Official 2010-11 College Basketball Thread

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think the "fair to all" thing (from Bilas in response to the idiot politician) is pretty questionable. The biggest star in, say, Bloomington can't make even a quarter of what a 2nd or 3rd best player in Miami, NYC, LA, etc can make in terms of marketing. That'd be a huge advantage for schools/teams in major markets & a major negative for everyone else.

The difference between a local "celebrity" endorsement in Atlanta vs Athens is something on the order of 10x-25x. Think that wouldn't be an advantage for GT over UGA?* Or for schools like, say, Kentucky who have a regional fan base versus someone like Ole Miss? It's really a rich get richer Pandora's box that gets opened there & while I'm not particularly against that, I figure it isn't something that the NCAA or the majority of schools would find desirable.

*In my example, the value is certainly closer to equal for football as UGA can be marketed statewide. Their basketball program on the other hand has to blackmail even 1kw AM radio stations across the state to carry the games, something that was true all the way back to their Final Four appearance & has never really changed.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Reports are that Dayton's Brian Gregory has been offered the Georgia Tech head coaching job.

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/georgi...oops-job-29587

This is less than 4 days after the 2 highest-rated recruits UD has gotten in YEARS left the program, citing in large part irreconcilable differences with the coaching they had received while here as a reason for leaving.

Gregory is signed through 2017-18 season, so most UD fans were pretty much resigned to the fact that we are stuck with him due to the fact that we don't have large boosters with pockets lined with cash to bail us out of a giant contract like that.

Many UD fans (including me) would be pretty pleased to see him go, but he does have some good points too.

This may now have some legs. According to the GT rivals site, Gregory hasn't been offered the job as of this morning, but he is one of a couple of candidates still in the mix. Mooney was the leading contender but due to football and basketball coach buyouts, GT may not be able to compete in the bidding war.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by digamma

This may now have some legs. According to the GT rivals site, Gregory hasn't been offered the job as of this morning, but he is one of a couple of candidates still in the mix. Mooney was the leading contender but due to football and basketball coach buyouts, GT may not be able to compete in the bidding war.

Dear Lord. Anything at least represents hope versus the recent past, but this is about as little reason for hope as I can think of (from the reasonably expected suspects).

You know my feelings on CPJ already, this will do nothing to energize the fan base at all (what's left of it), if this isn't an almost immediate hit the next contract that'll have to be bought out is Radakovich.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Mooney signs a 10 year extension with Richmond, turns down GT.

Georgia Tech’s whiff at Chris Mooney doesn’t look good | Jeff Schultz

[Young Drachma]

At least Wyoming isn't the only program having a hard time solidifying a hire. The top three right are Old Dominion coach (and former Montana coach) Blaine Taylor, St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap and Florida assistant Larry Shyatt who coached here for one year before heading to Clemson and sued the school and won a settlement against them. Can't see that last one happening.

They're always afraid of hiring anyone good, because they might leave, but they don't understand what building a coaching pipeline is like and how it can work if you target the right types of guys.

Meh. Oh well.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Dear Lord. Anything at least represents hope versus the recent past, but this is about as little reason for hope as I can think of (from the reasonably expected suspects).

You know my feelings on CPJ already, this will do nothing to energize the fan base at all (what's left of it), if this isn't an almost immediate hit the next contract that'll have to be bought out is Radakovich.

Well, D-Rad is having to work out of a tough situation here, because the Hewitt contract wasn't his and really hampers the program. That said, they just raised a ton of money to completely renovate the building, so maybe there is a criticism on deployment of resources.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by digamma

Well, D-Rad is having to work out of a tough situation here, because the Hewitt contract wasn't his and really hampers the program.

I get that, and it's probably what keeps me from calling for his head on a pike already. That said, this is about as uninspiring as it gets (although the Tulsa guy would get an even worse response I think). It feels very much like a Braine(less) hire designed to illustrate a commitment to mediocrity & that's just not the kind of thing the program needs right now. Maybe what they need right now simply isn't available to them with the budgetary restraints, I don't know, but this doesn't even feel like they've made a serious effort to find that guy. It's more like "oh well, this is about as good as we can do so let's just run with it".

That said, they just raised a ton of money to completely renovate the building, so maybe there is a criticism on deployment of resources.

