VCU's Shaka Smart

[Mitch McConnell]

I have a hard time thinking SMU is really in the middle of this. I guess anything is possible. But given his background in Chicago, it would seem that the Illinois' job is his to refuse. Plus, Illinois desperately wants that connection reformed between Illinois and Chicago and Peoria.

Given his Xs and Os and with what is coming to the campus, he may want to challenge himself (knowing what our program looks like) and be known as The Man. May want to dive into the fertile grounds of DFW and Houston even more.

Discuss...

[hoopmanx]

Number 1 on my wish list, just based on that style of play. Hard to fathom, though. He has had, and will continue to have, more profile options

[RGV Pony]

Still wouldn't be suprised if we talk to shaka, it goes as we might imagine, and SO or whomever goes w the Capel, the original Shaka.

[hoopmanx]

Still wouldn't be suprised if we talk to shaka, it goes as we might imagine, and SO or whomever goes w the Capel, the original Shaka.

I'm ok w/Capel too, but I don't like that he brings NCAA glare.

[Casey]

I don't know a lot about Chaka Smart, but I sure like what I saw of him last year at this time. That said, I'd be surprised if he left to come to SMU. Yes, we can offer the Big East, but VCU will do everything po$$ible to keep him.

[Digetydog]

Still wouldn't be suprised if we talk to shaka, it goes as we might imagine, and SO or whomever goes w the Capel, the original Shaka.

I'm ok w/Capel too, but I don't like that he brings NCAA glare.

Back in the day, I used to practice criminal defense law. Some of my clients were the worst criminals ever and always seemed to get caught. I couldn't understand why they weren't better at their jobs. Had I been a criminal, I would have wanted to be good at my job and would have made sure I didn't get caught.

When it comes to the NCAA, I firmly believe that everyone has issues. When I was in HS, a guy on our FB team was an all american. The day he signed with UT, he was driving a burnt orange mustang GT. Not saying he cheated, but he never had a car until after he signed his letter. While I was at SMU, we got the DP and nobody touched UT.

Because we always seem to get caught, the last thing we need is a guy who can't seem to get away with it.

[SMU Football Blog]

SMU is the new name to float to drive up the asking price by the agents.

[EastStang]

Smart is #1 on my list, but he may be too expensive and too hot right now. I love his pressure defense style of play and his ability to recruit for VCU. Living in Virginia, I can tell you one thing, VCU is one of the least appealing campuses in the State. Add to that the fact that UVA and VT are in the ACC, Richmond and George Mason have had more long term success in hoops than VCU, he's done well. One caution of course is that VCU is one of the lesser challenging state schools in the Virginia University system. That means that students with suspect academic records can get into and stay eligible at VCU unlike at other Virginia Universities. So, can that ability to recruit translate to SMU? Another coach who has done incredibly well considering his academic restrictions is Tony Shaver at William & Mary. Last year they had victories over Maryland and Wake Forest. Great X and O guy who I've watched since he coached at Episcopal High School. The problem of course is that he's another Tar Heel. He might be a coach who would excel at SMU.