Official 2010-11 College Basketball Thread

[JPhillips]

But out of this:

When George Mason made the Final Four in 2006, a study conducted by one of the school’s professors estimated the school reaped more than $677 million in free media coverage. Also, admissions inquiries rose 350 percent, active alumni increased 25 percent and unique viewers to the official athletic department web site shot up 702 percent.

Only the increase in active alumni equals new revenue.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's both simpler than that & deeper than that: they drive the desire for students to attend School X. And in some cases the general public's willingness to fund School X at Level Y. And can even elevate the profile of the school for graduates.



1/10th of his $2.25m salary (bonuses & endorsement not withstanding) is matched by nearly 60 employees at the University of Georgia, including 21 professors and 1 associate professor, as well as 10 department chairs.

Open.Georgia.gov

I was looking at the higher amount quoted above(I guess it includes a bonus).

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Not to get too far off topic, but I find it outrageous that a large number of professor's at my University make ~$150K+ and teach 3-6 hours a week (and get Summers off or more compensation to teach over the Summer AND get paid sabaticals every 4-years).

I know some of them bring in humungous grants and advise and write/publish and sit on numerous committees, but the University system is far more broken than most athletic departments (again in my opinion). To me, there is no reason why most professors cannot teach 12-15 hours a semester without killing themselves.

I do 12 with a course release for directing a theatre production. If you're really engaged with the courses and grading a lot of writing that's a serious load. I'd guess I do a 3-5 hours a week on meetings, 9 on classes, 18 for rehearsals, 3-6 meeting with students, and up to 10 or so grading. It's not coal mining, but it isn't a free ride either.

edit: and another 5-10 on reading and lecture prep.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

To be fair, sabbaticals are usually time when they'll write a book or engage in some research. They aren't teaching, but the rockstar professor world has a very similar affect in academia that sports does to the general public.

I agree there are some pretty egregious abuses in higher ed and also that tuition has gone through the roof, that adjuncts work way too hard for too little and all that...but I don't think professors not working hard enough is really the biggest issue by and large.

My post may be a little harsh in tone and I don't mean to suggest that they do not work hard.

I have had the contrast of attending a large, state university and a small, more liberal arts school and I was shocked to have the same professor for 4 courses during my first semester at the small school. If budgets are truly in such a bind, I don't see where it would kill a professor to go from teaching 6 hours a semester to teaching 12 hours (to, say, keep from having to add another instructor and all the costs involved with it). It would probably never happen that way, as the norm is to teach 6 hours a semester and it would be tough to sell "double" the work after so long at the normal level.

In any case, my main point is more that I feel much worse for workers in literally hundreds of other types of professions when contrasting them with coaches (or professional athletes or movie stars, etc.) than I do for professors (who I feel are very well compensated, at large universities at least).

And that is wildly off tangent and far and away from what JPhillips was getting at, so I apoligize for the major threadjacking.

My main point

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Only the increase in active alumni equals new revenue.

But that statement discounts any short-term increase by existing donors (due to increased enthusiasm, etc) as well as the longer term increase by attracting a wider field of applicants which brings the opportunity to be more selective & in theory produce a more successful & therefore more lucrative future alumni base.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

But that statement discounts any short-term increase by existing donors (due to increased enthusiasm, etc) as well as the longer term increase by attracting a wider field of applicants which brings the opportunity to be more selective & in theory produce a more successful & therefore more lucrative future alumni base.

Agreed, but it's hard to measure any real influence of coaching salaries. Of course with Butler and VCU the salary is small potatoes compared to large state schools.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Agreed, but it's hard to measure any real influence of coaching salaries. Of course with Butler and VCU the salary is small potatoes compared to large state schools.

But is it smaller in proportion to the school's budget? And how relevant is that proportion to the discussion?

(See, I don't automatically have an answer for everything ... just most things )

[Butter]

Volquez pitching a gem in the first. Back-to-back homers for Milwaukee to start the year.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Volquez pitching a gem in the first. Back-to-back homers for Milwaukee to start the year.

Does this help or hurt his chances with Mizzou?

[molson]

I am intrigued by the concept that big time college athletics should be separate corporate entities, associated with universities. Though, I wonder if that would actually take a lot of money out of schools. There's a lot of numbers flying around and it seems impossible to really get a handle on it, but the American marriage of higher education and billion dollar pseudo-professional athletics is really bizarre to say the least, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if that arrangement blew up at some point down the road.

[Warhammer]

I can't understand why anyone like OU would want Weber. I liked what he did at SIU, but he never got things rolling at UofI.

[Lathum]

Well crap

Washington's Thomas entering NBA Draft - CBSSports.com

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Does this help or hurt his chances with Mizzou?

I expect him to be the next coach there largely thanks to his performance today.