That's a big 10-4, although in fairness I suppose we have to consider whether that same amount of money would have been donated if it weren't earmarked for the construction of a soon-to-be empty building.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

At least Wyoming isn't the only program having a hard time solidifying a hire. The top three right are Old Dominion coach (and former Montana coach) Blaine Taylor, St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap and Florida assistant Larry Shyatt who coached here for one year before heading to Clemson and sued the school and won a settlement against them. Can't see that last one happening.

They're always afraid of hiring anyone good, because they might leave, but they don't understand what building a coaching pipeline is like and how it can work if you target the right types of guys.

Meh. Oh well.

From everything I know, I'd be pretty surprised if Taylor leaves for Wyoming. Really not sure that that is a step up, no offense.

[JonInMiddleGA]

AJC reporting this as per the Dayton Daily News.
Gregory takes Tech job — updating » Comment Page 2 | Georgia Tech

Let the search for a new AD begin.

[Butter]

Gregory had a 7:30 players-only meeting, then announced that he was taking the job.

He leaves the right way, frankly.

Say what you will about his coaching ability, but Brian Gregory the man was a fantastic representative in the community for the University of Dayton, always graduated all of his players, was a tireless recruiter, and ran the program the right way.

It just so happens the right way seemed to not develop players, and tank in the conference season.

UD will wish him well and look forward to a new dawn of Flyer basketball... one that includes more NCAA appearances than NIT ones.

I really hope Gregory succeeds as the GT coach. I genuinely like the man.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

It just so happens the right way seemed to not develop players, and tank in the conference season.

Sounds a lot like the useless SOB we just got rid of ... hence the combination of disapproval, dismay, and disgust with the selection.

[digamma]

Very much so. Very good man does not always equal very good coach. Pretty blah feeling about GT basketball right now, and I've held some glimmer of hope probably every season since I really started watching in the Price/Salley years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by digamma

Very much so. Very good man does not always equal very good coach. Pretty blah feeling about GT basketball right now, and I've held some glimmer of hope probably every season since I really started watching in the Price/Salley years.

Hell, I found at least a glimmer of hope during the Steppe years.

Not so this morning.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Let the search for a new AD begin.

I still don't get to this point however. A lot has to do with our differing outlook on the football program. But more than that, I think Radakovich has been excellent in improving GT facilities and making non-football and basketball sports relevant. Under his watch, we've won our first NCAA team national title (tennis), made a women's basketball program relevant, made a softball team a perennial contender, and continued strong golf, baseball and track programs. Add to that renovations to the two big buildings on campus, a new tennis center, an indoor football practice facility, and improved baseball stadium and I think Radakovich is doing a lot of good. Maybe an ivory tower view, but building an overall athletic program is important to me.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Hell, I found at least a glimmer of hope during the Steppe years.

Not so this morning.

The one saving grace is that we didn't do something really stupid and hire Price or Neal to get a "Tech man" in the role. Hasn't worked out so well for the Matt Dohertys or Sidney Lowes of the world.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by digamma

I still don't get to this point however. A lot has to do with our differing outlook on the football program. But more than that, I think Radakovich has been excellent in improving GT facilities and making non-football and basketball sports relevant. Under his watch, we've won our first NCAA team national title (tennis), made a women's basketball program relevant, made a softball team a perennial contender, and continued strong golf, baseball and track programs. Add to that renovations to the two big buildings on campus, a new tennis center, an indoor football practice facility, and improved baseball stadium and I think Radakovich is doing a lot of good. Maybe an ivory tower view, but building an overall athletic program is important to me.

.... while allowing the baseball program to digress into one that predictably & reliably flops in the post-season. Much like nearly all of the programs in the department.

And nothing I've seen indicates any reason to credit DR with the improvement in the women's basketball program, the one major bright spot in the athletic department at this point. That credit seems to rest with Coach Joseph, who was hired by the previous administration. All Radakovich as far as I can tell was done was sign off on her contract renewal, which was rather obvious.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by digamma

The one saving grace is that we didn't do something really stupid and hire Price or Neal to get a "Tech man" in the role. Hasn't worked out so well for the Matt Dohertys or Sidney Lowes of the world.

On that point we agree.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

DeArmond and Gregorian both saying on radio that Painter is in Columbia today. They expect a final resolution by Wednesday.

