KU's next coach.
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@Fightsongwriter Was just making (silly) suggestions for future coaches.
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At this point, your first offer has to be Tony Bennett. But I think he stays on the East Coast and holds out for UNC or Duke.
Your second has to be Chris Beard. But he has UT’s next HC written all over him.
3rd, Will Wade. A legit candidate imo. Probably a lot depends on who leaves first, Cal or Self.
Nobody else jumps off the page. Hoiberg may be a decent consolation prize.
Mick Cronin I could probably live with.
Chris Mack would be fine, but probably not leaving.
Steve Wojciechowski could be a candidate by the time Self is done, but he’s a Dukie.
Mitch Henderson is interesting.
Nate Oats is interesting.
Craig Smith is intriguing.
Justin Hutson is a guy to keep an eye on.
Mike Hopkins is already doing good things at Washington. But not sure he’s a blue blood fit.
Andy Enfield kind of is ok, maybe. I can’t tell.
Mike White would be good. But he’s from Florida so I doubt he’d leave.
Wes Miller would seem like a good hire if he maybe bumped up a level and still had success.
Kyle Smith is on a decent trajectory, but doesn’t seem to have “it”
Chris Jans is probably a stud coach. Like has all the makings of one. But he has Greg Marshall ties, so puke… But also, he’s coached in Kansas multiple times now so he probably wouldn’t turn down the job because of the location or anything…
That’s my list, thank you.
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there is NO WAY I would want bennet - his offense sucks - -got to be the most boring offense in the Nation - I would take someone with KU ties way before Bennett - -ummm PASS
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Forgetting maybe the best option, Nevada’s Musselman. What he has done there is truly remarkable in a short time. Modern offense and can recruit.
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No on Bennett. What @jayballer73 said.
Like the Musselman mention from @BeddieKU23, but second to Beard in my book.
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BeddieKU23 said:
Forgetting maybe the best option, Nevada’s Musselman. What he has done there is truly remarkable in a short time. Modern offense and can recruit.
Something seems off about him. I’m going to play wait an see first.
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No on a guy who can consistently put together a top 15 team at a second rate ACC school?
Because he plays at a slow pace? I think I’ll take the defensive guru and known commodity in Bennett any day if the week.
Beard is basically the same guy with less of a track record lol.
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Next yr will be the test without all those seniors but he is an exciting coach. I dont see the flags but its remarkable what he has done. I still prefer Jay Wright but I think Musselman would be a logical contender unlike Wright. I just fail to see a real successor at the moment. We are all looking for the perfect guy but in reality HOF types like Self are just irreplaceable
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BeddieKU23 said:
Next yr will be the test without all those seniors but he is an exciting coach. I dont see the flags but its remarkable what he has done. I still prefer Jay Wright but I think Musselman would be a logical contender unlike Wright. I just fail to see a real successor at the moment. We are all looking for the perfect guy but in reality HOF types like Self are just irreplaceable
We are lucky.
Which is why I think it’s funny that people shoot down someone like Bennett so fast. He’s the type of guy that would at least keep us on a path of success.
Look at UCLA, Syracuse, and Indiana. It doesn’t last for forever… It’s not a guarantee that KU can hire a guy that keeps the train moving.
Even UK struggled under Tubby. Duke could struggle under whoever is next. UNC was fortunate they had a HOF coach they could poach.
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Bennett is a hell of a coach but the stigma of his offense will always follow him. He actually has a group this year capable of scoring. Not sure he has consistently shown that with other teams. With his reputation I wonder if he limits the type of recruits KU could get given all the challenges they already face to land kids. You are right though he instantly would make the program churn on at a high level. I’m still not sold on him as a tournament coach which is another big conversation to have regarding him. Not a perfect coach for KU imo but the list is so small to begin with. I have to think KU goes for someone when the time comes that is relatively young enough to stick around 10-15 years. That itself makes the list smaller
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I’m a Beard fan as well. He definitely has my respect how he has come into this conference and not only been successful he seems to be very good with the media and how he talks about other programs. Easy to like.
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Kcmatt7 said:
No on a guy who can consistently put together a top 15 team at a second rate ACC school?
Because he plays at a slow pace? I think I’ll take the defensive guru and known commodity in Bennett any day if the week.
Beard is basically the same guy with less of a track record lol.
