Gophers want Shaka Smart

cjcastan · Feb 13, 2013, 06:20 AM

Souhan: If Tubby can't turn this around, it's time to get Smart

Quote:

If the Gophers basketball coach can't drag his most talented team back to .500 and make his program presentable for the NCAA tournament selectors, athletic director Norwood Teague should buy him out and lure VCU coach Shaka Smart to The Barn.

Unless Teague has pictures of Smart murdering someone, I really really doubt this happens.

illini ri0t · Feb 13, 2013, 06:30 AM

why does minnesota think that they are the only team that is immune to losing streaks in the B1G?

Every team has suffered consecutive losses. Hell, look at michigan and ohio state currently standing at 2 losses. Maybe minny should join the SEC or C-USA where they may have a better chance at winning.

quhawks12 · Feb 13, 2013, 06:46 AM

Teague hired Smart at VCU. I'd say there they have a real shot at him based on that relationship alone.

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini ri0t

why does minnesota think that they are the only team that is immune to losing streaks in the B1G?

Every team has suffered consecutive losses. Hell, look at michigan and ohio state currently standing at 2 losses. Maybe minny should join the SEC or C-USA where they may have a better chance at winning.

But Minnesota does this every year. They start off looking good and then crumble in the Big Ten season and find a way to finish below .500 in conference. Tubby Smith has done an absolutely mediocre job at Minny. I don't even know if he's one of the 10 best coaches in the conference.

illini ri0t · Feb 13, 2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

But Minnesota does this every year. They start off looking good and then crumble in the Big Ten season and find a way to finish below .500 in conference. Tubby Smith has done an absolutely mediocre job at Minny. I don't even know if he's one of the 10 best coaches in the conference.

Good point. Minny doesn't have the top flight recruits coming in and out like some of the other teams in the B1G. Talent makes a difference.

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quhawks12

Teague hired Smart at VCU. I'd say there they have a real shot at him based on that relationship alone.

But I'm guessing Smart didn't take the VCU job because of Teague. He probably took it because it was his best job offer at the time. This off-season, Minnesota will likely not be his best job offer. If it is, he'll just hold out for something better -- just like he did last year.

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini ri0t

Good point. Minny doesn't have the top flight recruits coming in and out like some of the other teams in the B1G. Talent makes a difference.

True, true.

cjcastan · Feb 13, 2013, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quhawks12

Teague hired Smart at VCU. I'd say there they have a real shot at him based on that relationship alone.

He's turned down Maryland and NC State and some other B1G team.

But yes to a team who hasn't officially won a NCAA tourney game since 1990?

MD and NC State are National Championship winning programs in talent rich areas.

Dunno man, with as brutal as the B1G is now and will be considering the gauntlet of opposing coaches a coach would face.

You would suppose one at least would want to go to a team where you have some built in advantages like a mammoth money churning football program or a talent laden recruiting breadbasket, neither of which Minny has.

quhawks12 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

But I'm guessing Smart didn't take the VCU job because of Teague. He probably took it because it was his best job offer at the time. This off-season, Minnesota will likely not be his best job offer. If it is, he'll just hold out for something better -- just like he did last year.

I didn't say he would take the job. I said they have a real shot at getting him because of that relationship. Personally, I think he goes to UCLA.

Botb9 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:09 AM

Did Souhan tear any ligaments from that knee-jerk reaction?

CaptainHindsight · Feb 13, 2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botb9

Did Souhan tear any ligaments from that knee-jerk reaction?

:laugh:

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quhawks12

I didn't say he would take the job. I said they have a real shot at getting him because of that relationship. Personally, I think he goes to UCLA.

Ucla sounds like a real possibility. I think UConn could have a shot too. They currently have an interim coach who's just doing so-so, right?

quhawks12 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

Ucla sounds like a real possibility. I think UConn could have a shot too. They currently have an interim coach who's just doing so-so, right?

Ollie got a contract extension earlier in the season.

cjcastan · Feb 13, 2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

Ucla sounds like a real possibility. I think UConn could have a shot too. They currently have an interim coach who's just doing so-so, right?

UConn is out. Ollie just got reupped for 5 more years. Plus Calhoun still has an office there.

I'd bet he goes to UCLA this offseason. That would be the best job becoming open since UK or IU.

illini ri0t · Feb 13, 2013, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcastan

UConn is out. Ollie just got reupped for 5 more years. Plus Calhoun still has an office there.

I'd bet he goes to UCLA this offseason. That would be the best job becoming open since UK or IU.

It's no secret that Smart is waiting for a job at a "historic" program. UCLA fits that mold.

Cool Hand Luke · Feb 13, 2013, 07:44 AM

I believe Mizzou is going to make a hard push for Smart if they decide Haith is more trouble than he's worth.

But I am speculating wildly.

