How 'bout those CUSA Memphis Tigers destroying Texas!

[mathman]

Memphis is in a class of it's own in CUSA. If I were they I'd find a stronger conference to play in.

What does that have to do with anything? They secured a #1 seed and made it to the Final Four. Whether the conference tested them or not is irrelevant, because it didn't affect them in the NCAA tournament. If Memphis loses either Saturday or Monday, it won't be because they played in CUSA. So why the shot at CUSA?

Because Texas lost. Gotta take it out on someone.
As for Barnes, he is an excellent coach. 31 wins in a season is no accident. Took some excellent talent and got everything out of it. All you could ask for.

[PonyDoh]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

[abezontar]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Maybe we should hire Russell Springman.

[George S. Patton]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Well, if someone can actually find a money trail, then go get'em.

But the scope of college basketball has changed over the last 10-15 years where these slimeball AAU coaches basically have control over where their players go and don't go. The HS coaches don't have the clout they used to.

These AAU "coaches" aren't in it for the kids. They're in it for their own selfish reasons. They hold the best talent so when you have the top DI coaches going after these kids, they almost have to sell their soul to do it.

Wanna know why Bob Knight's recruiting dropped off? He wouldn't play ball with the AAU coaches and called them for what they were. Yes, he paid a price, but he wasn't going to let his values be compromised by the scumbags.

AAU is the one part of amateur basketball that has really tainted it. I love college basketball. I just don't like the pipeline for these kids to getting there.

[PonyDoh]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Well, if someone can actually find a money trail, then go get'em.

But the scope of college basketball has changed over the last 10-15 years where these slimeball AAU coaches basically have control over where their players go and don't go. The HS coaches don't have the clout they used to.

These AAU "coaches" aren't in it for the kids. They're in it for their own selfish reasons. They hold the best talent so when you have the top DI coaches going after these kids, they almost have to sell their soul to do it.

Wanna know why Bob Knight's recruiting dropped off? He wouldn't play ball with the AAU coaches and called them for what they were. Yes, he paid a price, but he wasn't going to let his values be compromised by the scumbags.

AAU is the one part of amateur basketball that has really tainted it. I love college basketball. I just don't like the pipeline for these kids to getting there.

The NCAA isn't interested and why would they be? The AAU street urchins are just pawns of the shoe companies, that are in an endorsement arms race. Its imperative that they find the next Jordan, Kobe, Lebron before the next guy. The Spring/Summer circuit is segmented according to shoe affiliation, as are the all-star games. The shoe companies flood the NCAA w/ad revenue, sponsor/endorse the teams etc.

It's a double-edged sword b/c to be honest, the circuit is chock full of elite competition that far exceeds what you see on the average high school court. Elite flagship AAU's in the 17u category pretty much only have Top 100 players in the sophomore & junior classes. The open period allows coaches to evaluate the prospects in one region vs the best in the nation, pretty much an invaluable tool, considering colleges play teams from everywhere.

As for Bob Knight, Gary Williams and a slew of other old school coaches that saw their recruiting dry up, as the result of not kissing AAU [deleted], they got what they deserved. Every industry changes and summer basketball changed college hoops. They may have 'values', but they let the industry pass them by all while collecting massive paychecks for doing 60% of their job. Hoops is talent acquisition first, coaching second, see the Final Four. Its the reason I hold out hope for SMU w/Doh at the helm. Simply, he's going to recruit and be tireless in his quest to upgrade talent. The way he treats his personnel will be questionable, his bench coaching is par for the course. What gives him a chance is his willingness to go anywhere and be a politician.

[Dubbya]

Go Memphis - here's hoping they beat UCLA and then Kansas (I hate the Longhorns, and I'd even root for UT over North Carolina ... or Duke ... or Baylor ... or Notre Dame ... or Froggy High...)

[George S. Patton]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Well, if someone can actually find a money trail, then go get'em.

But the scope of college basketball has changed over the last 10-15 years where these slimeball AAU coaches basically have control over where their players go and don't go. The HS coaches don't have the clout they used to.

These AAU "coaches" aren't in it for the kids. They're in it for their own selfish reasons. They hold the best talent so when you have the top DI coaches going after these kids, they almost have to sell their soul to do it.

Wanna know why Bob Knight's recruiting dropped off? He wouldn't play ball with the AAU coaches and called them for what they were. Yes, he paid a price, but he wasn't going to let his values be compromised by the scumbags.

AAU is the one part of amateur basketball that has really tainted it. I love college basketball. I just don't like the pipeline for these kids to getting there.

The NCAA isn't interested and why would they be? The AAU street urchins are just pawns of the shoe companies, that are in an endorsement arms race. Its imperative that they find the next Jordan, Kobe, Lebron before the next guy. The Spring/Summer circuit is segmented according to shoe affiliation, as are the all-star games. The shoe companies flood the NCAA w/ad revenue, sponsor/endorse the teams etc.

It's a double-edged sword b/c to be honest, the circuit is chock full of elite competition that far exceeds what you see on the average high school court. Elite flagship AAU's in the 17u category pretty much only have Top 100 players in the sophomore & junior classes. The open period allows coaches to evaluate the prospects in one region vs the best in the nation, pretty much an invaluable tool, considering colleges play teams from everywhere.