Nope pass but good luck with him - -myself really not into slow mo offense I’ll take up and down the floor - -the smooth running open floor offense instead of pass - - pass - - pass - - pass - - pas - - - pas - -pass - - pas - -pass - -waiting for my friend sitting next to me to wake me up when they decide to shoot a 20 footer a the end of the shot clock- -maybe rebound then -pass - - -pas - -pas - -pas some more not what I call and exciting brand of ball - -Hell I’d take Turg - -Or Danny before I’d take Bennett - but you go ahead - - I’ll pass - really hard from a stand standpoint for your fanbase trying to watch and get jacked for the bran of ball. - -Hell the most exciting part of a game like his offense might be a 6-0 run during the game - -just doesn’t get me hyped - -sorry
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@Kcmatt7 If Beard had his choice, would it be KU or Texas?!
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Who in their right mind would rather coach Texas CBB than Kansas?
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So I saw Cronin’s name now with Mack. Seriously, anyone know of the history of these two clowns? First class jerks in my view. Their teams In Cincy were always fighting, arguing, posing, etc. I’d be chagrined to say the least if KU hired either one of them.
@HighEliteMajor PHOF!
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https://www.wlwt.com/article/crosstown-drama-mick-cronin-chris-mack-exchange-postgame-barbs/14006777
https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/sports-3/mack-cronin-odd-couple/
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I’m still kind of hopeful Bennett winds up at Wisconsin where he’s from.
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Bennett coached a one seed to a first round exit. IDK about him. Decent coach, but methinks KU will do better.
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@dylans I really don’t see HCBS leaving. No NCAA at the next level, but the ego headaches/problems would be much greater than at this level. Every level has its particular problems and issues.
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@colohawks I’m with you. Just playing the game.
All I know is I don’t want someone with KU ties at this point. Manning didn’t pan out. Haase is ok, not great. Does Vaughn still coach? Not a good sign that I don’t know.
The current assistants are old except Snacks and he’s not doing much for me. Townson could be a decent head coach somewhere.
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@HighEliteMajor Beard is a UT alum and it was where he got his start coaching. I also think, and this could be wrong, but he left the UNLV job for the Tech job to be closer to his daughter.
So, I could see why this would make sense in his case. Otherwise, I’d agree with you.
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If Bennett make the FF this year, does anyone’s tune change on him?
It isn’t like Self’s offense, until recently, was anything exciting. Swing swing swing swing lob.
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Count me with those who would not enjoy a Tony Bennett style of play here. Some of the most boring ball I’ve ever watched. Now, it may not be the best reason but it’s definitely a reason.
If we’re gonna keep on playing the dirty game that everyone apparently is and has to play. May as well get Pitino. Surely he has figured out by now how to not get caught again… Lol. JK
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@Kcmatt7 You’ve just indicted Tony Bennett – well, in the loose way we’ve seen recent indictments at least. You brought up FFs.
Tony Bennett, with all the good teams he’s supposedly had, he’s never made the FF and made just one Elite Eight.
I think his style of play is what Bill Self used to want to do, but a bit more extreme. It’s what has held Self back in the past.
It can create regular season success, but when you’re offensively challenged, there in a much smaller margin of error – which is a big deal in a one and done format.
No doubt, an excellent coach.
But I have no desire for this type of approach. I want national titles.
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@HighEliteMajor In addition to wanting titles, I also simply enjoy watching fun, high scoring college basketball. We have been so spoiled over the years to have fun offensive teams to watch all season long. Watching 35 games that are played in the 50’s does not sound appealing.
I like offense. Think about the Chiefs. This team is SO much more fun to watch than the “Marty ball” of the 1990’s.
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@joeloveshawks And, a little known fact, you can play excellent defense while scoring a lot. It’s why Self’s statement about giving up points is just ridiculous. It’s all relative to possessions. If you score quicker, there will be more possessions. But you can still play good defense. There is not some innate connection.
More possessions is a longer game in a way, meaning there is more of an opportunity for the better team to demonstrate it’s dominance. Of course, there’s the discussion of bad shots, valuing possessions, etc., that we can’t ignore. But scoring the ball frequently creates a greater margin of error.
You can be terrific defensively and give up a higher points per game than a lesser defensive team. Again, it’s all relative.
