was just two spots out of the top 25 that week. The final game of the regular season pitted ‘Bama and old rival Auburn. Jimmy McArdle and Cambridge powered the attack, as Alabama prevailed 81-67.

Of course there were big losses as well – 74-44 to #18 Vanderbilt at home, 89-55 to #2 Kentucky at home, 90-68 to Auburn in the first meeting on the road, 92-72 at Mississippi.

“This rebuilding project is going to be tougher than I thought,” Victory confides to a reporter from the Tuscaloosa News. “It may take a few years to even break above .500. I hope the administration can be patient with me.”

Alabama’s season ends on the first day of the SEC tournament. South Carolina, the number seven seed, eliminates the Tide with a 13-point victory.

Bama’s final record: 10-20. To the pessimist such a record, of course, wreaks of “more of the same” from Crimson Tide basketball. To the optimist, like Victory tries to be, the Tide did win one more game than last season, did get to double digits in victories and did manage to finish off the bottom of the SEC standings. But even that is reaching for a coach who wants to win an NCT title some day soon (and for fans tired of watching crappy basketball in Alabama).

“We didn’t, unfortunately, nab a top-20 recruiting class like I had hoped,” Victory says after the final day of signing. “That’s going to be the key to turning things around here in Tuscaloosa. Let’s hope these four dudes overachieve during their four years with us.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting Update 2009-10

There is some promise in Victory’s first recruiting class at Alabama but nothing too earth-shattering. No Chad Drivers or Tim Weavers in this mix. (Driver opted to go pro after his sophomore season at Charleston by the way and was picked in the high first round - wow).

The most promising player is shooting guard Waitari Condill from North Carolina. He averaged about 22 ppg as a senior in high school but wasn’t much of an assist man (and it took Victory awhile to pronounce his name right). Point guard Jason Rude looks OK but will need a few seasons under his belt before he can really contribute.

The jury remains out on PF Fernando Williams and C Brad Nooner. Both had pretty good high school stats – until signing with Alabama. And then those numbers promptly tanked. And then coach Victory promptly slapped his forehead wondering why he had extended scholarship invitations to space-fillers.

As Victory scans the roster coming back for 2010-2011, he is suddenly overcome with fear. The only real post players ‘Bama had this past season – Dominique Little, Daniel Starkey and Johnny McArdle – are all gone, off making a living in the real world as new college graduates (not pro basketball players, mind you).

“We may never get a rebound next season,” he says. “Alabama basketball may have further down to go before it can be brought back up...”

Victory suddenly wishes he had a long beach to walk on...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Wrapping up 2009-10

Final thoughts on Coach Victory’s seventh season as a head coach, his first at Alabama:

• Oregon knocks off Dayton the win the NCT title. No SEC teams make the Final Four.
• Notre Dame outduels Mississippi State (a reigning national semifinalist) in the ACT championship at Madison Square Garden.

No post-season awards for ‘Bama, nor should there have been.
Leading scorers from this season: Maurice Cambridge (15.5 ppg), Jimmy McArdle (11 ppg). Cambridge will be back next season.
Leading rebounder: Daniel Starkey (6.9 rpg)
Leading assists: Barry Seamon (a tragic last name by the way) – 6.3 apg

The College of Charleston, the team that Victory left to come to Tuscaloosa, finishes 19-12 under new coach Michael Williamson, 14-4 in the Southern Conference. The Cougars get knocked off early in the SoCon tourney and don’t make the NCT or ACT. Chad Driver led the scoring, averaging about 16 ppg.

On to season number eight – which will mark the halfway point in coach Victory’s quest to win an NCT title before he turns 45… That seems like a long-shot goal at this point, but who knows?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After SEVEN Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
2009-10 Alabama 10-20 5-12
Totals 108-107 64-60

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
None

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's
2010 Oregon

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland
2010 Notre Dame

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Eighth season (2010-2011)

There is only one (publishable) word that does justice to coach Steve Victory’s second season at Alabama, his eighth overall – nightmare.

The Crimson Tide’s 2010-11 campaign turns hellish from the opening tap. ‘Bama gets blown out at home by hapless Gardner-Webb 76-55. Things get worse four nights later when Maryland-Baltimore County stuns the Tide 62-49, again in Tuscaloosa. What the heck?

Victory is crushed. The boo-birds mount quickly and in force. And unfortunately, the spell doesn’t break.

Alabama goes on to lose its first 10 games – to such notable opponents as Fordham, Youngstown State, Campbell and New Hampshire :rolleyes: – before the goose egg is eliminated from the win column. And Victory savors the 72-49 win over Samford on Christmas Day like a man shown to a Sizzler buffet after weeks without food.

Amazingly, the Tide only gets two more wins the rest of the season! Once again, they sweep the series with Arkansas (72-64 and 65-57) but that’s it! The final, ugly, tally – 3 wins, 27 losses. That has to be the worst in Alabama history, but Victory is scared to look it up.

The coach knew his team would struggle, but this badly? He identifies the problem fairly early in the season – virtually no post presence just like early on in his career at Central Florida – but is helpless to do anything about it. There are games when Alabama gets fewer than 10 rebounds total. In most games, they only average 4-6 offensive boards. No offensive or defensive adjustment, or line-up change, seems to help.

“Unless you shoot 80 percent from the field – which we obviously can’t do – you’re not going to win too many games without second and third chances generated by offensive rebounds,” says Victory. “No excuses. We just sucked all season.”

The only highlight player, if that can be said from a year like this, is freshman SG Waitari Condill. He scores 20+ in a handful of games. But his season average is a paltry 11.4 ppg – and that’s the best on the team. Ugg.

The coach obviously worries about his job as the misery continues. Fortunately, Alabama officials don’t pull the trigger at the end of the season. But how much more time does he have to turn things around? One year? Maybe two at most? "At least the former coach before Victory could win eight or nine games," the administration was probably saying. "This guy only got us three."

Victory doesn’t even bother to go to the Final Four to hobnob with other coaches. He doesn’t even watch the games on TV, even though a sentimental favorite of his, the Indiana Hoosiers, are playing for the title against Missouri. He wouldn’t have liked the outcome any way – Missouri won. (Western Illinois took out Temple for the ACT title by the way).

Victory takes off driving for a couple of weeks just to get away. He ends up at the Grand Canyon, where he camps for days and just stares out at the natural wonder searching for some hope.

When he returns home to Alabama, he chunks the stat books and game films from the 2010-11 season into the garbage. He’s hoping his career, and his dream of winning an NCT title, doesn’t end up there also…

“Just don’t give up on me,” he keeps telling folks. “Please, don’t give up...”

[aztarheel]

Posted by: TC Dale Jun 15 2003, 04:04 PM

Keep up the great storyline! Poor ‘Bama , I bet they are chomping at the bit! Keep it up! Schedule Quinnipiac or ScottVib’s alma mater, they both suck.

• • •

Steve Victory JOURNAL:Recruiting 2010-11

Alabama’s crisis season didn’t deter four recruits from inking with the Crimson Tide (thank goodness). They all waited until the final weeks of the process but Victory worked some charm to get a decent class on board.

At first glance, two players look pretty solid. One other has potential to be good before he graduates. The other is a mystery man.

The two solid picks are C Brody Adams (4 stars) from Madison, Miss. Despite his 6-6 frame, Adams tore up the high school circuit, averaging 28 ppg and an amazing 15 rpg. He is desperately needed to beef up Bama’s non-existent post game. Point guard Erazem Lekivicius from Ohio should help the perimeter action. He pumped in 21 points and 8.5 assists per game in high school.

On paper, Kevin Stephenson (2 stars) could develop into a stud in the middle as well, depending on his potential. The South Carolina native is a seven-footer (Victory likes those for some reason) with a 245-pound frame. His high school stats were pretty modest, though. The final pick, Josiah Parker, from California faded at season’s end (naturally after signing with the Tide).

For the record:
· Florida beat Tennessee for the 2011 SEC tourney championship
· Western Illinois beat Temple for the ACT crown
· Missouri of course knocked off Indiana for the NCT title…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL- Ninth Season (2011-12)

If coach Steve Victory’s eighth season as a head coach was a nightmare, then season number nine can be labeled “The Nightmare Revisited.”

Victory’s Alabama Crimson Tide again finishes the season with just three total victories. Three! Well, at least they only lost 26 games this season instead of 27, like last year... :rolleyes:

Last season’s collapse was somewhat expected considering the awkward transition period between the crappy players the old coach had and the new ones Victory was bringing in. But this season’s disaster comes as a surprise to many who had anticipated 12-15 triumphs or better. The freshman class was considered “good” by the .400 experts. The game difficulty improved a step from “brutal” to “very difficult.” Yet nothing Victory did seemed to work.

He ran the fast break. He slowed it down. He pressed full-court. He pulled the defense back into the paint. He ran a zone. He went man. He started the upperclassmen. He turned things over to the freshmen.

Nothing clicked.

The one real highlight from the season came on December 29. That’s when Alabama paid a visit to the College of Charleston, Victory’s old stomping grounds, and pulled off a 64-61 “pride” upset for their coach. Charleston was off to a great start and was even flirting with national rankings at the time (the Cougars went on to finish 21-14). Yet ‘Bama dug deep behind the efforts of SG Waitari Condill, who led the team with 18 points.

Victory, of course, really sweated out his job security as the losses mounted (1-16 vs. SEC foes). There is no way Alabama will keep him after back-to-back three win seasons, right? Amazingly, school officials again decide not to pull the trigger. Even Victory is baffled that he isn’t fired, thinking that this was the time to start reacquainting himself with all those Atlantic Sun schools that he blew off while at Charleston and Central Florida.

“Well, as long as they don’t give up on me, I’m not giving up on Alabama,” he vows. “I still really think we can turn this ship around if we stick with it. It’s just going to be a lot tougher than I originally gave the job credit for.”

[Author’s note: to me this job is the ultimate TDCB challenge – taking a totally crappy team (prestige low 30s) and trying to succeed with them in a monster conference like the SEC. It’s one thing to pull up a 25-30 prestige school in a league where everyone else is 20-35. A few stellar recruits and you’re there. But it’s another thing altogether to pull up a team in a conference where everyone else is 50-plus in prestige and where four or five schools are regulars in the top 20 (prestige 65-75). Fun, but frustrating!]

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL- More 2011-12

Cleaning up the mess that was coach Steve Victory’s ninth season as a head coach:
• Florida edges Kentucky by 2 points to win the SEC tourney (the Gators were regular season champs as well).
• Florida advances to the NCT Final Four as well but loses to Georgetown in one semifinal. Arizona beats Notre Dame in the other semifinal, then knocks off the Hoyas 66-58 to give Tucson another title.
• Victory’s alma mater, Miami, makes the ACT Final Four but loses to eventual champion, Siena, in the semis. Siena beat Seton Hall in the championship game.

Team leaders for Alabama in 2011-12 (if you can say there were any leaders):
• Scoring: Waitari Condill 12.4 ppg (no one else over 10)
• Rebounds: Craig Long 6.1 rpg
• Assists: Barry Seamon 4.2
• Post-season Awards: Ha! Are you kidding?
• Migraines per game: Steve Victory 1.0, Crimson Tide fans 0.96

Victory bids good riddance to Alabama’s four seniors: Seamon, Long, Michael Cook and Andy Starkey. For some reason, Victory never really liked these guys. They had decent ratings but never performed up to expectations (OK, they sucked). Now, the coach only has one more player from the “old regime” to get out the door, soon-to-be senior PF John Jordan.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL- Recruiting Update 2011-12

Victory’s savvy in the recruiting department may be the only thing that kept him at Alabama following his second three-win campaign in a row (that, and a lot of begging). The coach finally got a couple of blue-chip guys to sign on with the Tide. Both are power forwards (something ‘Bama needs desperately).

PF Brett Fischer is listed as the fourth-best player in the nation by both .400 Software and Hoops Galore. He inks with Alabama in week nine. Fischer grew up in Tuscaloosa and despite being ignored by the Tide early in the recruiting process tells coach Victory that he has “always dreamed of playing at Alabama.” For real? Fischer looks like a legit 5-star guy, too (31.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 85 % FT, 62 % FG).

“You’ll start next winter no doubt about it,” Victory tells Fischer (after kissing him on the forehead) on signing day.

The second stud is a pick out of Sheridan, Wyoming named Michael Bliss. He’s the 59th best recruit in the land according to .400. He pulled down an amazing 16.6 rpg and scored 24 ppg as a high school senior. What a combination these two guys can be if they fulfill expectations and stick around for four years.

Not wanting the post game to suffer like it had the past few seasons, Victory also gets yet another center, 7-1 Craig King. He scored 24 ppg and averaged 12 rpg at his South Carolina high school. The fourth recruit is SF Travis Williams (18 ppg), who probably won’t be as strong but could earn some PT later in his career.

For the first time in a few years, Victory sees some light at the end of the tunnel (and it doesn’t appear to be a train coming the other way)…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preparing for season #10

Has it really been almost a decade since Steve Victory jumped into college basketball coaching and boldly predicted that he could win an NCT title within 15 seasons?

Amazingly, that 30-year-old “kid” who blindly signed on with Central Florida against the advice of his closest comrades, is now almost 40. He’s on his third coaching job and frankly he’s really nowhere near his long-coveted goal of cutting down the nets and hoisting a national championship trophy. In fact, he's on the hot seat big-time at his current gig.

While Victory did well for himself at College of Charleston, the Alabama teams he has coached the past two seasons have been among the worst in Crimson Tide history. The fans have all but disappeared from Coleman Coliseum. The local media, while trying to maintain patience and perspective, have taken more and more pot-shots. The Auburn fans, as expected, have started calling the ‘Bama coach things like Steve Defeat and Steve Victoryless.

If there’s to be any hope at all to Victory’s quest at winning the NCT in 15 years, the turnaround has to begin now. The program has to make a major move forward in 2012-13, and then keep going forward. Victory, as determined as ever – if not a bit more humble these days – believes it can happen.

The coach will put a very young team on the floor for the 2012-13 campaign. John Jordan will be the only senior and will start in the front court along with the heralded freshman duo of Michael Bliss and Brett Fischer. Sophomore Erazem Lekivicius will run the show at point guard. Junior SG Waitari Condill, maybe the only bright spot these past few seasons, will try to pump in the points from the wing, though he’s being pushed for PT by fellow junior Jason Rude.

Like his best teams at Charleston, Victory will have four centers to choose from. If he needs strength off the bench, the coach will turn to Brody Adams, a 6-6 sophomore with a penchant for rebounding. If he needs size, he’ll turn to 7-0 sophomore Kevin Stevenson or 7-1 freshman Craig King. Brad Nooner, a 6-10 junior, should see decent minutes as well, though Victory has been rethinking his strategy of recruiting the biggest of the big men. He’s yet to have success at developing them into powerhouse players, though their size lends him to believe they should be able to score 25 ppg and grab 15-18 rpg.

Sophomore PF Josiah Parker, junior PF Fernando Williams and freshman SF Travis Williams make up the rest of the roster. Game number one comes Nov. 22 against visiting Columbia. Victory can’t wait — mostly for the chance to put the bad taste of 3-27 and 3-26 seasons behind him.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Non-conference 2012-13

It takes Alabama all of three games to equal last year’s win total. The Crimson Tide doesn’t exactly blow away the competition, but coach Steve Victory is as pleased as a kid in a candy store at his team’s wins against Columbia (72-64), Prairie View (78-67) and Ball State (80-69). All seems to be well in Victory’s world again.

If the first three contests are any indication, this ‘Bama team will be a balanced one. Four players score in double figures against Columbia and Prairie View (Lekivicius, Fischer, Bliss and Jordan). Jordan adds 20 points to lead the way in the Ball State triumph.

Alabama trips against Alcorn State 77-70, but then rebounds with wins over Binghamton (75-61) and UTEP (85-59). Victory is amazed to see his Crimson Tide push into the top 25 with a 5-1 record. Wow! What a turnaround.

Unfortunately, a four-game losing skid sends the Tide quickly off the charts. Alabama loses close road games to Buffalo (87-83) and New Mexico State (94-82), then gets beaten up pretty good at Nebraska (93-74) and by visiting Temple (76-55).

Alabama owns a 5-5 record heading into a rematch with College of Charleston. Again Victory agrees to travel to play his old team, and again the Crimson Tide comes out with a victory. Waitari Condill leads ‘Bama for the second year in a row with 18 points. Bliss adds 16 and Jason Rude adds 13 to lead the 84-79 triumph.

Charleston fans pay their old coach a tribute with a nice standing ovation before the game. The question of the day in the Charleston Post & Courier: “Did coach Victory do the right thing by going to ‘Bama?”

Opinions are mixed. Victory doesn’t reply publicly but has posed himself that question many times. “We could probably be a 45-50 prestige school if I had stayed at CoC these past three seasons,” Victory muses in his journal. “Then middle tier programs in the SEC or ACC or Big East might have come calling. Oh well, can’t look back…”

The Tide doesn’t and keeps rolling after Charleston, finishing up the non-conference slate with a 75-60 win over Evansville and a 95-82 triumph over Duquesne. The record heading into the SEC schedule: 8-5. Not bad, but Victory knows his troops will be tested every night the rest of the way. The first 13 games were but a warm-up for the grueling grind of the SEC…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC schedule 2012-13

Victory’s team starts off the SEC campaign with a murderer’s row set of games:
• @ LSU (CRI 34)
• @ #7 Kentucky
• vs. #2 Mississippi State
• vs. Georgia (CRI 49)
• @ Arkansas (CRI 40)

“We really need to win two or three of these games to stay in the SEC title hunt,” Victory says. “And to keep our confidence up.”

Unfortunately, the Tide drops all five. Victory’s bunch did go down swinging in four of the five games. They scored 89 on LSU before falling by 7. They earned 79 against Kentucky before losing by 14. Mississippi State, a perennial Final Four team in recent years, only escaped by 2 points and Georgia won by just 1.

“Our strategy of running and pressing more seems to be paying off,” Victory says. “We seem to have the athletes now that can do that. Now if we can just get over the hump and get some wins.”

Alabama does get a big “W” against South Carolina, a program that seems ready to be the next SEC doormat. In Victory’s biggest win in years, ‘Bama cruises over the Gamecocks 90-58.

But then another losing skid sneaks in. The Tide drops four straight nailbiters to Ole Miss, LSU, Auburn (argg!) and Arkansas by 8, 10, 4 and 2 points respectively. Victory’s crew gets a nice 81-80 triumph over Vanderbilt and beats Ole Miss in the rematch 70-67, but drops games to Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi State. Fortunately, the last game of the regular season comes up in ‘Bama’s favor – a pleasing 81-68 victory at home to arch-rival Auburn.

The final record: 12-17 overall, 4-12 in the conference. Better than the 3-win debacles of 2011 and 2012 but not good enough to garner any post-season consideration (barring tournament miracles).

At least the ship is starting to turn around… And Victory does have one “miracle” tournament run to his credit already, just a few short years ago at Charleston. Can this young and somewhat fearless bunch engineer another?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Post-season 2012-13

Alas, there are no SEC tournament miracles from Alabama this season. The Tide gets knocked out in the first round by Mississippi State 83-72. Not bad considering the Bulldogs spent most of the season ranked in the top 5 in the nation. ‘Bama roared back from a 47-29 halftime deficit to at least keep things interesting. Waitari Condill led the way for the Tide with 23 points, including 4-for-7 from three-point land. He's a gamer.

So, Victory’s fourth season at Alabama again ends with a losing record. But his 12-18 mark is his best yet in Tuscaloosa and the school’s best record in close to a decade. With everyone coming back except senior PF/C John Jordan, the future looks bright. The school trustees, while still grumbling over the losing record, seem placated for now.

Victory finally feels confident enough to go back to the Final Four to hobnob with his coaching buddies (he was a no-show the past two seasons because of Alabama’s crappy records). What he sees this time is SEC rival Mississippi State cutting down the nets and enjoying their One Shining NCT Moment in front of tens of thousands.

The Bulldogs beat another SEC foe, Kentucky, in the semifinals 73-47, then clipped Indiana in the title game 80-60. It was the second time in three years IU failed to win the big one (maybe the Hoosiers need dynasty master Johnny93g to help coach them all the way over the top).

Victory takes great pleasure from the fact that his ‘Bama squad nearly beat MSU once this season (falling 67-65) and only lost by 11 in the other two meetings.

“We’re right there, boys,” he says during a summer training session. “We are so close to putting the Crimson Tide back among the elite programs in college basketball. Let’s just keep believing and keep getting better.”

Maybe Victory CAN reach his 15-year goal of winning the NCT after all… Time sure is getting short, though… Only five seasons left...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Wrapping up 2012-13

With only one recruiting spot to fill, coach Steve Victory went after the best prospects in the country. Unfortunately, none of them signed with Alabama. In the final week, the Tide did get a decent SG prospect in Cliff McWilliams out of Tavares, Florida. He’ll be lucky to break into the starting lineup based on early peeks at his ratings, but who knows, stranger things have happened…

Alabama’s hot-shot freshman duo of Michael Bliss and Brett Fischer both earned spots on the SEC all-freshman team. Both were freshman of the week a handful of times during the season.

Victory preached “team” all season, and it reflected in the final stat sheet. Consider this balance:

• Scoring: PF Michael Bliss 11.9 ppg, SG Waitari Condill 11.1, PG Jason Rude 10.9, PF John Jordan 10.1, Erazem Lekivicius 9.7, Brett Fischer 7.6. Nearly the entire starting lineup averaged double figures!
• Rebounds: Bliss 8.5, Jordan 6.6, Fischer 6.4
• Assists: Rude 5.6, Lekivicius 3.7
• Blocks: Bliss 2.4 per game (wow!), C Brody Adams 1.5, John Jordan 1.1, Fischer 1.1. Marv Albert would have had a field day yelling “Rejected!” with this team.

Bliss put his name on a bunch of team records: His 8 blocks vs. Arkansas proved a new Tide mark. His 74 blocks during the course of the season also set a new standard. Plus he made 41.3 percent of his three-pointers – no one had done that at ‘Bama before – and set team records for FT attempted (103) and FT made (120). Fischer set a new team record for FT percentage (89.6 percent). These guys can take over most of the record book if they stay all four years…

For the record:
• UConn drills Florida State for the ACT title 83-59…
• South Carolina offers Victory a job after finishing the season 6-23. Uh, no thanks. While Victory has good memories of the Palmetto State, he’s hoping his days of rebuilding a program in that much disarray are behind him…
• Weird quirk in the game that I just discovered: the Alabama coach that Victory replaced (Michael Williamson) ended up taking Victory’s place at College of Charleston. Would that ever happen in real life? Nope, but it happens every time you change jobs in TDCB (one of the game's drawbacks). Charleston finished 16-14 in 2012-13, giving Williamson his fourth-straight winning season after a truly awful stint at ‘Bama. Strange indeed...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After TEN Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
2009-10 Alabama 10-20 5-12
2010-11 Alabama 3-27 2-15
2011-12 Alabama 3-26 1-16
2012-13 Alabama 12-18 4-12
Totals 126-178 71-103

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
None

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's
2010 Oregon
2011 Missouri
2012 Arizona
2013 Mississippi State

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland
2010 Notre Dame
2011 Western Illinois
2012 UConn

***I hadn't realized until I added it up how poor Victory's overall record was at this point in his career. I'm really surprised the game didn't fire him from Alabama after four seasons, but for some reason the Tide kept him on. Can a guy with five 20-loss seasons in 10 years really turn out to be a legend? Stay tuned... (I've still got to look up the NCT and ACT winners from 2007 - that's bugging me)


****For those reading this "re-run" (all two of you), is the pace OK? I've got something of a sequel planned that I'm eager to start, so I'm kind of blitzing through posts. I might even start the sequel before I finish this, and provide a Reader's Digest version of Victory's history somewhere in it, so folks don't have to sort through the whole story.

Anyways, feedback is welcome if folks are enjoying/not enjoying this one. I had fun the first time and am enjoying re-reading it as I repost it...

[Travis]

Definitely enjoying it and the more the merrier, great work time reading ;)

[hoopsguy]

Agreed, so far this has been a fun read. Looking forward to seeing what the final five seasons bring for Victory and the Tide.

[vtbub]

great read

[aztarheel]

Thanks for the comments, everyone ... I'll keep posting away ...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2013-14

When folks in Tuscaloosa weren’t talking about Alabama football during the summer of 2013, many were debating the merits of keeping Steve Victory on as head men’s basketball coach.

The cynics railed against Tide officials for not looking elsewhere after four-straight losing seasons, including two years with just three wins each. Victory’s supporters, however, pointed to the fact that those crappy seasons came with players from the former regime, and that the Tide made some major strides the previous winter with players that Victory brought in.

“He’s still our man,” Alabama administrators kept telling the press, though that was about as big an endorsement as Victory got publicly.

There was consensus on one point – year number five in the Victory era had better be a good one. Another 10- or 12-win season (or worse) just wouldn’t cut it. Alabama needed to capture at least 20 victories and make the NCT to quell the rising tide (no pun intended) against the coach.

Of course, Victory has his own pressure to deal with on top of the growing impatience from school supporters. He is only five years away from his self-imposed goal of winning an NCT title by the time he turns 45. Things are moving in the right direction for sure but can he take Alabama (or another program for that matter) all the way in just five more seasons?

Fortunately, the team that Victory will trot out for the 2013-14 has the potential to be pretty good. Four regular starters return, including a pair of rising sophomores who made the all-SEC freshman team the season before – PF Michael Bliss and PF Brett Fischer

Junior PG Erazem Lekivicius is back for a second full year to run the show. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by senior SG Waitari Condill. Senior PG/SG Jason Rude will push both players for starting minutes and make for a nice three-man rotation.

Junior Brody Adams, who reminds ‘Bama fans of Charles Barkley, wins the starting role at center. Back-ups in the post include a solid though not spectacular cast – (listed from highest-rated to lowest) sophomore C Craig King, senior PF Fernando Williams, junior PF Josiah Parker, senior C Brad Nooner and junior C Kevin Stevenson. Sophomore SF Travis Williams and frosh SG Cliff McWilliams could be vital if the guard rotation is thinned by injuries. Academics shouldn’t be a problem as everyone’s GPA is better than 3.15…

The scouting report from .400 Software experts:
Expectations: win a few games
Prestige: 43
Freshman class (only one player): Awful
Overall talent: Good
Difficulty: Moderate

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season 2013-14

The Crimson Tide faces a tough task in its opener – a trip to #25 Wisconsin. Victory decides to push the tempo, get the ball into the post and make the Badgers beat his bunch from the outside. The ploy works, and Alabama races to a 95-85 triumph. Guard Erazem Lekivicius leads the scoring with 23 points (Wisconsin overplayed the post apparently).

Victory decides to keep the run-and-gun mentality, and his Tide responds with four more wins. Brody Adams leads the scoring in a 98-72 smashing of UMass. Alabama goes over 100 in a 103-83 win against Robert Morris. Michael Bliss scores 23 and pulls down 12 rebounds in an 82-80 nailbiter over Penn. An 84-72 win at Idaho State puts the Tide where it hasn’t been in a long time – at #14 in the national rankings. ‘Bama’s CRI is an amazing #9 during the first week of charting. While this high positioning may not last, Crimson Tide basketball is at least fun to watch again…

Victory’s team makes a quick exit from the polls with an 83-81 loss at Rutgers (CRI 250 – ugh) in game number six, but the rest of the non-conference slate goes well. The Tide gets ready for SEC play sporting a 10-2 record. Good wins, as Johnny93 likes to call them, come against Southern Cal (95-79) and New Mexico (102-69). The only other loss comes to the #5 team in the land, Dayton. The Fliers go ahead 51-35 at half and roll on to a 95-79 victory.

Everyone in the starting lineup has great games during this stretch. Jason Rude and Waitari Condill have 20-point nights. Bliss, Fischer and Adams lead the rebounding… At long last, the NCT drought could be over for Alabama. But the team still must navigate the always tough SEC schedule… No easy task...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — SEC Schedule 2014

Things start well in conference play as ‘Bama trips Mississippi 82-68. The Tide loses at LSU but then bounces back to beat defending national champion Mississippi State 86-84 and Vanderbilt 75-60. Finally, Alabama is a contender in the SEC again! MSU isn’t as strong as last year but is still ranked #23!

Condill suffers a major injury at this point, though, and Arkansas takes advantage of the guard-thin lineup for a 72-54 triumph. This causes Victory to rethink his run-and-gun strategy. The coach pulls back on the reins a bit, focusing more on post play, and Alabama gets the biggest win of Victory’s short tenure in Tuscaloosa – a 94-44 stomping of #20 Florida. Man, does that feel good! Victory, being a Miami alum, has never liked the Gators.

The train derails when another guard suffers an injury. Without Jason Rude or Condill, the Tide falls to Kentucky, rival Auburn, Ole Miss and lowly South Carolina, and barely sneaks past Arkansas by 2.

Despite yet more day-to-day type injuries to Rude and Lekivicius, Alabama goes on a nice four-game run to end the regular season – beating Auburn 90-87, Georgia 100-62, LSU 85-71 and even #7 Tennessee 84-79. Brody Adams goes absolutely crazy against Tennessee, scoring 19 points and grabbing an amazing 18 rebounds (including 8 on the offensive side).

When the dust clears on the regular season, Alabama is holding a 19-9 record, 9-7 in the SEC. The pundits consider the Tide a bubble team even though they have solid wins against the Vols and Gators, and even though they smashed Georgia (CRI 16) by 38 points. But losses to teams like Rutgers, Auburn (CRI 200) and South Carolina may be their undoing.

“We have got to win a couple games at least in the SEC tournament,” Victory tells his players. “If we go one-and-done, we may be watching the Big Dance rather than joining in on it. Of course, if we win the whole thing, we’ve got it made…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL — SEC Tournament 2014

Coach Steve Victory is used to being one-and-done in conference tournaments. In his first 10 years of coaching, his teams have only won one league tourney and only made it out of the first round a couple of times.

Count 2014 as another year of falling short. The worst part about it – it’s rival Auburn that eliminates the Tide on the first day of SEC tournament play. Though only 9-20 during the regular season, the Tigers use good guard play to pull the upset by 3. Of all the teams to lose to – Alabama’s biggest rival. The loss may have gone down better had it been someone like Georgia or Florida, but those pesky Tigers? It hurts!

Victory and his players sweat out selection Sunday. CBS puts a crew in Tuscaloosa along with a couple other “bubble team” towns and tracks the Tide’s reaction as Greg Gumble reads through the names of those invited to the NCT. Alas, a 19-10 record isn’t good enough. Alabama’s name is not on the list. Faces are long in Tuscaloosa in front of a national audience, while Auburn fans rejoice at being the spoiler. What a crappy weekend!

While his players are in the dumps, Victory does rebound quickly and gets excited about getting an ACT invite. Nothing helps you move on from a tough defeat like getting to play another game, he figures. While Auburn sure messed some things up, the Tigers don’t have to get the last word in…

South Florida is Alabama’s first opponent in a midweek game. Victory knows all about them being a Florida native. The Bulls compete in Conference USA, a league Victory twice turned down coaching opportunities in.

“Seniors – think about finishing strong,” Victory says to his players. “Underclassmen – look at this as a springboard to greater things next winter. We have the chance to play five more games if we can keep our heads up.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACT 2014

The 2014 ACT has plenty of names you might expect to find in the NCT instead: Virginia, Purdue, Temple, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati.

Alabama is making its first appearance in the “Almost Championship Tournament” in 10 years. The Tide last played in the ACT in 2004 when coach Michael Williamson engineered a Sweet 16 finish and a 17-14 season record (the last time ‘Bama had a winning record in men’s hoops by the way – yikes!). At least that's one positive streak Victory helped snap this year.

Coach Steve Victory’s crew opens at home against South Florida as the number two seed in the South. Alabama is the strong favorite but is playing without PG Erazem Lekivicius, who fractured his skull (ouch!) late in the regular season and is unavailable the rest of the way. Fortunately, freshman SG Cliff McWilliams steps in beautifully, scores 21 points and leads an 84-55 stomping. Fellow guard Waitari Condill adds 20 points. Brody Adams pulls down 13 rebounds. Steve Victory earns his first-ever post-season tournament win (outside of conference tournaments) – hey, and it only took 11 seasons.

Round two brings a date against Georgia Tech of the ACC. ‘Bama travels for this one but takes the sting out of the Yellow Jackets in the first half, building a 44-29 lead. Five Crimson Tide players reach double figures – with Michael Bliss leading with 20 points – and ‘Bama rolls to an 81-67 triumph. McWilliams fills in nicely again – 10 points, three 3-pointers. Rude has 12 assists. On to the Elite Eight – ACT style!

Here, Alabama meets up with always tough Temple, still coached by John Cheney, who is something like 90 years old now. Again the Tide travels and again they silence the home crowd with a great performance. Brett Fischer leads the scoring in this one, providing 19 points, and ‘Bama wins 75-61.

Adams and Bliss each have 12 rebounds. Jason Rude proves rude to Temple’s defense with 8 assists. Hey, hey – Steve Victory is going to his first Final Four. Even if it is only the ACT, he’s pretty pumped to be still playing in late March! The coach has always held quite a bit of reverence for Madison Square Garden. Others making the trip: SEC rival Arkansas, Virginia and Xavier. ‘Bama must get through the Wahoos of UVa to make it to the title game…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACT Final Four 2014

Virginia sports a 19-14 record heading into the ACT semifinals. ‘Bama comes in with a 22-10 mark (it’s looking better every game!). The two teams fight and scratch for 40 hard minutes before the Crimson Tide comes out on top by 2 points, 63-61.