As for Bob Knight, Gary Williams and a slew of other old school coaches that saw their recruiting dry up, as the result of not kissing AAU [deleted], they got what they deserved. Every industry changes and summer basketball changed college hoops. They may have 'values', but they let the industry pass them by all while collecting massive paychecks for doing 60% of their job. Hoops is talent acquisition first, coaching second, see the Final Four. Its the reason I hold out hope for SMU w/Doh at the helm. Simply, he's going to recruit and be tireless in his quest to upgrade talent. The way he treats his personnel will be questionable, his bench coaching is par for the course. What gives him a chance is his willingness to go anywhere and be a politician.

I hear everything you're saying and have seen evolve it like that. I just don't like how it changing going in this direction.

You can see a major change in Bill Self's coaching style to when he was at Tulsa to what he is at Kansas. If you want to get ahead, you have to dance with the devil.

[PonyDoh]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Well, if someone can actually find a money trail, then go get'em.

But the scope of college basketball has changed over the last 10-15 years where these slimeball AAU coaches basically have control over where their players go and don't go. The HS coaches don't have the clout they used to.

These AAU "coaches" aren't in it for the kids. They're in it for their own selfish reasons. They hold the best talent so when you have the top DI coaches going after these kids, they almost have to sell their soul to do it.

Wanna know why Bob Knight's recruiting dropped off? He wouldn't play ball with the AAU coaches and called them for what they were. Yes, he paid a price, but he wasn't going to let his values be compromised by the scumbags.

AAU is the one part of amateur basketball that has really tainted it. I love college basketball. I just don't like the pipeline for these kids to getting there.

The NCAA isn't interested and why would they be? The AAU street urchins are just pawns of the shoe companies, that are in an endorsement arms race. Its imperative that they find the next Jordan, Kobe, Lebron before the next guy. The Spring/Summer circuit is segmented according to shoe affiliation, as are the all-star games. The shoe companies flood the NCAA w/ad revenue, sponsor/endorse the teams etc.

It's a double-edged sword b/c to be honest, the circuit is chock full of elite competition that far exceeds what you see on the average high school court. Elite flagship AAU's in the 17u category pretty much only have Top 100 players in the sophomore & junior classes. The open period allows coaches to evaluate the prospects in one region vs the best in the nation, pretty much an invaluable tool, considering colleges play teams from everywhere.

As for Bob Knight, Gary Williams and a slew of other old school coaches that saw their recruiting dry up, as the result of not kissing AAU [deleted], they got what they deserved. Every industry changes and summer basketball changed college hoops. They may have 'values', but they let the industry pass them by all while collecting massive paychecks for doing 60% of their job. Hoops is talent acquisition first, coaching second, see the Final Four. Its the reason I hold out hope for SMU w/Doh at the helm. Simply, he's going to recruit and be tireless in his quest to upgrade talent. The way he treats his personnel will be questionable, his bench coaching is par for the course. What gives him a chance is his willingness to go anywhere and be a politician.

I hear everything you're saying and have seen evolve it like that. I just don't like how it changing going in this direction.

You can see a major change in Bill Self's coaching style to when he was at Tulsa to what he is at Kansas. If you want to get ahead, you have to dance with the devil.

No doubt, it is what is, as they say. Only way it changes if the NCAA comes in a restricts access and limits open periods, reduces the number of sanctioned events etc. As much as coaches claim they are for that, most aren't. Who wants to hit high school games across the country, mid college season, when you are supposed to be game-planning for a conference opponent that weekend?

Its a different industry and the lobbyists have changed. Those that evolve w/the game stand the best chance of succeeding. Even the kids are different. They no longer look at Knight/Williams as stern coaches, they mostly see them as psycho's that rant and rave, but give limited love on the trail. Just a different world.

[George S. Patton]

I lost a lot of respect for Barnes in the Durant $weepstakes, but that's the way Stu Vetter roles, and always has.

I'm curious too. I've always wondered how UT got Durant to come to Texas, but I've never heard any wrongdoing or shadiness on Barnes part, and I know Stu Vetter is the coach at Montrose Christian........what's the story?

Russell Springman was the point man on Durant and is from the DC area. He's well known in AAU circles up that way to grease palms, whether it be DC Assault, Team Melo, Boo Williams, Triple Threat etc. Couple that w/Stu Vetter always demanding a payday for his elite ballers (goes back to Flint Hill). Isaiah Armwood is the latest, TerrelL Vinson may get him a dime as well. All recruiting of Montrose goes through Vetter. None of the locals, and most of the bigs didn't even sniff Durant.

Well, if someone can actually find a money trail, then go get'em.

But the scope of college basketball has changed over the last 10-15 years where these slimeball AAU coaches basically have control over where their players go and don't go. The HS coaches don't have the clout they used to.

These AAU "coaches" aren't in it for the kids. They're in it for their own selfish reasons. They hold the best talent so when you have the top DI coaches going after these kids, they almost have to sell their soul to do it.