Honestly, coaches usually make these trips only after contract terms are agreeable to both sides. If Painter is in town, it's looking awfully good for Mizzou. I think Purdue fans and staff are stunned at this point.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And nothing I've seen indicates any reason to credit DR with the improvement in the women's basketball program, the one major bright spot in the athletic department at this point. That credit seems to rest with Coach Joseph, who was hired by the previous administration. All Radakovich as far as I can tell was done was sign off on her contract renewal, which was rather obvious.

I couldn't remember if Joseph was a Braine hire or not. Nevertheless, come tomorrow all spring sports teams will be ranked in their top 25 (softball was #26 prior to their weekend sweep of NC State). That's a pretty solid state for those programs.

[DeToxRox]

The rumor is if Painter leaves the front runner for the Purdue job is Linc Darner, current HC of Florida Southern and a former Purdue player.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by wade moore

From everything I know, I'd be pretty surprised if Taylor leaves for Wyoming. Really not sure that that is a step up, no offense.

No offense taken at all. I thought it was completely insane that he'd take their call. But it shows how delusional this AD is. They're idiots. I mean, if Georgia Tech had to hire a dude from Dayton, who do these goofballs think they're going to get to come to the hinterland happy to recruit and rebuild the program? They're failing to read the tealeaves nationally. Big. surprise.

Takes a special kind of person. The deal with Taylor was that he'd coached in the region before, so I think they were just pandering to this ridiculous idea that the only kind of coach that would be successful here is someone who understands how to live in this place. The reality is, they coach here have success and then get the hell out.

We'll see, but I have absolutely no faith he'll hire anyone worthwhile. The latest story is this JC coach who played here and won the national title this past year at Southern Idaho JC has risen up the list. I dunno if they're floating him simply to help him get a D1 assistant gig or something else, but there's a sector of folks who think they need a HC for whom "Wyoming is his dream job."

Ugh.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Saw an interesting tidbit about the Painter situation. Robbie Hummel has the option to transfer for grad school without sitting out a year should he choose to do so.

Mizzou has one scholarship offer that has not been vouched for thus far.



Also, a quote from Cuonzo Martin from his presser at Tennessee.....

During his introductory press conference today at Tennessee, Cuonzo Martin reportedly said he "definitely" knew the Purdue job might be opening before he accepted his new post in Knoxville.

"I love Purdue and always will," Martin said, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, "... but now I'm a Tennessee Vol."

Ouch. That doesn't bode well for Purdue given that Painter and Martin talk regularly.

[MrBug708]

Why is that an ouch?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Why is that an ouch?

He knew that his alma mater would likely have an opening and didn't think twice about taking another job where NCAA sanctions were a given? It would seem to confirm reports that Painter's and Martin's relationship with the AD is cool at best. Couple that with the Keady comments today that Painter wants to be somewhere where he can win championships and that the AD needs to step up to retain Painter. I think it's pretty clear this all pointing to a Painter move.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Fort Wayne News Sentinel writer Tom Davis says Painter will accept offer to become next Mizzou head coach. Purdue Assistant Lusk, who took his name out of consideration for a HC job last week, is the marked successor.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

He knew that his alma mater would likely have an opening and didn't think twice about taking another job where NCAA sanctions were a given? It would seem to confirm reports that Painter's and Martin's relationship with the AD is cool at best. Couple that with the Keady comments today that Painter wants to be somewhere where he can win championships and that the AD needs to step up to retain Painter. I think it's pretty clear this all pointing to a Painter move.

He said their might be an opening, which is true. Not sure how it's an ouch, unless he knows that Painter isn't leaving?

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Fort Wayne News Sentinel writer Tom Davis says Painter will accept offer to become next Mizzou head coach. Purdue Assistant Lusk, who took his name out of consideration for a HC job last week, is the marked successor.

Link?

[MrBug708]

Larry Drew has enrolled at UCLA. He will be a non-scholarship player for the coming year

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Link?

Posted an hour ago on the below feed. Tom Davis is the lead sports editor at Fort Wayne newspaper.

http://twitter.com/AJRisedorph/fort-wayne

Tom Davis Tom101010 Breaking: hearing painter taking mizzou. Lusk to succeed him.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Larry Drew has enrolled at UCLA. He will be a non-scholarship player for the coming year

My condolences.

[DeToxRox]

Apparently Painter to Mizzou for 7 years/14 mil.

EDIT: It's coming from Dick Weiss from the NY Daily News.

