RUMORS: Shaka Smart to Marquette? (and other Coach moves)

rjsuperfly66 · Unread post by **rjsuperfly66** » 10 years ago

Seawrightspostgame wrote: That is probably the best thing to have if your team is not very good.

+1. It's why I never got why people were so upset Munford missed all-A10 teams. Snub? To some yes. But what does it matter? All-conference teams tend to be a celebration of team success as much as individual. Especially in the case of a senior, one who finsihed his career 8-26 in conference games, what is there to really celebrate? All-freshmen gives you hope for the future, that you have promising pieces to build around for up to 3 more years. Means URI is maybe 2 players away from getting a consistent, tourney-potential team, IMHO.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

It matters to us. URI FANS.
We watched a hard working kid come here and do everything he was asked to do.
That the team was not equal to his ablity is no fault of his.
Getting honors was recognition for what he did, not what his team didn't do.
So, why were PC fans pissed that Cotton didn't make All American?

rjsuperfly66 · Unread post by **rjsuperfly66** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:It matters to us. URI FANS.
We watched a hard working kid come here and do everything he was asked to do.
That the team was not equal to his ablity is no fault of his.
Getting honors was recognition for what he did, not what his team didn't do.
So, why were PC fans pissed that Cotton didn't make All American?

Because Cotton put a team on his back, and nearly won them a game in the NCAA Tournament by himself, as well as many other occurances in having to come up clutch to win games throughout the season.

And I'm just saying, if on a mediocre team I told you could either have: a) Matthews be all-freshman or b) Munford be 1st team all A10 this year, which would you choose? I'll take the kid, or two, every single time, and twice on Sunday. Experienced players who put up numbers on bad teams, I'm sorry I could care less about.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

I want both. Our players, our thoughts.
I've read the remarks on you board about, how could we be so in love
with X?
You can't understand it? Well we do.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

rjsuperfly66 wrote:
rodfromcranston wrote:It matters to us. URI FANS.
We watched a hard working kid come here and do everything he was asked to do.
That the team was not equal to his ablity is no fault of his.
Getting honors was recognition for what he did, not what his team didn't do.
So, why were PC fans pissed that Cotton didn't make All American?
Because Cotton put a team on his back, and nearly won them a game in the NCAA Tournament by himself, as well as many other occurances in having to come up clutch to win games throughout the season.

And I'm just saying, if on a mediocre team I told you could either have: a) Matthews be all-freshman or b) Munford be 1st team all A10 this year, which would you choose? I'll take the kid, or two, every single time, and twice on Sunday. Experienced players who put up numbers on bad teams, I'm sorry I could care less about.

Obviously that is a false choice, though. In no way was it one or the other. We couldn't be more proud and excited for what EC accomplished this year. That doesn't mean that we can't think X got screwed and want the kid to get recognized because we think he deserves it.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 10 years ago

Looks like the PC guy is just trying to take a shot at x.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

The bottom line was, X was our best player for the better part of two years.

GY=URI · Unread post by **GY=URI** » 10 years ago

URI for the last 15 years had many player that came into the program and left no better than they came in. Player development has been poor to non existing.
I have gone to first games for all those years and came out thinking, wow we have potential.
X is another victim. Finally this year I have hope because Matthews and Martin have improved game to game.
I am hoping that the over complex play calling will not destroy their progress. 40 play in one game against UMASS!! are you kidding me?

McRam · Unread post by **McRam** » 10 years ago

GY=URI wrote:URI for the last 15 years had many player that came into the program and left no better than they came in. Player development has been poor to non existing.
I have gone to first games for all those years and came out thinking, wow we have potential.
X is another victim. Finally this year I have hope because Matthews and Martin have improved game to game.
I am hoping that the over complex play calling will not destroy their progress. 40 play in one game against UMASS!! are you kidding me?

No not kidding. Do you mean if we had less plays and more adlib, the results would have been better?

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Slightly OT, if anyone has HBO on Demand, there's a really
interesting film called Prayer for a Perfect Season.
It's about St. Patrick's High basketball's 2010-11 season.
They had Michael Kidd-Gichrist, and Derrick Gordon.
Great look at the inside of a big time high school program in NJ.
Dan Hurley does some commentary near the beginning of the film,
and a bit near the end, and lots of Bob Sr.
Both St. Patricks and St. Anthony's went into their playoff game that year,
undefeated, numbers one and two nationally.
Hurley always stops the other team's big scorer. He did it to Kobe, and in this game, held
Gilchrist to 7 point, and beat St. Pat's with a 23-8 blitz at the end of the game.
Lots of F-bombs from Kevin Boyle, who was St. Patrick's coach.
Loads of interesting look ins on the players and families.
Good take for any basketball junkies out there.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Interesting Rod, I'll have to find that. I should have access to it. Sounds like a nice hoops fix during the offseason.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 10 years ago

That team also had Kyrie Irving on it the year before, I believe. Kind of a little stacked.