Jason Rude (14 points) and Waitari Condill (14 points) lead the scoring. Michael Bliss (12 points) and Brett Fischer (11 points) get most of their scoring at the free-throw line. Alabama is going to the ACT championship game!! Their opponent: none other than SEC rival Arkansas, who cruised past Xavier 83-65.

The all-SEC final might not garner a lot of national attention but it’s a great match-up for fans of the league (and channel surfers who just want to watch a hard-fought basketball game). Alabama and Arkansas fans don’t necessarily like each other. Both teams won one game against the other during the regular season and both felt snubbed by the NCT selection committee when the berths were announced (Arkansas had a 20-10 record at the time).

Victory wants to cut the nets down at Madison Square Garden so badly he can taste it. So what if it’s “just the ACT”? A win in the championship will vindicate what he’s been doing with the Crimson Tide the past 4-5 seasons and prove a great springboard into next winter. “There’s nothing like winning your last game of the season,” he tells the press on the eve of the showdown. “This is the biggest game of my career to date.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACT Championship 2014

Unfortunately, this big game at the Garden ends in heartbreaking fashion. Crimson Tide players give their all but ‘Bama loses 79-75. Alabama had held a 4-point lead at halftime but couldn’t stave off Arkansas’ guard tandem of L. Landram and K. Smith. Both pumped in about 20 points and shut down the Tide’s perimeter game (the Tide really missed starting PG Erazem Lekivicius, out with his skull injury).

Michael Bliss scored 22 points for the Tide but everyone else seemed to struggle. Only seldom-used center Craig King joined Bliss in double figures, netting 12. Waitari Condill was held to 2 points. Jason Rude managed 9. Cliff McWilliams, who had played so well during the rest of the ACT, had just 4.

While the loss is tough to swallow, Victory walks out of Madison Square Garden with his head held pretty high. Taking Alabama from four straight losing seasons to a 23-11 record and an ACT runner-up finish is a big step for the program – and his career as well. Now maybe recruits, fans and cynical alumni will embrace him rather than plan how to oust him.

Now maybe the stage is set for a similar run through the NCT in the near future – maybe next year since most of the guys are coming back.

[aztarheel]

Author's Note: It was at this point of the story where one of my best friends in the world, Jeff Wilt, started posting regularly (His nickname is "yanksare". I had inserted his name harmlessly into the dynasty as a sports writer back when Victory coached at Charleston, knowing he might see it.

He read that and decided to develop the character. I never really knew what he (and some others) were going to write and he never knew what was going to happen next to ol' Steve, so we had fun with it... Anyways, this is where the dynasty got really fun for me...

Enjoy...

• • •
Posted by: jksander
Great ACT run, coach! I still am counting on you to win an NCT Title though And I think your Alabama can do it!

• • •

Posted by: yanksare

Tuscaloosa News • April 20, 2014


There’s a New Sheriff in Town

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jeffrey Craig Wilt and I am your new “star” sports columnist at The Tuscaloosa News. I most recently worked for a nickle and dime publication in Charleston, South Carolina. That reminds me, you folks around here are already used to SC transplants. Now I don’t want to ruffle any feathers my first day on the job, but isn’t it about time Alabama made it to the NCT? Sure this past year was the best the Tide has had since 2003, but is the ACT runner up, the title that we have been dreaming of? I promise to give you hard hitting news and intelligent thought provoking commentary on the coming season and the continued plight of Steve Victory for that elusive title. Face it tiger. You hit the jackpot.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final thoughts on 2013-14

NCT Champion: Illinois outlasted Duke to win the 2014 crown (Coach Victory is glad the Dookies didn’t prevail!)
ACT Champion: Arkansas, of course… Argg…

Awards: Michael Bliss got player of the week a few times, but nothing else

Alabama Leaders (again a balanced year):
Scoring – Michael Bliss (13.9 ppg), Waitari Condill (13.5 ppg), Jason Rude (13.0 ppg), Erazem Lekivicius (11.3 ppg) Brody Adams (9.5 ppg). Almost every regular starter in double figures
Rebounding – Michael Bliss (9.5 rpg), Brody Adams (7.9 rpg)
Assists – Erazem Lekivicius (5.8 apg), Jason Rude (3.4 apg) – not the greatest numbers in the world…
Blocks – Michael Bliss and Brody Adams (all 6 feet, 6 inches of him) both with 2.4 blocks per game. Wow! Brett Fischer added 1.4 bpg.
FT % - Brett Fischer made 93.9 % from the line… Mr. Reliable.

Recruiting Update: Coach Victory does something in the summer of 2014 that he’s never done before – cut his own recruits. In fact, he jettisons two guys that have ratings that wouldn’t qualify them to play at Tuscaloosa High. Yuck — that’s what got ‘Bama in trouble in the first place...

Victory does land a stellar center prospect in Jordie Barnes out of Tracy, Calif. He could be the next Brody Adams and should push for minutes as a freshman. Victory also signs a decent PG prospect in Will Turner out of Palmer, Alaska (thought he was from Arkansas for awhile and wondered why recruiting budget was so much – doh!)…

The other two openings are filled with senior walk-ons. Shooting guard Bob Woods actually looks pretty decent. Point guard Taliek Edwards probably won’t play much at all…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2014-15

It becomes obvious to coach Steve Victory pretty quickly that an ACT runner-up finish carries only so much weight with Alabama fans.

Sure, folks at College of Charleston might have had a parade in Victory’s honor for such a feat. But being “66th best in the land” doesn’t mean a whole lot to a town used to its football team competing regularly for BCS bowl berths.

“Would Tide fans applaud their football team for winning the Poulan Weedeater Independence Bowl?” writes new Tuscaloosa News sports columnist Jeff Wilt, aka The Sheriff. “Not for very long, I can tell you that.

“Finish as the NCT runner-up, Mr. Victory, and we’ll give you the standing ovation you crave. Until then, we’re not very impressed.”

Ouch. Granted Wilt is the “stir-em-up” tabloid journalist type, but his tone represents the mood of many ‘Bama fans who have endured a decade-long drought from the NCT.

Fortunately, the stage is set for Victory and company to turn some heads in the basketball realm. At least on paper, Victory’s sixth Alabama team looks like a solid NCT contender.

The folks at .400 Software call Alabama’s talent level “Superior” and even remark that the two freshmen are “very good.” Challenge level: moderate. Expectations: Win a few games. The school’s hoops prestige is still at a paltry 43 (below average), however.

Here’s the line-up:
Likely starters – PG Erazem Lekivicius (senior, great career already!), SG Cliff McWilliams (soph), SF Michael Bliss (junior – by far the best to ever play for Victory), PF Josiah Parker (senior – beat out junior phenom Brett Fischer after a great summer!) and C Brody Adams (senior).

The backups: PF Fischer, C Craig King (junior), C Kevin Stevenson (senior), SG Bob Woods (senior walk-on), PG Taliek Edwards (senior walk-on), SF Travis Williams (junior – could be a surprise!), C Jordie Barnes (frosh) and PG Will Turner (frosh).

The big key is McWilliams and how well he’ll fit into the veteran lineup. As always, injuries – or the lack of them – could determine a lot…

Realistically, this could be Victory’s best chance at an NCT title within his 15-year timeframe. Six seniors will graduate after this season, and the rumor mill has juniors Bliss and Fischer jumping ship to the NBA. Victory will have 6-8 new players on his team next year and only three more years with which to capture the NCT crown... Will it be 2015 or bust?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Non-conference 2014-15

Alabama’s strong ACT run gets them invited to the Alaska Challenge (a neat homecoming for freshman Will Turner, who hails from Palmer).

Amazingly, the Crimson Tide responds by beating three solid teams and winning the preseason tune-up. Victory’s bunch disposes of UC Riverside 89-81, St. Louis 86-75 and #7 Minnesota 75-53. Josiah Parker nets 23 in the opener. Michael Bliss scores 27 against St. Louis. Wow! (Note – all three opponents have CRIs in the top 20 when rankings come out later in the season).

The three-game sweep vaults Alabama to a number-three ranking in the International Press poll! That’s the best-ever listing for a Victory-coached team, though the coach is wise enough after 12 years on the bench not to take too much stock in early-season rankings.

“We’re kind of the flavor of the week,” Victory says. “If we’re ranked third in February or March, then I’ll get excited.”

Sure enough, Alabama drops out of the polls in the next two weeks after losing to Texas A&M 68-67 and #5 Arizona 86-67. In between, Victory does beat his alma mater, Miami of Florida, 85-70. It was a nice homecoming for the coach as the Hurricanes were ranked #13 at the time.

The Arizona loss weighs heavy on Alabama players, who believe they belong in the same elite category as the Wildcats. With renewed vigor, ‘Bama players finish off the non-conference schedule with nine-straight wins. Check out these scores:

• Marshall, 99-76
• @ Cal Poly SLO, 95-74
• @ Illinois-Chicago, 91-59
• VMI, 92-57
• Colorado State, 90-59
• Iona, 95-61
• @ Cleveland State, 100-62
• Xavier, 92-59
• @ Iowa State, 86-65

Granted, these opponents aren’t of Arizona’s stature, but there was a time recently when Alabama was losing to opponents like Illinois-Chicago and Iona. The strategy: a strong quarter-court defense, an uptempo offensive game and a focus on both post and perimeter play.

The Crimson Tide enters the SEC schedule with a 13-2 record. They return to the rankings at #15 in the IP poll and #20 in the .400 poll. The team’s CRI (the game's version of RPI) is listed as #2 in the nation!

Victory allows himself to dream a bit of making a big NCT run. “I don’t think there’s a team out there that we couldn’t compete with,” he says. “This could be the year...”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Recruiting update

Bad news for coach Victory: Both Michael Bliss and Brett Fischer decide to forgo their senior seasons at Alabama and announce their intentions to declare for the NBA draft (insert string of curse words here)....

The Crimson Tide now has eight spots to fill for next year -- EIGHT! Almost an entirely new team will take the court in 2015-16. The pressure to win it all this year now weighs on coach Victory like a Sumo wrestler...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Schedule 2014-15

As if the news of Bliss and Fischer going pro early isn’t enough, Alabama loses its conference opener to South Carolina. The Gamecocks were the worst SEC team a year ago yet manage a 76-72 stunner in the SEC debut for both schools.

The next two weeks are a roller coaster for Victory and company. An impressive 82-59 triumph over a solid LSU squad. A narrow 79-76 loss to conference power Mississippi State. A huge 97-75 win at #15 Tennessee. Another stomach-churning loss (76-75) to Ole Miss – a game in which PG Erazem Lekivicius suffers a minor injury.

Somehow Alabama stays in the rankings, but barely at #25. Fortunately, the roller coaster wouldn’t continue the rest of the regular season. Alabama keeps going up and up following its last dip – winning the last 11 SEC games!

Here’s the tally:
• @ Arkansas, 89-62 (ACT revenge!)
• Auburn, 101-63 – haha!!
• #19 Florida, 81-61
• @ Georgia, 85-69
• @ Mississippi, 73-71
• Arkansas, 92-56 (ACT revenge, part two!!!)
• @ Auburn, 105-71 (the alumni love Victory for this smashing)
• #25 Kentucky, 97-69 (more love after this one!)
• @ #10 Mississippi State, 94-53 (Steve Victory Day proclaimed in Tuscaloosa)
• @ LSU, 86-76
• Vanderbilt 82-60 (no season-ending letdown fortunately!)

When the final buzzer of the regular season sounds, Alabama is left holding the best record in the conference at 13-3. For the second time in Victory’s career, he’s coached a regular-season league champion. Only this time, it’s the powerhouse SEC and not just the Southern Conference with opponents like Furman, Wofford and Citadel. The Tide’s victim list this season is impressive – Mississippi State, Florida, Kentucky, hated Auburn twice by big numbers…

Some notables: Alabama finishes the regular season ranked #9 in both polls with a CRI of 4. The Tide finishes two games ahead of its nearest competitor in the SEC South. Senior walk-on Bob Woods scored 18 points in the revenge win at Ole Miss. Reserve Travis Williams netted 30 points in the season finale against Vanderbilt and had a couple of 20+ games during one stretch.

The only downside to this amazing run – the injury bug hit ‘Bama in a big way. SG Cliff McWilliams missed nine games with a fractured hip and is questionable for the SEC tourney. PG Erazem Lekivicius broke his arm against Arkansas and will certainly miss the SEC tourney (fingers crossed on an NCT return).

“We’re kind of limping to the finish line,” Victory says. “Let’s just hope we have enough in the tank to make one last push through March. I think we’re a legitimate Final Four team if we can heal up.”

And this time he doesn’t mean the Final Four of the ACT…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Tuscaloosa News March 1, 2015

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Welcome back ya’ll to the Sheriff’s Roundup. This special edition I like to call the Roundball Roundup. We have witnessed a compelling season for the Tide under Coach Steve Victory this year. He has the boys poised for a run at both the SEC and wait for it, wait for it, the NCT championships.

I haven’t seen such excitement here in the South since the tapes surfaced from that fateful spring night in 2003 in a hotel room with a certain unnamed football coach and a certain untamed exotic dancer. But I guess that is another story.

I predict big things for the #9 ranked Crimson Tide. With 8 players leaving after this year, I don’t think Victory will have a better chance in the near future to take his boys a long way in the big one. The biggest problem Victory has now is trying to keep his team healthy. With McWilliams and Lekivicius both hurt the coach will have to be crafty with his subsitutions.

As all my faithful readers know I have not always been supportive of Victory. Let’s just say that our time in Charleston together was not always collegial. But being the stand up kind of guy I am, I will be the first to admit that the coach has done a nice job this year. Now, let’s see if he and his team can Roll on through the tourneys.

Until next time, this is the Sheriff reminding all of you to tip your servers on the way out.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Tourney 2015

Fortunately, SG Cliff McWilliams makes it back from his fractured hip in time for the SEC tournament. He slides in at PG and helps lead top-seeded Alabama to a gritty 87-81 win over tough LSU, the 11th seed, in the quarterfinals. Whew! The first-round upset bug is avoided…

Unfortunately, though, things begin to unravel at this point for Victory and company. The Crimson Tide gets by #4 seed Georgia in the SEC semifinals 81-74, but one marquee player, Michael Bliss, suffers a major injury. A broken skull suffered early in the second half ends his season and jeopardizes his NBA career!! Acck!!

How well will ‘Bama do in the NCT without its heart and soul, the team’s only all-SEC selection and Victory’s most favorite player ever? Center Brody Adams picks up a lot of the slack against Georgia, thankfully, finishing with 9 points, 18 rebounds and an amazing 10 blocks…

But Adams’ season ends prematurely the following afternoon. The 6-6 center, who plays more like a 6-11 warrior in the paint, dislocates his shoulder in the SEC championship game against #2 seed Tennessee. Alabama can’t recover from this injury, now missing three starters, and falls to the Vols 71-68. Travis Williams keeps the Tide around with his 18 points. ‘Bama had led by 6 at the half before Adams was felled.

“This is ridiculous,” a shaken Steve Victory says after the title-game loss. “It’s like there’s a sniper somewhere up in the stands picking off my players one-by-one.” [Author’s note: this is my least favorite part of the game - way too many injuries...]

Alabama (28-6, #9 in both polls) does get PG Erazem Lekivicius back for the NCT. A bittersweet Selection Sunday show reveals that the Tide has garnered a #3 seed in the South Region behind Creighton and Duke. Their first opponent: #14 Alcorn State.

Victory should be excited at his best seeding ever in the NCT, but he can’t shake the fact that his team’s chances at going to the Elite Eight or Final Four (or the title game) have been badly damaged by all the freak injuries.

“A broken skull? Give me a break,” he mourns…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Round of 64, 2015

Here’s the patchwork lineup Victory assembles for the NCT opener:

• PG Erazem Lekivicius (his first game back since breaking his arm)
• SG Travis Williams (normally a reserve SF but has made most of his chance to start)
• SF Brett Fischer (taking over for Bliss, he was a non-starter much of the year)
• PF Josiah Parker (only starter to avoid the injury bug all year)
• C Craig King (a 7-foot-1 foul machine who occasionally scores or gets a rebound – Auburn fans call him the biggest waste of space in the SEC. Victory quietly agrees).

It’s not pretty but Victory does get his first ever NCT victory in the opener. Alabama slogs by Alcorn State 80-68. Travis Williams shines the brightest, leading the Tide with 16 points in 26 minutes of play.

But guess what? Williams – continuing with recent tradition – breaks his ankle early in the second half. He, too, is out the rest of the way. That’s three players lost to major injury in three consecutive games.

The Alabama sniper lives on…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Round of 32, 2015

Coach Steve Victory jokingly shows up to the pre-game press conference for Alabama’s next NCT game wearing a white Crimson Tide jersey and a Nike headband.

“They might need me,” the coach says, trying to laugh about all the injuries that have befallen his squad. “I’ve lost a little speed but I’ve still got a mean jump shot.”

Victory’s team seriously could use some good jump-shooters. Alabama’s opponent in the NCT second round is none other than #6 seed Kansas, still coached by Bill Self.

Cliff McWilliams, an on-again, off-again, shooting guard will fill in for the injured Travis Williams. Victory gambles by putting freshman center Jordie Barnes into the starting lineup instead of 7-1 space-waste Craig King. The pundits give Alabama the edge at the 3, 4 and 5 spots, but the Crimson Tide just plain plays out of sync for 40 minutes.

Kansas wins going away 80-64. Rats!!!

McWilliams manages 13 points. Jordie Barnes steps up and asserts himself as a player of the future by scoring 12 and grabbing 8 rebounds. But the sting of this loss just overwhelms Victory, who a few weeks before had been confident that his team could beat anybody.

The final tally for ‘Bama: 29-7 overall and a final ranking of 9th in both polls. The final CRI tally: 10th… All are career bests for Steve Victory. He’ll appreciate them later, for sure, but for now he’s pretty down…

‘Bama’s tumble in the second round reflects a trend for the SEC as a whole. Seven SEC teams made the field of 64 – Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee. All seven were gone by the end of the first weekend. Even the SEC’s entries in the ACT failed to last beyond two rounds. Yikes!

Syracuse and Arizona go on to meet in the NCT championship game, with ‘Zona winning 66-60. Creighton and Illinois were the other Final Four teams. North Carolina tops Ohio State 83-61 in the ACT final. Southern Miss and American also made the ACT Final Four.

Alabama team leaders in 2014-15:
Scoring: Michael Bliss 16.7 ppg
Rebounds: Michael Bliss 10.5 rpg (stay Michael stay!)
Assists: Erazem Lekivicius 6.5

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After TWELVE Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
2009-10 Alabama 10-20 5-12
2010-11 Alabama 3-27 2-15
2011-12 Alabama 3-26 1-16
2012-13 Alabama 12-18 4-12
2013-14 Alabama 23-11 9-8
2014-15 Alabama 29-7 15-4

Totals 178-196 95-115

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2014 Alabama 4-1 in ACT (runners up to Arkansas)
2015 Alabama 1-1 in NCT

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)
2015 PF Michael Bliss (Alabama)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
2015 Michael Bliss (Alabama) — taken 12th overall by Indiana Pacers

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's
2010 Oregon
2011 Missouri
2012 Arizona
2013 Mississippi State
2014 Illinois
2015 Arizona

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland
2010 Notre Dame
2011 Western Illinois
2012 Siena
2013 UConn
2014 Arkansas
2015 North Carolina

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2015-16

Coach Steve Victory has players wearing nametags for the first few weeks of practice leading up to the 2015-16 season. Even he forgets names once and awhile, welcoming an amazing eight new players to the squad. Six graduated after the NCT heartbreak of March 2015 and two more guys, heralded junior Michael Bliss and Brett Fischer opted to try for the NBA draft (Bliss was picked #12 by the Pacers; Fischer wasn’t picked at all).

Here are the five players coming back:
C Craig King (senior): will this be his year to finally break out?
SF Travis Williams (senior): he did break out last year thanks to all the injuries to others, averaging 14 ppg
SG Cliff McWilliams (junior): up and down player
C Jordie Barnes (sophomore): should be a starter now that Brody Adams has graduated
PG Will Turner (sophomore): Alaska native will redshirt this year with all the PG talent coming in.

Here are the new guys – some look solid; a few are questions marks:
PF Travis McQuay: snagged him from NJ, possible starter or early off the bench
PF Alex Henry: best guy of the bunch it looks like, will start
PG Mark Bell: The Gadsden, Alabama product ready to run the show as a frosh
PG Michael Slater: looks ready to bump McWilliams to the bench
PF Alex Henry: Just another guy?
SG Marco Bartow: good potential, watch for him in a year or two
SF Traves Pearce: not as much potential but decent ratings
PF Ben Field: ye olde waste of space (the next Craig King but with crappy grades?)

Alabama’s prestige keeps on an upward trend but barely – rising to 45
The team’s freshman class is ranked “good” and the overall talent is listed as “solid.” Game challenge – normal. Expectations – win a few games. Wow, the ‘Bama administration wouldn’t say that to the football coaches.

The Tide will again begin its season in a national tournament. Victory and crew will head to Madison Square Garden for the Preseason ACT – the site where ‘Bama lost in the ACT finals to Arkansas two years prior.

“I’ve got three more years before the 15-year deadline,” Victory reminds himself. “A lot is riding on this class of freshmen...”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Early season 2015-16

The opener to season #13 in the Victory tenure (Lucky 13?) is a tough one. Alabama goes up against #5 UConn in the Preseason ACT. The young Crimson Tide fares well, but not well enough to win. The Huskies move on 86-72.

Game two is even tougher, at least on paper. Alabama must travel to #2 Wisconsin. Yet this time, the young guns wearing crimson win it! ‘Bama upsets the Badgers on their home floor 87-77. The 3-pointers rain down from all over as the Tide hits 12-of-17. Craig King shows he’s ready to improve upon last year with 13 points and 9 boards. But he’s still got foul issues.

The non-conference slate proves an up-and-down affair as coach Victory expects. Some good wins – over Cincinnati 89-73, over Clemson 87-74, over decent South Florida and Troy State teams. Some tough losses – three in a row in one stretch to New Orleans, Detroit and NC State. All told ‘Bama takes a 7-7 record into its conference opener.

The top players so far: Mark Bell – double figures nearly every game and 24 points against both NCSU and Cincy. Jordie Barnes – a rebounder worthy of following in Brody Adams’ footsteps; Travis McQuay and Alex Henry – steady 10-15 point nights, with a few 20+ games for each. If these players can mature through the SEC slate, Alabama could be a threat in the SEC and a contender for an NCT slot (please!!). It’s a tall order for such a young team, though…

A familiar theme rears its ugly head in the final non-conference tune-up against South Florida. Hotshot PG Mark Bell tears a quad muscle and is lost for 2-3 months. That’s probably a season-ender for him. Good grief, and he was on pace to win SEC frosh of the year honors...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Campaign 2016

Things really turn bleak for Alabama when the Tide drops its first two SEC games of 2016 – 83-62 to Ole Miss (lots of people foul out) and 79-71 to LSU.

That leaves ‘Bama at 7-9 overall, with a date against Mississippi State looming next. MSU is currently ranked #1 in the nation! Coach Victory’s pretty discouraged, but a few tweaks here and there with lineups and sliders lead to the biggest upset of his career.

Michael Slater, Cliff McWilliams and Travis Williams make for a mean guard rotation, and the Tide win 84-81 at home! Fans storm the court, and Victory rides off on the shoulders of his players, knowing that triumph alone may have saved his neck. It’s the first time in his career, he’s ever beaten a #1 team (scrapbook clipping time).

Fortunately, the roll continues for ‘Bama as they next knock off #25 Georgia on the road 79-67 (McWilliams 25 points). Then Arkansas falls 97-66 as McWilliams (22 points, 8 assists) and Henry (21 points) lead the way. Vanderbilt is the next victim, getting pounded 85-46. Williams pumps in 32 points. Who are these guys?

Alabama goes on to win eight of its next 10 games to finish a surprising 12-4 in the SEC – the third-best record in the league behind MSU and Vandy. Mississippi State got revenge in a big way (98-60) on its home floor and Tennessee tripped the Tide 77-73. But ‘Bama rolled over some decent foes like Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, LSU and Ole Miss.

The four-game win streak to end the regular season — playing without PG Michael Slater who broke his hip against MSU and is out for the year (arrggghhhh!!!!) — raises the Crimson Tide’s overall record to 19-11. Alabama magically appears on the bubble list for the NCT! Who would have thought that when the Tide was carrying a 7-9 record? Nice job by the youngters and the few remaining old guys.

Victory believes his squad has enough quality wins – including the big upset over the #1 MSU Bulldogs – to get in, but he knows the Tide could help its own cause in the SEC tournament. “We need to win at least one or two games to lock up a berth,” he tells Jeff Wilt of the Tuscaloosa News. “Of course, we’d love to run the tables and sail into the NCT as the SEC champ.”

That will be tough, even as the number three seed, considering both guards who started the season (Bell and Slater) will be on the bench with injuries. The reserves, Williams and McWilliams, fortunately are upperclassmen, which tends to give teams an edge in the post-season…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Tourney 2016

Dick Vitale, still covering games for ESPN3 — the network’s all-college sports channel — would call it “Choke City, baby.” Needing a win or two to lock up an NCT berth, Alabama lays an egg in its SEC tournament opener against LSU. The Tigers were the #11 seed, while ‘Bama was the #3. LSU prevails by 4 points with reserve guard Marco Bartow providing the only real offense for the Tide. (Did I say that I HATED the number of injuries this game seems to dole out?)

“Now, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Victory says of his team’s NCT chances. “Will the selection committee like a team with a 19-12 record?”

LSU doesn’t help the Tide’s cause, rolling all the way to the SEC championship game. Sure enough, when Selection Sunday rolls around the third-best SEC team in the regular season is left off the NCT list. Alabama is ACT bound – what a bummer… The Tide’s first opponent, Duke! (Ha- at least they didn’t get an NCT bid)...

Regardless of how the ACT turns out, Victory has just two chances left at fulfilling his mission of winning the NCT within 15 years of his first coaching job. He finds himself fighting off the desire to retire now and move to a secluded beach house near Charleston, S.C…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACT Tournament 2016

The Alabama-Duke match-up is a marquee game for ACT organizers. ‘Bama will take a #4 seed from the South into the contest, while Dook is #5. Victory jumps out of his pity party long enough to put together a good game plan, and the Tide wins easily at home 81-63! Win number 20 for the season.

Mark Bell comes off the DL in time to play, though Victory doesn’t start him (even though Bell didn’t play a single SEC game he was voted to the all-SEC frosh team – go figure). Alex Henry, the PF/SF who should have been an all-SEC freshman selection, leads ‘Bama with 22 points. Traves Williams adds 21, and Cliff McWilliams scores 17. The disappointment of not going to the NCT is put away for a time with Victory’s first-ever win over one of the ACC’s most storied programs.

Round two in the ACT brings a much-less heralded opponent – Kent State. The Golden Flashes are the #8 seed but play like the #1, knocking off ‘Bama by 6… Again, Victory’s team lapses into a funk. This time, there isn’t a chance to right the wrong as the Tide’s season ends at 20-12.

On the one hand, a 20-win season is quite an accomplishment with this young (injury-prone) group, which started the season 7-9. But on the other hand Victory is trying to build a national title contender, and second-round exits from the “Almost Championship Tournament” don’t exactly fit the bill. In Victory’s seven seasons in Tuscaloosa, he’s only been to the NCT once. The natives are restless (especially “The Sheriff”)...

Victory takes off right after the loss on an extended vacation, pondering just how to take Alabama’s program up a few more notches – and in a hurry since he’s only got two seasons to go before the 15-year bell tolls...

[beargrowlz]

Go Tide!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Wrapping up 2016

NBA agents must be staked out in Tuscaloosa. One convinces sophomore center Jordie Barnes to jump after his sophomore season. Yikes – and he barely got his feet wet in the college game, averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds for ‘Bama in 2015-16...

Victory recruits hard at the center position and gets two good ones: 6-11 Darrell Wynn out of Eugene, Oregon and 6-11 Loren Tracy out of Titusville, Fla. Wynn, amazingly enough is listed by 3-star National Prep and .400 Software as the number one prospect in the land!! His stats aren’t all-world but solid enough: 23 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.8 bpg. Tracy looks better at least on paper: 20.3 ppg, 17.7 rpg, 3.7 bpg… The other recruit is a shooting guard named Earl Dixon out of Wichita, Kansas. He’ll be more of a project (please have good potential!)…

Mark Bell finishes as ‘Bama’s points lead with 13.3 ppg but only played 15 games. Alex Henry averages 12.2 ppg, while Travis McQuay and Cliff McWilliams add about 11 ppg each… Michael Slater and McWilliams lead the team in assists with about 5 each. No one is close to Barnes’ 10 rebounds per contest or his 2.8 blocks… Why are you going away so soon?

The NCT champ for 2016 is Pittsburgh, which outduels UConn for the crown. Mississippi State, a team that ‘Bama upset early in the SEC campaign, makes the Final Four along with Illinois. The Fighting Illini have three straight trips to the Final Four without a win… (I believe I incorrectly listed them as winning the 2014 crown. They in fact lost to Georgetown in the semis and G-town won it all over Duke)…

Kentucky beats Wake Forest in the ACT finale. Of course, Alabama beat Kentucky as well this season. Kent State, which eliminated the Tide, does make the Final Four along with Stanford…

Job offers: for the second or third time South Carolina comes calling on coach Victory to try to lure him back to a state where he’s had success. That’s about the only program worth mentioning… No way Victory’s moving to Columbia after all he’s been through at ‘Bama...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season 2016-17 (Victory's 14th!!)

Coach Victory’s 14th season as a head basketball coach is kind of a blur. Maybe he never recovered from last year’s NCT snub. Maybe he’s just cashing in mentally now that it looks like he won’t make his 15-year goal. Or maybe his players just decided to be big-time underachievers.

But the Tide is nothing short of mediocre in a year in which pundits labeled their overall talent “Good” and their freshmen talent “Very Good.” Although the game challenge level is listed as “moderate,” Alabama finishes the 2016-17 season with a 16-16 record – topped off with no post-season berths. The Tide just can’t seem to get over the hump!

There isn’t much to write about with this one, unless you want to rehash the third year of the Injury Plague That Ravaged Tuscaloosa: Senior SG Cliff McWilliams falls in game four against Northeastern and misses more than a month. He returns for five games, then tears his ACL and is gone for the year. Sophomore PG Michael Slater (a starter) goes down with an injury in game five against Wisconsin and misses the next 17 contests. Sophomore SF Traves Pearce (starter/sixth man) also goes down – in game eight – and misses eight games or so. At this point, coach Victory just decided to stick a fork in the season – it’s done…

Actually, Alabama stabilized a bit after the injury sniper stopped his work. A 2-6 start was followed by a three-game win streak over Stanford, SW Missouri State and Kansas State. ‘Bama lost its first four SEC games but then salvaged a 9-7 conference record. They won eight of their last 10, including another upset of Mississippi State while the Bulldogs held a #1 national ranking (78-72 triumph on the road)…

Alabama took a #7 seed into the SEC tournament (not a bad turnaround) and topped #10 Auburn in Thursday’s opener 77-61. They then upset #2 Georgia (ranked #21 nationally) in the quarterfinals 84-72. But the magic ended there. Vanderbilt KO’d their season 71-54 in the SEC semis. The two tournament wins pushed Alabama to .500, but the ACT opted to go in other directions when fielding its 32-team bracket. In his 14th year of trying to win the NCT title, Victory was left with no post-season trips to make at all!!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Cleaning up 2017

Pittsburgh returns to the NCT finals in 2017 but Kansas keeps the Panthers from repeating and cuts down the nets (“Finally!!” Jayhawks fans chant). Illinois makes its fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four without a title (good ol’ Mississippi State is the other team in St. Louis for the Final Four).

Nebraska beats Illinois State for the ACT championship. Colorado and Mt. St. Mary’s comprise the rest of the ACT Final Four. Nice year for the Big 12, tournament-wise.

Alabama scoring leaders: PF Travis McQuay (14.2 ppg), PF/SF Alex Henry (13.2) and SG Marco Bartow (13.0)
Rebound leaders: PF Travis McQuay (8.3 rpg) and PF/SF Alex Henry (7.3)
Assists: PG Michael Slater (6.9 – but only plays 15 games), Mark Bell (4.4)
Blocks: McQuay 2, Loren Tracy 1.7, Darrell Wynn 1.3 (the centers didn’t really break out this year)
Awards: zippo

Victory reflects on just how fine the line can be between a .500 club and a national title contender. Alabama played one of its best games ever against #1 Mississippi State and beat the Bulldogs on their own floor by 6. But MSU sustained great play throughout the season, winning more than 34 games for the third time in five seasons.