Wanna know why Bob Knight's recruiting dropped off? He wouldn't play ball with the AAU coaches and called them for what they were. Yes, he paid a price, but he wasn't going to let his values be compromised by the scumbags.

AAU is the one part of amateur basketball that has really tainted it. I love college basketball. I just don't like the pipeline for these kids to getting there.

The NCAA isn't interested and why would they be? The AAU street urchins are just pawns of the shoe companies, that are in an endorsement arms race. Its imperative that they find the next Jordan, Kobe, Lebron before the next guy. The Spring/Summer circuit is segmented according to shoe affiliation, as are the all-star games. The shoe companies flood the NCAA w/ad revenue, sponsor/endorse the teams etc.

It's a double-edged sword b/c to be honest, the circuit is chock full of elite competition that far exceeds what you see on the average high school court. Elite flagship AAU's in the 17u category pretty much only have Top 100 players in the sophomore & junior classes. The open period allows coaches to evaluate the prospects in one region vs the best in the nation, pretty much an invaluable tool, considering colleges play teams from everywhere.

As for Bob Knight, Gary Williams and a slew of other old school coaches that saw their recruiting dry up, as the result of not kissing AAU [deleted], they got what they deserved. Every industry changes and summer basketball changed college hoops. They may have 'values', but they let the industry pass them by all while collecting massive paychecks for doing 60% of their job. Hoops is talent acquisition first, coaching second, see the Final Four. Its the reason I hold out hope for SMU w/Doh at the helm. Simply, he's going to recruit and be tireless in his quest to upgrade talent. The way he treats his personnel will be questionable, his bench coaching is par for the course. What gives him a chance is his willingness to go anywhere and be a politician.

I hear everything you're saying and have seen evolve it like that. I just don't like how it changing going in this direction.

You can see a major change in Bill Self's coaching style to when he was at Tulsa to what he is at Kansas. If you want to get ahead, you have to dance with the devil.

No doubt, it is what is, as they say. Only way it changes if the NCAA comes in a restricts access and limits open periods, reduces the number of sanctioned events etc. As much as coaches claim they are for that, most aren't. Who wants to hit high school games across the country, mid college season, when you are supposed to be game-planning for a conference opponent that weekend?

Its a different industry and the lobbyists have changed. Those that evolve w/the game stand the best chance of succeeding. Even the kids are different. They no longer look at Knight/Williams as stern coaches, they mostly see them as psycho's that rant and rave, but give limited love on the trail. Just a different world.

It's the game the coaches have to play nowadays if they want to get a Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Ty Lawson, Derrick Rose or somebody like that.

And if Doherty is going to be successful here, not only is changing the academic restrictions going to help him but as you said, he's going to have to be the politician with the AAU coaches and give off the great vibe.

If he can get enough of them, then great. BTW, do you know if that's how he got DuBois and Otis?

[DickerJames]

Memphis is in a class of it's own in CUSA. If I were they I'd find a stronger conference to play in.

I think the problem for Texas against Memphis was that Big 12 competition just didn't prepare them for a team like Memphis.

[MustangIcon]

Memphis is in a class of it's own in CUSA. If I were they I'd find a stronger conference to play in.

I think the problem for Texas against Memphis was that Big 12 competition just didn't prepare them for a team like Memphis.

Nice.

[MustangStealth]

Memphis is in a class of it's own in CUSA. If I were they I'd find a stronger conference to play in.

I think the problem for Texas against Memphis was that Big 12 competition just didn't prepare them for a team like Memphis.

The numbers don't lie.

Big 12 teams combined postseason record: 11-7
CUSA teams combined postseason record: 11-3 (and still alive to win 2 of the 3 tournaments)

Obviously the Big 12 season doesn't prepare teams for postseason competition as well as CUSA.

[LonghornFan68]

Memphis is in a class of it's own in CUSA. If I were they I'd find a stronger conference to play in.

I think the problem for Texas against Memphis was that Big 12 competition just didn't prepare them for a team like Memphis.

The numbers don't lie.

Big 12 teams combined postseason record: 11-7
CUSA teams combined postseason record: 11-3 (and still alive to win 2 of the 3 tournaments)

Obviously the Big 12 season doesn't prepare teams for postseason competition as well as CUSA.

Haha, ok.

[EastStang]

The AAU is an amateur (right?) organization just like the NCAA (I felt a little vomit in my throat saying that). However, their teams have bills to pay and no TV contracts. Coaches are volunteers who happen to sell their souls to the shoe companies. And if they supplement their income via charging for access to their players, well its all for the good of Amateur athletics (BS alert). The kids aren't getting paid by these guys (just getting shoes, unis, and name recognition). I know that we have historically eschewed getting our hands dirty with AAU types, but Doh may have some contacts who have some contacts, etc. Hopefully, we'll make inroads into the AAU circuit, and I think that Doh is doing so. My only fear is that the NCAA will decide soon that it needs to crack down on these AAU coaches and we'll end up being the NCAA posterchild in that hunt. Just keep this mantra in mind. If the NCAA can accuse us of something, they will.