I am not sure how it will end up but both Matta and Brown were terrific college coaches. The good part is that their success took place 25 years apart so they have seen where the game was and where the game is going. You don’t need an 80 year old Brown to do recruiting and he’s a basketball lifer. I think it’s wise to insulate Woodson like that because most likely he’s going to need it early on.
1 Like
So with Indiana choosing Woodson, is Porter Moser linked to any jobs still? That would be pretty crazy if he’s still at Loyola next year. If I’m him I’m trying pretty hard to make a jump, even if it’s not a top job. 5 out of 6 of Loyola’s leaders in minutes are seniors and the two seasons prior to this one show that he’s certainly not immune to mediocrity. I feel like it would be playing with fire to stay (if options elsewhere present themselves), unless he just really likes Loyola, the lack of pressure, and being near where he’s from.
1 Like
Well, Texas is still open which means the carousel is still moving. Texas Tech may open up due to that… Maybe they go after Moser.
Larry Brown has been the head coach at three college programs, UCLA, Kansas and SMU. Every one of those programs has been sanctioned by the NCAA, an organization notorious for its unwillingness to sanction virtually any big time program, for major violations committed during Brown’s tenure. He’s also 80 years old. How in the world is hiring Larry Brown anything like hiring Phil Martelli or Jay Smith?
11 Likes
Well Brown makes sense because Woodson was one of his assistants with the Pistons.
Oh, corruption. Have a college basketball conversation that lasts more than a minute, sooner or later someone has to bring up that old saw. . .
I agree there’s probably a serious look to jump, but I think Loyola’s roster next year will actually be solid. Kennedy and Norris will be a top notch mid-major backcourt, and they also landed two 6’6” Ivy League wing transfers that were double digit scorers in Ryan Schwieger and Chris Knight. Replacing Krutwig is the huge problem, but they’ve got some young center prospects that have shown flashes in the rotation still. Probably not consensus conference title favorites, but I’d be surprised if they aren’t in the mix for another tournament run if Moser and staff returns.
1 Like
I shouldn’t feed the trolls (gremlins?) but got a kick out of this
2 Likes
Brown is familiar with NCAA sanctions.
2 Likes
it feels super weird to me. Brown is 80 and his last competitive team was 04-05 pistons and his last job ended with sanction at SMU, which was the third time on him by NCAA. I am not sure he will bring in much energy, and if he does it might spell more trouble than help.
At 62, Woodson is as experienced as any coaches, and there is already Matta, unless he needs a counter weight to Matta in Brown. Not sure that this will go well but it is not something that I should worry about, IU has a large philanthropic fund for their Basketball program.
1 Like
Would love to live in a world where there was an outcry over hires like this, or. . . at the very least, reporters coming after IU personnel to demand explanation. Silence is complicity.
Are you suggesting it’s not a relevant lens (particularly given the consistent and serious nature for this particular coach)?
Not sure I get your question, but–yeah–it would be nice to think that the press would question the Brown hire. Or better, that everyone would just take it for granted that it should be questioned. It’s hard for sports journalists, because access is their life blood. A local journo could place his career at risk.
No idea about Woodson, could be pure as the driven snow.
Coaching by committee. That should work.
EJ Liddell declares for NBA draft but will maintain his college eligibility.
He’s the kind of player that OSU fans will be furious if/when he leaves early at any point in his career since he will likely just be going to Europe, while opposing fans will be furious whenever he comes back because he seems too good and skilled to be playing a ton of years in college.
I thought he might do that. I’m not sure how he can increase his pro stock with another year.
I can’t decide if OSU is set up for a leap forward or a step back. Probably means they will just stay where they are I guess
Question is what would be considered a step forward or a step back?
Holtmann’s best year at OSU was his first when he finished tied for second in the league and got bounced in the second round of the tournament. From there he finished tied for eighth, lost in the second round again, tied for fifth (COVID year) and finished fifth this year and lost in the first round.
He could still make a leap, but his recruiting hasn’t been good enough to make me thing he will move much out of the second tier of Big Ten teams.
1 Like