MSU coach Jason Rencher is the legend Victory dreams of being. In Rencher’s 15 years with the Bulldogs, MSU has never failed to go to the post-season. They’ve been to the NCT 14 of those times, capturing titles in 2007 and 2013 and making other Final Four and Elite Eight appearances… Maybe we should just switch to the Jason Rencher dynasty from here on out…

The recruiting front is a mixed bag for Alabama. Victory lands promising 6-8 SF Ely Wilson out of Virginia and SG Nate Nolan out of Fort Worth, TX. Nolan has great potential but not much in the way of ratings thus far… Hey, at least no one decided to go pro early!!

One more season to go in Victory’s quest to win the NCT before his 15-year window expires. Where is Jim Valvano and the Cardiac Pack of ’83 when you need them? Can Michael Slater be Derrick Whittenburg? Can Alex Henry and Travis McQuay be Lorenzo Charles and Thurl Bailey?

Stay tuned — we’ve hit the stretch run folks...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season 15 (2017-18)

While Alabama’s a long shot to win an NCT title in coach Victory’s 15th (and final?) year, it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Victory’s 2017-18 bunch has been labeled by the sports gurus as “Superior.” The freshman class is listed as “Good” and the game challenge level is “Easy.” Prestige has jumped a bit to 51 (yippee it’s now average!! ). Of course, ‘Bama’s administration just wants to see a .500 conference record (even though that has been a staple the past 3-4 years). Maybe that’s why some of the players seem to be underachievers.

In some ways, the Crimson Tide can still be labeled “young” and “a year away” from greatness. There are no seniors this season, though the NBA lure of fame and riches will surely draw a player or two away. Here’s the lineup, weighted heavily toward the juniors:

Juniors:
PG Michael Slater (star potential but injuries have slowed career)
SG Marco Bartow (blue collar guy, getting better every season)
PF Alex Henry (playing mostly SF and succeeding in that role)
PF Travis McQuay (starter, has made many forget about Michael Bliss’ early departure)
PG Mark Bell (great frosh year but hasn’t been same since the injury)
PF Adam Gibson (back of the pack)
PG Will Turner (redshirted soph year – fan favorite from Alaska but doesn’t play much)
SF Traves Pearce (could be a breakout year for him)
(If everyone stays, next year could be the title season!!)

Sophomores
C Darrell Wynn (#1 prospect out of high school didn’t do much as college frosh)
C Loren Tracy (starter as a frosh but didn’t completely assert himself)

Freshmen
SG Earl Dixon (redshirted last season - JAG "just another guy")
SF Ely Wilson (Victory think’s he’ll be a stud as a junior/senior – long line in front of him this year)
SG Nate Nolan (needs to pull poor GPA up – year or two away from contributing)

The Crimson Tide will begin the season in the Preseason ACT. Opponent number one: #11 ranked Oklahoma. Alabama isn’t ranked but gets a few votes in both polls.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Non-conference 2017-18

Despite its “Superior” talent rating, Alabama has a hard time building momentum during November and December.

The Tide downs #11 Oklahoma in the ACT opener 79-74 but then falls to #6 Texas 75-68. Victory then makes another trip to College of Charleston to play his old team (he likes to schedule them whenever possible). But for the first time, the Tide can’t beat the Cougars. Alabama falls 68-63 in overtime. That’s not a good sign. Charleston’s CRI is in the low 200s.

After expected wins over St. Peters and Marshall, Victory’s crew drops a close one at #19 Michigan State 72-67. There are four more “expected” wins – over Belmont, Delaware State, South Carolina State and George Washington – but then Santa Clara knocks off the Tide in OT. And guess what, PG Michael Slater suffers an injury during this stretch; he’ll be out for two months (so much for the excellent trainer)...

Alabama loses yet another game to a ranked opponent, #18 Georgia Tech, by a 78-67 score but then picks up two nice triumphs to end the non-conference schedule – 80-57 at Northern Arizona and 91-77 over a decent Virginia Tech squad.

Not much superior about a 9-5 record when you’re hunting NCT titles. And to make matters worse PG Michael Slater and PF Travis Henry announce their intentions to enter the NBA draft after this season. Slater’s not much of a loss considering he’s missed more games than he’s played. But Henry’s departure – he’s started nearly every game since he’s been at Alabama – will hurt… Victory now has the fun job of jumping into the recruiting process midstream. He’s made some contacts early in the process but those folks have already signed with other programs thinking ‘Bama had nothing to offer…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC season 2018

Alabama rides the NCT bubble hard during conference play. After drilling Ole Miss in the opener 95-69, the Crimson Tide loses to LSU 88-79. After knocking off #1 Mississippi State for the third year in a row – they were 13-0 at the time – ‘Bama then loses to Arkansas in overtime. And so the topsy-turvy season goes.

Small forward Traves Pearce is lost for two months when he pulls his bicep in a win over Vanderbilt. But that doesn’t stop Alabama from reeling off four straight wins afterward. This might be the most impressive stretch of the season. The Tide beats Georgia 77-62, stuns #3 Florida in Gator Country 78-55, overruns Auburn 106-59 and sprints past Ole Miss in the rematch 108-74. Six players hit doubles figures against Ole Miss. Alabama outscores Florida 44-22 in the second half of that one… Yee-haw!

But ‘Bama can’t sustain it. Just when the pollsters were ready to put the Tuscaloosa team back into the rankings, they lose three straight. Arkansas beats them in OT again, and Tennessee and Mississippi State win by 3 and 4 points, respectively. (Sidebar – Alabama knocking off MSU from the ranks of the unbeaten earlier in the year sent the Bulldogs into a tailspin. They lost 4 of their next 6 SEC games and at one point were 3-5 in league).

The roller coaster begins an upward climb again with a trip to Auburn. ‘Bama crushes its in-state rival 90-68, then drills South Carolina 90-56. Despite a loss to LSU, which has climbed to #10 in the country, ‘Bama finishes strong with a 76-75 triumph over #20 Kentucky.

Alex Henry and Travis McQuay make for a mean combo at SF and PF. They both finish the regular season averaging better than 15 ppg. Marco Bartow, given his chance at guard with Slater’s injury, adds 10 ppg and even 3 rpg. Darrell Wynn is a monster underneath, grabbing more than 10 rebounds each night on average and scoring 9 ppg. Slater does return late in the SEC season and bumps his average up to 10 ppg and 6.5 apg.

“So here we are again,” Victory muses. A 19-11 overall record. A 10-6 finish in the SEC. A third-place position in the standings behind LSU (15-1) and Arkansas (11-5). More must-win situations in the SEC tournament in order to make the NCT.

“If we can just get into the NCT, I believe we can play with anybody in the country,” Victory says, repeating a refrain he’s used several times in recent years.

Of course, that’s a big if. The NCT selection committee overlooked an Alabama team with a similar record a few years ago… They’ve just got to win...

[aztarheel]

Tuscaloosa News March 2018

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

“I'd like to be the first coach to hang an NCT championship banner in Coleman Coliseum,” he says boldly. “And I'd like to do it within the decade (actually within nine seasons if you're keeping score on his 15-year quest).”

One guess for who said that infamous line. You guessed it. Steve “When will I get my first big” Victory. Now, as all of ya’ll know, I would never try to stir things up, especially when it comes to Alabama athletics, but I believe that if the Tide doesn’t win the SEC tournament then it is time to make a change. We have given Mr. Victory more than enough time to take us to the promised land.

Sorry for such a short update today but I have to get the tourney to see if Victory and guide those boys to a SEC title. I’ll be here all week. Let’s see if Victory will as well.


Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Tournament 2018

Alabama, feeling the mounting pressure for their coach, answers the Sheriff's call.

The Tide shows the midseason form it used to dust off #1 Mississippi State, #3 Florida and others, and cruises to its first SEC tournament championship in many, many years. No more worries for Mr. Victory about the NCT. His team is getting an automatic berth this time around!!! Maybe a Jim Valvano-like tale is about to be written at Alabama. Maybe an 11th hour happy ending to Victory’s 15-year quest to win a national title will transpire over the next few weeks. He just might do it!!!

Here’s the breakdown from the SEC tournament. ‘Bama was definitely on a mission:

• Alabama 87, Kentucky 74: Five Crimson Tide players reach double figures as the ‘Bama knocks off the #5 seed. Travis McQuay records a nice double-double – 19 points and 12 rebounds. He and Darrell Wynn block four shots each. Wynn pulls down 11 boards.

• Alabama 84, LSU 74: The Tide avenges two regular-season loses to the Tigers, now ranked #7 in the nation. ‘Bama leads 39-28 at half and never looks back (more to play for?). McQuay scores 23 as five players again reach double figures. Slater has the double-double this time with 15 points and 11 assists.

• Alabama 87, Tennessee 76: This is a strange championship-day match-up – the number four seed (‘Bama) against the number six seed. The Tide races to an 8-point lead at half and holds off the pesky Vols. McQuay, who is named MVP of the tournament, scores 15. Five players yet again reach double figures – Henry 18, Slater 13, Mark Bell 15 and Marco Bartow 13. Nice!!

Victory leaves the Georgia Dome and heads back to his Atlanta hotel more confident than he’s ever been as a head coach. His wears a “bring-it-on” demeanor to everyone he meets. He tells Greg Gumbel during the lead-up to CBS’ Selection Sunday show that he fully believes Alabama can win a national championship this year.

“Why not us? We’ve already knocked off three top-10 teams this season.”

Victory even remains undaunted when the NCT brackets are released. For some reason, the selection committee seeds the SEC champs #9 in the West!! What??!?!? That means a grueling first-round game, then a probable meeting with the current number-one team in the land, the Utah Utes, in the round of 32.

“Bring it on,” Victory maintains. “We’re ready for anything. Bring it on…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tournament 2018!!

Coach Steve Victory rereads a well-worn copy of “Cardiac Pack” by Jim Valvano on the eve of Alabama’s NCT opener against #8 Villanova. He treasures the stories of how the underdog Wolfpack of N.C. State barely even made the Big Dance in 1983. They upset Ralph Sampson and the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC tournament finale and then went on to shock the world by taking down Houston’s Phi Slamma Jamma in the championship. It still ranks as one of the greatest college hoops storylines of all times.

Maybe this year Victory will add his name to the lore.

Villanova proves a tough first-round match-up but ninth-seeded Alabama takes care of business 81-75. Traves McQuay continues his hot play (glad he’s coming back for his senior season!!) and scores 17. Michael Slater adds 16. As expected, Utah churns out a big first-round win, so Alabama must take down number one to reach the Sweet 16…

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare


Tuscaloosa News March 2018

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

First off, congratulations to Steve Victory and his SEC tournament chamions. More imporantly, it seems I stirred up some questions with my last column. I have phone calls and emails from my millions and millions of fans regarding the following Victory quote.

"I'd like to be the first coach to hang an NCT championship banner in Coleman Coliseum,” he says boldly. “And I'd like to do it within the decade (actually within nine seasons if youåre keeping score on his 15-year quest).”

All of the questions revolve around this so called 15-year quest. Now fans, as you know, I do not like to sensationalize anything, but this story will register on the ricter scale. In my next column, I will provide hard evidence that once and for all proves without a shadow of a doubt, that it is time for Steve Victory to go.

Stay tuned for the next Sheriff’s Roundup my loyal readers. You will learn the answers to these questions. Who is Pam L.? What happened in the Grand Canyon in the summer of 2011 and why a dirty 14 year old napkin is the key to this puzzle?

And that is the bottom line, because the Sheriff says so.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tournament 2018 - Round of 32

Like that menacing Houston team of 1983, the 2018 Utah Utes are downright scary. They come into the second-round NCT game carrying a 34-2 record. They’re ranked first in the nation in both polls. They have the most prolific scoring offense in the country. Consider some of these finals:

Howard 116-42
VMI 122-50
Pacific 115-71
Rhode Island 103-50
BYU 111-90
Winthrop 120-60

Yikes! All told Utah scores 90 points or more 14 times during the season. “Well, we surely aren’t going to fare too well trying to outrun them,” Victory says.

The coach looks at the games Utah lost for clues on how to beat them. Colorado State (CRI 147) did it midway through Mountain West play. UNLV (CRI 272) totally shocked the Utes with a 78-75 upset near the end of the season. Georgia nearly beat Utah in the season opener before losing 76-74. LSU suffered a 19-point loss to the Utes early in the year.

Victory opts to slow the game down to a crawl – or at least try to. Pundits do give Alabama somewhat of an edge in the post, so he opts to emphasize the post game.

“We’re going to pound it in there and pound it in there,” he tells his boys. “Defensively, we’re are going to deny the lane like a man protecting his kids from a wild animal.”

The first half is pretty brutal. Alabama trails by 6, but that’s surely ground that can be made up. The problem the Tide is having – they, too, are meeting great resistance inside. And the 3-point shot doesn’t want to fall.

The Tide refuses to go away in the second half, but time runs out before Alabama can complete the miracle upset. Utah holds on, though wearily, for a 70-67 triumph. The Utes will move to the Sweet 16.

Steve Victory’s dream of winning an NCT title in 15 years after taking his first job is snuffed out…

The killer stat. Alabama makes just six of 24 three-pointers. Everything else is pretty comparable. Alex Henry leads the team in his final college game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Michael Slater, the other “going pro early” guy, also fares well with 11 assists and only one turnover.

As for Victory, he takes the loss harder than anyone. He holds back tears during the post-game press conference and is curt with reporters. After a quick locker room session, he zooms away to who knows where. After several hours of pacing the streets in a daze, he returns to his hotel and scribbles a hasty resignation letter to Alabama’s athletic director:

“I hereby resign my post as men’s basketball coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. I am sorry I failed the university, the players and the fans. Best wishes. Steve.”

Victory at least has the wisdom not to mail the letter yet. He knows his emotions are running raw, and this is no time to make a big decision (of course he sort of did that when he took the ‘Bama job)… He folds the letter up, finds the quickest flight out of town and heads home to do a lot of thinking. He shuns all requests for interviews and doesn’t return phone calls from friends.

“I really have no desire to be a basketball coach any more – or to even be around basketball,” he writes in his journal. “Like my high school and college years, we just couldn’t win the big one. I just can’t take that any more. I hate not succeeding.”

Victory is no where to be found when the NCT Final Four rolls around. Utah isn’t there either, having fallen to St. John’s in the Elite Eight. Oklahoma State cuts down the nets on Big Monday, beating of all teams, the University of Florida, in the final. Marquette is the other Final Four participant. Of course, Alabama beat Florida, too, 78-55 but that was a long time ago.

Oklahoma University caps a great year for that state in basketball, winning the ACT over Clemson. Ball State and Georgia State make the Final Four before losing.

The biggest question on everyone’s minds now: What will Steve Victory do next? Stay tuned...

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

Tuscaloosa News April 2018

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Welcome back to the Roundup. Utes 70 Tide 67. That’s it folks. I’m calling it right now. Victory is gone. Not the way that you probably expect though. He will not be fired. Coach Victory will resign. Sources tell me that he is currently on a beach on the coast right now considering offers for another team. What? But he has always said, “Be patient” and “Bring it on.” He bleeds the crimson of Alabama basketball. Not so fast my friends. Here comes the information that guarantees that Victory will not be returning.

As I am sure you all remember from my last pulitizer prize like column, there is a mystery to reveal about Mr. Victory. Late last week I received a call from a woman, let's call her Pam L. from Arizona. She informed me that as well as being one of my many readers that she had some information for me on Steve Victory that would allow us to see his true loyalty was to himself and not to the Tide.

We met in Phoenix and she produced a tattered, stained napkin from her purse and placed it in front of her on the table. Her eyes welled up with tears as she slowly recounted to me a torrid love affair that began in Miami in the summer of 2003 and ended in the summer of 2011. Of course this affair was with our very own Steve Victory.

They met at popular Miami Sub’s where Pam was working the counter and a young Steve and some of his friends had gone for dinner. Steve waited for Pam to finish her shift and then they stayed up all night getting to know each other. Pam learned that night that Steve was about to begin his head coaching career with the University of Central Florida and that the new head coach was quite ambitious.

Victory has always been quite sure of himself and showed Pam one of the napkins from Miami Subs that he and his friends had been looking at all night. It spelled out his plans for the future. Happily, Pam also was in his plans as well. They spent many days and nights together as Steve’s career moved to Charleston and then to Alabama. They vacationed together regularly at the beach and in the summer of 2011 they went to the Grand Canyon. It is there that this story takes a turn for the worse. Victory was in a state of inner turmoil and was about to tear up his beloved Napkin and allow it to float to the botton of Bright Angel Trail. Pam was able to convince him to not give up on his dreams. In gratitude Victory gave the Napkin to her to symbolize that he will never give up on his goals in basketball or on his love for her.

Fast forward to a month ago. Ms. L receives a short email from Victory stating, “We’re Done.” Apparently, goals can change. It was then that Ms. L. handed me the Napkin. In Coach Victory’s handwriting it stated....

* Spend 3-4 years at UCF rebuilding their program back to respectability, hopefully winning a conference title or two.
*Jump to a mid-major and build a program there for another 3-4 years.
* Jump to a big-time conference by year 6-9 (or earlier if the right situation arises) and hopefully get them championship ready in the following 5 years or so… The dream programs – anyone in the ACC, a select few other schools like Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona or a Florida school like UF, FSU or Miami...


Where is Alabama’s name? Where is the next right situation? Steve Victory, in the name of the law, the Sheriff is making a citizens arrest. We demand a resignation. I’m sure Raleigh or Charlottesville have Miami Subs too. Until next time, I am the Sheriff and you are not.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Hi, I’m Frank. I just wanted to say that I am very dissapointed that the AD has not fired Steve Chokefactory yet and the Sherrif should get a raise. Coach needs to go back to Central Florida where he belongs, cause he’ll never bring any real success to a serious program!

[aztarheel]

Author's Note: It was at this point in the dynasty story where I seriously considered quitting and moving onto something else. I hadn't achieved my objective, having made some pretty fatal moves along the way (i.e. taking the 'Bama job considering how crappy they were, some poor recruiting moves, etc.).

So at the time, I put a poll on the Tournament Dreams message forums asking folks what Steve should do next - quit, stick it out, go back to Charleston, take another job, etc. Nearly everyone said keep playing, though some suggested a different school might help. Knowing that I was fully involved in the dynasty, I couldn't stop. Ironically, the next 15 years of Victory's career would be much, much, much better...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Spring/Summer 2018

After a few weeks of feeling sorry for himself, Steve Victory finally snaps out of his funk. He faces the cold, hard fact that he dedicated himself headlong to a goal – win the NCT within 15 years of taking his first job – and didn’t succeed.

He comes to grips with the fact that while many others are making themselves into legends, he’s still only considered “competent” as a coach. Yes, his overall record is just barely over. 500 (237-236). And yes, there are media yips out there calling for his job and fans that have given him some not-so-kind nicknames (Steve Chokefactory is pretty funny, Astros).

But Victory finally takes the advice he gives so often to his players – learn from your failures, stop making excuses, get up off the mat and try again – even harder than before. He quickly finds his resignation letter to Alabama’s AD, still stashed away in his suitcase, and burns it (lest that too fall into the hands of Mr. Sheriff). Steve Victory, age 45, is going to keep coaching basketball!!

“Man, I’m only 45 – not 85,” Victory tells himself in a Tony Robbins-like motivational moment after a breakfast of Wheaties and grapefruit. “I’ve still got 20 or 25 more good years ahead of me. Heck, I can still win multiple national championships. Dean Smith didn’t win his first title until more than 20 years after taking over at UNC, and no one dares challenge his status as a legend.”

With his pout-fest now over, Victory turns his thoughts to another big question – is Alabama the right situation for him? He’ll be the first to admit he hasn’t always liked his time in Tuscaloosa. He’s gotten more gray hairs from a couple ‘Bama teams than from anything else in his life. Plus, Tuscaloosa likely will always be a football-first town...

On the other hand, Tide basketball has been on an upward slope most of the past five years. Victory has posted a 111-58 mark during that span, a winning percentage of 65.7 percent. His 2015 team won 29 games and three other squads have broken the 20-win barrier. His most recent team won the SEC championship and nearly knocked off #1 Utah in the NCT round of 32.

Plus, two of his players from the 2017-18 team – Alex Henry and Michael Slater – just got drafted by NBA teams. Henry went in the first round, and Slater in the second.

“We’ll just have to see what kind of offers come my way,” Victory muses to himself. “I still think we can win the NCT here or if an ACC school should ever want me – or even my alma mater Miami – that might be cool, too. Whatever the case, I’m not throwing in the towel on my coaching career. It’s time to write some new chapters…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Job Offers 2018

As usual, the job offers are pretty tame. East Carolina is calling on Victory again. So, too, is High Point, a dreadful South Florida program and some other no-name schools (at least not Quinnipiac ). Then Victory gets an e-mail from his old athletic director at College of Charleston:

Steve, my friend. We want you back. We can see all the negative press you’re getting at Alabama. We feel that our university can offer you a fresh start and a chance to build a winning program from the ground up. We are looking towards the future and feel you are the coach that can take us to the next level. Blah blah blah...

(For real, in a wonderful thread to this crazy dynasty, College of Charleston has come calling again on coach Victory – I laughed at loud when the job offers appeared on my screen)…

Victory quickly dials up the Cougars’ AD. “Hey, Mike, I’ve got to be in Charleston this weekend any way to patch things up with an old friend. Let’s meet at Miami Subs for lunch on Saturday and we’ll talk. Look forward to seeing you again, buddy. Let’s just say that I’m more excited than ever about being a college basketball coach…”

[Jeff Wilt]

I thought I was out..but you pulled me back in. Hey E!! Thanks for the message. Lots of big stuff happening. I'll email you tonight.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Frank again. Chokefactory still isn’t fired? This is Tuscaloosa, not Tuscalosers, get his sorry butt out of here if you want to win some games! I hope the A.D. reads this paper.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Back to Charleston?

Charleston officials wine and dine coach Victory to no-end. For some reason he’s kind of a cult hero to Cougar fans even though he stayed only four years and then bolted to Alabama…

“If you come back you’ll be a legend just for getting us in the tournament a couple of times,” the Charleston AD tells Victory. “And I really think with your deft recruiting and coaching skills, you can rule the Southern for many years and even cut down the nets like you’ve always dreamed of in the NCT.”

Victory’s impressed to see that Charleston’s prestige has almost matched Alabama’s. It’s now at 48, though the Cougars haven’t been to the NCT or ACT tournaments in awhile. No one else in the Southern is even over 35.

The top 6-7 returning players on Charleston’s roster aren’t too bad either. Victory remembers some of these guys from the previous season when the Cougars stole a win from his ‘Bama squad.

While his old friends in Charleston – and a nice walk on the beach – pull at Victory to return to his “roots,” the coach just can’t leave Alabama yet. His 2018-19 team could be his best yet. Plus, why would anyone in their right mind leave the SEC for the Southern Conference, especially after laboring so hard just to make an awful Crimson Tide program into an “average” one?

“I’ll always remember Charleston fondly,” Victory tells school officials. “I’ll never speak a bad word about the university, and my teams will come to your place to play games any season you want. But I owe it to Alabama to keep pressing on with them. I’ve still got some unfinished business in Tuscaloosa.”

With that Victory returns to Alabama and signs a four-year extension with the school. At a press conference he divulges his 15-year NCT championship idea (now snuffed out) and the ill-fated “napkin,” much of which has already been hashed out in the press.

“Yes, I was pretty cocky when I put that idea down,” he told reporters at a press conference. “Yes, I have been pretty selfish overall when it has come to my career. But these 15 years have changed me, and I will work harder than ever before to bring the NCT title to Tuscaloosa, not just for me and my career, but for the players, the school and the fans as well. Dang it – I just want to win so badly…

“Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve got work to do.” And with that, he winked at The Sheriff and walked off the platform, knowing that he probably pissed the award-winning columnist off by staying at ‘Bama – but knowing that plenty of good sports columns lie ahead in the Tuscaloosa News… (and in the Letters to the Editor section)…

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

Tuscaloosa News May 2018

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

There comes a time in a man’s life when he has to go where he has always dreaded to think. A place that only he knows about and only he can enter. My devoted flock, I shudder to even tell you about this experience lest we all should fall under the power of this dark enigmatic force. I have heard news today that has shaken me to the core and I dare say that I will never, ever be the same gentleman again.

Steve Victory will return as the head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide not only for this year but he has signed a four year extension. Loyal readers I have misled you. I have lied to you and I have no one to blame but myself.

The Sheriff is a man of strong character and a man of his word. The Sheriff is all too willing to admit when he is wrong. The Sheriff was wrong about Steve Victory. I shout it from the mountain tops that the Sheriff was wrong about Steve Victory. Coach Victory, please except my most humble apology. I am truly sorry.

I am truly sorry that the fine University of Alabama has a coach like Steve ”What does it feel like to get a” Victory. I am truly sorry that Victory is not a man of his word. I am truly sorry that Victory can make promises to individuals in his personal and private life and feel no remorse when he shatters those so-called oaths. I am truly sorry that my astute readers will have to continue to watch a self-absorbed coach continue to lead the Tide to the top of mediocrity. I am truly sorry that this column had to be written.

The Sheriff needs a moment. In lieu of my famous quips, I humbly ask for a moment of silence for the future of Alabama basketball. Until next time, the Sheriff is truly sorry.

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

Tuscaloosa News May 2018

Sheriff’s Roundup

Tuscaloosa, Alabama


Today dawns a new column for your beloved Sheriff. Over the years I have received literally thousands of letters, emails and calls praising my diligent work. As a extremely popular and well received writer I cannot always respond to each and every one of your burning questions. However, every once in a blue moon, one of you will touch me somewhere deep inside and I will also occasionally get a profound and well written letter. This column I lovingly call Perspectives from my Posse ... I said Posse.

Frank, who is obviously a brilliant and successful man recently had this to say. “I just wanted to say that I am very dissapointed that the AD has not fired Steve Chokefactory yet and the Sherrif should get a raise.”

Now, I cannot say I approve of the namecalling, nor the misspelling of my name, but I certainly echo the well written and thought provoking dialogue held within. Dare I say, Frank, you my good and faithful man, have earned your spot at the feast.

I intend to offer this humble sounding board to my millions and millions of fans on a semi-regular basis. Do not worry my flock, for your Sheriff will continue to fight the good fight against the reprehensible Steve”Just one more would make it my first” Victory. Until then, please remember in case of a national emergency have plenty of duct tape available.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season Sixteen (!) 2018-19

The first day of practice for the 2018-19 season can’t come soon enough for Steve Victory. After a tumultuous off-season – which included a major test of character, a firestorm of bad press clippings, a tempting proposal to move back to Charleston and a national outcry over hyphenated last names – the coach is just glad to get back to the X’s and O’s of basketball.

Though the list of sarcastic barbs at his last name continues to grow, Victory enters his 16th season as a head coach confident that this can be the breakthrough season. Sweet 16 for the Tide? Elite Eight? Maybe even Final Four?

While the Alabama administrators aren’t aiming too high – “just give us a .500 conference record one more time” – the pundits have the Tide picked to be pretty good. The freshman are listed as Very Good. The overall talent level is tabbed as Superior. The game challenge level – Easy (Ha! What’s easy for Coach V?). Alabama’s “blue hell” national prestige ranking (reference The Sheriff’s latest tirade in the Quinny dynasty post) is now up to 54 – the highest ever for Victory but still average to the rest of us...

Here’s the reason Victory is so pumped about this season (and why he likely didn’t jump ship to CoC): six seniors are back — PG Mark Bell, SG Marco Bartow, SF Traves Pearce, PF Travis McQuay, PF Adam Gibson and PG Will Turner. The first four guys will start. Juniors Loren Tracy and Darrell Wynn, both of whom will likely join the six seniors in leaving school after this year (NBA draft), will battle it out at the center spot.

The rest of the lineup includes sophomores Earl Dixon (SG) and Ely Wilson (SF), redshirt freshman Nate Nolan (SG) and new recruits Lincoln Dearman (PF) and David Smith (PG). Dearman is out of Coffeeville, Miss. Smith hails from St. Charles, Ill. Both look pretty decent but won’t play much this year.

Victory shook up his coaching staff a bit, too, in the off-season. He let two guys go and brought in Kendrick Redd (GGEGGEEG) and Matt Cook (EEGEEGGA). His lead assistant is Dionosio Jenkins (GGGEGEGG). The new coaches took a nice chunk out of the budget, but Victory is still left with about $6,000 per week to locate six new players (more likely seven or eight if Wynn and Tracy follow recent trends and bolt to the NBA).

And away we go – again… First stop – the Preseason ACT in New York City, where Victory will face his alma mater, the Miami Hurricanes.

[beargrowlz]

Brutal message board over there - you just won the SEC Tourney with Bama for frackin sakes. Oy.

Congrats!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Non-conference 2018-19

It takes Alabama about a half to find its groove in the season opener against Miami. After falling behind 43-30, the Tide storms back to win it 76-66. Travis McQuay ignites the rally with 24 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Nice!

McQuay looks like an All-American again the next night as Alabama dismantles Texas A&M in the Preseason ACT semifinals 94-60. McQ scores 22, yanks down 11 boards, even swipes three steals. This could be a great year!

But, as folks who have followed ‘Bama the past decade know, the Crimson Tide can’t seem to sustain their runs for very long. Manhattan trips Victory’s bunch 65-63 in the title game. Once again, Coach V gets second place in the ACT – a recurring theme in this dynasty…

The rest of the non-conference slate goes in similar fashion. There’s another big win over Texas A&M (they were already on the schedule before the ACT). Then there’s a 69-64 loss to #8 Maryland. Alabama dismantles four foes in a row – Maryland-Baltimore County (92-44), Stetson (95-66), Pittsburgh (96-63) and Samford (85-58). Then they lose two straight to SMU and South Florida (who actually aren’t that bad this season – both have CRIs in the 50-60 range).

When the non-conference slate ends, Alabama is holding a 12-4 overall record. At least the Tide finished its pre-SEC slate with a bang – getting wins over Montana, Virginia Tech, Washington and Radford. And at this point Maryland and Manhattan are still ranked pretty highly, so those losses don’t seem as bad. It’s just Victory believes his team is capable of being so much better. McQuay has quieted some as teams are figuring him out. Others have had good nights but no one has yet cemented himself as the go-to guy. One problem Victory needs to figure out – how to keep his guys out of foul trouble, especially the post players.

“Men, we’re going to have to reach another level if we’re to defend our SEC championship this year – and fare well in the NCT,” Victory says at practice before the conference opener against Ole Miss.

As expected, a few games before SEC play starts, junior centers Darrell Wynn and Loren Tracy both heed the call of NBA dollars and declare themselves eligible for next year’s draft. That means Victory has eight spots to fill. Pretty much a whole new team will play in Tuscaloosa next winter. That makes this year all the more important if Victory wants to reach some of his NCT goals…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Season 2018-19

Things don’t start well for Alabama in conference play. The Tide tumbles out of the rankings with a 3-point loss to Ole Miss. After beating LSU 84-72, they drop to 1-2 in the SEC with a 67-60 defeat at #2 Mississippi State. To make matters worse, Travis McQuay suffers a stress fracture in the Ole Miss game and is lost for a month. At least it’s not the season! He should be back by the stretch run of conference.

Alabama faces what many are calling a must-win situation at #7 Florida. If the Tide loses this one, they’ll fall to 1-3 in the conference. That certainly won’t do much for the NCT selection committee (or The Sheriff’s column-writing mood). Victory brings C Darrell Wynn back into the starting lineup to fill McQuay’s place. The Tide has Twin Towers down low – a pair of 6-11 bruisers. But can they score?

Yes they can! Wynn pumps in 19 points and gets 9 boards as Alabama nips the Gators on the road 79-76. Small forward Traves Pearce adds 19 (he’s been an unsung contributor so far – a steady 13-14 ppg with a 34-point outburst against Virginia Tech). Mark Bell scores 18.

That win sets off a nice streak for the Crimson Tide. They take five of their next six (victims include Auburn, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Arkansas again). Different people lead the scoring on different nights. Travis McQuay comes back for the second Arkansas contest and nets 20… Welcome back, McQ! Alabama needs you! Stay healthy!!

The win over the Razorbacks pushes the Tide to 19-7 – a likely lock for an NCT berth if they can just get a couple more W’s. #25 Kentucky and #2 Mississippi State keep ‘Bama from that 20th win for a couple nights, but the Tide gets over the hump with triumphs against Auburn, Tennessee and LSU. Georgia nips Alabama in the final game of the regular season (Victory’s team looking ahead to the tourney?) by a 62-56 score. That’s not what the Tide needs heading into what could be another do-or-die SEC tourney situation.

Alabama isn’t listed among the “Bubble” teams so Victory is hoping his bunch is a shoe-in no matter what happens during tournament weekend in Atlanta. Of course, the best way to avoid getting snubbed – win three games in a row and get that automatcic berth. That quest begins Friday night, March 8 in the Georgia Dome…

Some end of regular season notes: Alabama’s PG Mark Bell earns all-SEC honors (12.8 ppg, 7 apg, 1.8 spg). McQuay (16.1 ppg, 10 rpg) probably deserved a mention somewhere but Mississippi State PF Maurice Fields is a first-team All-American pick at his position. Hard to surpass that. Plus, the Bulldogs only lost a handful of games. Alabama’s got 10 losses on its record. The Tide finishes 24th in the .400 poll and 28th in the IP poll. Final CRI: 30.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC Tournament 2019

Steve Victory’s bunch does earn the chance to defend its SEC tournament title – beating fifth-seeded Florida 87-75 in the quarterfinals and knocking off eighth-seeded South Carolina 87-76 in the semis. Florida carried a #18 national ranking into the contest. South Carolina did the Crimson Tide a huge favor and upset the SEC regular-season champs (Mississippi State) in the quarterfinals. Otherwise MSU would have been Alabama’s second-round opponent. Thank you Gamecocks!