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@HighEliteMajor Thing is, Bennett is doing what he is doing with mostly 3 star recruits or guys in the back half of the top 100.
Imagine what he could do with the major bump in recruiting he would get at KU?
Self was always a good recruiter. Bennett has done what he’s done with far worse players than Self did on his climb. I’d expect Bennett to absolutely dominate with better players.
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@Kcmatt7 I agree - I would take Bennett in a heartbeat. He has built a consistent winner without getting the top tier talent that has gone to Duke, and, to a lesser extent UNC, in the ACC. His teams play great defense. They haven’t been nearly as good offensively, which has caught up with them in the tournament, although this year’s UVA team can score and play at a faster pace. Averaging just 3 points less per game than KU, with obviously a much better defense. Would think that Bennett could recruit higher quality talent at KU - although he may well have more NBA talent on his team this year than we do…
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@DCHawker His ability to turn guys into NBA players is amazing to me. He has an eye for talent and is able to develop players.
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@Kcmatt7 So do you then think he’s a better coach than Self? That would be a good selling point. He’s had success in a better league.
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@HighEliteMajor I will let @Kcmatt7 answer for himself, but to your point, UVA has outright won the ACC 3 of the past 5 years (one 2nd place finish) and is tied for the lead this year - in a conference that has a lot more top tier talent and much stronger teams at the top (i.e., tourney champs). Doesn’t make him a better coach than HCBS - but pretty strong evidence that he is a damn good one - regardless of what one thinks about the style of play…
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FYI,
Current 2019 commits
Shedrick- #56, Morsell #58
2016 class
Kyle Guy- #37
Ty Jerome- #44
Jay Huff- #57
Deandre Hunter- #91
Braxton- Key #59 (transferred from Alabama)
2015 Class
Diakite- #32 (enrolled half a semester early)
2014 Class
Salt #356
Everyone but 2018 recruit Clark and Salt ranked outside the Top 100. It does seem like he’s done more with less but overall everyone in his rotation besides those two were highly regarded HS prospects
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HighEliteMajor said:
@Kcmatt7 So do you then think he’s a better coach than Self? That would be a good selling point. He’s had success in a better league.
It is a tough question to answer. I think he COULD be. But he might also be worse.
However, his floor is by far the highest of any other hypothetical candidate out there at the moment. And, his ceiling is definitely high enough to win a NC. Which, to me, makes him a safe hire that would certainly protect the legacy of KU basketball.
I just don’t want to be the new UCLA. Or Indiana. A has been program holding on to decades old accolades and finishing in the middle of the pack.
Sacrificing a little bit of ceiling height to ensure the floor doesn’t give out is important to me.
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BeddieKU23 said:
FYI,
Current 2019 commits
Shedrick- #56, Morsell #58
2016 class
Kyle Guy- #37
Ty Jerome- #44
Jay Huff- #57
Deandre Hunter- #91
Braxton- Key #59 (transferred from Alabama)
2015 Class
Diakite- #32 (enrolled half a semester early)
2014 Class
Salt #356
Everyone but 2018 recruit Clark and Salt ranked outside the Top 100. It does seem like he’s done more with less but overall everyone in his rotation besides those two were highly regarded HS prospects
Fair enough. They still don’t finish absurdly high in any team rankings nationally when recruiting. But most likely that’s because they keep 4 year players and only need to replace roughly 3 guys a season.
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To answer your previous question. I don’t think a Final 4 would change my opinion on Bennett. A title may sway me but its a Championship. At that point I think it would be stupid to not recognize him if he did win it this year.
I think his group of kids he has developed for this year is his best yet but its taken 3-4 years to get this core group here. He does this every couple of years imo getting his core to the top. I think he’s proven he can sustain success year in and year out which is a big selling point for him. Tournament success is still his monkey on his back. That 1st round historic loss will always be there. Imagine the pressure this team will face this year in March to get the first out of the way.
Whatever coach does have to take over for Self it will be incredible pressure.
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I didn’t include his 17 or 18 hauls which have done nothing outside of Clark who’s playing big minutes as a 300+ ranked recruit. Definitely agree, his classes don’t get the national attention UK/Duke/KU get.
Also great points about having a coach sustain what we have and living with whatever shortcomings he might have in certain areas that we are used to being strengths at KU.