[mauchow]

Photo Story: Starring Matt Painter, Purdue Pete, and Brad Stevens - "Ever Faithful, Ever Two"

[DataKing]

Originally Posted by mauboy1

Photo Story: Starring Matt Painter, Purdue Pete, and Brad Stevens - "Ever Faithful, Ever Two"

Awesome.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

A few things wrong here. I doubt that Stevens was offered 3 million dollars, that would have been more than Chip Kelly was making at Oregon last offseason, coming off a PAC-10 title season.

I think the IMG hire was made for when he leaves, not to stick around longer. It's not like Butler has a never ending source of revenue to find ways to keep paying Stevens.

I guess the one thing here is that if Stevens goal was to find a better job, he couldn't have imagined being any hotter than he was last year. The guy had taken a mid-major to within a shot of a National Championship. There is no way in his mind did he think he could repeat a trip to the Final Four no matter who he had on that roster. It's just so difficult to do even at a power school with superstar recruits.

So I feel like if Stevens didn't leave then, I don't see why he would leave now. And I hope he doesn't. I like to see guys build their own legacies and their own powerhouse programs. Instead of being just the next hot coach to take a school at a power conference school for a few years, he can be Butler basketball. The guy you think of when you think of that school.

And it's not like Butler is in a bad spot. They've been able to recruit fairly well and are pretty well known. Being the Gonzaga of the Midwest isn't a bad thing. I'm sure they'll continue to get major schools to play them, even at home. And they do play in one of the coolest arenas in all of sports.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Well crap

Washington's Thomas entering NBA Draft - CBSSports.com

I think IT is probably making a mistake - with a lot of hard work on his shooting, he could probably go from a guy with a slim chance of moving in to the 1st round to being a definite mid to late 1st rounder. And there's no question it's a significant loss for the Huskies.

That said, it's doubtful he'd have improved his draft stock much by sticking around; he would return to being more of a 2-guard with the UW next year with Gaddy healthy and Wroten joining the team, and what got him on the NBA radar this year was his very good run as the PG in Gaddy's absence. NBA scouts can see potential at PG for IT right now, and it's possible that view might fade if he were to return to the Huskies next year and go back to being primarily an off guard.

Kudos to his UW career though - a winner, and a really likable kid that bleeds purple and gold.

[RainMaker]

Yeah, pretty stupid move on his part. I'd rather have another year of fun college ball being the star than playing in the NBDL. Don't understand the fascination with leaving early unless you're a guaranteed first rounder with a guaranted contract.

[Lathum]

I agree with Dawgfan, his stock will never be higher. I'm just going to miss seeing him play. He was a great kid and represented the program well. Most of the country didn't see him play consistently so they only see 5'8 pointguard, but he is a really creative player who I think will help some NBA team.

[Logan]

I ask this seriously...what's up with Mizzou now?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Logan

I ask this seriously...what's up with Mizzou now?

I can only guess they are waiting to make a run at Shaka, but I don't have an double secret inside sources or anything.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Logan

I ask this seriously...what's up with Mizzou now?

They're going to do things WAY under the radar going forward in regards to coaching search. Can't afford another near-miss like Painter. Stevens and Smart are the top targets. KC Radio said that Smart leaving VCU is a virtual certainty given the offers he'll shortly be considering from NC State and Missouri.

After that, there's a large variety of secondary options.

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by Logan

I ask this seriously...what's up with Mizzou now?

Phil Jackson has always said his dream job is Mizzou.

[the_meanstrosity]

It's not official, but rumors are Lon Kruger is leaving UNLV for Oklahoma. Nice addition to the Big 12 if true. We'll see if it ends up being true or not as Kruger has stated previously he had no intentions of leaving UNLV this year.

Sources: Oklahoma expected to name Lon Kruger men's basketball coach

[Young Drachma]

Speaking of MWC conference jobs, Wyoming hired Florida associate head coach Larry Shyatt yesterday. He's 60, so most figure he'll do it a while and then turn it over to his son. He had one successful season cleaning up someone else's mess before heading to Clemson.

Fan response is mixed. Most realize it's one of the worst jobs in the country from a recruiting standpoint and figure that if he was the best they could do and that he's been with Donovan winning titles that it was okay and the rest thinking it's sort of absurd that they rehired a guy who was only here a year and was involved in litigation with the school after he left.

Back in the saddle | Laramie Boomerang | Laramie, Wyoming

I think he'll struggle. But the "best" case scenario here unfortunately is one of those "head coach in waiting" deals where he does it for five years, then his son who was an assistant at North Florida and is coming with him takes over.

Bleh.

They're paying him $190k base, but total compensation is about $650k. Just to give an idea of what the worst job in the MWC pays.

Finally, UCLA fans..who is Scott Duncan? I guess he's coming to join the staff.

