March Madness Thread

[Guest]

Not surprising, Ernie Kent should be the next one out in the Pac-10.

 

And thank God. I can finally watch a Cal game without them showing the Bartman play 4456345 times and pointing out Ben Braun 5 rows behind.

 

You think Kent gets canned this offseason?

 

Braun started out well at Cal and had heck of a reputation nationally. Then they just started going backwards. He's had some pretty decent talent out there.

 

He's really unpopular with the big donor alums who have clout. It sounded like a forgone conclusion before they swept the Arizona schools to make the tourney but I still think he's gone with their new big arena opening. They'll probably try to grab Mark Few. I think Cal will get Mike Montgomery.

[Guest]

Thursday coverage maps (warning: PDFs):

 

Early games: http://www.hdsportsguide.com/files/327-1-map.pdf

Late games: http://www.hdsportsguide.com/files/327-2-map.pdf

 

McD's All-American game is on in about 2 hours on ESPN today.

[snoodmonger]

I thought Montgomery would be an intriguing candidate for the Hoosiers.

[Guest]

I thought Montgomery would be an intriguing candidate for the Hoosiers.

 

I think he's a bit too much West coast, especially with his recruiting connections. He'd probably be most successful staying in the Pac-10.

[Exile on Waveland]

I thought Montgomery would be an intriguing candidate for the Hoosiers.

 

I think he's a bit too much West coast, especially with his recruiting connections. He'd probably be most successful staying in the Pac-10.

 

I'm a big fan of Montgomery's. However, besides the west coast connections, he's 61 years old. He's a very good coach but IU should go a different direction.

[Exile on Waveland]

Not surprising, Ernie Kent should be the next one out in the Pac-10.

 

And thank God. I can finally watch a Cal game without them showing the Bartman play 4456345 times and pointing out Ben Braun 5 rows behind.

 

You think Kent gets canned this offseason?

 

Braun started out well at Cal and had heck of a reputation nationally. Then they just started going backwards. He's had some pretty decent talent out there.

 

He's really unpopular with the big donor alums who have clout. It sounded like a forgone conclusion before they swept the Arizona schools to make the tourney but I still think he's gone with their new big arena opening. They'll probably try to grab Mark Few. I think Cal will get Mike Montgomery.

 

I'd guess he's really unpopular since he's a terrible coach. He's made two Elite Eights, I know, but he's not a good coach. Braun, however, is a good coach but things just didn't work out that well.

[Jon]

Thursday coverage maps (warning: PDFs):

 

Early games: http://www.hdsportsguide.com/files/327-1-map.pdf

Late games: http://www.hdsportsguide.com/files/327-2-map.pdf

 

McD's All-American game is on in about 2 hours on ESPN today.

Somehow I doubt 87% of the country wants to see Washington State vs. North Carolina.

[Guest]

Not surprising, Ernie Kent should be the next one out in the Pac-10.

 

And thank God. I can finally watch a Cal game without them showing the Bartman play 4456345 times and pointing out Ben Braun 5 rows behind.

 

You think Kent gets canned this offseason?

 

Braun started out well at Cal and had heck of a reputation nationally. Then they just started going backwards. He's had some pretty decent talent out there.

 

He's really unpopular with the big donor alums who have clout. It sounded like a forgone conclusion before they swept the Arizona schools to make the tourney but I still think he's gone with their new big arena opening. They'll probably try to grab Mark Few. I think Cal will get Mike Montgomery.

 

I'd guess he's really unpopular since he's a terrible coach. He's made two Elite Eights, I know, but he's not a good coach. Braun, however, is a good coach but things just didn't work out that well.

 

Definitely agree about Kent but disagree about Braun. Kent rode some great players to his two Elite Eights (the Lukes and Fred Jones the first time around; Aaron Brooks, Malik Hairston and Brice Taylor last year) but every other team he's had has severely underperformed. He's just an awful coach. And he didn't help himself any by botching the recruiting of Kevin Love and Kyle Singler so badly (not only was Oregon not even close to Kevin Love or Kyle Singler's top 3; both their parents were really critical of Kent and the state of Oregon basketball). I don't think many alums were going to let it slide that he missed on the two best HS players out of the state possibly ever.

 

I really haven't been impressed with Braun. Sure, he's a better coach than Ernie Kent, but I'm guessing 50% of the posters in this thread are tacticians than Ernie. He's had just as much talent as Kent in recent years (Joe Shipp, Leon Powe, Ayinde Ubaka, DeVon Hardin, Ryan Anderson and Patrick Cristopher to name just a few) and hasn't even had the success Oregon has had recently.

[SouthSideRyan]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

[Keener98]

I still think Skiles ends up at IU.