GY=URI · Unread post by **GY=URI** » 10 years ago

I se indecision due to confusion caused by to many options. Division I basketball is tough fast paced play.
I am not a coach but I watch a lot of basketball and enjoy good play that pays off.
Plays only work if they are done well by each player. Why bother with different plays if they break down
because of a poorly set pick or poor timing. I suggest less plays perfectly excecuted .
How many games did wee lose at the last second due to poorly played play.
Repetition makes perfection. How can you work on repetition 40 times? Not enough time available.
I would also like to see more fun in player morale , kids need to have fun.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

It's like when a team brings in a new QB in football.
They make the playbook simplified so they can have better execution on fewer
plays.
I've heard announcers say how many plays we have. So what?
Non-execution of 8 gazillion plays doesn't help anyone.
Considering that we had no point guard for much of the year, made it look
even worse.
Dumbing it down a bit, might be a better thing for everyone.

GY=URI · Unread post by **GY=URI** » 10 years ago

John Wooden story holds the key. Granted they had Jabbar,and Walton, but the supporting team knew exactly what to do down to the last player on the bench.
We had Green and Clay , not as good as Jabbar and Walton but a supporting team that made it happen and they had specific talent that was well used to form a team.

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

I think the entire system is a work in progress.

We saw major improvement in our half court offense toward the end of last season. We still struggled in execution at the end of games, but that should get better with a pure PG [Garrett] and EC gaining experience in that role too.

More bodies, more talent should mean better results.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Maine axed Coach Ted Woodward today. It appears that the recent transfers of players was the last straw. Woodward was never particularly successful having had only one winning season during ten years in Orono. Woodward, who grew up in South County, is the grandson of former URI President Carl Woodward and son of URI hoops historian and author Bill Woodward.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Pretty wild, when Maine buys out someone's contract.
So, how does Steve Lavin keep his job, in light of all the people
leaving St. John's?

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

When the pressure to win, has even reached Orono, Maine, it just goes to show how tough this here game of college basketball is becoming.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Pretty wild, when Maine buys out someone's contract.
So, how does Steve Lavin keep his job, in light of all the people
leaving St. John's?

He wasn't paid much (approx 100k/yr). According to the Portland Press Herald, Woodward had two years left on his contract, but the buyout will cost the university only 13 months of salary, or $113,800.

Many of their fans have wanted him out for some time and Maine's largest newspaper called for his ouster just yesterday.

http://www.pressherald.com/sports/UMain ... _ways.html

http://www.pressherald.com/sports/Steve ... ball_.html

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:So, how does Steve Lavin keep his job, in light of all the people
leaving St. John's?

If the buyout for Lavin was equal to the 113k Maine has to pay out Woodward, Lavin would be gone.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 10 years ago

Cuonzo Martin to Cal.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

Cal is not as good as the Marquette job.....

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Berkeley, CA is wayyyy better than Milwaukee, WI.
Cal is a better school in a better conference.
Now, Cooley to Tennessee? LOL!

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

I was just being facetious Rod.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Sure, a perrenial bottom feeder is a power conference is a better job than a school that has been to the NCAAs 8 straight years.

Priceless

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 10 years ago

seanmc94 wrote:Sure, a perrenial bottom feeder is a power conference is a better job than a school that has been to the NCAAs 8 straight years.

Priceless

The choice was his.
Has he announced/given his reasons?????
It certainly couldn't be Fox $$$$$$$$$$$.

3wisemen · Unread post by **3wisemen** » 10 years ago

seanmc94 wrote:Sure, a perrenial bottom feeder is a power conference is a better job than a school that has been to the NCAAs 8 straight years.