UCLA basketball: Assistant coach Scott Duncan leaving for Wyoming | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

[Young Drachma]

SLAM ONLINE | » Tossed Aside

[MrBug708]

I can't think of anything noteworthy that Scott Duncan did. I'm sure he'll be ok, but most UCLA fans aren't sad to see him go

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Phil Jackson has always said his dream job is Mizzou.

He would need a stocked roster for that to happen.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by the_meanstrosity

It's not official, but rumors are Lon Kruger is leaving UNLV for Oklahoma. Nice addition to the Big 12 if true. We'll see if it ends up being true or not as Kruger has stated previously he had no intentions of leaving UNLV this year.

Sources: Oklahoma expected to name Lon Kruger men's basketball coach

Not as sexy of a hire as some OU faithful wanted, but I think it's a good hire. The guy can coach.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

SLAM ONLINE | » Tossed Aside

Better is the NYT story on the same guy. It's the one that reveals the motivation for this -- He said, after interviews with The New York Times, that he would demand to be paid for any other media interviews. -- and further diminishes whatever shred of credibility this guy might have had left (after attending 5 HS's in 4 years trying to stay eligible).

As UConn Plays On, Prized Recruit Nate Miles Flounders - NYTimes.com

He makes Charlie Sheen look reliable.

[MrBug708]

I'm disappointed at the lack of Mizzou BB fan posts

[Young Drachma]

 

I guess if they're gonna move, better now than to wait for the kid to arrive?

[Izulde]

It's official. Kruger's going to Oklahoma. Shit.

UNLV's Lon Kruger agrees to seven-year deal at OU - NCAA Basketball - SI.com

[Izulde]

dola,

Dave Rice and Reggie Theus, former UNLV Rebels, are the leading candidates right now. I think Theus would be an intriguing choice.

I also have some faith in the AD, who made a home run hire (pun slightly intended) with the new baseball coach IMO.

[Izulde]

So, who's the odds-on favorite for Kruger's job? - Las Vegas Sun

Only in Las Vegas can you bet on the basketball team's replacement coach.

[sterlingice]

Vegas seems like such a unique city. And definitely one I need to visit

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Vegas seems like such a unique city. And definitely one I need to visit

Most wonderfully marvelously unique place I've ever been.

Obligatory disclaimer: Of course, being there as a vacation (or even a working business trip) is different than living there every day.

But if I were ever to suddenly become idle rich, I'd pay somebody to pack my shit & send it to me, 'cause my ass would be in LV as fast as the next flight could get me there & I'd spend the trip on an airphone lining up meetings with real estate agents

[Izulde]

One of the worst healthcare systems in the country, though.

[MrBug708]

Steve Alford to Missouri?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Steve Alford to Missouri?

He's asked repeatedly to be considered via his agent. Your post is a perfect example of how agents use the internet to develop 'interest' where there is none. Mizzou is not interested.

[MrBug708]

He'd be a good candidate for a school like Missouri

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

He's asked repeatedly to be considered via his agent. Your post is a perfect example of how agents use the internet to develop 'interest' where there is none. Mizzou is not interested.

Should take a couple days, so anyone who wants to see Alford throw out the first pitch:

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St Louis Cardinals [4/6/2011] Tickets at StubHub!

[Izulde]

Dave Rice and Reggie Theus are still the frontrunners for UNLV, but Mike Dunlap is also in play now.

Notebook: UNLV AD Jim Livengood's coaching search heats up in Houston - Las Vegas Sun

I found it interesting that Larry Johnson wants in, but I agree with the article he's best suited as an assistant. I'm still pulling really hard for Theus, personally. I understand what they're going for with Rice and the pipeline to Bishop Gorman, but to me Theus is the much better overall option.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

He'd be a good candidate for a school like Missouri

If by good candidate, you mean not even under consideration due to alumni backlash that would likely remove Alden from the AD post for making a brutal hire, then you are correct.

[MrBug708]

I dont think he's a great coach, but I doubt Missouri will get a coach with a better set of credentials (1 losing season since 1991)

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I dont think he's a great coach, but I doubt Missouri will get a coach with a better set of credentials (1 losing season since 1991)

HAHAHA!

Mizzou is the Duke of the midwest. They can get whoever they want.

Unless that whoever is Mike Anderson.

Or Curtis Painter.

[mauchow]

matt painter

[Radii]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

HAHAHA!

Mizzou is the Duke of the midwest. They can get whoever they want.

Unless that whoever is Mike Anderson.

Or Curtis Painter.

Mike Anderson not a good coach, they're lucky they got rid of him, come on keep up!!

[MizzouRah]

I do NOT want Curtis Painter!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Mizzou has officially received permission from VCU to negotiatate with Shaka Smart.