[jbergey22]

Wow, didnt see that one coming. My apologies MBBF as you were right about that all along.

[MrBug708]

Congrats to Missouri fans, probably their second best basketball coach ever, at worst. Poor Purdue fans, their coach just took a lateral move because their AD is cheap. 1.3 million only?

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Radii

My condolences.

UCLA needs to land a top notch PG. I'll take Rose please

[Radii]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

UCLA needs to land a top notch PG. I'll take Rose please

Drew might be halfway decent on the court but the way he left UNC points to severe character issues imo. For all my Drew bashing he seemed to have found a very useful niche as the backup PG to Marshall so maybe he'll be ok.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Congrats to Missouri fans, probably their second best basketball coach ever, at worst. Poor Purdue fans, their coach just took a lateral move because their AD is cheap. 1.3 million only?

If true, I'm estatic!

[MrBug708]

UCLA has two junior...soon to be senior PG's and nothing else. With Drew paying his way this year, UCLA can sell the keys to the team to anyone really. Drew would be nothing more than the backup. At this point, if he wants any chance at playing after UCLA, he needs to keep his head on straight. I do know that I dislike UCLA being UNC's AAA team with all of the SoCal kids

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Apparently Painter to Mizzou for 7 years/14 mil.

EDIT: It's coming from Dick Weiss from the NY Daily News.

FWIW.....I think the 'it's official' reports are a bit premature, but there's not much left other than a signature at this point. Alden will be flying down to Florida tomorrow with a contract to sign. Assuming he signs, presser on Wednesday.

I think the good friendship between Norm Stewart and Gene Keady played a big part in getting this thing moving. Keady contacted Norm earlier in the week for Painter to get Norm's opinion on the state of the program.

[MrBug708]

That would be odd because Keady spoke publicly about wanting Painter to stay since he was the handpicked successor

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

That would be odd because Keady spoke publicly about wanting Painter to stay since he was the handpicked successor

Yes, he did.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Saw these quotes posted from an 'insider' over at Tigerboard. Seems to jive with what I've heard of late, though the rumors of early courtship have to be a bit surprising. Evidently, Mike Anderson wasn't the only one mailing it in early......

So here's what I'm told:

Painter's had issues with the Purdue AD going back. He had to beg for two years before he was given a GA. (Mizzou has two Graduate Asisstants). I'm told he's had constant issue with facilities that were either not addressed or not addressed with any timeliness (specifically, he told many of the prized recruits who are now freshman that some of the issues with the training facilities would be addressed before they even got to the school, and those issues still linger at the end of their first year there.) Painter has become discouraged by what he feels is a commitment to competing, rather than a commitment to winning at Purdue.

There's a lot of money from folks not named Kroenke and Laurie flowing into Mizzou athletics....but new Nugget owner Josh Kroenke is said to be very interested in kicking back some love to the Alma Mater. These things, and the quality of MU's facilities, interest Painter. It should also be noted that apparently Friends Of Matt Painter contacted some Friends Of A Prominent Mizzou Booster perhaps as long as 3 months ago when it became apparent that Pelphrey might be out at Arkansas, to let them know that if Anderson went back to Fayetteville that Painter would be all ears.

Mizzou AD Mike Alden will meet with Matt Painter in Florida either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Painter should be heading to Houston for NABC meetings/get-togethers around Final Four time at some point as well; those meets end after Thursday, which is the timeframe by which MU would like this to be all done.

Starting to look very likely now; Mizzou would need an epic fail to miss out (and yes, they're very, very good at pulling defeat from the jaws of victory). If Mizzou misses out on Painter, it'll be the equivalent of Tyus Edney, Fifth Down, and the Husker Kick as far as "What the hell just happened?" territory. Put another way: this isn't "Mizzou to the Big Ten" stuff. The processes by which both schools handle the eventuality with as much deference and respect for one another are taking place.

Even if all/some of these tweets are premature (and I'm led to believe that they are, at least a little), we are now past the point of no return on Painter and Purdue. Don't see how he can go back.

[Swaggs]

Sounds like a good trade-up for Missouri.

Not sure either of Anderson or Painter are worth $2-million plus (when looking at where that rates among NCAA basketball coaches versus their achievements), but at the end of the day they are both pretty good coaches and an extra million here or there isn't really going to kill any competitive athletic department.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Got a chuckle out of this from the Knox News-Sentinel peanut gallery, where the natives are generally not happy with AD Mike Hamilton's choice for a new b'ball coach.