Alabama’s win over USC was textbook. All five starters got into double figures – Bell 15, Bartow 14, Pearce 14, McQ 20 and Tracy 11. The Tide now will meet LSU, another upset winner as a #6 seed, in a strange SEC finale. Alabama beat them twice in the regular season, but Victory knows they will be motivated in this third meeting. The Tigers probably need to secure the championship just to make the NCT…

Alas, Victory’s fears prove founded. Alabama goes up 9 at the break, relaxes a bit and LSU nips the Tide 74-73 in front a packed house at the Georgia Dome. The chants of “Mr. Chokefactory” begin anew. Two tournaments this season – two second-place finishes.

At least Victory doesn’t have to sweat an NCT berth. The Tide’s 24-11 record gets them into the Midwest Region as a #7 seed. Of course the road will be tough. Temple, a 10th seed, awaits in the first round, and #2 seed Marquette is the likely second-round opponent. Oklahoma State, the champion of the Big 12 and the #4 team in the nation, garners the top seed in the region. Kentucky, LSU, Florida and Mississippi State also make the Big Dance. Ole Miss, which beat ‘Bama twice and finished ahead of them in the league standings (11-5) gets the snub this time around. The Rebels look to be rebellious in the ACT…

On an interesting note, the College of Charleston had its best season since Victory left them in 2009, making the NCT tournament for the first time in a decade. The Cougars, which ended up keeping coach Michael Williamson when Victory turned them down, will sport a 26-6 record when they take the court as the #5 seed from the South (a better seed than Victory’s Alabama club).

Strange indeed, especially considering Williamson came to Charleston from Alabama when Victory took over the Crimson Tide 10 years ago. The schools nearly had a “trade back” at the beginning of this season but didn’t when Victory opted to stay in Tuscaloosa. And now both coaches are in the NCT. Ask The Sheriff if none of this makes any sense…

Now, on with NCT 2019 — the Road to the Final Four in San Antonio. Steve Victory dreams of being there — on the sidelines and not in the stands...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Frank again, get the nooses ready, coach is about to lead the Crimson Tide to another early round loss. Why is he still coaching? He’s bound to bring in another crappy round of recruits in, and I’m expecting no more than 15 wins next season. Does he not know what long-term success is? Steve “How do I get an NCT” Victory needs to go if Alabama doesn’t get to the sweet 16 at least.

[aztarheel]

Tuscaloosa News March 2019

Perspectives from my Posse

Tuscaloosa, Alabama


Let’s see. Yes, yes I believe it is that time of year again. I can hear it from my office as I type. Listen closely my kindred spirits and you may be able to hear it as well. Put your ear to the ground and just like our American Indian friends of the past you may be able to pick up the trail of it approaching. What is it you ask?

The early exit from a NCT tournament by the Tide of course. What do Steve “My kingdom for a” Victory and my Jewish neighbor have in common? Both will be going down to Temple this weekend. Ha, Ha. Sometime the Sheriff tickles himself. Somtimes, Mrs. Sheriff does that as well, but that as we say, is another story.

So again it is time for some letters from my flock of believers. Brilliant and well spoken Frank writes “get the nooses ready, coach is about to lead the Crimson Tide to another early round loss. Why is he still coaching? He’s bound to bring in another crappy round of recruits in, and I’m expecting no more than 15 wins next season.”

Young Frank, again you have made a seminal point that I am driven to expound upon. Expectations. What should we expect from Coach Victory? Certainly we can expect second place finishes. We can even expect heartbreak. But I think even I didn’t expect the following unprofessional conduct reminiscient of the Tailhook controversy. It has come to my attention that Victory has pet names for his assistant coaches. They are and I quote from a reliable source within the program as following:
“Kendrick Redd is referred to as (GGEGGEEG) and Matt Cook as(EEGEEGGA). His lead assistant is Dionosio Jenkins who Victory prefers to call (GGGEGEGG).”

Is this the sort of leadership that inspires young impressionable student-athletes to victory?

The Sheriff needs a moment. Until next time, to quote a good friend of mine “everybody have fun tonight, everybody wang chung tonight.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tournament 2019

Steve Victory simply stares at the scoreboard in disbelief. The final from Thursday’s NCT opener between Temple and Alabama – 102-34.

“Have you ever seen anything like that before in the NCTs?” the coach asks an assistant with a sheepish look. “CBS probably cut away from our contest way early, and who can blame them. Who would want to watch that kind of massacre, especially a 7-10 first-round match-up that’s supposed to be close?”

Of course, the game was shown in its entirety in Tuscaloosa and the rest of the Alabama. The result will surely have the state howling. How in blue hell (to quote the Sheriff) did the Crimson Tide play a game like that?

How did coach Steve Victory’s Alabama squad beat the Temple Owls by 68 points? Yes, that’s right folks Alabama won this game, outscoring the John Chaney’s bunch (he’s still coaching at about age 105) by a 51-17 score in each half. Travis McQuay led the destruction with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Reserve guard Earl Dixon added 17 points and six assists.

“I just think the kids grew tired of reading all the negative newspaper clippings about them and me,” coach Victory says in the post-game press conference. “They just shut it all out tonight and took all their frustrations out on Temple. I didn’t have to do much really, just watch my team play on another level.”

It was definitely Victory’s most lopsided game as a head coach. And it surely gives Alabama a major dose of momentum heading into Saturday’s second-round game against second-seeded Marquette, which dispatched of Delaware 83-50…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Round of 32, 2019

The Second Round.

Here is where coach Steve Victory’s drive for an NCT title has stalled twice before at Alabama. Last year it was #1 Utah that derailed the coach’s plans. This year second-seeded Marquette (coming off a Final Four finish in 2018) looks to snuff out the Tide. The Golden Eagles, champs from Conference USA, come in with a 30-4 record. Alabama improved to 25-11 with the big triumph over Temple.

The pundits give Alabama the edge in the backcourt, and the Tide uses great guard play from Mark Bell and Marco Bartow to engineer an 83-80 triumph! Bell has 20 points and 6 assists (despite 7 turnovers). Bartow adds 14 points. Traves Pearce gets 16 more and Travis McQuay pumps in 15 to get their coach “over the hump.” ‘Bama had 12 blocks for the game. Coach Steve Victory is going to the Sweet 16 for the first time in his career!

There, Alabama will meet Kansas in Indianapolis. The Jayhawks, the national champions in 2017, looked solid in an 87-73 win over Stanford in the second round. Also making the Sweet 16 trip from the SEC: Mississippi State, the #1 seed in the South. Kentucky, LSU and Florida all failed to get past round two. Mississippi is still alive and kicking in the ACT (mad that they didn’t make the NCT field)…

Also in the Sweet 16: College of Charleston!! Yes, that’s right. The Cougars, a #5 seed in the South, beat Jacksonville and hammered Duke 85-51 to reach the third round. Of course, CoC faces Mississippi State next. That will be a tough match-up, one that Victory will keep his eye on while getting his team ready… (Go Cougars!)

It’s been a bit of a strange tournament so far. Three #2 seeds are gone already – Marquette, Dayton and Utah (ha!). SMU and Alabama are the lowest seeded teams left. Both are #7s. Of course, N.C. State was a #6 seed way back in 1983 when one of Victory’s heroes, Jim Valvano, led the Pack to a stunning national championship...

Remember Manhattan, the team that knocked off Alabama in the Preseason ACT finals? Turns out they were pretty good. They won 30 games and earned a #6 seed in the NCT. Louisville ended their season however in the second round… Victory takes a look back at his team’s 11 losses – eight of them were to teams in the Big Dance…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Sweet Sixteen 2019

Coach Victory checks the score from the Mississippi State-College of Charleston game on his way back to the bench for the second half of Alabama’s contest against Kansas. This just in: MSU gets past the Cinderella Cougars 69-58. Charleston fell behind by 18 in the first half but clawed back to make it respectable. Victory gives his buddies at CoC a quick salute for playing the Bulldogs solid and then heads onto the floor for what stands to be possibly the biggest 20 minutes of his career.

Kansas is beating his Alabama Crimson Tide 45-39. ‘Bama’s post players are struggling big time – only a few points to go around for Loren Tracy, Travis McQuay and Darrell Wynn.

“Guards, pick us up,” Victory says. “We can win this thing. Keep believing.”

Mark Bell and Marco Bartow heed their coach’s advice and take the game over. Since the interior guys can’t get off a good shot, they start launching from the outside. The result – the Tide scratches back for an 84-81 victory!! Bell finishes with 19 points. Bartow gets 20. SF Traves Pearce adds 12. The three players make a combined 10 three-pointers. Bell is 3-for-4 from behind the stripe, with some big ones late.

Elite Eight, baby!! Coach Victory looks about 35 years old instead of 46 at the post-game press conference. He smiles like a kid who just got exactly what he wanted on Christmas Day.

“We’re on a roll right now,” he says. “I can’t explain it, but these guys are on a mission. These seniors and juniors don’t want their college careers to end just yet. Neither do I.”

So far, the Tide’s hit list is pretty impressive – Temple, Marquette (the #2 seed) and Kansas (the #3). Of course, an even bigger battle looms next – #1 Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are 32-5 and ranked fourth in the nation. They slammed LSU in the second round 86-65 and drubbed Purdue in their Sweet 16 bout 77-55. The ‘Boys beat Kansas 86-46 back during the regular season. Yikes!

Other teams in the Elite Eight: Virginia (which knocked off #1 seeded Syracuse in the East), Missouri, Mississippi State, Louisville, Maryland and Arizona State. Three #1 seeds, three #3 seeds, a #4 seed and a #7 seed (that would be Alabama). On paper at least, the Crimson Tide are now in over their heads. Will they sink or ride the wave all the way to a national championship? Stay tuned…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Zorro25

They’ll sink. They will most definetly sink.

Having said that, grats on an excellent run.

[aztarheel]

[Author's Note: I posted this in haste when I simmed my Elite Eight game]

Sing it from the rooftops — Alabama is going the Final Four!!!

The Crimson Tide has never even been to the Elite Eight in men’s hoops before this season, but they took care of top-seeded Oklahoma State to advance to San Antonio. I’ll post more details either tonight or tomorrow — plus results from the Final Four. It may be one year behind schedule, but Steve Victory could see his NCT dreams realized after all...

Coming with us to San Antonio, Mr. Sheriff-Wilt? Hope so...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Well, looks like Coach may finally live up to his name. I got my tickets for the final 4 (Thank you EBay), and will be sitting right behind the bench. You’ll hear my yelling if you start choking Steve, I can promise you that.

See you in San Antonio,
Frank

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

March 2019

Inside a small ranch style house just outside Tuscaloosa


“Honey, have you seen my dictionary?”

Where did you use it last, Jeff?

“If I knew that then why would I be asking you? Oh, nevermind, I’ll just pick one up on the way to the airport.”

When will you be back?

“Dunno, I hope Saturday night or that means I may be in alotta trouble come Tuesday morning.” “I can’t believe he did it. You know they might actually win the whole thing.”

Good for Steve. He deserves it. I don’t understand why you can’t just be happy for him.

“You know why.”

Jeffrey Craig Wilt, that was over 10 years ago. Have you ever heard of letting it go? No wonder you always have to find something to complain about.

“14 years. But who is counting. Anyway, gotta go catch my flight. I’ll call when I get there. Hopefully I will see you Saturday late.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Elite Eight 2019

Here’s a quick recap of the Elite Eight; then we’ll get to the good stuff – The Final Four, baby!

Oklahoma State came into the NCT as the defending champion. Alabama came in as a #7 seed and a big long shot to win more than a game or two. Yet, in their Elite Eight clash, the Crimson Tide got in front early and held the Cowboys off for a 71-65 triumph. Marco Bartow got hot from 3-point land again and led ‘Bama in scoring with 18 points. Travis McQuay got an impressive double-double – 16 points and 14 boards. OSU ended its season at 32-6. Alabama will reach 30 wins if they can win the next two… (cross your fingers!)…

So, it’s on to San Antonio!! Sheriff-Hyphen’s going to be there with his posse (leaving his wife at home all weekend??). Good ol’ Cranky Frank is coming with his Astros buddies. About 45,000 fans will join them, making for a crazed hoops environment.

And Coach Steve Victory will be at ground level, making the trip to the Final Four for the first time as working participant. He still can’t believe it. His anguish over last season’s pitfalls seems like forever ago. He thanks his Maker every day he didn’t hang up his whistle after year 15 (Author’s note: I was leaning strongly toward that option when I first started this dynasty – if he didn’t win it all in 15; he was done)…

Other Elite Eight scores: #4 Virginia 76, #3 Missouri 54… #3 Louisville 79, #1 Mississippi State 70… #3 Arizona State 75, #1 Maryland 68… a strange field indeed… No #1 seeds. No #2 seeds. Steve Victory likes Alabama’s chances…

Will the coach Remember the Alamo (Dome) as the site of his biggest triumph or another place filled with heartbreak?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final Four 2019 (Baby!)

Except for Louisville, this year’s Final Four stage features three “step-child” teams from three strong conferences. You might expect Carolina, Duke or Maryland out of the ACC in the Final Four, but Virginia (29-7)? The Arizona Wildcats are the traditional power in the Pac-10, but this year their brethren from Tempe (30-5) dethroned them from their perch. Of course Alabama (28-11) has never even been to an Elite Eight, let alone a Final Four. The SEC traditionally sends Mississippi State, Kentucky or Florida this far into the tournament.

Louisville (30-6) is likely the odds-makers' favorite team. The Cardinals won the 2003 crown and have been to the NCT 14 of the last 16 seasons (a couple of Elite Eight and Final Four visits as well). Plus, they are the highest ranked squad among the four…

Both Saturday games actually prove to be duds from a TV/fan standpoint. Both turn into blowouts. Louisville dismantles Virginia 93-56, outscoring the Cavs (or the Cav-Nots in this case) 55-24 in the second half.

As for Alabama – they win again!!! The Crimson Tide trails at half 33-31 but rallies for a 79-64 triumph over Arizona State. The second half has been good to Victory’s bunch in this tournament!

Travis McQuay leads the scoring for ‘Bama with 22 points. He also grabs 11 rebounds. The guards and small forwards also play well – Traves Pearce 12, Marco Bartow 11, Mark Bell 10 and freshman PG David Smith 11. Loren Tracy is an absolute monster underneath the basket. He pounces on 17 boards (including 8 on the offensive side) and rejects 8 Arizona State shots…

The dream continues: it’s on to the championship game for Steve Victory!! Yes, Mr. Sheriff-Hyphen, you’re not going home till Tuesday morning. Of course you and Frank are invited to the Victory party (nice pun) at the team hotel if ‘Bama cuts down the nets Monday night. It’s going to be tough, however. Louisville is solid and hungry. But so is Alabama!!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT Championship 2019

Here’s the match-up heading into the NCT title game. Amazingly, the pundits consider Alabama the favorites!! Coach Victory seems to be walking on a cloud as he prepares for the Cardinals.

“Men, if we do this, I’m going to do a Cozell McQueen,” Victory tells his team. “Remember N.C. State’s miracle run to the national championship in 1983? After the Wolfpack beat Houston, the 6-11 McQueen climbed up on the basket and took a seat on top of the backboard, wearing a big goofy smile for several minutes... I want to do that Monday night after beating Louisville...”

His players give him a strange look, but they too seem to be relishing every moment of this unbelievable run through the NCT...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: jksander

Coach Victory,

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in Monday night’s championship game! After sixteen years, you’ve earned it, despite what Sheriff Fife-Wilt has to say about it He’s given us both a ton of grief, so win, will ya? By the way, I’ve got a seat behind Astros02, and if he tries yelling “Chokefactory!” at me, I’ll make sure he doesn’t get the chance

Daniel Rand-Stevenson

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT Championship 2019

Paint the town Crimson!

Coach Victory enjoys the views from the top of the backboard at the South end of the Alamo Dome. It was a little tricky getting up there, and the Sheriff will probably have a field day over his lack of personal dignity during this moment. But the heck with the Sheriff. Steve Victory has just coached his first national championship team!! For real!! This is not the time to think logically. It’s time for unadulterated celebrations.

Actually, Victory had several minutes to plan how he was going to ascend the Alamo Dome backboard, ala Cozell McQueen of the Cardiac Pack in 1983. Alabama had this game in the bag by halftime! The Tide exploded from the opening tip to take a 43-23 lead. Wow! Louisville made a push or two after intermission, but the Tide held them off for a 78-63 triumph.

From a national standpoint, the 2019 Final Four didn’t have much to offer the casual fan – three blowouts in three games. But don’t tell that to the folks in Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities, who will be partying well into the night at the school’s first championship in men’s hoops. A few might honk a few horns around Auburn University as well… Haha!

Senior SG Marco Bartow, an unsung player much of the season, earns MVP honors. He scores 23 points in the title game. He makes 4-of-7 from three-point land. He swishes 8-of-16 from the field, dishes out three assists and even grabs four rebounds. Point guard Mark Bell is impeccable, serving up 11 assists against only three turnovers. Traves Pearce adds 16 points. Travis McQuay gets shut down by Louisville’s post players (9 points) but still squirms loose for 11 rebounds.

What else can you say? After almost cashing in on his college coaching career 12 months earlier – or at least bailing on Alabama – Steve Victory has reached the pinnacle. It might even mean more coming in Year 16. The first 15 years certainly humbled the 46-year-old from South Florida and made him appreciate the championship a whole lot more…

[beargrowlz]

Big shout out to ya man. Great job!

[hoopsguy]

Congrats on bringing home the crown - certainly a tough career challenge. Well done.

So, does Victory come back to defend the title?

[beargrowlz]

It has come to my attention that Victory has pet names for his assistant coaches. They are and I quote from a reliable source within the program as following:
“Kendrick Redd is referred to as (GGEGGEEG) and Matt Cook as(EEGEEGGA). His lead assistant is Dionosio Jenkins who Victory prefers to call (GGGEGEGG).”


This was actually funny.

[aztarheel]

Yeah it was ... of course I was trying to indicate their ratings (G=good, E=excellent) - something a regular player of the game would understand -- but my friend Jeff had no idea and ran with the first thing that popped in his mind...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Zorro25
Grats to coach Victory on the title! And to the Sheriff — Coach Travis Johnson of Wofford for one hopes you have the good sense and self-preservation to ride your sorry pessimistic lying butt out of town!

Posted by: AZTarHeel
Thanks Zorro... As for the Sheriff, beware of picking a fight... He may end up hanging around Wofford


Posted by: Astros02
That was a wild party! By the way, that was a makeshift sign, on the other side I had written “Chalk up another L for Coach V”

Congratulations, my perspective from the posse will be much different next time I write in to the Tuscaloosa news.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Late Monday night in a local San Antonio watering hole


You want something else, Captain?

“Sheriff, the name’s Sheriff. And yeah, keep ‘em coming.”
“I coulda been something ya know. National Champions. Cozell Freakin McQueen. Winking at me. Where’s my drink?”

So, did you watch the big game?

“Did I watch the big game? Did I watch the big game? Don’t ya know who I am? Doncha recognize me?”

Yeah, buddy you’re Colonel Sanders or whatever you keep calling yourself.

“The Sheriff. Sheriff not colonel and not Sanders. I used to coach. That coulda been me. National Championship in 16th year. Humbled by the process. Bahh.. I hate him. I hate him. Damn napkin. Could a been me I tell ya.”

Whatever Deputy. Another one?

“Yea, and it’s not deputy it’s, oh nevermind. Keep em coming.”
“What am I supposda write now? He did it. He actually did it. Son of a b——. I hate em. I really hate em.”

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

In the Drive-Thru of a famous fast food restaurant


“Yeah, can you believe it? He actually took them all the way. Hold on a second babe.”

“Ok, let’s see, let me get a #4 meal. Yeah # 4, the Double Wofford with Cheese meal. King size it and a coke. Yeah, thanks.”

“I’m hungry. What diet? Honey, you know anyone can finish off one Wofford in less then a minute. Anyway, I’m on my way to the airport and the plane gets in around 3:30 our time. I know. I know. When I get home I’ll have to finish writing the column that I have had nightmares about for years.”

“What? I know. Let it go. It’s not that easy. See ya in a few hours. Love you too. Bye.”

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Tuscaloosa News April 2019

Sheriff’s Roundup

An Open Letter to Coach Steve Victory

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

“Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”

Steve Victory and his Alabama Crimson Tide did the unthinkable last night. They defeated Louisville last night 78-63 to claim their first NCT championship. I applaud both Coach Victory and the vailant effort of his men. No tricks this time. No clever anecdotes. I stand humbly before these gentleman and offer up my unadulerated praise to a season for the ages. This truly was a storybook ending. Through all the turmoil of the past 2 years, the Tide’s coach did not turn further inward in self-absorption but rather turned outward in openess and humility which his team embraced and they rode to the promised land.

I have been covering Steve Victory for the past 14 years and I have not always been the most gracious of writers. Some have said that I overstepped my bounds as a journalist and seemed to have some type of personal vendetta with Victory. I have poked, prodded, and at times possibly exaggerated facts in order to produce hard hitting journalism. Yet, in all of this time, I have never been attacked by this man. Sure, he suffered the sin of pride for the majority of his career as many of us do, but unlike most of us, it appears he has conquered that pride with a desire to change and help the young men around him.

I began this column with the old American Indian quote “Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.” Well Steve to you I finally say,

Those should have been my shoes and that was my mile to walk. That should have been me Monday night cutting down the nets. Steve, I will never forgive you for what happened.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final Thoughts 2019

As coach Victory awaits the latest breaking news from The Sheriff [Author's note: I had no clue what yanksare was up to at this point], here are some closing thoughts on Alabama’s national championship season:

* The Tide reached the 30-win plateau for the first time in school history

* Four players averaged 11.9 ppg or better for the season. Travis McQuay led the way with 16.1 ppg, followed by SF Traves Pearce 13,8, PG Mark Bell 12.8 and Marco Bartow (‘Bama’s Final Four hero) 11.9.

* Top rebounders were McQuay 10.5, Loren Tracy 9.6 and Darrell Wynn 7.6

* Top assists men were Bell 7.1 and Bartow 2.6

* Top shot-blockers were McQuay and Winn 2.8 blocks per game and Tracy 2.7 bpg. Wow, don’t bring that in here!! Pearce even rejected 1.0 shots per game…

* Ole Miss went on a tear through the ACT but stumbled to Washington State in the finals. It would have been nice to have an SEC double-double there.

* Alabama’s national prestige only went up one point to 55 following the magical run (what?!?)

* Tracy went #16 in the NBA draft to Dallas. Wynn went #50 to the Lakers… Victory now has six NBA players to his credit… All are underclassmen who declared early. The coach was surprised to see no one take McQuay…

* Job offers for coach Victory – crap, despite the NCT title. Interestingly enough, Auburn comes calling as does SEC foe Vanderbilt. Ummm, no thanks…

* Alabama sets 11 career records and nine season records during the 2018-19 campaign. Bell, McQuay and Bartow get their name on most…(Remember Brett Fischer from a couple of seasons ago? I just checked and he has the national record for FT percentage in a season – 94 percent – and the national record for FT percentage over a career – 92 percent. Wow!!!)

OK, on to Season 17 in the Steve Victory world… Will there be a repeat in Alabama's future?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2019-20

Before we move on to Season 17, let’s meet the eight new players who will suit up for the Tide. As you may remember, six members of the national championship team graduated (yes, they all got their degrees!) and two opted to go pro after their junior seasons.

Three recruits look like stars-in-the-making, while the five others all have good potential but may be a year or two (or three) away.

Jabari Wolff, a 6-9 PF from Virginia, is probably the cream of the crop. He’s a 5-star guy that signed pretty early (for a change). He was the #19 pick in the land according to a three-star service and averaged 22 ppg and 14 rpg as a high school senior.

PG Cliff Williams from Arkansas looks to pick up where Mark Bell left off. He averaged 23 ppg and 13 apg as a senior in high school. PF John Capel from Montgomery, Alabama, looks to be a scorer (26 ppg) but isn’t much yet for rebounding…

The other five guys include C Sam Steele (not ranked but averaged 31 ppg), C Leroy Harriman (25 ppg), SF Gregg Barnes, PF Marcus Davey and PG Javon Forbes (#163 overall but averaged 32 ppg, 5 apg).

The returnees include juniors Earl Dixon (redshirt, SG) and Ely Wilson (SF) and sophomores David Smith (PG), Lincoln Dearman (PF) and Nate Nolan (SG).

The problem is none of these five “veterans” really have any experience. Smith is the highest returning scorer and he averaged just 5 ppg a game in 2018-19. This could be an interesting season. Wilson looks like the strongest player and has developed well the past few years at least in terms of ratings. Surprisingly enough, there are no seniors so Victory can’t even take advantage of Alabama’s status as national champs during the recruiting wars.

This is Victory’s second time dealing with a mass exodus of players at Alabama, so he’s decided to try a different strategy. He’s going to redshirt two freshmen (SF Barnes and PF Capel) and will likely redshirt two more guys from this class next season. “We have to do something,” the coach said. “Otherwise every four years, we’re replacing an entire team. We need to find some balance. That way we can be competitive every season and not just every fourth season… This is going to take some patience, though. We’re truly rebuilding in 2019-20.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season Seventeen 2019-20

One of the more forgotten aspects of Jim Valvano’s miracle run to a national championship with N.C. State in 1983 — the fact that the coach failed to qualify the Wolfpack for the tournament the following season. After beating Houston in a rematch to start the year, NCSU had a mediocre ’84 campaign, capped only by a trip to the ACT (the NIT in those days).

Steve Victory’s script at Alabama takes a similar turn following his first national championship. The Crimson Tide finishes with a 16-16 regular season record in 2019-20 (counting SEC tourney games as well). They’re lucky even to make the ACT at all.

In many respects, though, Victory is counting his blessings that this bunch manages 16 wins, especially after losing eight of their first 11. The first part of the season is pretty ugly as an out-of-sync ‘Bama squad drops games to such notable opponents as Lafeyette, Wyoming (who turns out to be pretty good actually at 28-4), Southern, College of Charleston (more on them in a minute), Villanova and Illinois State.

Once the SEC season rolls around, the young guns finally start to gel a bit. Alabama loses early games against LSU (more on them too in a minute) and #3 Mississippi State but then engineers a three-game winning streak then later a four-game winning streak. All told, ‘Bama takes fifth place in the SEC with a 10-6 record. There are a few “Franks” out there who bicker about a return to the old ways with Steve Victory, but most are patient with the coach as he essentially retools his entire program…

Some of the notable wins: Vanderbilt (CRI 29), Auburn (CRI 25) and Kentucky (CRI 32). The Tide nearly beat LSU in the second meeting before falling by 3… SG Earl Dixon gets Player of the Week honors in Week 14 (26 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4 apg). Jabari Wolff earns Frosh of the Week midway through the season. PG David Smith actually makes the all-SEC team (12 ppg, 8 apg). Wolff is a member of the all-SEC Frosh team. Not bad in the awards department…

Alabama wins two games in the SEC tournament, downing #12 Tennessee 75-63 and upsetting #4 Florida 87-81 (always nice to beat the Gators). The Tide gives #1 seed Mississippi State (who else?) a good battle before falling 79-73 in the semifinals. The Bulldogs then cruise past #2 Vandy in the championship by about 40…

So it’s on to the post-season for Victory and the Crimson Tide. Though not able to defend their NCT title, Alabama will get a chance to play some more games (something they need). And who knows, Victory might take them back to Madison Square Garden...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACT 2019-20

Steve Victory knows that his team can play as many as five more games in their season before turning in the equipment. Amazingly, the Crimson Tide gets to play all five! Here’s a recap:

Round of 32: Alabama 85, Temple 74: Ely Wilson scores 23 and Earl Dixon nets 22 as the Tide enjoys a big second half. Wilson also had 14 rebounds, and Wolff had four blocks. (Temple is sick of playing Bama in the post-season by the way...

Round of 16: Alabama 74, Ohio State 66: PG David Smith scores 18, including 3-of-3 from three-point land. Dixon and Lincoln Dearman both score 16.

Round of 8: Alabama 87, Saint Louis 64: The Tide gets out to a 19-point halftime lead and cruises into Madison Square Garden. Five score in double figures, led by Dearman’s 19. Wolff wolfs down 14 rebounds.

ACT Final 4: Alabama 94, UC-Riverside 68: This one is no contest as the Tide scores 50 points by halftime. Wolff leads with 23 points, while Dixon and Wilson both score 15. All Alabama needs to do is take out Florida State of the ACC to win the ACT title. FSU nipped George Washington 81-80 in the other semi. The Tide should be rested…

ACT Championship: Florida State 74, Alabama 69: Rats! Steve Victory just can’t win championship games in Madison Square Garden. He lost to Arkansas in the final several years ago and finished second a few times in Preseason ACT events. The Seminoles go up 11 at halftime and hold off a furious charge. Dixon scores 27 points but that’s about all the consistent offense.

As a team, Alabama shoots a meager 33 percent… Final record for the Tide 20-17… Disappointing for sure after an NCT Title the year before, but getting 20 wins seemed impossible when Alabama started this season 3-8… This would be called a great salvage job...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Frank again. Isn’t it about time we get rid of this mediocrity? I hate every 4 years having a chance to get LUCKY to get to the sweet 16. Why can’t Steve “I forget how to get a” Victory draw out a plan to have a steady roster, instead of having 8, *8*(!), leave in one offseason?

Get him outta here! I don’t want to have to wait 20 more seasons for another final 4! Hell, I’d rather have Alabama’s own Charles Barkley coaching the team. So what if he’s in his 50’s without any coaching experience, he’d be much better than Steve “I’d sell my soul for a” Victory!


EDIT: Doh, forgot he was Frank, not Fred!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Wrapping up 2019-20

A couple of interesting storylines as Victory and company close the 2019-20 season.

1) LSU: The Tigers pull an Alabama. Despite being a #8 seed in the NCT, LSU gets hot and advances all the way to the national championship game. Louisville finally ends their magical run 81-66 in Atlanta. That would have been neat to have back-to-back SEC champs (over the Cardinals no less). Mississippi State does reach another Final Four but falls to Louisville. Fordham (!) is the other Final Four team.

2) College of Charleston: The team that Victory could have been coaching had he made a different decision two seasons ago returns to the Sweet 16 in the NCT!! The Cougars go 29-6 and win the SoCon. They take a #6 seed in the East Region and beat Evansville and Wisconsin before falling to #3 Oklahoma. CoC fans are glad they kept Michael Williamson around. Steve who? Oh yeah, Steve Victory. Where is he now, the ACT? Alabama is so last year…

Alabama leaders for 2019-20 (not bad numbers)
Scoring: Ely Wilson 16.3 ppg, Earl Dixon 16.2 ppg, David Smith 12.0, Lincoln Dearman 11.1
Rebounds: Ely Wilson 10.2 rpg, Dearman 7.1 rpg, Dixon (wow a SG!) 5.6 rpg (Why was Wilson not all-SEC?)
Assists: Smith 8.0
Blocks: Wolff 2.2

Job offers: now here is where things get interesting for Mr. Victory. The coach has said openly for years that he would love a job in the ACC. For the first time in his career, some ACC schools come calling. One team is Clemson. The other is Georgia Tech. Both are lower in prestige than Alabama (Clemson=42 and Georgia Tech=50), but this is the freakin’ ACC!!

The rumor mills start rolling again (fueled by speculation that Charles Barkley wants to coach the Crimson Tide now that his term as U.S. Senator is up), and Victory must make some tough decisions once more… Will he be an ACC coach for his 18th season, leaving the Crimson Tide high and dry now that he’s won a title there? Or will he stick around Tuscaloosa to see what these young guns he brought in the year before are capable of? Stay tuned…

[devynd]

Good story so far! I actually found myself disliking Steve Victory and cheering against him when he left UCF so soon. I love how the character has so much arrogance and then suffers an exceptional degree of failure. I was actually almost laughing at him when he considered quitting at the 15-year mark: "Dude, change your goal; your team looks like it could contend next year. So it might be 16 years instead of 15. Get over it already." It's really interesting to see Steve develop and grow a little, and by the time 'Bama won the title, I was happy for him. And then he starts thinking again about going to another program (ACC! When in this sim it's obvious that the SEC has become the dominant conference), and it becomes clear that even though he is learning, he's still the same old Steve Victory....

I look forward to seeing the rest of the story. I hope you can post it soon. It makes me want to get a college BB sim of my own, even with my hands full with my new FOF and TCY....

[aztarheel]

Thanks for the comments ... I've had a lot of fun with this one... Not sure I can ever top it story-wise...

Not sure if you can find Tournament Dreams any more. It had its down sides but it is certainly playable. I definitely got my money's worth out of it (and still am to some degree) ... Check out WolverineStudios.com (or something like that) -- they are selling Total College Basketball...

AZ

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Perspectives from the Posse


I’m back. I had to take care of a little business in the northeast but the Sheriff is definitely back baby. Faithful Fred writes “Isn’t it about time we get rid of this mediocrity? I hate every 4 years having a chance to get LUCKY to get to the sweet 16.”