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

I believe Mizzou is going to make a hard push for Smart if they decide Haith is more trouble than he's worth.

But I am speculating wildly.

Shaka Smart going to Missouri: my worst nightmare.

FinalFour88 · Feb 13, 2013, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcastan

UConn is out. Ollie just got reupped for 5 more years. Plus Calhoun still has an office there.

I'd bet he goes to UCLA this offseason. That would be the best job becoming open since UK or IU.

Does a Ben Howland dismissal seem eminent? Sorry, I haven't been following other conferences, evidenced by my UConn comment above.

justsomedude · Feb 13, 2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjcastan

He's turned down Maryland and NC State and some other B1G team.

But yes to a team who hasn't officially won a NCAA tourney game since 1990?

MD and NC State are National Championship winning programs in talent rich areas.

Dunno man, with as brutal as the B1G is now and will be considering the gauntlet of opposing coaches a coach would face.

You would suppose one at least would want to go to a team where you have some built in advantages like a mammoth money churning football program or a talent laden recruiting breadbasket, neither of which Minny has.

There is one other potential advantage to Minny, it's in an urban area where his wife could still practice her business.

Not saying it would happen, but Teague and the "city" atmosphere are two cards we didn't have, despite being a better job.

aberger · Feb 13, 2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalFour88

But I'm guessing Smart didn't take the VCU job because of Teague. He probably took it because it was his best job offer at the time. This off-season, Minnesota will likely not be his best job offer. If it is, he'll just hold out for something better -- just like he did last year.

If he is holding out for a better job then Illinois, good luck to him.

aberger · Feb 13, 2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke

I believe Mizzou is going to make a hard push for Smart if they decide Haith is more trouble than he's worth.

But I am speculating wildly.

The rule to show cause against Haith pretty much guarantees he will be gone after this season.

zpfled · Feb 13, 2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsomedude

There is one other potential advantage to Minny, it's in an urban area where his wife could still practice her business.

Not saying it would happen, but Teague and the "city" atmosphere are two cards we didn't have, despite being a better job.

And Minnesota's recruiting base is not heavily dependent on Chicago, which IIRC Smart was hesitant about tackling.

cjcastan · Feb 13, 2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zpfled

And Minnesota's recruiting base is not heavily dependent on Chicago, which IIRC Smart was hesitant about tackling.

More talent comes from outside the chicago metro area in Illinois than in the state of Minnesota as a whole.

Cribbed this from gopherhole from GophersinIowa

Quote:

Talent is better in MN than ever before but it is no where near Illinois, Indiana, or Michigan. I just looked back at the last three years Rivals Top 150 list. In those three years, just one MN player (Joe Coleman) was on the list. In that same period, Illinois had 20, Indiana 19, Michigan 14, Wisconsin 12, Iowa 4, Nebraska 2, and Ohio 2. Yes, next year will be a big year in talent for the state but still nowhere near the top three. I was surprised Wisconsin had so many the past few years.

I'm also guessing the LA AAU scene would be just a seedy as Chi-town. Read "Play their hearts out" by Dohrmann

Didn't Mizzou already get turned down by Shaka then moved to Painter?

justsomedude · Feb 13, 2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aberger

If he is holding out for a better job then Illinois, good luck to him.

I don't know, he's pretty much increased his value this year and looks to be only improving. He and Stevens are clearly the two top coaches for any Blue Blood to go after.

sapan1030 · Feb 13, 2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsomedude

I don't know, he's pretty much increased his value this year and looks to be only improving. He and Stevens are clearly the two top coaches for any Blue Blood to go after.

+1. Ben Howland looks to be on the way out, and UCLA is objectively a better job than Illinois

Feb 13, 2013, 07:09 AM	#10
Botb9 Realist Posts: 3,148	Did Souhan tear any ligaments from that knee-jerk reaction? __________________ Hype is a self-serving beast that feeds on the hopes and dreams of fans.

Feb 13, 2013, 07:44 AM	#16
Cool Hand Luke Founder, Mike Thomas Fan Club Location: Tuscola, IL Posts: 709	I believe Mizzou is going to make a hard push for Smart if they decide Haith is more trouble than he's worth. But I am speculating wildly. __________________ "The freight train is moving. Either jump on or get off." - John Groce

Feb 13, 2013, 06:30 AM	#2
illini ri0t Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 479	why does minnesota think that they are the only team that is immune to losing streaks in the B1G? Every team has suffered consecutive losses. Hell, look at michigan and ohio state currently standing at 2 losses. Maybe minny should join the SEC or C-USA where they may have a better chance at winning.

Feb 13, 2013, 06:46 AM	#3
quhawks12 Location: Hamilton County, IN Posts: 3,355	Teague hired Smart at VCU. I'd say there they have a real shot at him based on that relationship alone.