The only way Hamilton could be a bigger idiot would be to gain weight.

[Butter]

Not that anyone cares, but word on the University of Dayton boards is that the AD is out visiting St. Mary's College today to interview Randy Bennett.

Makes sense, as St. Mary's is a Catholic school, as is UD, and having success there already and knowing how a Catholic school works would give him a leg up here.

But Bennett already shot down Utah, so not sure if he is interested or not... but you would think that our AD going through the trouble to fly out there means that yes, he would be interested.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

OK, if there wasn't signs out of Purdue that Painter is gone before now, this should help with that. This is the letter that the AD staff sent out last night to their donors.

Translation: It's your fault that he's leaving. You didn't give enough money.

Embarrassing stuff.

Dear John Purdue Club Members:

Thanks for the outpouring of support for Matt Painter and for your concern for our Purdue men’s basketball program.

In an effort to allay many of your concerns and dispel much of the misinformation by “unnamed sources”, Athletics Director Morgan Burke has asked me to share with each of you that he is working diligently with President France Cordova and our Board of Trustees to ensure that Matt remains our head coach for many years to come.

Proactively they have made an investment in Matt that was communicated last evening, clearly reinforcing their continued commitment to him and to our championship program. They did not wait to counter anyone else’s offer. It is my hope that the words and actions of our President, our Board and Morgan will encourage Matt, Jerri and their family to remain with Purdue.

Personally, I have been overwhelmed with the number of e-mails pledging to join the John Purdue Club or increase support. Ironically, I believe we would not be in this situation had more than 11% of our current membership participated in the Mackey Challenge and more than 150 of our nearly 9,000 members recruited at least one new member. More of the Big Ten television revenues could have been allocated for compensation for the basketball coaching staff members and less toward the critical path of updating Mackey Arena.

As a self-supporting university auxiliary, we can spend only what we raise, so everyone’s participation will ensure that we retain Matt and provide championship-quality experiences for every single one of our Boilermaker student-athletes.

Thanks for your continued loyal support and passionate commitment….stay tuned!

BOILER UP, HAMMER DOWN, and HAIL PURDUE!


Nancy L. Cross
Sr. Associate Athletics Director-Development and Sports

[Logan]

I admittedly don't know anything about their financial situation, but I'm not sure that's embarrassing. Rutgers is in a shitty financial situation. When money was needed to bump Schiano's salary, or to pay for new assistants this past year, donors were the ones footing the bill.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Logan

I admittedly don't know anything about their financial situation, but I'm not sure that's embarrassing. Rutgers is in a shitty financial situation. When money was needed to bump Schiano's salary, or to pay for new assistants this past year, donors were the ones footing the bill.

When you're an AD under fire and about to see a former BB player leave his university for another job, that's the last time you should be taking jabs at your donors. Reportedly, the flood of e-mails to the AD office yesterday pale in comparison to the e-mail flood the chancellor has received this morning asking the AD to be fired over that e-mail. He's going to be lucky to survive this mess he's created.

KC radio station reporting that Matt Painter will be flying to Columbia with Mike Alden on return flight. The flightaware.com watch has started already.

FlightAware > N51FT > 29-Mar-2011 > KMCO-KJEF

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Logan

I admittedly don't know anything about their financial situation, but I'm not sure that's embarrassing. Rutgers is in a shitty financial situation. When money was needed to bump Schiano's salary, or to pay for new assistants this past year, donors were the ones footing the bill.

Yeah, it's pretty much standard operating procedure, though this one could have maybe been worded a little less harshly. I get letters similar to this from the schools I support frequently. Heck, I gave $50 to the Auburn Letterman's Club when my grandfather passed away several years ago (he played football there in the late 30s), and I get constant crying poor pleas from them, most recently to Save the Trees.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like Alden is still in Florida talking with Painter. Original flight plan was scrapped per FlightAware.com.

[cartman]

Alden is flying back to Mizzou without Painter. Assembled media at the airport told "not to read too much into that". Ouch.

Before Alden’s plane ever took off, MU officials called reporters who had assembled at Jefferson City Memorial Airport to warn them of two things — that Painter would not be on that airplane, and not to read anything into that in either a positive or negative fashion.

Painter will wait to make decision between MU, Purdue - KansasCity.com