I think Bennett has adapted some on offense this year since he has a squad that can score. Their 3 main guys are as good as any in the country
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Kcmatt7 said:
@HighEliteMajor Thing is, Bennett is doing what he is doing with mostly 3 star recruits or guys in the back half of the top 100.
Imagine what he could do with the major bump in recruiting he would get at KU?
Self was always a good recruiter. Bennett has done what he’s done with far worse players than Self did on his climb. I’d expect Bennett to absolutely dominate with better players.
I think your fighting as losing battle here from what I see as fa as having Bennett at KU - -thank GODI don’t think we will ever have to worry about that happening. – And what he is doing is NOT making it to final fours there is not a lot of people willing to put up with that type of offense - - it’s a snooze - -nobody wants to see that - -like is mentioned here from other posts - wanting to see scores in the 70-80-3 not upper 50’s to low—mid sixties
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@jayballer73 I’d rather watch that than watch us lose. Bill Self didn’t have a FF before KU. Roy Williams didn’t have one either. Bill Self played a boring style of basketball when he got here. Sometimes he still does.
Winning is the most important thing. Period.
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Kcmatt7 said:
@jayballer73 I’d rather watch that than watch us lose. Bill Self didn’t have a FF before KU. Roy Williams didn’t have one either. Bill Self played a boring style of basketball when he got here. Sometimes he still does.
Winning is the most important thing. Period.
Well thank GOD were not goin to have to worry - -I’ll still take Bill anyday - and you can have Tony - -and then we will worry about it IF and when that comes. - -Still don’t think for the ones that DON’T or wouldn’t want him here - -will have to worry about that happening - -just don’t see them taking him here. - -As far as style - -I mean if your into watching boring ball then good for you – just not my thing - -wake me up when it’s over lol
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Kcmatt7 said:
Winning is the most important thing. Period.
I wholeheartedly disagree. That’s why I’m still hopeful Bill Self comes out looking better at the end than he does now.
I genuinely thought he was above reproach and a winner. Now he’s just a winner. I want that good feeling back. I don’t know if it’ll happen or not.
As for Bennet, KU could do much worse, but I’d prefer someone else at this point.
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dylans said:
Kcmatt7 said:
Winning is the most important thing. Period.
I wholeheartedly disagree. That’s why I’m still hopeful Bill Self comes out looking better at the end than he does now.
I genuinely thought he was above reproach and a winner. Now he’s just a winner. I want that good feeling back. I don’t know if it’ll happen or not.
As for Bennet, KU could do much worse, but I’d prefer someone else at this point.
Well if that’s your criteria, being “clean”, there aren’t many options.
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@Kcmatt7 I’m ok with that.
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I’m actually ok with every coach found to be in the least bit implicit in breaking the fundamental rules of amateurism/NCAA being banned for life. Especially if it’s going on here with MY team! Kick all the cheaters out, but don’t miss a single one.
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dylans said:
I’m actually ok with every coach found to be in the least bit implicit in breaking the fundamental rules of amateurism/NCAA being banned for life. Especially if it’s going on here with MY team! Kick all the cheaters out, but don’t miss a single one.
Would require a fundamental change in the NCAA, and then becoming willing to completely take all money out of college athletics.
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And even when Wooden was doing his thing, that wasn’t enough to keep money out.
That or changing the rules to accept what is currently “cheating”.
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@Kcmatt7 How about just enforcing the rules on the books? Seems like that would make for an even playing field. I’m not of the opinion enough people committing a crime should make it legal.
And here begins the slippery slope of your core beliefs vs mine and I don’t want to go down that road. It likely doesn’t end cordially or belong here so that’s where I’ll leave it.
Cheers
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dylans said:
@Kcmatt7 How about just enforcing the rules on the books? Seems like that would make for an even playing field. I’m not of the opinion enough people committing a crime should make it legal.
And here begins the slippery slope of your core beliefs vs mine and I don’t want to go down that road. It likely doesn’t end cordially or belong here so that’s where I’ll leave it.
Cheers
Do you not think laws should ever change?
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HighEliteMajor said:
Who in their right mind would rather coach Texas CBB than Kansas?
Someone who is an alum of Texas like Beard. Rick Barnes also showed you can win huge at Texas so it wouldn’t shock me to see Beard in Austin very soon since their new arena opens in 2021.
It’s the same reason why the Self to OSU rumors were common early in Self’s tenure.
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