Patience my friend, one cannot expect a team to dominate every year. It is not as though Coach Victory is commanding Rutgers or other such powerhouses. However, having said that, I would be remiss if I did not mention that with our last disappointing season it appears that Victory may be up to his old ways again.

What could it be this time? Let’s just say that I have it on good authority that Steve”Wait till next year and I’ll get a” Victory will be leaving for greener pastures this offseason. Don’t be surprised to find Charles Barkley rolling into town to take over the Tide and Victory signing up to lead the Tigers of Clemson in his beloved South Carolina.

Until next time, the Sheriff says a Barkley in the hand is worth two Victorys in the bush.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Decision 2020

While the Charles Barkley-to-Alabama rumors sparked some life into the usual drab summer sports scene of Tuscaloosa, coach Steve Victory opts not to jump to the ACC after all.

He did go through informal talks with Clemson officials — “just to hear what they had to say” – but opted to stay put after realizing just how poor the Tigers’ hoops program had fallen. Clemson’s talent level for freshmen and the team as a whole is listed as “awful” by the fine folks at .400 Sports.

Victory has been down that road before (when he took over at ‘Bama) and rebuilding a crappy program in a tough conference like the ACC is not his cup of tea at this point. Now if a contender from college basketball’s greatest hoops conference ever came calling, that could be a different story...

Georgia Tech looked a little better than Clemson on paper, but Victory’s not too keen on the Rambling Wreck for whatever reason. Plus, things were just getting good for Alabama at the end of last season. Time to see what he can do now that these boys have some experience! Bring on Alabama in 2020-21!! (Sorry Sheriff and Frank the Faithless—another year of putting up with Coach V in Tuscaloosa)…

[aztarheel]

QUOTE

Originally posted by yanksare

Those should have been my shoes and that was my mile to walk. That should have been me Monday night cutting down the nets. Steve, I will never forgive you for what happened.



An open letter to The Sheriff:

Huh?

Sincerely,
Steve Victory
Alabama head coach
NCT Champs 2019

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Early Season 2020-21

You don’t need to buy a new program to know who’s playing for Alabama this season. All 13 players from last year’s squad that went 20-17 are back. They, of course, are in a different class this year. Two players, SF Gregg Barnes and PF John Capel, enjoyed a redshirt year and are still considered freshmen. PG Javon Forbes and C Sam Steele, who didn’t play much last year as freshmen but have decent potential, will redshirt this season. All part of Victory’s plan to better balance out the classes so that 7 or 8 don’t leave the program in one season again (and to placate Faithless Frank – picture a guy with bitter beer face – who is back to his badgering ways in Tuscaloosa…

Here’s the rest of the lineup:
Starters: PG Cliff Williams, SG Earl Dixon, SF Ely Wilson (ready for big senior year?), PF Lincoln Dearman and C Jabari Wolff (really a PF but Victory needs him on the floor as much as possible).
Bench: PG David Smith (may push Williams for starting job – both considered “elite” playmakers), C Leroy Harriman, PF Capel, PF Marcus Davey, SG Nate Nolan, SF Barnes.

A few more vitals:
Prestige: Climbs to 57 (goes up 1 point after NCT title but goes up 2 after ACT runner-up finish? Huh ?!?)
Freshman Talent: Awful (because there are no true freshmen)
Overall Talent: Solid
Game Challenge: Normal
Expectations: Wouldn’t you know it, the ‘Bama chieftains just want a .500 conference record


Alabama’s first game of the season is a loss. But at least the 79-69 defeat is to defending national champion Louisville, who looks primed for a repeat effort.

The Tide gets hot from this point, winning the next four games and 11 of the next 12! UMass is the only team to get the best of Victory’s boys during this stretch, and they barely slide by 75-72. PG Cliff Williams gets injured in this contest (lost for 1-2 months!!), and Alabama struggles without him the rest of the game. PG David Smith fills in nicely though in his stead over the next few weeks.

The early-season schedule is a mixed bag of crappy teams and good ones. Some of the “good” wins come over NC State 88-61 in Raleigh, at North Carolina 83-72, Temple 93-59, Rutgers (not so good in my world) 84-63 and Dartmouth (CRI 73) 81-57. Alabama gets ready for the grueling SEC slate carrying an 11-2 record and a #13 ranking nationally. Not a bad rebound after last year’s 3-8 start.

Ely Wilson, Lincoln Dearman and Earl Dixon are leading he way, each averaging 14-15 ppg… Victory can’t figure out a way to get Wolff to score more at center but he is averaging better than 10 rebounds per game thus far…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – SEC campaign 2020-21

Like the weather in Tuscaloosa in January and February, Alabama cools once the SEC schedule hits. The ‘Tide loses to Arkansas in the opener, beats a solid LSU team (ranked #6) and then falls to #3 Mississippi State. A win over South Carolina is followed by a defeat to a much-improved Auburn squad.

Alabama plays some of its best basketball of the season midway through the SEC slate. Victory’s bunch reels off five straight wins by impressive scores – at Kentucky 70-55, Florida 73-56, at Mississippi 78-60, Arkansas 99-57 (nice revenge for earlier defeat!) and at #7 Vanderbilt 86-77. At this point, even Frank is cracking a smile or two as the Tide moves back up to #13 in the national rankings and joins Auburn and Mississippi State as the front-runners in the SEC South.

But someone stashed some “bitter beer” in Alabama’s remaining season, and by the time the SEC tournament rolls around even Steve Victory is wearing the contorted face of an anguished coach. ‘Bama drops four of its last six games, including the last three against Georgia (75-74), #2 Mississippi State (81-67) and #19 Auburn (79-66)… The final regular season record looks more tame: 20-9, 9-7 in the SEC (hey, at least Victory met program expectations ). Mississippi State and Auburn ran away with the SEC South with 14-2 records. Vandy led the North with a 13-3 mark.

‘Bama will make the NCT this season for sure. But the team hurt its chances for a nice #2, 3 or 4 seed with the late-season collapse. Now, it will likely be a #6 or #7, even a #8…

On a more positive front, Victory nabbed a pair of hot-shot (at least on paper) recruits for next year. Tyler Tate is a five-star PF who averaged 30.7 ppg and 15 rpg as a high school senior. The South Boston, Va. native could challenge Brett Fischer’s FT records, making 92 percent of his shots. Roland Ward is a 5-star SG, who pumped in 34.5 ppg for his Connecticut high school as well as pulled down 7.1 rpg and dished out 6.7 apg. Victory likes that this guard can rebound too!!

This could be Victory’s best recruiting grab since landing Michael Bliss and Brett Fischer, who both went on to the NBA after three years in Tuscaloosa. Tate is ranked #25 nationally and Ward is #13… Too bad they can’t come for the post-season this year…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Tuscaloosa News March 2021

Sheriff’s Roundup

Was it Plato, Twain, or MCA who spoke the words of life when he said “The Sheriff’s Posse’s on my tail because I’m in demand”? Steve you are in demand. And of course by demand, I mean we faithful citizens of Alabama demand consistency from you. And of course by consistency I do not mean consistent mediocrity. And of course by mediocrity I mean you have overwhelmed us with your lack of coaching ability. And of course by coaching ability I mean what you try to do on the sidelines as your team runs aimlessly without true leadership to and fro. And of course by fro I mean your hair style.

Loyal readers recently we have received a open letter from Coach “V is for” Victory “and one would be good enough for me.” It is obvious that rather than trying to figure out why his team is losing that he is exerting all his mental energy into this both telling and lucid question. I quote “Huh?” Well spoken. It seems your verbal prowess is as Herculean as your coaching ability.

Steve, if I can be perfectly Frank(or Fred) with you. You know why it should have been me and not you cutting down the nets in 2019. It is as if you have purposefully unbuckled your size 48 trousers, squatted and taken a huge, smelly Wofford all over our past together. You may not be willing to admit what you have done, but the truth is out there and it will be heard soon my friend. Until next time, the Sheriff says trust no one.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL Post-season 2021

Alabama’s post-season performance does little to dispel the notion that Steve Victory’s truly a mediocre coach at the big-time college level (even though he has an NCT title to his credit). The Crimson Tide, seeded fourth in the SEC tournament, wins its opener over #5 Arkansas 70-61 but then falls in the semifinals to #1 Mississippi State 84-72.

Actually, that’s right were ‘Bama should have lost according to the seedings, but Victory knows his team was capable of beating the Bulldogs and advancing back to the SEC title game. Something just seems to be missing these days. The players have lost their edge – they seemed satisfied at just getting 20 wins. It’s not injuries – everyone’s back in the lineup. It’s chemistry and heart.

Of course the recent national championship at ‘Bama has only fueled fans’ (and sports columnists’) desire for more titles rather than satiate it. The bar has been raised since 2019 and Victory has yet to clear the next height, much to his chagrin.

Auburn goes on to upset Mississippi State in the SEC championship game, something else that adds fuel to the fires in Tuscaloosa. Mississippi State still gets a #1 seed for the NCT.

Alabama’s name gets called as expected on Selection Sunday, going as a #6 seed in the East. The opponent: a school Victory has barely heard of – Sacred Heart. Victory will get to know the Pioneers out of the NEC all too well in the days to come…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT 2021

Yep, that’s right. Little ol’ Sacred Heart knocks Alabama out of the NCT in the first round. It’s actually a great game if you’re just a casual fan of basketball tuning in. The teams play run-and-gun for 40 minutes, then go to overtime. The Pioneers get hot, outscore the Tide 16-4 and pull the 95-83 upset.

Of course if you’re an Alabama fan, trying to relive the magic of 2019, it’s a heartbreaking day. The Tide had high hopes, even after some late stumbles in this season. The one-and-done finish just confirmed that this was somewhat of an underachieving bunch. Is it the coach? The players? Expectations that are too high? A combination of all three? Dissension over persisting rumors that Charles Barkley wants to coach the team? Karma? Negative press? Bad pizza the night before games?

Whatever the case, Victory’s team reaches official program expectations by getting a .500 conference record. But the 21-11 overall mark still doesn’t sit too well with him or others surrounding the program (especially Frank-Fred)…

Mississippi State goes on to the Final Four (again!) but loses to Illinois in the finals. Arkansas reaches the ACT finals but falls to Indiana. It’s the third year in a row SEC teams have played in both the NCT and ACT championship games. Alabama has been a part of two title games (one in each tournament) but is nowhere to be found this season…

Alabama has no award winners other than a few players of the week. Earl Dixon (13.9 points per game), Lincoln Dearman (13.7) and Ely Wilson (13.4) lead a balanced scoring attack for ‘Bama. Wilson, Dearman and Jabari Wolff all grab more than 8 boards per game. Cliff Williams is the assists leader (6.2 per game). Dearman and Wolff both block two shots a game on average.

Dixon and Wilson get their degrees and are off to the real world. No NBA draftees this season… On to season #19 for Coach V...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT 2021

Victory’s pretty upbeat at the Final Four festivities in Atlanta despite his team’s disappointing finish. He still gets plenty of pats on the back from his peers for the Tide’s 2019 championship run. “That was one fine tournament your boys had – one of the best on record,” the conversations typically go. “With those two hot-shot recruits you’re bringing in next year, you should be right back in contention to get here again.”

That helps this season’s tough finish go down easier. Folks are grumbling back home, but on the national scene, his overall work is well-regarded.

One athletic director that seems to pay extra attention to Victory during the typical coach and administrator hobnobbing is Derrick Whittenburg, once the famed guard who threw the pass that led to the dunk that gave NC State its miracle NCT victory over Houston in ’83. Whittenburg is now the Wolfpack’s athletic director in charge of basketball operations.

“Mr. Victory, I want to level with you. We’d like to talk to you about being our next basketball coach at NC State,” Whittenburg says over drinks in the hotel a few hours before the NCT championship game.

Victory nearly spits his wine all over the carpet. He literally can’t speak for at least a minute, turning as red as a Wolfpack road jersey. “Are you serious?” he finally manages to blurt out.

“You bet. I know you’ve got your detractors in Alabama and you’ve had some up-and-down times, but we think you’ll be a great fit with the Wolfpack. We kind of like having a Coach V around in Raleigh.”

Victory is floored (and glad he didn’t sign on with Clemson or Georgia Tech the year before). N.C. State! The school that gave the hoops world David Thompson, Thurl Bailey, Tommy Burleson, the dethroning of UCLA in 1974, the Cardiac Pack of 1983, Jim Valvano’s frantic search for someone to hug, Everett Case, Reynolds Coliseum, parties on Hillsborough Street. Amazing – a pillar of the ACC, the greatest hoops conference ever, wants him.

How can he say no? Yes, his ‘Bama team is bound to be an NCT contender next season, but an opportunity like this only comes around once in a lifetime!! He signs an agreement with Whittenburg – ironically enough on a napkin right there in the bar – and goes on to watch Illinois topple Mississippi State in the NCT title game. Victory winks at The Sheriff as he passes him in the lobby, and the famed tabloid journalist immediately knows something is up…

The news hits Tuscaloosa by late Tuesday afternoon. Victory is introduced in Raleigh as the next coach of the Wolfpack around lunchtime on Wednesday. By Friday night, Charles Barkley is being ushered in as the next coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide (thanks for the idea Astros – I downloaded his picture from the Web and put him in the game!!!)

What a whirlwind of a week! A new chapter in the life and times of Steve Victory is set to begin… Season number 19 overall. Season number one in the ACC…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

It’s easy to leave a team in mediocrity, isn’t it Steve? Well at least we may be consistent with the round mound of rebound leading our kids. He may not be a role model, he may not even want to be a role model, but if he was he would be a much better one than you!

Jumping ship at the first job offer that will give you a free ride to success, how am I NOT surprised? Steve “My former team will finally get a” Victory, you are a dirty man, and if NC State becomes horrible, you got what you deserve.

Well, onward to a new era in Alabama basketball. I may let Frank Jr. go there now that this jerk isn’t around anymore.

Frank

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Ted here. Welcome to North Carolina State Steve “always leading to” Victory! We’re gonna be rocking! Hey Steve, want me to get you some groupies? I know some great girls in this town, and some good alleyways.

On to basketball. Your stellar recruiting classes will be a welcome addition to this program. I heard we got a new reporter in town to cover you and the team, can’t wait until his column starts.

Ted

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

May 2021

Inside a Miami Subs
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

You want anything Frank?

Nah, I’m going to get Mexican in awhile. You go ahead though.

Mexican, whew. Last time I had a burrito I had the Woffords all night. Anyway, I talked to Tudor today. He said I could have the job if I wanted it.

Do you really want it? Wouldn’t it be nice to cover Chuck and watch the Tide grow into their potential?

Part of me thinks so. But I gotta tell you Fred, even though I hate Victory more than I can put into words, we are connected in some strange astrological way. It’s almost like a yin/yang deal.

Where do you come up with this junk? Don’t you ever just speak like a normal person?

Sorry. You’re right. I just get so worked up when I think about him.

What did happen?

You mean I haven’t told you. Well it goes way back to Charleston. He was coming over to coach from Central Florida and I had just come back into the States from coaching in a semi-pro league in Italy. Anyway, ...

Wait a minute. You really did coach. I thought that was just bs in your column. Ya know, like a writer taking dramatic license or something.

No, I really did. Played in that same league for a few years after graduating from a small division II school in Florida. Anyway, so this is what happened...


Dude, aren’t you that dude that writes? The Sheik?

Uh, no. Actually I do write, but I go by the Sheriff.

Right. The Sheriff. Yeah, you suck. All you did was bitch and complain about the one coach who got us a NCT championship and now look what happened.

Look, I’m sorry you feel that way but I’m sorta in the middle of lunch with my friend. So if you wouldn’t mind, please excuse us as we were just leaving.

Don’t worry kid. The Sheriff is leaving town and the Round Mound of Rebound is going lead Bama all the way again.

Round mound of rebound. WTF? Did you make that up? That’s cool.

Uhh, yeah. I just thought of that. Pretty good huh? See ya kid.


Ok, I gotta go home and pack. I’ll email my columns from Raleigh. Thanks for listening Frank.

But you didn’t finish telling me about you and Victory. What caused all the hostility?

Oh yeah, I’ll email ya. It’s quite a story.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After 18 Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
2009-10 Alabama 10-20 5-12
2010-11 Alabama 3-27 2-15
2011-12 Alabama 3-26 1-16
2012-13 Alabama 12-18 4-12
2013-14 Alabama 23-11 9-8
2014-15 Alabama 29-7 15-4
2015-16 Alabama 20-12 12-5
2016-17 Alabama 16-16 11-8
2017-18 Alabama 23-12 13-6
2018-19 Alabama 30-11 12-7
2019-20 Alabama 20-17 12-7
2020-21 Alabama 21-11 10-8

Totals 308-275 ... 165-156


Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2014 Alabama 4-1 in ACT (runners up to Arkansas)
2015 Alabama 1-1 in NCT
2016 Alabama 1-1 in ACT
2018 Alabama 1-1 in NCT
2019 Alabama 6-0 in NCT (national champs!)
2020 Alabama 4-1 in ACT (runners up to Florida State)
2021 Alabama 0-1 in NCT

Totals NCT 8-5 ... ACT 9-4

Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)
2015 PF Michael Bliss (Alabama)
2019 PG Mark Bell (Alabama)
2020 PG David Smith (Alabama)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
2015 Michael Bliss (Alabama) — taken 12th overall by Indiana Pacers
2018 Alex Henry (Alabama) — first round & Michael Slater (Alabama) — second round
2019 Loren Tracy (Alabama) — No. 16 to Dallas & Darrell Wynn (Alabama) — No. 50 to the LA Lakers

National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's
2010 Oregon
2011 Missouri
2012 Arizona
2013 Mississippi State
2014 Georgetown
2015 Arizona
2016 Pittsburgh
2017 Kansas
2018 Oklahoma State
2019 Alabama
2020 Louisville
2021 Illinois

ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland
2010 Notre Dame
2011 Western Illinois
2012 Siena
2013 UConn
2014 Arkansas
2015 North Carolina
2016 Kentucky
2017 Nebraska
2018 Oklahoma
2019 Washington State
2020 Florida State
2021 Indiana

[aztarheel]

[Author's Note: It was at this point that the servers were down for awhile at .400 Softball Studios, thus no chance to post on the dynasty forums for more than a week. I played several seasons ahead in the story, and thus was able to jump right back in when the dynasty forums returned. In a way, this break marked a real turning point in Victory's career.]


Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season #19 (at NCSU!!) 2021-22

There are no parties on Hillsborough Street for Coach Steve Victory in his first season at N.C. State. But the Wolfpack does prove pretty competitive under the new head man. And Victory quickly feels at home in Raleigh, N.C.

Outgoing coach Shammell Arenas left things in pretty interesting shape. The Pack hadn’t been to the post-season in three seasons and had a NCT drought of five years. Arenas had brought seven – count them seven – small forwards aboard. State only had one true SG, one true PF and one true C (plus three point guards). That would make filling out the lineups pretty interesting. The incoming freshmen class is considered awful. The overall talent level is average and the challenge level is considered difficult. But State fans for the most part seem patient for now.

“It will take us a couple of years to adjust to my style and get a solid foundation built under us, especially in the post,” Victory says. “But I think we can give any team a good run, even now.”

State’s first game is promising. The Pack takes on #17 Illinois, leads by 4 at the half and then falls by a deuce. Victory gets his first win as the NCSU coach a couple of nights later when the Pack tramples Holy Cross 86-61. State plays .500 ball pretty much the rest of the way and finishes the regular season 14-15. The Pack guts through the ACC slate pretty well for an underdog team, pulling out a 9-7 record – good enough for an upper division finish (fourth place). [One more note: this is the "old" ACC, without Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College... Still a nine-team league with UNC, NCSU, Wake, Duke, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Florida State and Virginia.]

A couple main storylines develop:

1) Rogers Gravitt: Victory recruited this silky smooth point guard when at Alabama. But Gravitt chose State, and now Victory is glad he did. Gravitt is Victory’s most prolific scorer, averaging close to 19 ppg. He scores 38 on Victory’s alma mater Miami and breaks 30 on a couple of other occasions. He reminds the coach of players he watched in his younger days like Carmello Anthony or Joseph Forte. He just seems to glide around the court. For his efforts this season, Gravitt is name the ACC Player of the Year!! Victory has never coached a POY before.

2) Upsets: State is one of those teams that no one in the conference wants to play. On paper, they don’t look like much, but they can prove dangerous and play at another level at times. The Wolfpack guns down #18 Clemson in Victory’s ACC debut 78-73. They stun #13 Maryland 92-79. They knock off #24 Virginia 87-81 on the road and 88-74 at home. Wake Forest won the first meeting, but State got revenge against the #19 Deacs in the rematch 82-79. Victory is going to like the ACC life…

State’s season, however, comes to an end in the first round of the ACC tournament. The Pack falls to #5 Clemson 79-68. The Tigers got hot for the weekend, rolling over UNC and Wake for the ACC championship. NCSU finishes 14-16. Victory isn’t too upset. The future looks bright in Raleigh, especially considering the recruits he’s brought in… It may be one of his best classes ever…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – 2021-22 Wrapup

Xavier goes on to win the 2022 NCT over Notre Dame 77-69. Florida and Miami (!) were the other Final Four teams. Maryland makes the Sweet 16 but that was about it for the ACC. Regular season champ UNC beat College of Charleston (!!) in the first round before losing to Memphis in round two…

Miami of Ohio beats USC in the ACT final. Mount St. Mary’s and Cincinnati were the other ACT Final Four teams.

How about Charles Barkley’s first season at Alabama? Well, it was a roller coaster ride for sure. Barkley wins his debut over Binghamton, then the Tide loses the next four games – to Oklahoma State, Nebraska, East Carolina (82-57 – ouch!) and *gulp* Oral Roberts. Other early losses come to Bucknell and SW Missouri State. Frank-Fred is absolutely pounding his head against a wall, as are most folks in Tuscaloosa. Steve Victory suddenly looks like an angel to ‘Bama hoops fans, even though many led the charge to ride him out of town a few months earlier.

Barkley finally straightens some things out, and the Tide rolls to a 12-4 record in the SEC. But a first-round exit from the SEC tournament keeps ‘Bama out of the NCT. Then The Citadel knocks Alabama out of the first round of the ACT. So it wasn’t just Victory after all.

Barkley loses his cool demeanor and reams out the press after the ACT loss, which left the Tide with a final mark of 18-15. “Don’t even start with me, Sheriff,” Barkley says to the visiting tabloid journalist, in town for a special series on ex-NBA players-turned-coaches. “And keep this Fred-Frank guy out of here. He’s a maniac. He keeps pounding his noggin on our locker room door.” Victory recruit Jabari Wolff does make the all SEC team, which Victory appreciates.

The final line on ACC Player of the Year Rogers Gravitt: 18.4 ppg, 4.3 apg, 4.7 rpg, 43 percent from the 3-point line. And the best part – he has one year of eligibility remaining… ;)

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – 2021-22 Recruiting

Even Coach Victory is surprised to see his first recruiting class at N.C. State deemed the fourth best in the nation by the folks at .400 Sports. Wow!

Here’s the lowdown on the Pack’s Fab Four:

Andre Baker: The 6-4 SG out of Silver Spring, Maryland was listed as the 13th best player in the nation. He swished about 30 ppg as a high school senior

Jon Henry: the 6-6 PF from Galesburg, Ill., had great numbers for his size: 28 ppg, 9 rpg, 85 percent FT shooter.

Jeff Bailey: the 6-11 C out of Canton, Mass., should finally provide some size to a team with very few guys over 6-7. He’s more of a project, and given his excellent potential, likely will redshirt a season.

Brandon Collins: a 6-10 C from Arlington, Mass, will probably play some as a frosh. He averaged 18 ppg, 11.5 rpg in his final high school season. The good news about all four: each will probably stay all four years… Baker may jump to the NBA if he has early success, but the other three guys seem like solid college players…

OK, off to 2022-23 – Steve Victory’s 20th season as a head coach!! And Charles Barkley’s second at Alabama...

[devynd]

Steve Victory JOURNAL Season #4 (2006-07)
The Cougars brim with confidence three nights later as they visit Raleigh, N.C. for a showdown with N.C. State. Both teams are 4-1. State is ranked #25 in the nation. Charleston is supposed to be an easy victim on "Throwback Night" – the one game of the year the Pack plays in the old Reynolds Coliseum (they now have their own 21,000-seat arena).

Victory’s bunch dreams of playing spoiler on the court where folks like David Thompson, Thurl Bailey and Jim Valvano once roamed but loses a hard-fought contest 73-62. Victory doesn’t feel so bad. He finds himself dreaming of coaching in the ACC one day as his players board the bus for home. "Though I grew up a Tar Heel fan, if this job ever comes open I’m going for it," Victory tells an assistant…

How about that?

It does remind me of a question, though: Miami is referred to as Victory's alma mater, yet the intro to the story says he went to a Division II school. Not that Victory's loyalty has never been questioned before, but what's the story there?

Also, you list 2007 as having unknown champions, but according to your writeup of the season, Mississippi State won the championship and Ole Miss won the "ACT" (though not with a score of 36).

I look forward to the rest of the story. It's amazing that Victory spent a whole 12 years at Alabama; maybe he'll actually stick around N.C. State for a while. But I guess you already know the answer to that. :)

[aztarheel]

Nice catch on the inconsistency with where Victory went to school... The game makes you enter an alma mater for your coach, and it has to be one of the teams in the game. Since there are no D-II schools in the game, I picked Miami -- and promptly forgot to go back and fix that part in my story ...

Also, thanks for the heads up on the NCT and ACT winners for the one year I was missing ...

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

Outside a large Victorian style house in Raleigh, NC

"Victory. Victory. Victory. It's time Victory. It's time. No longer will they cheer you. No longer Victory. I can't take it anymore Victory. It should have been me Victory. I was supposed to be the one. Not you. Me. I was going to win the NCT. I was going to coach. Not you. Me."

A car door opens and slams shut. An obviously inebriated man stumbles towards the house.

"Victory." KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Victory, get your a** out here. It's over Stevie. It's all over. Get out here now or I'm coming in. Where are you? I'm waiting Stevie."

The front door of the Victorian style house opens slowly and a middle aged obviously just awakened man steps forward...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare
...

What do you want Jeff? It’s the middle of the night.

What do I want? What do I want? I want my life back Stevie. You took it from me.

Your life. Drinking a little tonight huh? Why don’t you come inside and we can talk. I’ll make some coffee for us.

I don’t want to come inside. I don’t want some coffee. I want my life back Stevie. I was going to coach at Charleston. You stole it away from me. I will never forgive you Stevie.

Jeff, that’s not fair. We were both up for the job. We had an equal chance. You remember our deal back in college. Whoever got the head job was going to hire the other as an assistant. You turned me down Jeff. It was your decision.

Bull****, I shoulda been coach. It was my job. I woulda taken Charleston all the way. I wouldn’t have left for greener pastures. I coulda been a legend. Instead, I’m writing about the man who took my life. I hate you. I hate you Stevie.

Come on. Let’s go in...

Steve, who are you talking to?

It’s Jeff honey. We’re about to come in. Could you put a pot of coffee on for us?

Oh, ok but come inside it’s 4 in the morning and you guys are pretty loud out there.

I can’t believe she married you after the whole Grand Canyon thing. I never thought she get back together with you.

I’m a lucky man Jeff. So are you. You’ve got a great career as a journalist and whether people agree with you or not they always read what you have to say.

But I didn’t want to be a writer. I wanted to be written about. I wanted to win NCT championships. Like you...

It’s ok Jeff. You’re not thinking straight right now. Everything will look better in the morning.

Everything will look better in the morning. Everything will look better in the morning. F*** you. Tomorrow morning you are still the coach of N.C. freaking State. You’re “Stevie V”. Tomorrow morning I’m still a sports journalist. I’m still just the Sheriff. What a stupid name. “Hey, stick em up. I’m the Sheriff.” Pathetic. I gotta go.

Jeff, wait. Come back. Come to State with me.

You mean. Work for you at State. No way....

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final Four 2025

FLASH FORWARD TO LATE MARCH 2025 -- Victory's FOURTH year at NC State

Coach Steve Victory and his trusted assistant Jeff “The Sheriff” Wilt walk out onto the floor at America West Arena in their Sunday best – Armani suits and fire-red silk ties. It’s Final Four time, and N.C. State is here in Phoenix, playing for its first national championship since the late great Jim Valvano led the Cardiac Pack to the 1983 crown!

“Isn’t this amazing?” Victory asks The Sheriff as the two stare up at the sea of red and white in the stands. “I’ll bet most of the people in this building are Wolfpackers – and they’re loud.”

It’s only Victory’s fourth year as coach at NCSU, and already he has his “new” team poised to cut down the nets. While it took him a decade at Alabama – and even then people grumbled about this and that – his group at State has clicked pretty quickly. The Wolfpack crew, wearing road red jerseys, look sharp in pre-game warmups.

“Glad you’re here, buddy,” Victory says to Wilt, who unexpectedly joined his staff a couple of seasons ago after another assistant jumped ship to coach Fordham. “Two more wins, and we’ll set off the party of all parties on Hillsborough Street. And we’ll both be doing our best Cozell McQueens on the top of the backboards.”

Indeed it has been a crazy couple of seasons for Victory and company. He just wanted to make the tournament after going 14-16 in his first year in Raleigh and 12-19 the following season. It’s seems almost unbelievable the Pack is playing for the national title now, needing only to get past Colorado and the winner of the Oklahoma-Wake Forest contest to capture the 2025 NCT trophy. And it seems improbable the Sheriff is along with Victory as a coach rather than as the neighborhood tabloid journalist looking for dirt in every corner of the locker room…

The Sheriff spots Charles Barkley in one of the luxury boxes high above the arena. “He looks lonely up there,” the Sheriff says with a smile. “The fans at ‘Bama have been tough on him since he missed out on the NCT this season, especially with the football team winning the Sugar Bowl again.”

“Don’t even get me started on Alabama fans,” Victory says. “They’re brutal…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Back to 2023-24 Season

Actually those brutal Alabama fans may have played a part in kickstarting N.C. State’s Final Four drive.

The previous season (2023-24), Victory's third in Raleigh, the Wolfpack visited Tuscaloosa for a mid-November showdown (that Victory himself arranged). State was ranked 25th in the nation. Expectations ran high in Raleigh, with the administration “strongly admonishing” a visit to the NCT this year after two sub-.500 campaigns.

‘Bama had been to the Big Dance the year before in Barkley’s second season and the Tide, too, had big dreams for the season ahead.

The whole night belonged to Alabama. A packed house howled with delight as the Tide rolled over the Pack 68-57. Fans taunted Victory. Fans taunted The Sheriff, the new lead assistant coach at NC State. “Stick this up,” they shouted with one certain finger extended high into the air. It wasn’t pretty. Frank-Fred was in heaven.

In the post-game locker room session Victory went off – as fiery as he’s ever been in his career. “Listen, two years in a row I’ve recruited what the experts called a top five recruiting class. It’s time you guys start playing like you’re the best guys in the nation. It’s time you seniors lead the way as we try to pull N.C. State out of the pit of mediocrity. We’re better than these guys, but we certainly didn’t show it.”

The players responded, both young and old. State beat five-straight patsies, then followed up a close loss to Notre Dame (CRI 35) with another five-game winning streak. Among the victims, #12 Georgetown, TCU (CRI 37) and Victory’s other former team, College of Charleston (not so good this season).

State ripped through the ACC campaign, earning a 13-3 record and the regular-season championship! The only teams to befuddle them – Wake Forest twice (The Deacs were top 10 most of the year) and Virginia on the road. During one stretch, NCSU won seven consecutive ACC contests, including an 88-51 pounding of Maryland and satisfying back-to-back wins at Duke and at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Pack finished the regular season 24-5 and was ranked ninth in the nation in both polls. Senior PG Andre Anderson, one of the holdovers from the old regime, earned All-ACC honors. Freshman PF Toni Zupic made the All-ACC Frosh team.

Senior Jerry Williams, a squatty 6-5 power forward playing center because of the lack of experience at that position, turned into the unsung team leader. Despite giving up lots of size each night, he finished the season averaging about 10 ppg and 6 rpg. Not bad for a “short” guy.

Other key players: Sophomore SG Andre Baker (10 ppg) and senior SF Geoff Burns (14.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg – why not all-conference as well??). Zupic had scored close to 10 ppg in his debut season, starting most games. Anderson scored better than 13 ppg and dished out 6 apg...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACC Tournament 2023-24

A ruptured disc ended Jerry Williams’ senior season in the ACC tournament opener against North Carolina. The Wolfpack still wins 87-80 (with Baker and Burns scoring 16 points each), but Victory and the Sheriff remain concerned about the impact of losing their short but strong starting center/team leader.

Sophomore Jon Henry gets the start in the ACC semifinals against Georgia Tech. He pumps in 15 points (whew!) and the Pack prevails 80-70. All five starters reach double figures, with Anderson getting 17 points, Baker 10, Geoff Burns 10 and Toni Zupic 15. That puts State into the ACC championship against this season’s nemesis, Wake Forest.

Victory and Wilt wondered all weekend how Wake didn’t win the conference outright. They creamed State in both meetings (74-53 and 82-58) but lost five other league games during the year. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack can’t muster past the Deacs in the ACC title game, losing 81-71. Wake leads by 15 at the half and never looks back…

“Hey, we’re in the NCT, and we should be seeded pretty well,” Victory says afterward.

