ORU Game thread

[CalallenStang]

What is a Big East caliber candidate? That's really a matter of career arc in many cases. Gonna need examples, lol.

Brad Stevens, but we aren't landing him. Don't know if I'd take a chance on Pearl, but the guy can coach.

I'd love to get Chris Mooney here.

[hoopmanx]

What are willing to pay? People around here talk like Doh is paid exorbitantly. He is given his results, but not on a national scale. We're going to have to pay a ton more.

I agree, it's going to cost, but it seems like SMU is willing to invest in the bball program. Admittedly, I may be wrong as I'm basing that on press releases and ribbon cutting ceremonies.

As far as a coach, that's a tough one. I don't know SMU's financial constraints well enough to know if they can go for a "name" (= $$$), or if they'll have to go the bargain bin route. If they go bargain, do they go up-and-comer (i.e., Townsend from Kansas) or "dented can" like Pearl or Gillespie (as examples)? Decisions decisions.

I think a lot remains to be seen w/regards to SMUs hire power, IF they join the Big East. I'd think our ceiling, even w/a butt ton of money, would be guys like Shaka Smart/Chris Mooney/maybe Fran Fraschilla, Brooks Thompson(?)etc.

Once you start getting into assistants, it gets iffy. No offense to Townsend, but Kansas is a blue blood that can't recruit currently. Not to mention the other guys off the Jayhawk benches that have been awful like Doh, Norm Roberts etc. You can pretty much do that w/any assistant, though. So hit n miss.

Programs w/the history of SMU can't touch guys like Pearl etc. Gillespie is running Tech into the ground behind the scenes. New hires are tricky in hoops. Everyone is one flame out from being a 'good coach.'

[Terry Webster]

Bruce Pearl in a bright red SMU blazer would look great--a whole lot better than that crap orange he wore at Tennessee.

[hoopmanx]

Once you start getting into assistants, it gets iffy. No offense to Townsend, but Kansas is a blue blood that can't recruit currently. Not to mention the other guys off the Jayhawk benches that have been awful like Doh, Norm Roberts etc. You can pretty much do that w/any assistant, though. So hit n miss.

I just use Townsend as an example. I personally don't think he's a good fit, and may be a KU lifer if something doesn't come his way soon. I will say though, for every Doh and Norm Roberts, they've had a Calipari and Turg to counter (not that KU fans should be proud of -- or "claim" -- Calipari). You're right though, it's hit n miss.

Turgeon actually makes for a great point. I'm obviously a massive Maryland homer, and am quite connected to their program. I love the Turgeon hire, but when the search was happening, it was hard for us to fathom that he was pretty much the best available, and that other than Roy, had the best resume of any ACC coaching hire in the last 10 years.

I fear the same thing for us, when we replace Doh. We think the prospect pool will be deep & pretty, but we'll end up w/a debacle of a search on our hands like NC States

[smupony94]

Embrace Coach Doh

[RGV Pony]

Hoopmanx your observations are exactly what dunleavys observations were.

[EastStang]

Turgeon is stepped into a tough situation. The only saving grace in it was that Gary Williams has been generous in his support of Turgeon. Williams won a National Championship at Maryland and is a UM alum. He "retired" the same year that Ralph got dumped. I think Turgeon will be a great coach at Maryland, if they give him time. Gary did not play with the shoe people well and as a result, Maryland's program has some rebuilding ahead. If UM has a patience problem, Turgeon may have to rebuild his resume to get to Kansas.

[hoopmanx]

I love the Turgeon hire

Does that mean you're going to hate Kansas when they steal him back from Maryland? I have my doubts Self is a lifer at Kansas and it's been speculated that Turgeon has KU as his "dream job". Sounds like Maryland may be in KU's shoes during the Roy era. Though, I'm not sure that KU has a back-stabbing ex-Maryland guy on staff, so maybe Turg stays in Maryland. Who knows.

I'm friendly w/enough coaches to know that they're career assassins, unless they are alums. I'm sure Kansas is his dream job, but Maryland was Sean Miller's. Things happen. First order of business is getting Maryland back on track, which means avoiding a losing season, despite having nothing on the roster.

W/o question, he gets the benefit of the doubt, cause this is probably a 3 year rebuild at Maryland, but he's already done some pretty debatable things this season. He moved Stoglin off the ball, and put our frosh McD AA SG at point guard. He just offered Sam Cassell Jr, whom none of the local heads really like, and we needed 4 in the early period, not 3. Also looks like Calipari leads for the Harrison twins, who Maryland thinks they'll get. Turg misses on the Harrison's and the honeymoon will end, especially IF he's not sniffing NIT or better next year.

I do think he'll be very good eventually, and he certainly says all the right things, but he's never had a job like this. You should see what he does at Maryland before considering him at Kansas