I would rather

[mrydel]

have a "great" tactition with the ability to recruit and sign Jucos on an equal level with all others, than have a "great" recruiter who is hamstrung by the same restrictions as past coaches. There are plenty of good candidates available, and we have a wonderful location, great prospective athletes in our immediate area, and hopefully plans for renovation of our facility. Money for a coach will be found also. But if we are not willing to let the new coach recruit equally we will be continually seeing 15 to 18 win seasons in a mid level conference. 2 Juco QBs in football is not a committment to equality. It is more of an appeasement to a frustrated FB coach. Give the new man is some ability to recruit with everyone else and SMU can be successful in BB. Remember, we do have a national playoff in this sport and everyone is eligible. Success in BB can also help in future success in FB. Go for a man with the ability to maximize efforts and abilities of the players, and then let him go out and get the players he needs on balance with the competition.

[Higher Authority]

Look at what UTEP has done with an infusion of JUCO talent. They won fewer than 10 games last year, and now they're over 20 wins already. Basketball is easier to turn around than football with the addition of a great player or two, because (A) there are fewer players on the floor, and (B) it's more of an individual sport, where one talented guy can get hot and change an entire game.

I'm not advocating a JUCO-heavy recruiting program for basketball, but the argument could be made that if it's worthwhile in football, it's an even more valid approach in hoops. (Of course, it might put a serious dent in SMU's glistening graduation rate.)

[ponyte]

Personally, I would rather have 100% graduation rate than a single game win. <sarcasm off>

[mrydel]

Come on Ponyte. You are just spoiled by the high graduation rate at Arkansas. I would bet there are no lawyers coming from their athletes though...none of them have ever passed a bar.