Depends on who Howard brings in. He could bring in some elite assistants that help out right away as much as the current assistants did for a Beilein.
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280 points scored in the NCAA tournament? Wow.
Also weird to hear them talk of the âWashington Bullets.â
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That was basically the question I was asking. I think I still prefer Howard because itâs a real swing for the fences hire without any of the statistical baggage Smart brings. Was just curious where others on the board were sitting.
I donât see us going back to where we were in that 1998-2008 period. That was a perfect storm - dealing with the Ed Martin fallout and the very long time it took for the NCAA to issue its ruling, hiring a truly awful coach (Ellerbe), falling way behind in the facilities race and having the fanbase become totally apathetic.
We know Smartâs an excellent recruiter and Iâd expect Juwan to be. Our facilities are superb, we have recent success to draw on, and no NCAA issues. Worst-case, we take a step back from being a Big Ten contender but itâs hard to imagine us not being at least a tournament team on a regular basis.
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Yeah, I want to keep Yak if we can. If I was Warde, Iâd pay him, but Iâm not letting him pick my HC.
Iâm on board with Howard because his ceiling is so high. I think his floor is lower than Smartâs, but not nearly as low as many seem to believe.
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Not that this should matter, but I think Howard would have the biggest impact for 2019-20. Thereâs the obvious connection with Jaden McDaniels, and Iâm sure he would have some sway with Wilson as well. This is especially true if he retains Yak, which is still possible.
Michigan basketball was loaded with talent from the mid 70s thru the mid 90s. It was really signficant in the mid 80s through the mid 90s. I say this as I donât think we are doom and gloom. What we wonât get is a guy as detailed and strong on Xâs and Oâs as Beilien. Doesnât mean we canât get a guy who can out recruit him. Righ now without having the opportunity to talk to Juwan and LaVal etc, I am leaning toward Juwan. It might be a big mistake but if it is, I think we will have a very talented team that canât cross into greatness. LaVal, I worry that we slip into mediocrity but I donât know. Shaka, much like JuwanâŚhe would recruit at a high level. The downside to me with Juwan and Shaka is higher because I believe both will recruit at a high level
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Was Holtmann really considered a homerun at the time? I am trying to remember the narrative but McDermott was OSUâs first choice if I recall correctly.
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Is he a home run now? I like him a lot but is Holtmann already viewed as a top end coach or is the jury still out?
Tom Izzoâs been fairly successful
(I know different era, different succession circumstances)
I mean, jury is still out by way of newness I think, but Holtmann took a below-average OSU team and had them finish second in the Big Ten his first season. He made Keita Bates-Diop into a Big Ten Player of the Year and has them set up to be a possible top-two/three team in the Big Ten. I think at this point heâs a home run unless he tanks.
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Keep in mind, Bates-Diop had been injured the year before. If he had been healthy, Matta might not have been fired at all. Holtmann did a fine job anyway but the return of KBD definitely helped.
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Even if Warde had only one primary target â and that target was fully interested in the UM job â you need time to run a full background check; make sure there are no skeletons in the closet. Especially with federal trials and shoe company issues coming to light. Full due-diligence takes a little bit of time.
Ohio State knew it was moving on from Matta and had a chance to do itâs due diligence before it announced Mattaâs firing, and thus was able to quickly enter negotiations with a replacement. Different circumstances for Michigan.
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Yeah I agree, but Big Ten Player of the Year level? He wasnât even a preseason All-Big Ten selection. A Big Ten that was ripe for the taking at the top also didnât hurt.
Keita Bates Diop was a consensus Top30 national recruit in High School who had underwhelmed with Mattaâs staff. Coming out of HS it would have been laughable to think of KBD as a 4yr college player â and perfectly logical to think of him as a B1G POY candidate at some point in his collegiate career. So I guess the narrative on his senior season depends on what part of his background you focus on?
@DOTMAN read somewhere else that of current candidates you werenât sure who had most edge⌠after watch juwan Highlights not sure there any doubt itâs him ha
Right, and thatâs exactly my point. âUnderwhelmed with Mattaâs staffâ so Holtmann did something to help bring the productivity out of him after his previous injury-plagued year and underwhelming time with the previous staff. Iâd also rather focus on the improvement he showed over his time at OSU than his recruiting background.
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What are the odds that there is a surprise candidate out there that weâve heard nothing about so far?
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Between 0 and 100%
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