Priceless

Hate to break it to you Sean, but Buzz Williams certainly thought so.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

1. V tech is slightly better than Cal over the last decade
2. ACC is the premiere bball conference
3. Buzz left mainly over concerns over the way he would be allowed to recruit

3wisemen · Unread post by **3wisemen** » 10 years ago

seanmc94 wrote:1. V tech is slightly better than Cal over the last decade
2. ACC is the premiere bball conference
3. Buzz left mainly over concerns over the way he would be allowed to recruit

1. Virginia Tech has made one NCAA appearance since 1996. Cal has made nine, including four since 2009. That's not even close. And it's a hell of a long way from being a 'bottom feeder.'
2. The Pac-12 put three teams in the Sweet 16 this year. The ACC had one -- less than the American, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and equal to the Atlantic 10 and Mountain West. Small sample size, yes, but that's what recruits see. They all want to play in the NCAAs and the NBA.
3. Elite programs allow coaches to do as they see fit so long as they don't get the university in trouble. Marquette and Buzz Williams weren't a good marriage much like Tennessee and Cuonzo Martin. But all factors being equal, Williams did leave what is supposed to be one of the flagships of the new Big East for a worse program.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

thanks for the levity 3wisemen, nothing like some facts to offset the ignorant opinions of a BE towel boy. the bottom feeder comment was priceless.

Jason Kidd > Vander Blue

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 10 years ago

3wisemen rocks. Power packed posts!!

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Bar,

Buy a clue. Jason Kidd left Cal in the 90s. He's not walking through that door. Neither are Tony G or Sharif abdur Rahim. Learn to read.

Also,

Anyone who denies that the ACC isn't the gold standard in college hoops is an IDIOT.

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

anyone who says Va Tech is a better gig than Cal and then is proven to be wildly wrong with facts is likely a PC grad. why didnt you comment on the gross discrepancy in NCAA appearances between the two schools? the difference between Va Tech and Cal is far greater than the difference between the Pac10 and ACC. but dont let cold hard facts get in the way of your one way opinions.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Let's look at the thread:

I said: Marquette is a better job than Cal-correct
V tech is a better job than Cal- wrong
ACC is the top bball conference- correct
Buzz left for differences with the admin-correct

3/4 ain't bad. You would give your eye teeth for that kind of proclivity.
Keep up the; "yeah, what he said posts".
Pretty much all you bring to the table.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 10 years ago

Uh oh little Sean must have had a bad day. He's back to teach us all a lesson again!

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

i forgot more about the game than your nickle dime ass would ever know. keep reaching water boy.

PS if marquette was such a plum gig why did they have to settle for a guy who's never coached a game in his life? i love watching people hang themselves by their own stupidity.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Just curious, how many games did Kevin Ollie coach before he was handed the keys in Storrs?
How'd that work out?

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

totally apples to apples with that comparison. ya got me there. NOT.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

You're right. Wojo is a former star guard at a blue blood program who has been the right hand of a HOFer for years. No comparison at all. Don't misinterpret. I'm not saying wojo is going to win the national championship; but I would be shocked if he doesn't have success.

rhodylaw · Unread post by **rhodylaw** » 10 years ago

Ollie sat next to Calhoun I stores for years. He knew the lay of the land. Much easier transition. Wojo will find it harder to recruit to Marquette.

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 10 years ago

Sean cannot see the difference.....he sees what he wants to see in these windmills.....

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 10 years ago

Wojo was a glorified role player and gamer, who was a Dickie V overhyped guard bc he played for Duke. Nice player but please do not call him a star.
Ollie played 11 years in the league for multiple HOF coaches, was a star at UConn who was pretty much groomed for the job by Calhoun. The only similarity is that they were both assistant coaches. You can see it however you would like, but basketball experts all agreed between playing for Calhoun to his longevity and experience in the NBA to the season he sat as coach-in-residence that Ollie was poised for quick success. "Former Duke assistant" has not translated to big time success yet, we will see if Wojo bucks that trend. He probably should start by preventing all of his Top 100 recruits from walking out the door. He is 0 for 2 on that.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Not to mention, Ollie walked into a staff with former D-1 head coaches
on it, to help him through the transition.
Wojo has no such makeup on his staff at MU.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Wojo was an honorable mention AA and starting PG on the most recognizable team in college hoops.
Ill restate for those with reading comprehension problems. I don't think he's going to win a championship; but I think he will succeed at Marquette

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 10 years ago

Maybe so, Sean, maybe so. And maybe not.

Marquette has one of the biggest BB budgets in the country, Fox money or no Fox money.

However, having big money doesn't always translate to big success. Hiring the right people does that.

Check out Oklahoma State and Indiana lately.

So, we'll see.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 10 years ago

Isn't Marquette the same school that Rick Majerus (who would later lead a non power conference team to the Final-4) coached at and wasn't able to get them to the desired level? Seemed he did better in subsequent jobs at Utah and St. Louis. I guess it isn't always a given that a coach will find success at Marquette. I believe Bob Dukiet would have agreed.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Tom Crean and buzz Williams would disagree. So would Kevin oneil

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 10 years ago

Sorry Sean. We have more pressing matters going on than this.

seanmc94 · Unread post by **seanmc94** » 10 years ago

Then don't respond