State draws a #3 seed in the East. Wake gets a #2 seed in the South. Duke is #7 in the East, and Florida State is a #6 in the West. Maryland gets relegated to the ACT.

Barkley’s ‘Bama boys rode a roller coaster after destroying NCSU at home, finishing the regular season 19-10, 8-8 in the SEC. At least they made the tournament… Like State’s, though, their visit to the NCT would be short...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tournament 2023-24

State fans were ready to party on Hillsborough Street in March of 2024, but alas they only got one night of revelry. NCSU beats 14th-seeded St. Francis in its tournament opener but loses in the second round to upstart sixth seed SW Missouri State.

Victory and the Sheriff aren’t really sure what happened. The centers played well (folks like Jon Henry), but the rest of the lineup just went bust. After the humbling, Victory has plenty of words for the guys coming back next season:

“Why? Why? You play your butts off all season to get to this point, then you hit cruise control and lay down. Well guess what, I’m not satisfied with just getting here, and neither are our fans. I want to win it all. Not just a regular season title but the whole can of marbles. I want to cut down the nets on the last night of college basketball, climb on the backboards and party into the night. Boys, I’ve been there, and there are few greater feelings in the world.”

The message seems to sink in, but who can tell until next season? Duke, Wake and Florida State manage to do what State can’t and reach the Sweet 16. Alabama also falls in the second round of the Big Dance, dropping a double-digit game to Pittsburgh. Barkley draws some boos from Tide fans afterward…

Amazingly, Duke carries the ACC banner all the way to the Final Four. The Dookies lose, however, to UConn in the semis 73-62. Colorado beats Illinois in the other semi, then drubs UConn 78-66 for the 2024 national championship.

Ah, Colorado. They’ll play a big role in the Steve Victory saga next season… Stay tuned...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Record-Keeping

Just for the record, a few notes on Victory’s second season at State (2022-23). Pretty uneventful overall, therefore I skipped over it for the most part during the “flashbacks.” The Pack went 12-19 and of course didn’t make the post-season. They were ranked as high as #15 early on but tanked during the ACC campaign (5-11). Injuries played somewhat of a role — Jerry Williams got hurt this season as well (missing 4-5 months). Rogers Gravitt, the reigning ACC player of the year, missed some time with ailments...

Victory did get the fourth-best recruiting class in the nation: players like PF Toni Zupic, SG Michael Stokes and SF Jalen Hemphill (#13 in the nation!).

State beat Virginia on the first night of the ACC tournament (play in game) but then got drilled by Maryland 97-46 in the quarterfinals. Uggg...

Kansas knocked off Colorado (!!) and Providence in the Final Four to win the 2023 NCT. Texas A&M claimed the ACT title over Victory’s former SoCon rival Citadel. Nice year for the Big 12...

OK, just wanted to get that info on the record for folks keeping track (anyone other than me?)... Now, catching back up to 2024-25 — a memorable year for Mr. Victory and company...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2024-25

OK, so the cat’s out of the bag on the 2024-25 season, Victory's fourth at the helm at NC State. Steve Victory and the Wolfpack make it to the Final Four in Phoenix (as noted in an earlier post). They play Colorado in one national semifinal, with the winner taking on either Oklahoma or Wake Forest in the championship game.

How amazing it would be if State and Wake – schools about 85 miles from each other in North Carolina – made it to the NCT final in Arizona. Fans would have to travel 2,000 miles from their home state just to catch the game live… Couldn’t they just move it to Greensboro or Charlotte or something?

But first, a recap on the roller coaster path State takes to reach the Final Four… Some striking similarities to the magical ’83 final with Jim Valvano… Remember Derrick Whittenburg’s broken foot, then his magical return late in the season?

The Pack enters 2024-25 campaign with very high expectations. Pundits call the freshman class “superior” and the overall talent level “superior.” The NCSU administration goes from wanting a .500 conference record the previous few years to “encouraging” Victory to make the NCT this time around. Secretly, the bigwigs want several wins in the NCT but don’t go so far as to put that in writing…

So who are these so-called “Superior” players? A few introductions, please:

THE STARTERS:
PG Michael Stokes (sophomore, actually a true SG)
SG Andre Baker (junior)
SF John Henry (junior, actually a true PF)
PF Toni Zupic (sophomore)
C Deon Brown (freshman, actually a true PF)

Notice that none of these players are seniors. Provided they avoid the NBA trap, next season could be a banner one as well… Wait – no jumping ahead…

THE BENCH:
SF Ricardo Merton (redshirt senior)
SF Jalen Hemphill (sophomore)
SG Marcus Hill (freshman)
C Jeff Bailey (junior)
SF Brett Montgomery (redshirt junior)
C Brandon Collins (redshirt sophomore)

THE REDSHIRTS
PG Ian Demory (frosh, good potential, OK ratings)
C Jean Sykes (frosh, same as Ian)

The bench will become vitally important as the season plays out… The preseason rankings have the Pack at 17th and 13th respectively… The prestige ranking for NCSU is 63 out of 100 (above average!!)…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Regular season 2024-25

State’s run to the Final Four begins on a rather interesting note. They have to work hard to get past Norfolk State in the opening round of the Preseason ACT. Final score: 79-75. Whew! The Pack pummels TCU in the second round 89-52 but then loses to #13 Providence in the championship game 71-70. Once again, Victory falls agonizingly short in a preseason ACT final (part of his legacy as a coach?).

The loss makes State players mad, and the Wolfpack goes on a pleasing 13-game winning streak! They win at Arizona 79-68. They win at Notre Dame 71-65. They roll at Washington 82-55. They cruise at Ohio State 87-65. And they beat the teams they are supposed to like Stony Brook, St. Peters, LaSalle, Charlotte, etc. Various players step up at different times. Michael Stokes stones Stony Brook with 28 points. Toni Zupic rejects UNC-Charlotte nine times. John Henry, Deon Brown, Andre Baker all get double figures in scoring multiple times. The Pack enters ACC play holding a #7 ranking in the nation.

The makings of the perfect championship season, right? Ha! This is Steve Victory remember? Something’s got to crack somewhere.

That something is a bone in Jon Henry’s foot (ala Derrick Whittenburg in ‘83). One of Victory’s leading scorers falls funny in an early ACC game against Duke, and the unraveling begins. The Devils crush the Pack 83-59. And this is after State lost to Georgia Tech a few nights earlier 79-78. Unfortunately, it gets worse before it gets better.

After ripping up North Carolina in Chapel Hill 90-61 (breaking from character—it pains me to write that), State loses another player to injury against Clemson. Deon Brown dislocates his knee (I’ve done that, it’s no fun) and is out for a month. (I was out a lot longer). And we’re still not done with injuries.

A couple nights after Clemson, SG Michael Stokes falls victim. He’s out two months with his ailment (can’t remember what it is). Counting the two redshirt guys, State is down to eight players dressing out. Victory is doggedly determined not to break up either of the redshirts, so he puts a patchwork lineup on the floor to end the ACC season. It isn’t pretty but it could be a whole lot worse.

The record the rest of the way: 5-7, with a four-game losing streak in the middle. College of Charleston even sneaks in and beats the Pack in a late-season meeting. Argg. That didn’t sit well with Mr. Victory. Andre Baker tried to carry the team, leading the scoring many nights but he could only do so much.

Thankfully, the injuries starting healing up by late February, and players started trickling back in. Deon Brown comes back by game 28 and helps the Pack beat Maryland. Jon Henry is back on the roster as NCSU gets ready for the ACC tournament… The final regular season tally: 22-10, 8-8 in the ACC. A final ranking of 25 in both polls. A bittersweet taste overall considering the 13-1 start and the ever-increasing expectations.

The Wolfpack will get an NCT berth but to where and which seed?

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACC tournament 2025

Jon Henry’s return helps State big time. He scores 18 points in the opener against Maryland, and the Pack wins 65-60. Nice!

Henry scores 20 and rips down 14 rebounds in the semifinals, but that isn’t enough to beat Duke. The dumb Devils slip past 68-64. Then, the Dookies beat Wake for the ACC crown. Uggg! (I hate Duke, in case you can't tell)...

The ACC gets two #1 seeds for the NCT tournament. State isn’t one of them obviously. Duke is #1 in the South. Wake is #1 in the West. The Pack will go as a #7 in the East Region.

Alabama, the year they won the NCT under Victory, started its tournament run in a similar spot. This year, Bama is a #7 seed as well – in the ACT. Barkley’s Crimson Tide finished the regular season and SEC tournament with a 15-15 overall record. The folks in Tuscaloosa are not happy to say the least…

Other NCT teams from the ACC: Maryland as a #12 in the Midwest. Georgia Tech as a #6 in the South…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Tournament 2025

Alabama loses its first game in the 2025 ACT tournament to Louisville, prompting more outcries against Charles Barkley in Tuscaloosa. Fortunately, Victory is safe at State after the Pack rolls past Kansas State in its opener 81-61. (Of course, you knew they would win!)

The Pack then takes out the top three seeds in the East Region to make it to the Final Four!! The first victim is #2 St. Joe’s, which sports a 24-5 record. The game is an up-and-down affair before the Wolfpack finally seals it 98-89. A fun one to reach the Sweet 16!!

Victory and company then guns down a familiar foe – #3 Mississippi State, one of the schools Victory sparred with often at Alabama. This one isn’t much of a game as State wins 81-62. Toni Zupic scores 22 points, and Deon Brown adds 16. Michael Stokes – back from his injury at last!! – scores 13 and dishes out 7 assists. State makes 22-of-23 free throws. (The SEC does get a revenge in another game as LSU knocks Duke from the tournament – oh well…). With the full lineup back, can anyone stop the Pack?

State’s Elite Eight win comes over the East’s top seed, Syracuse (29-8). The Orangemen have the edge at all five spots according to prognosticators but the Wolfpack has the edge on the scoreboard. State leads 39-29 at half and wins 69-68. Oh baby! Brandon Collins misses the game with the flu, but he’s not much of a loss since he’s down on the depth chart… Andre Baker leads State with 17 points. Ten players score in all, with Henry adding 10…

The parties in Raleigh get better and better after each NCT win. Hillsborough Street closes down all night after the Syracuse victory (hey, why is my couch in the middle of that bonfire? becomes a frequent question by students around campus). Coach Victory and the Sheriff watch on TV and marvel at what State has done. In four years, Victory has this longtime, mid-level ACC team poised for its first national championship in almost 40 years. If only Jim Valvano could see it now (TV stations do search out his family members however, and that makes for fun historical pieces on ESPN3, CNN-SI, the NC Sports Network, etc.)…

Thousands of State fans, clad in red, line the streets as the State bus pulls away from campus to head to the airport for its Final Four trip. Victory and players wave wildly from open windows. The coach almost cries from joy. The Sheriff, more stoic and wearing round John Lennon sunglasses, just smiles and waves coolly at the passing masses…

“We’re going to win,” Victory tells everyone on the bus. “I can just feel it. This is our destiny…” He can’t sit still the entire bus ride to the airport or the charter flight to Phoenix.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – The Final Four 2025

Victory and lead assistant Jeff “The Sheriff” Wilt walk onto the floor at America West Arena donning their Sunday best – Armani suits and fire red ties. They scan the crowd and take it all in. They’re coaching N.C. State in the 2025 Final Four!!

Thousands of fans, most in red, wave flags, do the wave, show off their painted chests and generally go wild. This is going to be fun.

“Glad you’re here, buddy,” Victory says to his assistant coach. “And glad you’ve still got time to write occasionally. You’re hilarious. I secretly enjoyed your columns when I was at Alabama, although I had to act peeved every time one of them about me and my program ran. You turn a phrase well, my friend. Is it true you were also called ‘The Sarge’ earlier in your career, and that you wrote about Army basketball?”

“Hey, isn’t that Lianne Perry up there in the stands?” The Sheriff asks, changing the subject. “It’s amazing how much she looks like that old Quinnipiac coach Daniel Rand-Stevenson.”

OK enough chit-chat. On to the game!

State only has the edge at the guard positions against Colorado, according to prognosticators. The Buffs sport a 28-8 record, and apparently a great post game.

Alas, the Pack’s guards run circles around the boys in black and gold! State grabs a 48-27 halftime lead and coasts into the national finals 78-56. Shooting guard Andre Baker scores 19 points. Point guard Michael Stokes adds 18. Jon Henry, Deon Brown and Ricardo Merton all add 10 points.

More couches go up in flames on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. Pack fans are burning down everything in sight – and no one cares! Their beloved Wolfpack will play for a national championship on Monday night – against Oklahoma. The Sooners bombed Wake Forest 78-69. State will need to get past its third Big 12 team to cut down the nets…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Championship 2025

Here’s the tale of the tape for the NCT title game.

• NCSU (28-11) vs. Oklahoma (30-6)
• The Sooners started the season on a 19-game winning streak; State had a 13-game winning streak early on.
• Oklahoma is ranked 5th in the nation, State 19th
• Oklahoma has an edge at the 4 and 5 spots. State’s guards are first-rate, according to the match-ups screen going into the game.

Replays of NC State’s 1983 championship game air several times on ESPN Classic on Sunday night and Monday morning. Will Michael Stokes or Andre Baker finish the 2025 championship game throwing up a desperation shot/pass to Toni Zupic for the game-winning dunk? Will Steve Victory run around looking for someone to hug like his hero Jim Valvano? Will State win its third NCT title in school history?

The answers: No. No. Yes!

Victory has plenty of time to plan his post-game celebrations. State gets up by double figures early and cruises to the NCT title 79-59! Andre Baker scores 24 points and earns tournament MVP honors. The junior is an animal at the free-throw line, making 14 attempts. He also had eight boards from his SG spot. He had a great three weeks!

Toni Zupic rips down a game-leading 15 rebounds, has seven blocks and swipes two steals. Stokes and Jon Henry score 12 points each. Stokes also has nine assists. Victory and Sheriff Wilt, as predicted, take one backboard each, crawl up on top and celebrate like a couple of college kids. The party might not end for several days on Hillsborough Street, TV stations in Raleigh report.

Wow, in Victory’s 22nd season as a head coach, he is again the chief of a national championship team. It’s his second NCT title in six years. He stock is surely going to rise… But no need to worry about that now… It’s time to cut down the nets and celebrate well into the night.

“How does it feel?” Victory asks the Sheriff, putting a finger in his assitant coach’s back like a gun.

“Better than an all-you-can-eat night at Miami Subs," Wilt quips.

Charles Barkley meets the NCSU coaches outside the locker room. “Not bad for a couple of white boys,” he says with a cheesy grin. “Not bad at all… Hey, if I get fired from Alabama, can I join your staff?”

Barkley gets an invite into State’s post-game festivities, and the players mug him with Gatorade and ice water. Many remember hearing stories about his playing against Michael Jordan “way back when.” Barkley’s a good sport despite his ‘Bama team’s underachieving.

“Congratulations boys,” Victory tells his players. “You have reached the pinnacle of the game. You’re part of a rare club. You are national champions.”

Nothing could be finer…

[beargrowlz]

Congrats man! Way to go.

[hoopsguy]

Heh, just saw a pretty amusing lurker in this thread :)

[aztarheel]

Heh, just saw a pretty amusing lurker in this thread :)

Who? :)

[aztarheel]

Congrats man! Way to go.

Just trying to keep up with Bear ;)

[devynd]

Nice catch on the inconsistency with where Victory went to school...

I don't find it at all out of character. I suspect that Victory took a course at Miami one summer and then proclaimed UM to be his alma mater, rather than some low-prestige D-II school. I think I've reached the point of cheering for Steve more than not, but he is certainly a man of questionable integrity. Which, of course, makes his character all the more interesting. And since I've been to almost as many schools as he has, I guess I have no place to criticize him for it!

Another "NCT" title! Almost too easy... ;)

[hoopsguy]

Who? :)

A certain assistant coach with one post to his name (that I had not noticed in the thread on the last page).

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - NCT Champs 2025!!!!

A few notes as the celebrations on Hillsborough Street start to wind down:

• State’s run through the tournament proved amazing. The Pack beat foes by an average of 15.2 points per game. Only Syracuse kept it close, losing by 1. Three foes, including both in the Final Four, lost to NCSU by 20 or more.

• SG Andre Baker, the Final Four MVP, turns out to be the team MVP as well. He led State in scoring with 16 ppg. He also was a great rebounder, nabbing 6.3 a game (third best). He was second in assists with 3.4 pg. and first in steals with 2.2 pg. Nice junior year. What will he be like as a senior?

• SF/PF Jon Henry opted to go pro early. But he finished on a great note, scoring 14.9 ppg. He also snagged 7 rpg and blocked 2.5 shots per game.

• With only two recruiting spots to fill, Victory gets another fine class. He’s prized pick is SF Calvin Carstensen from Arkansas. He’s the #17 player in all the land, according to a 5-star service. He’s big in scoring (20 ppg) and rebounding (13 rpg). Look out in a year or two... The other player is more of a project: PG Roy Wrenn is the #76 prospect in the land, scoring 11 ppg and averaging 10 apg for his San Antonio high school. He may redshirt, since he has several stars ahead of him and has excellent potential.

• Baker put his name on a couple of State records. Most free throw attempts in a season: 249. Most steals in a season: 90.

• SG Marcus Hill and PF/C Deon Brown make the all-ACC freshman honors list. Baker should have been all-ACC but was left off...

• Nebraska beat Rhode Island 75-61 for the ACT title. Louisville, the team that knocked Alabama out of the ACT, made it to the Final Four, as did Stanford.

• College of Charleston went 15-15 and didn’t make the post-season...

• Alabama chose to retain Charles Barkley as coach...

As the first few weeks pass after the title, the rumor mill starts heating up again. Only this time, it’s not about Steve Victory. His trusty assistant the past few seasons, Jeff “The Sheriff” Wilt, is being courted by some Division 1 schools to take over his own program... Stay tuned... The Sheriff could be busting loose... (Victory does get several intriguing job offers, including one to take over at UNC-Chapel Hill, but turns them down...)

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Assistant Leaving 2025!

Inside a plush basketball office in the Chuck Amato Athletic Building at N.C. State University over a catered lunch by Miami Subs

Victory: George Mason? I thought they were Division II or something.

Sheriff: Nope, they’re D-1. They play in the Colonial Athletic Association with other regal schools like William & Mary, James Madison and Old Dominion. The perfect place for The Sheriff.

Victory: Perfect? Are you crazy? You’d leave the national champions to be the head coach of a no-name college basketball team like George Mason? We should be favored to win the NCT again next year – maybe for the next five years. I don’t even know GMU’s nickname. The Giraffes?

Sheriff: It’s Patriots, and hey they are giving me a chance to build my own career from the ground up. A certain someone I know once took over the worst college basketball program in the nation just to get his own gig. Remember that Mr. Victory? Unlike you back then, I’m not 30 years old. I’m over 50. The time’s ticking on my own 15-year quest to win an NCT title… Hand me a napkin, will ya?

Victory: Ummm. What can I say?

Sheriff: Besides, a lot of folks think I was the brains behind our operation here at State the past few years anyway. No offense, but we took off from sub-.500 to NCT contenders as soon as I got here. I know I can do this. You stopped me from taking over my own program once. You’re not going to stop me again.

Victory: Ummm. Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t be fair to make you a Bill Guthridge and only hand you the scraps of my program when you’re like 70 years old after I retire. Well, my friend. It was fun while it lasted. Let’s say State and George Mason meet in the Final Four sometime in the next few years.

Sheriff: George Mason will win.

Victory: Umph…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Assistant Leaving 2025!

For Immediate Release
From: Julius Hodge, Sports Information Director
Re: Assistant basketball coach leaving

Jeff Wilt, assistant men’s basketball coach, has resigned his position with N.C. State University effective immediately. He has been hired as the new men’s basketball coach for George Mason University. A press conference is planned for later in the week at GMU to announce the hiring. He signed a four-year deal.

Wilt served as Steve Victory’s lead assistant coach for the past two seasons. He played a big role in guiding the Wolfpack to the 2025 national championship in Phoenix. Before coming to N.C. State Wilt was a noted columnist in the Tuscaloosa News (Alabama), The Raleigh News & Observer and other publications in the Northeast.

“We will miss him here in Raleigh, but I’m glad he’ll get the chance to build his own program,” Victory said. “He’s a fine coach, a good man and a stellar recruiter. Other schools in the Colonial Athletic Association had better look out. Wilt will have the Giraffes in position to challenge for CAA titles and NCT berths in no time.”

A replacement for Wilt on the N.C. State staff has not yet been named.

For the record, George Mason University goes by the nickname “Patroits” and not “Giraffes.”

-30-

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

April 15, 2025

Inside a small office on the campus of North Carolina State University

“Hey Jonathan, Where’s my Double Wofford with cheese?”

Right here sir. Anything else before I leave for the night?

“No. Thanks for everything. You’ve been great. I’ll miss you guys up in Virginia.”

The Sheriff stands alone surveying his almost cleared out basketball office

He picks up a picture which appears to be of head coach Steve Victory and him from their teenage years and a smile comes to his face.....



Jeff, where do you think we should go to play ball?

I dunno Stevie. What about the Gators or the Hurricanes?

How’s this sound? Steve and Jeff Wilt lead the Miami Hurricanes to the NCT championship.

Good, cept you always have to be first doncha?

Duh... First in everything little brother.






Jeff’s smile slowly fades and an intense look fills his eyes.

“First in everything little brother.”
“How’s it feel?”.......little brother
“Aren’t they Division two or something?”.......little brother

“I hate you Stevie. I’ll show you who the better coach is. Just you wait.”

A somewhat touching scene deterioated into a violent burst of energy as the man formally know as the Sheriff tears up papers, pictures, and files and storms out determinedly.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: jksander

I’m starting to think perhaps the Sheriff is manic depressive...anyone thought about providing him with some zoloft?

[Jeff Wilt]

Lurker no more. Man, I had forgotten about a lot of this. Thanks to aztarheel for allowing me to ride on his coat tails during his diary. I had a ton of fun coming up with the Sheriff character and adding to the Victory story. I can't wait to see what you have planned as a possible sequel.

[beargrowlz]

I find "The Sheriff" to be an intriguing character. You almost wonder if he'll ever be happy, even if he won a national title by 50 over Steve Victory.

I applaud you for not going the route of the Hollywood happy ending and making Victory and The Sheriff all buddy-buddy at the end. It's a nice twist to see The Sheriff still bitter and angry.

Good stuff.

[aztarheel]

The Sheriff is back! The Sheriff is back!! Wa-hoo, the Sheriff is back ...

:cool: :D :p :) ;) :o

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - OffSeason 2025-26

For Immediate Release
From: Julius Hodge, Sports Information Director
Re: New basketball coaches

N.C. State has hired two new assistant basketball coaches.

Jerell Amaya, 35, a graduate of Auburn University, will be Steve Victory’s new lead assistant coach. Amaya takes over for Jeff Wilt, who resigned after two seasons to take over at George Mason University.

Diego Cross will replace Bill Young, whose contract was not renewed with the University, as the third assistant. Cross, 55, is a graduate of Arkansas-Little Rock.

“Both coaches bring with them a great knowledge of the game,” NCSU head coach Steve Victory said. “I remember coaching against Jerell when I was at Alabama, and he was one heck of a defensive player. Cross is a solid recruiter and great evaluator of talent. We look forward to what they can add to the program.

“Oh yeah, and sorry to George Mason fans about calling them the Giraffes. Good luck to the Generals, and their new coach Jeff Wilt.”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2025-26

After Coach Victory’s NCT title season at State, programs from all over the country started knocking on his door and offering jobs. North Carolina wanted him. South Carolina wanted him. West Virginia, Ohio State, Tennessee, UMass – even Wofford (for real) – wanted Mr. Victory.

But the coach said no to them all. You’d have to be an utter fool to walk away from a national championship team that returns 11 players, including four of five starters. By late summer 2025, State fans started talking about the ultimate experience in 2025-26 – the magical undefeated season.

“I’ll settle for another NCT title,” Victory quipped when asked about the subject. “We’d have to be mighty fortunate to run the table without stumbling a few times.”

Victory saw another player of his get picked on NBA draft day. PF Jon Henry went 47th to Detroit.

Who will fill his spot in the starting lineup? It looks like SF Jalen Hemphill, who had an incredible summer and could be this year’s team MVP. Of course last year’s, SG Andre Baker, is back for his senior year and may have something to say about it.

Here’s the rest of the lineups for 2025-26:

STARTERS
PG Michael Stokes (junior)
SG Baker (senior)
SF Hemphill (junior)
PF Toni Zupic (junior)
C Jeff Bailey (senior)

BENCH
C Brandon Collins (redshirt junior)
PF Deon Brown (sophomore, lost his starting job at center to improved Bailey)
PG Roy Wrenn (frosh, the heir apparent to Stokes?)
SF Brett Montgomery (redshirt senior, kind of a disappointment)
SF Calvin Carstensen (frosh, looks strong – he’ll be the man in a year or two)
PG Ian Demory (redshirt frosh – year of sitting out didn’t seem to do too much for him)
C Jean Sykes (redshirt frosh – looks OK, wait a few years)

REDSHIRT
SG Marcus Hill (sophomore – glut of frontcourt players this year, but he could be the man next year)

RECRUITING
Victory needs to fill three holes officially. Stokes and Zupic are likely to go pro — and maybe even Hemphill — so the coach will prepare to say goodbye to five or six players after this season…

OUTLOOK
Prestige: 66 (Above average)
Expectations: Make NCT
Freshmen talent: Superior (3rd in nation behind Xavier and Georgetown)
Overall talent: Superior
Challenge: Easy
Preseason rankings: 12th in one poll and 6th in another (Wake is 13th. Duke is 15th. Alabama isn’t ranked – again)

SEASON OPENER
Aloha – The Pack is going to the Hawaii Classic. If all goes according to recent trends, State will finish 2-1… Victory’s team is the #1 seed and opens with Lamar...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Early season 2025-26

As predicted, the Wolfpack does go 2-1 in Hawaii. The Pack beats unranked Lamar 79-66 and fifth-ranked LSU 79-70 before falling to second-ranked Memphis 67-58. At least Memphis is a decent team (note – the Tigers go on to win 31 games…)

State players take the loss in stride even though that ends their quest for an undefeated season. “That’s a pretty outrageous proposition anyway,” Victory says of the perfect season. “We’ll get back to my first goal, which is to try and win another NCT title.”

The Pack does look ready to do that, winning the next TWENTY ONE (21) games in a row – Victory’s best winning streak ever. From Nov. 20 to Jan. 30, State is untouchable. Here is the list of victims. Some pretty impressive scores in here:

THE STREAK:
1) @Texas Southern W (90-56)
2) Marshall W (91-51)
3) At #19 Alabama W (73-69) – a great game!
4) Oregon W (82-74)
5) @ Cal W (68-66) – whew!
6) #7 LSU W (79-68) – rematch from Hawaii
7) St. Peters W (82-63)
8) Nicholls State W (104-40) – Stokes, Zupic announce they are going pro early after this massacre…
9) @ Wisconsin-Green Bay W (82-57)
10) @ Ohio State W (82-70)
11) @ Oklahoma State W (91-55)
12) CS Sacramento W (88-56)
13) Florida State W (96-61) – nice start to ACC season
14) #6 Wake Forest W (98-64) – wow!!!
15) Georgia Tech W (76-43)
16) @ North Carolina W (81-57) – Tar Heels have gone way down
17) @ Clemson W (87-53) – so have Tigers; Stokes scores 30
18) #1 Duke W (78-41) – holy cow!! The Devils are unmasked
19) @ Virginia W (91-63) – Andre Baker 29 points
20) @ Maryland W (77-67) – Zupic is player of the week
21) Virginia W (79-68)

Some notables during the streak:
• Freshman reserve PG Roy Wrenn steps in nicely when 2025 Final Four MVP Andre Baker tweaks his knee early in the season (out 1 month). Wrenn scores 24 as NCSU beats Barkley’s ‘Bama boys.

• State rallies from a 44-27 deficit to win at Cal by 2!

• Jalen Hemphill leads in scoring many nights, averaging about 15 ppg

• Toni Zupic scores 26 and has 15 rebounds in rout of Wake Forest. Baker, back from injury, adds 25. Hemphill and Bailey get 14 points each.

• State moves into the top 5 in the rankings as the wins mount. By the time the ACC season starts, Duke is #1, Mississippi State #2 and the Pack #3. State takes over at #1 with the drubbing of Duke. Even Coach Victory was in shock over that one. The day after Christmas. A 40-20 halftime lead. A 13-for-63 performance by Duke’s shooters. An impromptu party by State fans on Hillsborough Street afterward....

[aztarheel]

EDIT: Forgot to include one key segment. Inserting here:

Steve Victory JOURNAL – End of Regular Season 2025-26

Of course, the Dookies end State’s streak when the teams collide again in Durham. The Cameron Crazies get their own party started on this night (Jan. 31) as the Devils prevail 69-58. State players may have been a little too confident, and of course Duke had a lot to prove after getting killed in the first meeting.

Still, the pollsters like the Wolfpack, and NCSU stays on top of the rankings with Utah and Duke coming in at #2 and #3. Weird.

The loss to the Blue Devils is the last one of the regular season for State. Victory’s crew goes on to beat Maryland, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, North Carolina and UNC-Asheville to lock up another regular season ACC title.

The final tally on the regular season: 30-2, 15-1 in the conference, #1 ranking. Duke isn’t that far behind at 29-3, 14-2 in the league. Georgia Tech and Wake Forest both finish way back at 8-8.

Surprisingly, State gets no end-of-season awards. Not even freshman PG Roy Wrenn, who played so well when Baker went down. Sad. 

Over in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is struggling to break .500 again. Barkley’s boys do manage to squeak out a 16-13 regular season record, though only 5-11 in the SEC. Another year without an NCT berth certainly won’t help his relationship with the Crimson Tide fans. The Tide needs to win the SEC tourney…


Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACC Tournament 2026

All week leading up to the ACC tournament, sports reporters and columnists have hyped up the State-Duke rubber match. Both schools will likely get #1 seeds for the NCT no matter what, but who will get the ACC trophy and bragging rights to go with it?

Unfortunately for Victory, Duke is the last team standing on Sunday afternoon. State actually never made it past Friday. Virginia, the #9 seed, upset the Pack 74-70 in the ACC quarterfinals. Talk about embarrassing!!

At least UVa wasn’t one-and-done. The Cavs made it all the way to Sunday before falling to the Devils in the championship game (by quite a lot)… No ACC title for Victory and the Pack, but at least they’ll have a few extra days to rest for the all-important NCT tournament.

Anything less than the Final Four – and maybe even a national championship – is strictly underachieving with this bunch. But how well will they respond after the early bounce in Greensboro?

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Inside a crowded sports bar in Fairfax, Virginia

We had a great first year Jeff. You should be proud.

Proud? Frank we didn’t even win the conference tournament. Look at what Stevie is doing in Raleigh. They are probably gonna be a number 1 seed.

So. It’s not like we have your players here yet anyway. Just give it time. We’ll be competing with the big dogs in a coupla years.

I guess you’re right. It’s just I’ve always been in his shadow. For once I want to be the one in the family that is on the front page. It’s just not fair. I was supposed to be the one you know. I was suppo....

Oh God. Not again Jeff with the “It was supposed to be me, crap.” You didn’t get the job at Charleston and he did. Let it go. You ever wonder why you are single again buddy?

By choice Fred. By choice.

Yeah, her choice. At some point you have to forgive your brother and move on. He tried to make amends with you and you guys seemed to be fine at State. What happened?

What happened? I didn’t get the credit I deserved. Did he win at State without me? No. Did he acknowledge to the press that I was the glue that held the team together? No. Did he sneak behind my back and steal the job at Charleston that he never knew about until I told him I was interviewing for it? Yes. I would have gotten that job and it would have been me leading the teams to championships and not him. It shoulda been me.....

Not again... Can we get another round over here please?

[aztarheel]

Wahoo - :D 1,000 views for this thread. Of course, I think I've accounted for about 963 ... Open thread, close thread, re-open thread. Repeat.

Sorry I digress...


Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT 2026

Despite the early exit from the ACC tournament, State garners a #1 seed in the East (gracious selection committee, eh?). Duke grabs the top spot in the South, while Kansas and Utah are the other number ones… The Wolfpack’s first opponent in their bid for an NCT repeat – Maryland Eastern Shore…

(Alabama didn’t make the NCT, but Charles Barkley did get his boys into the ACT. College of Charleston is also ACT bound.)

Coach Jeff “Sheriff” Wilt and his George Mason Patriots (not Generals or Giraffes) nearly made the NCT in his debut season as the head man. GMU went 21-9 and finished second in the Colonial Athletic Association. They nearly won the conference tournament but lost to William & Mary in a heartbreaking title game.

Unfortunately, the ACT folks overlooked the Pats as well… Victory lashed out when asked about the post-season oversight of The Sheriff’s team. “Hey, they were a tough group. I’m glad we didn’t play them this season. We might have had a tough time with them…” (GMU did beat Florida State in the season opener – not bad for a team with "Awful" rated freshmen and "Awful" overall talent, according to the .400 pundits)…

State doesn’t exactly look like a team on a mission to repeat as national champs during its NCT opener against Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Pack trails at the half 45-43 but pulls away in the final 10 minutes for an 82-67 triumph. Baker saves the day with 16 points. Stokes adds 13.

Victory turned some heads when he came out of the locker room about a minute into halftime and sat down with the TV announcers calling the game. They were dumbfounded and after stammering for a minute or two, handed him a mike. “I have nothing to say to my guys right now, so I thought I’d come out and enjoy the atmosphere,” Victory told them. “If they can’t drum up their own intensity this time of year, then nothing I can say will help them.”

The ploy worked. State looked much better after intermission… One of the biggest upsets in college basketball history was averted.

[Author's note: I got the inspiration for this little segment from a high school basketball coach I used to cover as a reporter for a small-town weekly paper. It was halftime of a big conference tournament game, and the coach spent the entire time in the media hospitality room with us reporter-folk, eating beans and franks, because he was so mad that his team was playing like crap against a far-inferior opponent. The ploy worked for him, too, and his team came out and destroyed its foe in the second half... Sorry, I digress again]


The second round of the NCT brought a date with a team Victory was plenty familiar with – Vanderbilt. No need for crazy halftime antics in this one, as the Pack rolls 79-56… The one kick in the stomach – SF Jalen Hemphill is lost for the season with a torn Achilles. “I’m going to fire my trainer after this season,” Victory mumbles. “The number of injuries we have from year to year is ridiculous.”

Still, it’s on to the Sweet 16 for the Wolfpack. The next foe is Louisville. Duke is still kicking in the South Region. Bama is still alive in the ACT, beating Iowa State and Evansville…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – More NCT 2026

NC State looks more like NCT contenders during the next two rounds. The Wolfpack buries Louisville 88-51 then drubs third-seeded Mississippi State 80-54. Victory’s bunch plays like a well-oiled machine. Toni Zupic and Jeff Bailey pound the Cardinals inside with 42 points combined. Andre Baker adds 19. Baker then scores 30 in the rout over MSU (he's probably one of my all-time favorite players in the game). Victory has a good track record against Mississippi State over the years and is glad to beat them again.

So, it’s off to the Final Four again for Coach Victory!! It will be his third trip. The first two ended with national titles. Duke won’t be joining the Pack however, after falling to Florida in the Elite Eight. State will get to exact some revenge for the ACC in the first semifinal game. Kansas and Utah advanced on the other side of the bracket. All three are familiar opponents for Victory during his 23 years on the bench…

The parties crank up again on Hillsborough Street. The last shindig gets a bit out of hand, and The Raleigh News & Observer reports from “several sources” that former NCSU assistant coach/current George Mason head coach Jeff “The Sheriff” Wilt was charged with drunk and disorderly conduct. Wilt denies the allegations as do the local police through “official” channels (off the record — “we’re pretty sure it was him.”). Of course, the press overplays the entire issue…

“Oh little brother,” Victory says, picking up a front page with Wilt’s picture plastered on the front. “You should have stayed here at State with me… I could have kept the headlines positive for you… And you could be going back to the Final Four…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final Four 2026

Both Final Four games follow the same general theme. Close in the first half, with the favorites pulling away down the stretch. State wins the first game 71-59 after leading Florida by only 2 at the break. Utah tops Kansas in the second semi 78-66 after leading the Jayhawks by just 4 at intermission.

Andre Baker looks ready to claim yet another MVP award for NCSU, scoring 20 points. Deon Brown, filling in for Ian Hemphill, scores 14 and Michael Stokes adds 13.

So it’s State and Utah in the 2026 championship game!! The Wolfpack will try to do what no team has done since Victory started coaching – win back-to-back NCT titles. Utah (37-3) will try to win its first national title. The odds-makers like State. Victory can taste another trip up a ladder to cut down championship nets… He doesn’t think he’ll climb onto the backboards this season, though he might get the urge if the moment is right…

(Reminder: Utah was the team that effectively ended Victory's 15-year quest by beating his Alabama team in the NCT in year 15 ... Victory REALLY wants to win this one... )

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT championship 2026

Andre Baker wears a shy smile as he accepts the NCT Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. Coach Steve Victory and 12 other State players stand behind him on a makeshift podium, each wearing brand new shirts with the script “National Champs” written on the front. Baker has done it again, leading the Wolfpack to a 70-59 win over Utah in the 2026 NCT title game! The senior scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds – great for a guard – to put his name into NCSU lore for decades.

“Not since David Thompson in the early 1970s has a player been so electric on the basketball court for N.C. State,” the Raleigh News & Observer wrote the following morning. “He comes up big in the big games, scoring in double figures in every contest this tournament.”

State never really looked threatened against Utah. They got up 8-10 points early in the first half and held the Utes off down the stretch. This was especially satisfying for coach Victory, since Utah ended his quest for an NCT title during the all-important 15th year of his career. Victory will never like the Utes no matter what, although a lot of good has come since not meeting his original goal for getting into coaching…

The parties last well into the night in Raleigh. Cars get spray-painted red. More couches are tossed into bonfires. And, thankfully, no arrest warrants are issued for The Sheriff, who joins the Wolfpack entourage incognito for the Final Four in Tampa, Fla. A nice place for Victory to get his third national championship by the way – near his hometown and in front of a lot of family and friends…

“Coach Victory has taken his lumps,” one popular Tampa columnist wrote the day after the game. “But you can’t deny that he’s now among the elite in college coaching circles. Even the great Dean Smith only won two national titles. Roy Williams never won one (in my world). This man, for all his ups and downs through 20-plus years, has coached three NCT championship teams. He may win five more before hanging it up…”

Victory liked that last line… What a career this was turning out to be…

[beargrowlz]

Congrats Coach! Keep 'em coming.

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Wrapping up 2025-26

A few final thoughts on the 2025-26 season:

• Alabama also made the Final Four – of the ACT. The Crimson Tide lost in the semis to Cal, which went on to lose to Georgia Tech in the title game… Maybe next year, Mr. Barkley – if you still have a job…

• Three NCSU players get drafted by NBA teams – Toni Zupic goes 11th to Milwaukee, Michael Stokes goes 25th to Detroit and Andre “MVP” Baker goes 28th to Orlando. That should help Victory’s Player Development stats…

• Victory’s personal status among coaches finally goes to “Respected.” It had been “Competent” since the early years at Alabama…

• The job offers roll in from interesting places – North Carolina again. Clemson, Charlotte, Washington, Nebraska. (The author of this story is intrigued by the Tar Heels’ repeated offers, but gotta stay in character. Victory is a State man…)

• The Sheriff is acquitted on all charges of drunk and disorderly conduct, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. George Mason gives the coach a verbal reprimand but little else. The college kids at GMU actually love Coach Wilt more for being “human.”

• New NCSU assistant Diego Cross lasts 1 year on the bench with Victory. He gets his own head coaching gig, leaving Victory to fill a coaching spot yet again. He choses Tony Hansen from Mississippi. He’s got lots of “Excellents” by his name. Of course, he’ll probably leap after a year or two… just like the players.

• Recruiting is actually a beast in 2025-26. For some reason, no one wants to come to N.C. State, even though the Pack won the ‘25 NCT title and were on their way to the ‘26 crown. More on that later… Looks like Victory gets to use the word “rebuilding” a lot for a couple of years...

For now, though, it’s still time for Victory and company to marvel over their second-straight NCT championship…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season #24 (2026-27)

One of N.C. State’s best teams in school history finishes 36-3, wins an NCT title (the school’s second in a row) and sends three players to the NBA (all first-rounders). How do you top that?

Well, on March 29, 2027 Steve Victory walks out of the tunnel of a 40,000-seat dome in St. Louis and onto the floor for his third-straight NCT championship game. This time, along with the trophy signifying the year’s best college hoops team, Victory and company have the chance to make ultimate history.

NC State is 40-0 coming into the title game. Forty wins. Zero losses. One more win, and the perfect season can be Victory’s. No one has achieved an undefeated season since the days of the great John Wooden (edit: and the great Bobby Knight, jksander reminds me in a post below)...

The final obstacle – a tough Illinois team, which has been to six Final Fours in the past 13 years and won one title. The Fighting Illini are 35-4, and believe it or not, are favored by the .400 Sports folks to pull the “upset.”

Victory peeks up into the stands. There is Jeff “The Sheriff” Wilt, his former assistant coach, sitting about 10 rows up. Wilt is coming off a rough year at George Mason – 14-15 overall. He gives Victory a thumbs up and the coach nods back with a big smile.

“If someone would have told me a few months ago I would be standing here coaching a team with a 40-0 record, I would have laughed in your face,” Victory says to first-year assistant coach, Tony Hansen, standing next to him. “Let’s go get us win number 41.”

The head referee then tosses the ball up, State center Brandon Collins taps it to point guard Ian Demory, and the quest for a special Wolfpack three-peat is underway...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Preseason 2026-27

Flashing back to November 2026…

Only one starter returned from the 2026 national championship team – SF Jalen Hemphill. He’s a senior now and ready for a monster exit to college hoops, hoping to earn a nice NBA living after leading State to its third title…

Sophomore Roy Wrenn will take over at point guard. Redshirt sophomore Marcus Hill will step in at SG. Junior Deon Brown is back in the starting lineup at PF, and much improved redshirt senior Brandon Collins gets the nod at center. A decent lineup indeed, but one that could win 40-plus games? Hardly, Victory thought at the time. “We’ll be hard-pressed to make it back to the Final Four again,” he said to himself. “This is a rebuilding year in many ways...”

THE BENCH
C Jean Sykes (redshirt soph)
PG Ian Demory (sophomore – decent backup!)
SF Calvin Carstensen (also solid backup)
C Damian Guthridge (frosh-decent prospect)
PG Todd Holliway (frosh)
SG Josh Hamilton (frosh)

REDSHIRTS
PG Julian Collins (frosh)
C Brandon Carey (frosh)

Victory is surprised to see NCSU’s freshman class listed as 11th best in the nation. He had a tough time with recruiting the year before, and the first players didn’t sign until weeks 5 and 6, even though State was on the way to its second title in a row. He didn’t get much of a catch in his opinion, but maybe these guys would develop into solid four-year contributors with the right training. Guthridge (no relation to the former UNC coach) is probably the best of the bunch…

The overall talent level remains at “Superior.” Game challenge level is considered “Very Easy.” State administrators just want to see the Pack back in the NCT. Prestige is now up to 68 (High). The Pack begins the season ranked eighth and seventh in the first polls of the year. The first opponent: UConn in the Alaska Challenge…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Non-conference 2026-27

Coach Victory got a hunch that this could be a special season while his team was in Alaska. Used to going 2-1 in preseason tournaments, the coach was stunned when his Wolfpack wiped out third-ranked Illinois 91-62 in the Alaska Challenge championship game (yes, this is the same Illinois team State must beat in the NCT title game).

NCSU had played stellar hoops in all three games. They crushed UConn 93-63 in the opener, then sank Oklahoma State 79-48 in the semifinals. Deon Brown was out of sight. He scored 19 points and had 18 rebounds vs. UConn, then scored 17 points with 21 boards vs. OSU. Jalen Hemphill led the way against Illinois as all five starters reached double figures.

From there, the wins kept mounting. Check out these finals during the rest of the non-conference slate (note that State roughed up poor ol’ Mr. Barkley and his ‘Bama boys pretty good in Tuscaloosa). Final 2026-27 records for opponents are in parenthesis:

11/19/2026 New Mexico (18-13) W 75-69
11/22/2026 Missouri (21-13) W 72-69
11/25/2026 @Alabama (12-19) W 85-55
11/28/2026 @Col Of Charleston (24-11) W 88-74
12/2/2026 LSU (21-11) W 85-44
12/4/2026 Washington (8-21) W 75-68
12/7/2026 @Alabama St. (16-14) W 116-48
12/12/2026 Georgia (10-20) W 87-44
12/16/2026 Hofstra (18-13) W 95-67
12/20/2026 Tenn-Martin (12-18) W 100-47
12/24/2026 @Wofford (13-19) W 103-60
12/26/2026 Eastern Illinois (5-24) W 97-56

Granted, this wasn’t the toughest of schedules, but the Pack still proved one of the most entertaining teams around. The bad news – of course, there’s a big injury. Starting PG Roy Wrenn goes down with a ruptured disc against New Mexico and is lost for 3-4 months. Ian Demory gets the start at PG from here and does remarkably well… State moves up to #1 in the polls after the Charleston win. Mississippi State slips into the #1 slot for a few weeks but then State returns when the ‘Dogs lose to Stanford.

The NCSU-Alabama State game is a stat-lovers dream. The Pack leads 60-20 at halftime and makes 40-of-59 shots from the field for the night. While six players reach double figures only one from A-State does, and he scores just 10. Jalen Hemphill emerges as the go-to player during this stretch of games. He could be the next ACC Player of the Year. Junior PF Deon Brown decides he’s ready to go pro and announces he’s not coming back to State next year… surprise, surprise…

After the Eastern Illinois game, the press starts whispering about the perfect season. Victory will have none of it, and doesn’t bite when asked about it. Partly because he knows every team, even the great ones, have off nights and get picked off. Also, he doesn’t want to jinx anything...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – ACC Season 2026-27

The Wolfpack absolutely blows its first five ACC opponents out of the water. Victory’s boys rout Clemson at Little John 101-46. They pummel visiting Wake Forest 102-52. They drub Florida State in Tallahassee 105-53. They crush the Tar Heels 101-56. They pound Maryland in College Park two nights later 105-51. Holy cow!

Sports Illustrated runs a feature on State in its mid-January issue. “Can Anyone Stop This Team?” is the headline. Victory is pictured on the cover with standouts Deon Brown and Jalen Hemphill beside him on either side. All three are looking tough. The photographer got at a low angle and shot up at the trio, making them look more menacing. The background was fire red, with some wicked lighting on the faces. Victory had a whistle in his mouth. Nice!

Victory secretly worried about the SI Jinx, but State kept winning. They actually didn’t get to 100 points the next three nights but still beat Virginia, Duke, then Virginia again. The rematch with Maryland was a laugher – 100-39 at home. Was this the ACC or the Colonial Athletic Association that State was playing in? (Sorry Sheriff).

The Wolfpack went on to beat Duke in Cameron 100-67 and UNC in Chapel Hill 94-69. Amazingly, State never slipped up the rest of the way. The closest game was a 76-60 win at Wake Forest. For good measure, the Pack even beat Texas in Austin 93-62 in a non-conference tilt in late February. The final game of the regular season: a special senior night slaughter for NCSU over Georgia Tech. Final score: 101-45. The top six players scored in double figures, with Brown (sort of a senior since he’s leaving) leading the way with 21. Collins had 19 rebounds, and Brown 14.

State got ready for the ACC tournament carrying a 32-0 overall record. Nine more wins, and the Pack would get its special 41-0 season. Louisville, which had been unbeaten for the first 20 games or so finishes second in the polls with a 26-2 record. St. Louis started the year 22-0 before good ol’ East Carolina knocked them off. Good job Pirates!

Sure enough Jalen Hemphill, a senior SF, earned ACC Player of the Year honors. He averaged 17.7 points per game, 10.3 rebounds, made 48.7 percent of his shots (38.9 percent from 3) and hit 87 percent of his free throws. Ian Demory, the replacement PG, went on to earn All-ACC status as well. Interestingly enough, Wrenn came back late in the season and won his old job back. Demory stepped aside but was still rewarded for his efforts by the coaches and sports writers. He’s a true team player.

A few other interesting notes:
• State outscored teams by an average of 92-59 (leading the nation in both categories)

• St. Louis put three players on the All-America list, with Louisville and Florida getting the other players (what, no Jalen Hemphill?)

• Duke went 1-15 in ACC play!! :D The Devils went 12-1 in non-conference games then crashed. They beat Wake in the last game of the regular season to get their only league win…

• Alabama suffered this season under Barkley, finishing 11-18 and 4-12 in SEC games. The Sheriff is rumored to be taking over in Tuscaloosa…

• College of Charleston could make the NCTs again, finishing 22-10 and 10-6 in the SoCon. Nice to see them keep it up for so many years!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Post-season 2027

There is probably only one thing that can stop the N.C. State juggernaut from rolling all the way to a 41-0 season – injuries.

Coach Steve Victory is plenty familiar with torn ACLs, ruptured tendons and broken skulls (even a little kidney disease). Some of his best teams have fallen short of expectations because of so-called “injury sniper” attacks, most of the time late in the season. How many gray hairs does the coach have because of watching players fall to the hardwood in pain during big games? Too many to count.

State’s 2027 season will be no different. The first two big injuries happen in the ACC tournament championship game. The Pack manages to win its first ACC title under Victory – beating Clemson 103-61, North Carolina 91-65 and Wake Forest 89-61. But not before losing its top two point guards.

Roy Wrenn is lost for a month with a knee injury (likely gone for the rest of the season). Ian Demory, the All-ACC player, tweaks his Achilles and will be out 1-2 weeks. Victory enters the NCT tournament nervous as heck. Who is going to play point? SG Marcus Hill is a great shooter but has about zero offensive and defensive awareness. Backup SF Calvin Carstensen is a solid player and tough at 6-8, but can he handle the rock? What about freshman PG Todd Holliway?

Victory settles on Carstensen, and the sophomore proves impressive in State’s NCT opener – a decent 78-57 win over #16 Fairfield. Carstensen leads the team with 17 points, but only has four assists. “It’s OK to pass the ball,” Victory tells him repeatedly. (The Wolfpack is the #1 seed in the South by the way – Virginia, Wake and Maryland also make the NCT from the ACC. Louisville, Illinois and Mississippi State are the other top seeds. UNC is in the ACT).

Of course, another injury befalls State against Fairfield. A third PG is lost. This time it’s Holliway, the freshman third-stringer who saw limited action in about 28 regular season games and was needed more than ever in the post-season. He injured his hip and is gone for the tournament.

It’s here that Victory makes a bold (rash?) decision. He lifts the redshirt of freshman PG Julian Collins. “I feel like I have to. We have no point guards left and only two guards at all in the lineup,” the coach tells the press. “We’re down to eight players total. Collins wants to play. He wants to be a part of this amazing season. We’re really throwing him to the wolves, though. I hope he can handle it.”

Assistants actually recommend that Collins start against Kansas in the second round! Victory defers to Carstensen again, but tells Collins to be ready to play a lot of minutes. Thankfully, things run smoothly and State drubs the eighth-seeded Jayhawks 98-48. Hemphill scores 32, and Deon Brown adds 20. Carstensen dishes out nine assists and even gets six rebounds. Collins contributes a few points and assists in a reserve roll. Whew!

The good news: Ian Demory will be back for Sweet 16 action! State must beat an instate team – upstart 12-seed UNC-Asheville. UNC-A knocked off LSU and Jackson State to become this year’s Cinderella. Can they continue to wear the glass slipper? State meanwhile is the last ACC team standing. Wake and UVa lose in the second round. Maryland was gone in the first round. UNC falls in the ACT… The ACC isn’t what it used to be, unfortunately…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: jksander

QUOTE:
No one has achieved an undefeated season since the days of the great John Wooden…

I think you’re forgetting about Bob Knight and IU in ‘76, undefeated. They were the last undefeated team. Not UCLA . . .


Posted by: AZTarHeel

Ah yes, the great Hoosiers team of 1976... forgive me... what do you expect from a Tar Heel...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Sweet Sixteen 2027

UNC-Asheville boasts an impressive resume coming into its 2027 Sweet 16 matchup with the Wolfpack. The Bulldogs beat LSU and Jackson State in the NCT as well as 26 other foes during the season. But their Cinderella Story ends right here – State rolls 84-43. PG Ian Demory plays well in his return from injury…

One number-one seed does get upset at this point. Louisville, ranked second in the nation the last part of the season, falls to St. Joe’s.

State’s next opponent: UCLA, which jksander reminds us is NOT the last college program to go undefeated. That honor goes to the ’76 Indiana Hoosiers, coached by the great Bobby Knight… Again, the author of this dynasty regrets the error and the subsequent pain it has caused IU fans…

UCLA and NCSU have a storied history, dating back more than half a century. The Wolfpack interrupted John Wooden’s magical string of NCT titles in 1974, led by David Thompson, Tommy Burleson and Monte Towe. Will the Bruins return the favor some 50-plus years later? Nope, UCLA hangs tough but falls 86-75. Ian Demory scores 19 points and dishes out nine assists to lead the Pack back to their third Final Four in a row!

The big bummer – SG Marcus Hill dislocates his hip in the game (that was pretty painful to watch). He is lost for the rest of the tournament (déjà vu all over again!)… Sophomore Calvin Carstensen will be given another chance to shine as a backup-turned-starter… Get ready, Mr. Todd Holliway. You may have to contribute as well…

Also making the Final Four: Georgetown (State’s first opponent), Illinois and Victory’s old rival at Alabama, Mississippi State. G-town is the only team not a number one seed. The Hoyas – losers of 17 games during the regular season – have been the ultimate in Cinderella this season, carrying a number 14 seed all the way to St. Louis… Wow, and some argued that they didn’t even belong in the tournament…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Final Four 2027

As it turns out, Georgetown is for real. The 20-17 Hoyas push the injury-laden Wolfpack to the limit. The game comes down to the wire before center Brandon Collins sinks a couple of clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal it. Final score: State 70, Georgetown 69. A nailbiter, but NCSU is now 40-0!

Collins has an amazing night for the Pack. He scores 19 points and rips down 15 rebounds in one of his best games of the year. Jalen Hemphill adds 17, new starter Calvin Cartsensen pumps in 14.

Illinois beats Mississippi State 79-71 and the 2027 NCT title game is set. It’s going to be a rematch of the Alaska Challenge championship, played way back in November. State won that game 91-62 but a lot has happened since then. And this game has a lot more at stake. For Victory and the Wolfpack – the chance to finish 41-0 and garner the school’s third consecutive national championship (Victory’s fourth as a head coach)… For Illnois, the chance to win its second title in six years time... A true clash of heavyweights...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Title Game 2027!! (Three-peat??)

State’s Brandon Collins wins the tap and PG Ian Demory brings it up court to start the 2027 NCT title game. But Illinois creates a steal, and SF Billy Thompson gets an easy deuce for the game’s first points.

The two teams battle tooth and nail for the first 20 minutes, but the Wolfpack just can’t seem to solve the physical Illini. And Thompson and teammates Philip Brown and Mike Degala always seem to have an answer when State does score.

Victory’s bunch goes into the halftime locker room trailing 45-38. Down but not out.

“Guys, we’re OK. No need to panic,” Victory says to his crew at the break. “Be patient. Don’t force anything. Get the ball to Jalen or Ian and let them create.”

Unfortunately, that’s just what Illinois is hoping for. They overplay the State stars and start the half on an 8-0 run. State never recovers. This team with a 40-0 record suddenly looks like a group of deer caught in the headlights. What do you expect? They’ve never really been behind all season.

The Illini run and steal and dunk their way to a lopsided 93-66 NCT championship victory. Folks in the Midwest love it. Folks who sell TV ads hate it because viewers start tuning away 5 minutes into the second half. Victory and the rest of the State faithful are shell-shocked to say the least. Hillsborough Street in Raleigh is a morgue…

Thompson finishes with 28 points for Illinois. He makes 10-of-14 shots, including 6-of-8 from behind the arc. Brown adds 19 points, and Degala 12. Hemphill and Demory are held to 10 points each. Carstensen leads State with 20 points. One of the biggest stats: State’s starting front court of PF Deon Brown and C Brandon Collins combine for just 6 points, 8 rebounds and no blocks… uggg…

An ugly finish to what otherwise has been the most magical season in Wolfpack – maybe ACC? – history…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Follow-up 2027

Coach Victory is amazingly gracious after the embarrassing loss. Some NCSU administrators wondered if the hoops chief might blow his stack or have a melt down (and of course some fans think Victory choked big time), but the coach is cool, calm and collected. Maybe it’s because he had so long for the fact to sink in that his latest team wouldn’t go 41-0. The game was out of reach pretty early in the second half...

“A lot has been made of the N.C. State basketball program this year, and we’ve definitely basked in that,” Victory said. “But in my book, Illinois is the real dynasty in college basketball right now. They’ve been to the NCT tournament every year since coach Harris Rowell took over for Bill Self in 2003. They’ve been to the Sweet Sixteen 20 times and the Elite Eight nine times. Now they have two NCT titles in the past seven years.

“My hats off to the Illini. They are the model program right now – one that we are still several steps behind.”

Of course, Victory does have the Wolfpack nipping at the Illini’s heels. In the past three years, the Pack has finished 29-11 (NCT 1), 36-3 (NCT 1) and now 40-1 (NCT 2).

A few other closing notes to 2026-27:
• Auburn beats Cal and Lasalle beats Oregon in the ACT semifinals. Lasalle then romps over Auburn 82-64 for the title.

• PF Deon Brown gets selected 10th in the NBA draft by New Jersey. Jalen Hemphill, the ACC Player of the Year, goes 37th to Memphis.

• Despite the loss, Victory’s stock has risen. He gets job offers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Georgia, Memphis, Ohio State, Clemson and Northwestern. And, believe it or not, the Crimson Tide is letting Charles Barkley go as head coach. ‘Bama’s AD calls Victory about coming back to Tuscaloosa!

“No thanks,” the coach says. “I’ve got things pretty good here in Raleigh…” The Sheriff is being mentioned as a possible candidate despite the fact that his teams haven’t done that well at GMU… Stay tuned...

**Author’s note: For the heck of it I resimmed the NCT championship game (saving the results from the “real” game in a separate file for when I start my next season). I made one slider tweak on State’s defense (moving it one click) and the Wolfpack won 96-60… Dang it!!!!!!! I resimmed twice more, and Illinois won both of those games by double figures (using the settings from the first game and the settings from the second game). Two more resims were split: one win for State and one win for Illinois… finicky game… oh well… on to the next season...

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

May 2027
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)

Today,(today, today, today) I consider myself(self, self, self) the luckiest man(man, man, man) on the face of the earth(earth, earth, earth.)

Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)

I realize that many of you only know me at the Sheriff. A straight shootin, hard-hittin, lovable journalist. But I’m here today to tell you that I’m more than that. I’m a winner. I’m a champion. I’m a leader. My name is Jeff Wilt and I am your new Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball coach.

Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)

I realize that you have had your share of losses and Victory’s in the past but I promise with the help of my right hand man Fred Franks that the Tide will rush in once again to claim the NCT title. I’m not talking about 15 year plans. I’m not talking about leaving when the going gets tough. I’m talking about our boys from Bama beginning and maintaining a dynasty to rival the heavyweights such as the Illini and the cubs from Carolina. My flock, the prodigal son has returned and this time it’s my time...umm I mean to say our time to shine. Thank you.

Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap) Let’s go Sheriff!(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)

[aztarheel]

Posted by: AZTarHeel

Steve, you’ve got to help me. This crazy Sheriff guy is camped out on the steps of the Chancellor’s building, proclaiming himself the next men’s basketball coach here at Alabama. The masses are cheering him and creating quite a stir. We haven’t even offered him the job yet. Heck, we haven’t even approached him. As the athletic director, I’m trying to get the best. I’m going after Illinois coach Harris Rowle

That’ll never happen Mr. Zorro. Harris will coach at Illinois till he’s 90. I say give the Sheriff a chance. He’s a bit wacky — I could tell you some stories about a certain time he visited the Bahamas— but he’s a solid basketball man. Plus after the Barkley debacle, what could be worse? Hey, at least he’ll be colorful...

But he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire at George Mason. He didn’t even make the NCT.

Yeah, but it’s GMU. What do you expect? He’s in the Colonial. Take a chance...

Maybe you’re right... Wait a minute. Hey, I gotta go, the people are storming the building! RIOT! **static**

Mr. Zorro? ... Mr. Zorro? Are you there? Hello?

[beargrowlz]

:D *dies laughing*

That's precious, a college basketball coup. Call out the Alabama National Guard!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Championship Game 2028

Flash forward to late March 2028.

It’s a few hours before tip off of college basketball’s premier game – the NCT championship! About 60,000 fans are making their way into the Super Dome in New Orleans.

N.C. State coach Steve Victory – as usual looking his spit and polished self in a sleek suit with red tie – stands courtside. He’s talking with his good friend and colleague, longtime Wake Forest hoops coach Chris Lyde.

“Think we can do it?”

“Absolutely. You guys have been on a tear of late. We saw that during the ACC title game. Go out there and kick some Illini butt. Those boys wearing orange and blue have been way too cocky this season. Let’s get a sweet victory for the ACC.”

“It’s too bad we can’t both be here on the sidelines. That would have made for a fine NCT championship game – Wake Forest vs. N.C. State. Live from New Orleans. For all the marbles. Tobacco Road would have gone crazy…”

“Yeah, that would have been awesome. It almost happened, but we just didn’t have it against Texas in the Elite Eight. We still had a great season, though.”

“Well, gotta run. Wish us luck.”

“Luck!”

With that Victory and Lyde shake hands and go their separate ways. Victory heads up to the luxury suite where he’ll watch tonight’s game and root like heck for the Demon Deacons. Lyde heads for the locker room to finish preparing for his chance to win his first NCT title...

Wake Forest wins the tap, but like last year, Illinois rebounds a missed shot and sinks the first points on a layup…

It feels strange for Victory to be watching the game from so high up… “Boys, you’ve got to get back on defense,” he barks out to the small black-and-gold clad blips on the floor far below him…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season #25 (2027-28)

Yep, that’s right. Steve Victory’s 25th season as a college head coach doesn’t end in the championship game like seasons 22-24. Actually, State does have a pretty solid year– 32-7 overall record – but gets tripped by Texas in the Elite Eight. Funny how mediocre 32-7 looks after winning 40 in a row the year before.

Three new players joined the mix for 2027-28 – PF Darren Harris, PF Henry Powell and PF Beau Williams. Gee, what is coach Victory trying to work on? Actually all three are small as power forwards go, standing at 6-5 or 6-6. Powell redshirts as does sophomore SG Josh Hamilton. NCSU enters the season with no one over 6-8. That could be a problem…

Harris looks like the biggest stud of the bunch. A 5-star recruiting service lists him as the #2 recruit in the land. He hails from Chamblee, Ga. and put in 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a high school senior. Williams could be a big-time scorer (33.3 ppg, 8 rpg), while Powell (out of Flagstaff, Arizona!) looks more like a project…

Here are some highlights from the regular season:

• State wins another early season tournament, taking the Hawaii Classic crown with victories over Washington (65-56), UCLA (95-58 – wow!) and Manhattan (89-68).

• The team’s first loss comes in game number five – to, of all teams, College of Charleston. The Cougars stomped the Pack at home 79-55. CoC has turned in to a pretty solid program. Victory likes to think he got the ball rolling…

• A 10-game winning streak vaults the Pack into the top five in the national rankings. Victims include old SEC rival LSU (87-55), Penn State on the road (92-63), Wisconsin (84-60), Boston College on the road (84-70) and one of last year’s NCT foes UNC-Asheville 84-57.

• State loses its ACC opener at Florida State (74-68) but goes on to win the regular season championship with a 13-3 record. The Pack beats Wake Forest both times (86-76 and 74-70). Virginia gets a win over Victory’s crew as does Duke in Cameron.

• The team’s other regular season loss comes to Northern Arizona. The mighty Lumberjacks, who go on to finish 23-10, stun State 75-67 in a late February meeting in Raleigh. Talk about overlooking a team!

• SG Marcus Hill and SF Calvin Carstensen (last year’s injury fill-in man) light up the scoreboards this season. Hill pumps in 17 ppg and even gets about 6 rpg (too many turnovers and not enough assists, however). Carstensen finishes averaging about 16.1 ppg and 12 rpg. C Jean Sykes (12.3 ppg) has a breakout year. PG Ian Demory disappears a bit but still finishes averaging 11.9 ppg…

State carries a 27-5 overall record into the post-season… But of course, you know what happens in the ACC and NCT tournaments, right?

[aztarheel]

posted by yanksare

Just the good ol boys. Never meaning no harm. Beat’s all ya ever saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born.

A small rural town in Florida, 1980

I wanna be Bo this time.

No way. I’m Bo little brother.

No fair. Then I’m gonna be Luke.

Un-uh. I’m Luke.

I’m not going be Daisy again. I’ll tell mom.

Why? She’s a fox.

MOmmmmy!!!

Ok, ok, ok. You can be Roscoe P. Coletrane. Gghh. Gghh, Gghhh.

Roscoe Peco Trane. Yeaa. I’m Sheriff Roscoe Peco Trane. I’m gonna arrest you Duke boys for Boss Hogg.

Jeff, your such a baby.

Mommmmmy!!!! Stevie’s being mean to me


**Author's Note: I still get a kick out of the backstory that my friend Jeff kept building around the characters (not really knowing what was coming next)...

[Jeff Wilt]

If I recall correctly the last post was the first hint about another Victory family member that became instrumental in my own short lived dynasty. Good stuff E. Do you still play TDCB or did you ever get TCB? I end up playing a few seasons with a different team in TDCB about two times a year or so. Between OOTP, TDCB and EWR I have enjoyed/wasted many a fun hour.

[aztarheel]

I play a lot less than I want to but probably more than I should considering I have a two-year-old in the house ... It's my escape, I guess ... I started a few OOTP dynasties last summer but they pretty much fizzled when my work life got crazy in the fall. I've resumed one dynasty recently called "The Arizona League" -- real players starting in 1901 put on fictional teams based in AZ ...

I started playing TDCB again recently and have several ideas brewing in my head for dynasties -- a Victory sequel among them. One thing I tried to do the past two years was to do a Carolina dynasty in "real time." I.e. sim the game up to whatever year it really was, and play out the games on the actual date that they are scheduled, posting as I go. With the goal of course to end the year in March Madness as NCAA champs...

Anyways, hope all is well. Enjoying reliving this dynasty as I repost it (Forgot how stinkin' long it was, however)...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Recruiting/Awards 2028

For the second year in a row, the Wolfpack puts two players on the All-ACC list. PG Ian Demory makes the honor roll again. SF Calvin Carstensen takes the spot that Jalen Hemphill won last year. Nice! Maryland’s starting PF Nigel Punt earns Freshman of the Year honors. The significance? Victory fought aggressively to get him to go to State the season before. It looked like he was coming but inked with the Terps at the last second… He’s obviously a great player (with a great name). No word on if he kicks for the Maryland football team, however.

Demory, unfortunately decides he’s had enough college ball. After this season, his junior year, he’s off to test the NBA waters. So, too, is junior SG Marcus Hill. Since State came into the season with no seniors, Victory had to scramble to get some recruits interested. He eventually nabbed 6-8 PF Charles Cornell (#37 pick in the country) and 6-4 SG Tony Sheehan (#117) during the latter part of the process. Both have good potential and decent credentials. In some ways, Victory isn’t too concerned about not getting blue chippers. These two guys might stick around four years and both develop into studs before graduating…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Post-season 2028

State and Wake proved the cream of the ACC crop this season, and so it was fitting the Wolfpack and Deacons meet in the tournament championship game in early March 2028.

State played its own version of the “Big Four” tournament during the weekend in Greensboro. First, they beat North Carolina 98-70. Then they beat Duke 99-77. Unfortunately, Wake – which had knocked off Maryland and Virginia in earlier rounds – won the coveted ACC (and Big Four) championship with a 74-68 triumph. The Deacs got up in the first half and never really let Victory’s boys fight back… The Achilles’ heel for State – teams with strong post games, such has what WFU featured… (Memo to Victory — recruit taller and stronger post players)...

Both finalists received number one seeds for the NCT however. Wow! State is shipped out West, while Wake Forest gets bracketed in the East. The other top seeds are familiar – Illinois in the Midwest and Florida in the South.

The Wolfpack sails through the first three rounds and looks ready to earn another Final Four berth.

UMass falls to the Pack 96-60 in the opening round as Marcus Hill scores 23 points and Ian Demory 22.

Stanford, seeded eighth, is the next victim, falling 93-45. Calvin Carstensen earns a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Center Jean Sykes scores 23 with nine boards. Ian Demory adds 20 points.

State then takes out fourth-seeded Arizona 86-64. Hill (23 points), Carstensen (20 points) and Demory (15) again are the stars.

The parties get serious on Hillsborough Street again after the Arizona win. “Four-for-Four” becomes the rallying cry in Raleigh as State seeks its fourth consecutive berth into the NCT semifinals. Leave it to sixth-seeded Texas to spoil the celebrations. The Longhorns hit 11 three-pointers and 23-of-30 free throws and pull the upset 74-69. While Wake locks up its Final Four berth with a 90-68 win over Pitt, the Wolfpack charters a plane ride home for the season. Only Victory and a few of his staff will attend this year’s Final Four in New Orleans. And they are going just as spectators... Rats…

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – NCT Final Four 2028

Wake beats St. Johns 81-64, and defending champion Illinois cruises past Texas 91-68 to set up this year’s title game. Victory fumes as he watches the Longhorns basically crumble against the Illini. “We could have given Illinois a much-better game than this,” he says to his assistants. “Of course, I thought we could beat them in last year’s title game and we crumbled, too. And we couldn’t beat Texas ourselves... It’s just too hard to watch this awful play…”

Victory worries that Wake might suffer the same fate as last year’s State team and this year’s Texas squad as Monday night’s championship game opens. Illinois scores first and in the first few minutes looks ready to run away with another title. But then something happens to the boys in black-and-gold.

Shots start falling, and the confidence level rises. Wake leads 49-41 at half and then keeps the Illini at bay throughout the second half. All five WFU starters reach double figures. Final score: Deacs 91, Illinois 80. For the third time in four years, the NCT trophy will reside on Tobacco Road, in ACC country!! Victory, while miffed that it’s not coming back to Raleigh, is glad about that… At least Illinois didn’t repeat. State is still the lone team to win back-to-back titles since the calendar rolled into the 2000s.

A few other final notes to the 2027-28 season:
· The Sheriff, Jeff Wilt, does get the Alabama job after much political pressure (the storming of the Chancellor’s building was just the beginning). His first team goes 14-17 (4-14 vs. SEC foes) and doesn’t make the post-season, however. It’s a good thing he got out at George Mason. The Pats finished 8-23. Yuk!

· College of Charleston, a team Victory still follows faithfully, went 25-8 this season. Virginia knocked them out in the first round of the NCT. CoC now has a prestige of 54. Sometimes, when Victory’s mind is idle, he wonders if that school will ever come calling again and if he would say yes to their overtures. Of course, coach Michael Williamson has survived several attempts at being ousted and has continued a nice program there…

· SW Missouri State wins the ACT, beating Austin Peay in the championship and Ohio State in the semis. East Carolina also reaches the ACT Final Four, giving the state of North Carolina a solid basketball year.

· NBA Draft: SG Marcus Hill gets taken 16th by Cleveland. PG Ian Demory gets nabbed 37th by Philly

Job offers: Actually, here is where things get interesting again for coach Victory, now 55 years old. Going out to the West Region with his Wolfpack exposed him to a lot of teams from that region. Specifically, officials from Arizona State, Cal, Washington State and Oregon approached him (albeit discreetly) about “coming out West” to finish his career.

The coach is intrigued and flattered to say the least. The Pac-10 instead of the ACC? He’s also blown away when Notre Dame makes a bid for his services as well. And Nebraska. And North Carolina again. And Maryland. And Texas Tech. And Kansas State.

“Nah, I can’t go anywhere. I’m a State man and we’re on the verge of a true dynasty here in Raleigh,” Victory muses to himself. “That newspaper columnist said we could win five more titles here, maybe more.

“But it would be neat to see if I can rebuild one more program before I retire. And now, here is Steve Victory, coach of the national champion California Golden Bears… or ASU Sun Devils… or Notre Dame Fighting Irish… or…”

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory Career File

After TWENTY-FIVE (25) Seasons

Year School Overall Conference
2003-04 Central Florida 10-20 5-12
2004-05 Central Florida 7-22 6-11
2005-06 College of Charleston 15-16 7-11
2006-07 College of Charleston 21-9 13-4
2007-08 College of Charleston 25-7 14-4
2008-09 College of Charleston 20-13 14-6
2009-10 Alabama 10-20 5-12
2010-11 Alabama 3-27 2-15
2011-12 Alabama 3-26 1-16
2012-13 Alabama 12-18 4-12
2013-14 Alabama 23-11 9-8
2014-15 Alabama 29-7 15-4
2015-16 Alabama 20-12 12-5
2016-17 Alabama 16-16 11-8
2017-18 Alabama 23-12 13-6
2018-19 Alabama 30-11 12-7
2019-20 Alabama 20-17 12-7
2020-21 Alabama 21-11 10-8
2021-22 NC State 14-16 9-8
2022-23 NC State 12-19 6-12
2023-24 NC State 27-7 15-4
2024-25 NC State 29-11 9-9
2025-26 NC State 36-3 15-2
2026-27 NC State 40-1 19-0
2027-28 NC State 32-7 15-4

Totals 498-339 ... 255-196

Victory's Teams in the Post-Season
2007 College of Charleston 0-1 in ACT
2008 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2009 College of Charleston 0-1 in NCT
2014 Alabama 4-1 in ACT (runners up to Arkansas)
2015 Alabama 1-1 in NCT
2016 Alabama 1-1 in ACT
2018 Alabama 1-1 in NCT
2019 Alabama 6-0 in NCT (national champs over Louisville!)
2020 Alabama 4-1 in ACT (runners up to Florida State)
2021 Alabama 0-1 in NCT
2024 NC State 1-1 in NCT
2025 NC State 6-0 in NCT (national champs over Oklahoma!)
2026 NC State 6-0 in NCT (national champs over Utah)
2027 NC State 5-1 in NCT (national runner-up to Illinois)
2028 NC State 3-1 in NCT

Totals NCT 26-7 ... ACT 9-4


Victory's All-Conference Players
2007 PG Augustinas Dmitrovic (College of Charleston)
2015 PF Michael Bliss (Alabama)
2019 PG Mark Bell (Alabama)
2020 PG David Smith (Alabama)
2022 PG Rogers Gravitt (NC State) - Player of the Year in the ACC
2024 PG Andre Anderson (NC State)
2027 PG Ian Demory & SF Jalen Hemphill (NC State) - Player of the Year in the ACC
2028 PG Ian Demory & SF Calvin Carstensen
(I may be missing some in the last 10 years or so - I didn't always document them in my write-ups)

Victory's NBA Draft Picks
2015 Alabama — Michael Bliss taken 12th overall by Indiana Pacers
2018 Alabama — Alex Henry taken in first round & Michael Slater taken in second round
2019 Alabama — Loren Tracy goes No. 16 to Dallas & Darrell Wynn goes No. 50 to the LA Lakers
2026 NC State — Toni Zupic goes No. 11 to Milwaukee, Michael Stokes goes 25th to Detroit and Andre Baker goes No. 28 to Orlando
2027 NC State — Deon Brown goes No. 10 to New Jersey and Jalen Hemphill goes No. 37 to Memphis
2028 NC State — Marcus Hill goes No. 16 to Cleveland and Ian Demory picked No. 37 by Philadelphia


National Champions By Year
2004 Marquette
2005 Notre Dame
2006 Oklahoma
2007 ??
2008 Kentucky
2009 St. Joseph's
2010 Oregon
2011 Missouri
2012 Arizona
2013 Mississippi State
2014 Georgetown
2015 Arizona
2016 Pittsburgh
2017 Kansas
2018 Oklahoma State
2019 Alabama
2020 Louisville
2021 Illinois
2022 Xavier
2023 Kansas
2024 Colorado
2025 NC State
2026 NC State
2027 Illinois (over Victory's NC State team)
2028 Wake Forest


ACT Champions By Year (i.e. NIT)
2004 Nebraska
2005 Ohio State
2006 TCU
2007 ??
2008 Fordham
2009 Maryland
2010 Notre Dame
2011 Western Illinois
2012 Siena
2013 UConn
2014 Arkansas
2015 North Carolina
2016 Kentucky
2017 Nebraska
2018 Oklahoma
2019 Washington State
2020 Florida State
2021 Indiana
2022 Miami of Ohio
2023 Texas A&M
2024 ???
2025 Nebraska
2026 Georgia Tech
2027 LaSalle
2028 Southwest Missouri State

[aztarheel]

Some other Steve Victory fast facts after 25 years:

NCT Appearances: 11 (wow, less than half!)
National Titles: 3 (1 at Alabama, 2 at NCSU)
Final Four Appearances: 4 (1 at Alabama, 3 at NCSU)
ACT Appearances: 4
ACT Titles: 0
ACT Runner-up: 2 (2014 and 2020 at Alabama)

Conference Regular Season Championships: 6 (2 at CoC, 1 at Alabama, 3 at NCSU)
Conference Tourney Championships: 3 (1 at CoC, 1 at Alabama, 1 at NCSU)
Best Overall Record: 40-1 (2027 at NCSU)
Best Conference Record: 19-0 (2027 at NCSU)
20-Win Seasons: 15
30-Win Seasons: 4
40-Win Seasons: 1
Worst Season Record: 3-27 (2011 at Alabama)
Worst Conference Record: 1-16 (2012 at Alabama)

NBA Draft Picks: 14 (though several others Victory recruited went on to the NBA)
First-round Picks: 8
Best Recruiting Class: 2nd (2024 at NCSU)
Worst Recruiting Class: 320 (2021 at Alabama)

Interesting that Victory has won as many NCT titles as conference tournament titles...

Now, where will the ol' coach be in Year 26? Stay tuned...

[aztarheel]

posted by Astros02

Take the Texas Tech job! I'm biased to Lubbock anyway...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Summer 2028

To: All Media
From: Julius Hodge, NCSU Sports Information
Subject: Upcoming press event for men's basketball

N.C. State men’s basketball coach Steve Victory will hold a special press conference this Thursday at 11 a.m. The conference will be held in Room 107 of the Amato Sports Complex. No subject has been specified by the coach. All credentialed media are invited to attend.

-30-

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

Victory to leave NC State?
By:The Colonel


Thursday at 11 AM, Steve Victory will be holding a press conference? Could he be leaving for potential powerhouse Texas Tech, announcing a re-signing, or maybe even retiring? Who knows?

Victory has been dissapointed the past 2 years by not winning a championship, including 2 years ago when they went to the title game undefeated. Steve has not been a man of patience, leaving Charleston and Alabama when a better job offer came up.

All signs point to Coach Victory leaving N.C. State, leaving the team in shambles after the 2 star players opted for the NBA draft. Victory has one 3 National titles in his career, and this N.C. State fan will be quite angry if he leaves.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: yanksare

Dear Colonel,

First off, this is a little embarassing to say but I’m your biggest fan. It is not often that an accomplished entrepeneur such as yourself can excel at such diverse activities.

I hope that Coach Victory does not leave Raleigh for greener pastures. He has been a remarkable leader for our Wolfpack and I believe his dynasty will be remembered for years to come. I know that I will be listening to WPTF on Thursday morning to hear whatever our faithful leader has to say.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours in your upcoming trial. All of us Court TV fans know that it was Professor Plum in the Conservatory with a rope and not you. In closing, I have always found your columns to be illuminating and your chicken to be finger licking good.

Best Regards,

Anthony Underhill

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Spring/Summer 2028

Victory may leave successful Wolfpack program

By BEN DOVER
Associated Press

RALEIGH - Steve Victory won’t return as N.C. State’s men’s basketball coach next season, several sources close to the program say.

But no one is quite sure where he’s going and why he may be leaving.

Victory has scheduled a special press conference for Thursday morning at 11 a.m. but has refused to discuss the specifics of what he is going to announce. Many within the basketball program believe it will be his farewell to a school he has directed to two national championships and one national runner-up finish over the past seven seasons.

“I can’t imagine why he wants to leave but from all appearances it looks like he’s outta here,” said one source within the basketball office who requested anonymity. "I wonder if the fact that he couldn't complete that perfect undefeated season two years ago is eating at him. There has been some backlash over that among a segment of Wolfpack faithful. And everybody knows, State fans can be a finnicky bunch."

Victory, who left on Friday for “some time away” at his secluded beach house near Charleston, has declined to throw anyone a bone on what he’s thinking. Several ideas have been floated over the past few days around water coolers and in Internet chat rooms. None can be confirmed. All sound plausible yet outrageous at the same time:

1) Victory is leaving to take a coaching job at another school. The list of schools he is “rumored” to be taking over is as endless as his film sessions before a big game. But again, why would someone so covetous of wins and championships – just look at his last name – be eager to leave a program that has just now developed into a national power?

2) Victory is leaving to take a job in the NBA. The Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat are both looking for new leaders after firing their coaches at the end of poor 2028 seasons. Victory, a Florida native, is pretty outspoken against the NBA, especially with how the league raids colleges for underclassman players, but has never said outright that he wouldn’t want to coach an NBA team.

3) Victory is retiring from coaching. Though only 55, he has been stalking college sidelines for 25 years now and could be ready to hang up the whistle (especially now that his twins, Stevie and Stephanie, are getting ready to play college ball themselves).

4) Victory isn’t leaving, just announcing a long-term deal to finish his career with the Wolfpack. State officials hinted before the end of last season that they wanted to shore up a new 10-year pact with Victory that would keep him living comfortably in Raleigh for the next decade. There have been no reports of contract hang-ups during negotiations. He's not the highest paid coach in the ACC despite his recent fame and good fortune.

“I wish I could tell you what he’s up to,” said Julius Hodge, a former NCSU hoops standout who is now the Pack’s sports information director. “It’s weird. No one seems to know, not the AD, not the chancellor, not the players. I wonder if Steve even knows.”

One highly placed source who asked not to be identified believes Victory will take the open position at Texas Tech University. “They are offering him tons of money and will essentially make him king of Lubbock, as if that’s something to write home about,” the source said. “Since the South is so crowded with stellar hoops programs, he may want some elbow room further West.”

Victory joked with reporters during the most recent NCT that he’d change his last name to O’Victory to be the next coach of Notre Dame. While the comment seemed to be in jest there are some who believe the coach would love a chance to coach at such a prestigious school, which is currently looking for a new leader. “Digger Phelps and Jim Valvano were two of his biggest heroes,” said a former assistant coach. “He could say he followed in both of their footsteps if he now linked up with the Irish.”

Some even believe Victory will trade ACC allegiances. North Carolina has pursued the coach strongly the past three seasons in its attempts to climb back to the forefront of the college basketball scene. “Tar Heel administrators can’t stand how far behind the school has fallen,” said UNC alum Scott Cherry, a player in the 1990s and now head of the Rams Club fund-raising group. “Basketball is the paramount sport here. If it means stealing away the coach who has built a nearby power in order for us to move back up, then so be it. We’ll offer him a mint to come to Chapel Hill.”

Several Pac-10 schools made strong overtures to Victory during State’s recent play in the West Region of the NCT. Oregion, Arizona State, Cal and Washington State are all looking for new coaches. Kansas State of the Big 12 is also in the hunt for a new mentor. “We’d love to have him, but we’ve had no contact,” said KSU AD Bill Wilhelm.

Those who believe he will retire site the fact that Victory’s kids are both going into college – on difference coasts. Stevie Junior will be a freshman shooting guard at College of Charleston this fall (fueling more rumors that the elder Victory will return there to coach his son). Stephanie Victory will play at San Diego State for Lianne Perry, who is trying to revive her coaching career after a series of scandals with East Coast schools. “He and his wife did buy a new RV from us a month ago,” said Cletus Coltraine of North Raleigh Auto Sales.

For now, though, Victory is making everyone wait. The ball is in his court, and he’s clearly not inclined to say anything about his future until Thursday morning.

“I just hope he doesn’t leave us,” said Rita Walter, a science professor at NCSU. “He’s awesome for the university and keeps the parties coming to Hillsborough Street.”

There may be mourning on Hillsborough Street on Thursday, however. But then again, maybe not.

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

QUOTE
“They are offering him tons of money and will essentially make him king of Lubbock, as if that’s something to write home about,”


You bastard...you....bastard!!!


Posted by: AZTarHeel
QUOTE (Astros02 @ Aug 26 2003, 04:59 PM)

You bastard...you....bastard!!!


Sorry Astros — just having a little fun... Actually I lived in Lubbock for a year in the mid-1990s and I found it was a great place... (seriously)... The people are genuine and the community seems tight-knit... Folks there looked after me real well...

Sorry to take a jab — unfortunately, that’s how many folks in Raleigh (where I grew up) would think about Lubbock... Who knows, maybe Steve Victory will end up at good ol’ Texas Tech after all...

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL - Summer 2028

Phone conversation, Sunday night...

Steve, man, throw me a bone. What are you thinking? I can’t figure you out. Are you leaving State? You realize this affects me, too. I wouldn’t mind being in Wolfpack red again — just at the head of the bench...

Patience, little brother. You’ll find out in due time. Thursday, to be exact.

You’re retiring aren’t you?

Actually, I’m not sure yet what I’m doing. Are you recording this?

What are you talking about?!? But you’ve scheduled a press conference and everything.

I did that to give myself a deadline. You know, I don’t want to drag things out, kind of like the Roy Williams sagas of years ago. I knew if I created such a stir, I’d have to decide.

So, do you know which way you’re leaning at all? I mean the press conference is only a few days away.

Well, when I first set the press conference, I fully intended to retire. It was the perfect time. I just completed my 25th year. We had won two NCT titles and contended for two others. Great players are returning for the next coach. My twins, Stevie and Stephanie, will be freshman players at Charleston and San Diego State. I bought an RV, and the Mrs. and I were going to travel around the country watching our kids hoop it up. I could walk away satisfied.

Then what happened?

The Final Four, that’s what. You remember me, watching the Texas-Illinois game. I coached from the luxury box the whole time. I realized then that coaching is in my blood. We had a family pow-wow, and the kids gave me their blessing to keep going. They’re a lot like me. They’re independent. They like having me around but want their space from me at the same time. “It would be weird to see you in an RV, buying tickets like everyone else,” Stevie told me. “You belong on the bench. Just not my team’s bench.” You got to love the kid.

So, you’re coming back to State then?

Well, here is where things get interesting. I thought that, too. I’ll just sign a contract for life and coach in Raleigh until I fall dead out of my Wolfpack red chair. But then I started getting all these other offers. “We can offer you a fresh start.” “We can offer you a chance to build.” And then it hit me. I’m a builder. I love building programs. And I thought to myself, “Wonder if I could build one more program into an NCT champ?” And I let myself linger over the offers, and things went from there...

So, you’re definitely leaving State then?

I’m not 100 percent leaving, but most likely will go. The Wolfpack program is in great shape. Grandma could come in and coach these boys into the Elite Eight. Even you could.

Ouch.

Just kidding, little bro. You’re a great coach. I do personally think it’s impossible to build a dynasty at Alabama... Something’s in the water there that prevents teams from sustaining greatness...

So where are you going? And I disagree on the Alabama thing by the way...

Well, I’m not sure yet. I’ve got three serious offers on the table. I think I blew my chance with Texas Tech, however, based on some comments some folks around here made about Lubbock. Even though it wasn’t me, word got back to Tech officials that I was a stuck up Easterner, and they’ve shied away. But they’re still in the running for me...

Can you at least give me the top three?

Thursday morning, I’ll give you the winner. Who knows, it may be State and I may lock up a long term deal to stay here. The head honchos from the NCSU athletic department are coming tonight to Charleston to talk... Of course the Mrs. and I might rethink retirement as well... You can see how my last week has been. Every option looks great, then another looks better, then yet another one looks even better. Why don’t you tell me where to go...

I’ll bet you’re off to Notre Dame... That school fits your personality... Of course, it wouldn’t surprise me to see you at North Carolina next year — though State fans would shoot you dead if you did. You always did like to pretend you were Dean Smith when we formed hoops teams in the neighborhood...

Yeah, and you always liked to be Roscoe Peeco Train when we played Dukes of Hazzard.

Shut up...

[beargrowlz]

Congratulations on your lifetime contact, coach. What's it like out on the West Coast by the way? I hear good things.

-- Steve Victory, head men's basketball coach at NC State


Thanks Steve. You should come on out. Now that Tim Floyd has retired, there's always the men's basketball program that needs a coach and the PAC-10 is a heck of a hoops conference.
<!-- / message -->

[aztarheel]

[Author's Note: I kept people hanging for like a week on this, and I even was in a dilemma as to what to do next with my character (hence the delay). It was fun watching folks try to figure it out, and I'm amazed at how time I wasted over this game (but hey, it's fun right?)]

posted by yanksare

Twas the Night before the press conference and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a wolf

Ding Dong

Stevie, let me in.

Jeff, what are you doing here? I thought you were still in Alabama.

No way. I had to be here in person for this.

I’m glad you’re here little brother. Let’s go in. I doubt I will be getting any sleep tonight.

What are all these cups doing all over your kitchen? There must be a dozen cups half full sitting around. Did you have a party earlier?

Nah. Jonathan was over earlier.

Oh. Yeah, that would explain it. He never finishes what he starts. So, whatcha gonna do Stevie? Author's note - a little dig at a dynasty poster who kept starting new stories and never finishing them. Hilarious.


Well, I think I’m going to.......


Posted by: Astros02

More Speculation from the Colonel

Well soldiers, it looks like the press conference is going to be on later today, live from Charleston. From what I’ve heard, not even Coach V knows what he is going to do, but I have a gut feeling NC State will be looking for a new coach. But who would be a good candidate? His brother Jeff, his assistant, hell, his grandmother could probably coach them from her grave and win a title!

You’re not welcome back by me, Steve! You have caused way too much speculation here, and we don’t want you here anymore! Leave for your hicktown Lubbock or something, anywhere far from here! Oh, and have a yearly game here so we can watch your teams be obliterated! (Hey, technology could let columns have this 25 years from now)

[aztarheel]

http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2006/06/15/158999/WRAL_News_Default-100x75.jpg

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Summer 2028 (still)

We now join the Steve Victory press conference live via a feed from WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh…

Steve Victory is seated at a table in the Amato Athletic Building conference room with the N.C. State logo prominently displayed behind him. In one corner, a group of basketball players, all dressed in shirt and tie, sit with sullen looks. His wife is seated next to him. The Sheriff slips into the back row, trying not to be noticed…

“When I planned this press conference more than a week ago, I had the full intention of retiring from coaching,” Victory started out. “It’s a long story why, but I felt satisfied at what I had accomplished in 25 years and that I had brought N.C. State basketball to a place where it could compete for national titles for years to come with or without me. With my kids headed off to college to play ball, I thought this was a good time to get out of the game, buy an RV and enjoy the ‘good life.’

“But my kids played a big role in keeping me in the game, and I realized quickly that RVs are too small to live in and too hard to drive. It didn’t take long for us all to decide my place was still on the bench, on the recruiting trail and in the locker room… But through much thought, prayer and anguish I’ve decided to finish out my career somewhere other than N.C. State University.

“As of today, I have resigned as coach of the Wolfpack. Tomorrow afternoon, I officially will be welcomed as the new coach of the California Golden Bears.

“It’s another long story how I am ending up at Cal. But a few things came into play. One, a chance to build another program, a big part of what I love about college basketball. Two, the chance to be closer to my daughter, Stephanie, who will be playing ball at San Diego State – but not too close that I drive her nuts. And three, a chance to build without really interfering with all that has been done here in Raleigh. I figured if I ever left State, I would get as far away as possible so the next coach would have all the elbow room he needed to keep growing the program. I know that will happen with me on a different coast.

“This is my last move. No matter what, I am finishing out my career at Cal, whether it be one more year or 20.

“I will always treasure my years here at NCSU. They have been my best so far. I wish the Wolfpack the best of luck in the future and will always hold a special place in my heart for the red and white of N.C. State.”

With that, Victory and his wife step down from the podium and dash off for a new life – in Berkeley, California of all places…

[aztarheel]

Posted by: Astros02

CALIFORNIA?! CALIFORNIA?!

Who’s replacing coach V at NC State?


Posted by: AZTarHeel

Sources close to the program report that the Sheriff will take over the Wolfpack (he began lobbying for the position as soon as Victory left the press conference, standing up and working the room in front of the cameras). He plans to bring his top assistant, Fred Franks with him if he gets the job...


Posted by: jksander
Good luck in Cali, Coach V!

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season 26 (in Cali!!)

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/aztarheel/TDCB/CalBears.jpg?t=1170869059

Victory liked the look of his new team the moment he saw their first workout. This group was raw, but the potential was there for greatness.

California basketball in 2028 seems much like N.C. State’s when Victory took over that program seven years earlier. The Golden Bears’ national prestige is above average (a respectable 61). The incoming freshmen (we’ll meet them and the other fellas below) are considered “superior” in talent. Former coach Colin Dahl may have been ousted for not winning enough but he brought in the sixth-best recruiting class in the nation for 2028-29! Thank you very much…

Cal’s lone NCT title in men’s hoops came in 1959 when the Bears beat Jerry West and the West Virginia Mountaineers 71-70. Cal also won the ACT in 1999. Dahl led the Bears to 11 NCT appearances in his 25 years (the same number as Victory during that span) but had been on an NCT drought of seven seasons.

Dahl’s best season came in 2009 when the Bears nearly won it all (finishing second to St. Joe’s). Dahl’s crew made the ACT Final Four in 2027 (runner-up) and 2027 (semifinalist), but the administration clearly wanted more – hence their aggressive pursuit of Victory (behind closed doors for awhile of course).

“We think you should be able to get this team to the NCT this season,” administrators tell the coach in early November. That may be tough with the usual transition adjustments but not impossible. Cal’s overall talent level is considered “good” and the challenge is considered “easy.”

The pressure is on... Victory is ready...

[beargrowlz]

Steve,

Congrats on the new job. It'll be nice to have a friendly face on campus up there to go have a beer with when we whip the Bears on the football field.

-Coach Bear Growlz,
USC Football

[devynd]

I love this story. It's great how Steve Victory never really becomes a good guy. He ditches Alabama for an ACC school and then turns right around and goes to Pac-10 oblivion. It's interesting to see him take a step down to Cal. I wonder what he can do with it -- although of course that has already been decided.

It was strange listening to the scores on ESPN Radio last week; the last two were Alabama losing to LSU and N.C. State ahead, and it made me think of Steve Victory. I guess that's when you know it's a good story!

[aztarheel]

I love this story. It's great how Steve Victory never really becomes a good guy. He ditches Alabama for an ACC school and then turns right around and goes to Pac-10 oblivion. It's interesting to see him take a step down to Cal. I wonder what he can do with it -- although of course that has already been decided.

It was strange listening to the scores on ESPN Radio last week; the last two were Alabama losing to LSU and N.C. State ahead, and it made me think of Steve Victory. I guess that's when you know it's a good story!

It's scary when you can't sleep at night because you're wondering what to do with your FICTIONAL life... I hadn't realized just how restless Steve Victory was until re-posting everything... It's like the grass is always greener somewhere else... Thanks for tuning in ...

[beargrowlz]

What made you choose Cal? Aside from the fact they're named Bears, which is always a good thing mind you. ;)

[aztarheel]

Steve Victory JOURNAL – Season 26 (2028-29)

So who are the new players that have Victory excited about being on the Left Coast:

THE STARTERS:
PG Josh Archey (sophomore – looks solid but small at 5-10)
SG Aaron Thomas (6-1 sophomore – also looks stellar)
SF Russell Slaughter (6-3 senior – team leader it looks like, wish he was younger)
PF Miran Lekivicius (6-5 frosh – again, a small guy)
C Jerome Frederick (7-0 frosh – Cal’s one “big guy” starter)

Early assessment: The Bears are small but scrappy. Victory hasn’t had much good fortune with 7-footers. Maybe Frederick will be different. Can Cal get rebounds? That’s a big key.

THE RESERVES:
C Ben Ward (6-10 frosh, gotta get his grades up!)
SF Larry Jordan (6-6 senior, decent sub)
PF Louis Sykes (6-9 senior – decent size and ratings)
SF Greg Knight (6-6 senior – won’t play much)
SF Aaron Williams (6-8 soph – space filler)
SG James McNeil (6-4 junior – decent outside shooter, not much else)
PG Seth Glosier (6-0 senior – walk-on who joined when Victory cut a lousy player)

RECRUITING:
Victory gets to fill a lot of spots quickly – five in all this first year, more if someone opts to jump to the NBA early… Will the coach, a lifetime Southerner, find recruiting tough in the West or will the challenge make him work that much harder?

ASSISTANT COACHES:
Victory brings in two new guys (Ricardo Calloway and Drew Marshall) and keeps one from the old regime, the lead assistant Matt Cotton. The four will have the four recruiting regions covered – three are excellent and one is good at recruiting… Wish he could have brought some of his assistants from NCSU, but the game doesn't permit it (without editing)...

THE GAMES
Cal’s first game in the Victory era at Cal – and this is truly ironic – will come against N.C. State. This was put on the schedule by the ADs (nothing I engineered through editing or rescheduling). And with the Sheriff (Jeff “Roscoe” Wilt) taking over the Wolfpack program, this promises to be an electric start to the 2028-29 season. The Pack will come to Berkeley. The little brother will be favored to beat the big bro in this one… We’ll see what happens… [Author's Note: I laughed my head off when the game generated this match-up -- it fed me a great story line.]

A FEW OTHER NOTES:
With The Sheriff skipping to his third program, former Steve Victory player Michael Bliss will take over the Alabama Crimson Tide. He’s young but energetic... Victory’s son, Stevie, has been put into the game as a freshman SG for College of Charleston. He looks pretty solid (yes, I was generous in the editing department here—what the heck...)... Former Victory player Jabari Tucker (Charleston) is the new coach at George Mason, which had a horrible season in 2028... Once again, some editing from yours truly...

[aztarheel]

What made you choose Cal? Aside from the fact they're named Bears, which is always a good thing mind you. ;)

To answer your question, I'm not totally sure. I was living in Arizona at the time I wrote this dynasty and had become intrigued by the Pac-10 (a switch from being an ACC guy). I never really intended for Steve to leave NC State, but when a bunch of Pac-10 jobs opened in the off-season, I jumped at the best one. That would be Cal.

[Jeff Wilt]

It's scary when you can't sleep at night because you're wondering what to do with your FICTIONAL life... I hadn't realized just how restless Steve Victory was until re-posting everything... It's like the grass is always greener somewhere else... Thanks for tuning in ...

The only real life comparison I can think of off hand is Larry Brown who seems to jump around a lot and almost always wins a championship. On a different note, I'm really glad you resurrected this dynasty because it truly stands up after a few years. Also, are you adding new graphics or did I just forget them?

[aztarheel]

The graphics are new -- I like how Bear Growlz has incorporated those into his story. And I'm procastinating at work...