[rawaction]

I hate you SSR and Keener! :flame:

[Keener98]

I hate you SSR and Keener! :flame:

 

Ha, I still think Skiles would be a great choice for IU. But Isiah would be a perfect choice :beg:

[brinoch]

I still think Skiles ends up at IU.

 

Skiles probably isn't among the top coaches being considered. I'd say he's third tier.

[NCCubFan]

There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

If Pitino would leave Louisville for IU he should be given the job immediately without interviewing anybody else. I was at Kentucky when he came in and cleaned up a mess much worse than IU is facing in no time at all. Then he got Louisville back to an elite level, even though it may have taken a little longer than it took him at Kentucky. He's exactly the fix for a broken program.

[Rusch33]

There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

If Pitino would leave Louisville for IU he should be given the job immediately without interviewing anybody else. I was at Kentucky when he came in and cleaned up a mess much worse than IU is facing in no time at all. Then he got Louisville back to an elite level, even though it may have taken a little longer than it took him at Kentucky. He's exactly the fix for a broken program.

 

Problem with that is Indiana athletics can't afford Pitino.

[CuseCubFan69]

I thought Montgomery would be an intriguing candidate for the Hoosiers.

 

I think he's a bit too much West coast, especially with his recruiting connections. He'd probably be most successful staying in the Pac-10.

 

I'm a big fan of Montgomery's. However, besides the west coast connections, he's 61 years old. He's a very good coach but IU should go a different direction.

 

If they want an older coach why not snap up Gene Hackman?

[Derwood]

i'm getting the Xavier and Louisville games. no shock there

[soapy]

There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

If Pitino would leave Louisville for IU he should be given the job immediately without interviewing anybody else. I was at Kentucky when he came in and cleaned up a mess much worse than IU is facing in no time at all. Then he got Louisville back to an elite level, even though it may have taken a little longer than it took him at Kentucky. He's exactly the fix for a broken program.

 

Problem with that is Indiana athletics can't afford Pitino.

this. that's why i don't really get all the pearl, pitino, izzo, etc. talk. aside from those guys likely not wanting to leave their current situation to clean up the mess at iu, they cost more than iu is likely willing to spend, based on their recent history.

 

i think the best hope is probably someone like bennett or sean miller.

[Exile on Waveland]

There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

If Pitino would leave Louisville for IU he should be given the job immediately without interviewing anybody else. I was at Kentucky when he came in and cleaned up a mess much worse than IU is facing in no time at all. Then he got Louisville back to an elite level, even though it may have taken a little longer than it took him at Kentucky. He's exactly the fix for a broken program.

 

Problem with that is Indiana athletics can't afford Pitino.

 

That's not true anymore. It was true two years ago, but it is unequivocally not this time around. IU is pouring money into its athletic department with a new basketball practice facility, new baseball and softball facilities and enclosing the north end of the football stadium. The football team made more money this year, went to a bowl, IU's not paying any former coaches or AD's as in the past, Bill Lynch is extremely cheap, they paid only $200,000 to Sampson (the rest was picked up by a donor), and the Big Ten Network has been a huge financial boom for all schools involved.

 

They can afford Pitino, without much question. Still, I doubt it happens.

[Exile on Waveland]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

 

While I'm not concerned about Thomas actually getting the job, I'm still concerned about this big name obsession. Because, you're right, Thomas is certainly a big name.

[CuseCubFan69]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

 

While I'm not concerned about Thomas actually getting the job, I'm still concerned about this big name obsession. Because, you're right, Thomas is certainly a big name.

 

Someone was on ESPN (NBA analyst) said that Thomas just sat on the bench the whole game and has basically quit. I wouldn't want a guy like that near my school no matter what the name is.

[illiniguy]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

 

While I'm not concerned about Thomas actually getting the job, I'm still concerned about this big name obsession. Because, you're right, Thomas is certainly a big name.

 

Someone was on ESPN (NBA analyst) said that Thomas just sat on the bench the whole game and has basically quit. I wouldn't want a guy like that near my school no matter what the name is.

Plus the guy ruined two NBA franchises and the entrie CBA. He was a hell of a player, but is horrible at running a team or program.

[CuseCubFan69]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

 

While I'm not concerned about Thomas actually getting the job, I'm still concerned about this big name obsession. Because, you're right, Thomas is certainly a big name.

 

Someone was on ESPN (NBA analyst) said that Thomas just sat on the bench the whole game and has basically quit. I wouldn't want a guy like that near my school no matter what the name is.

Plus the guy ruined two NBA franchises and the entrie CBA. He was a hell of a player, but is horrible at running a team or program.

 

Add to that the sexual harassment which is worse than a few phone calls.

[Exile on Waveland]

Here are a few coaching rumors according to Tim Doyle: Tim Floyd going to LSU, Jamie Dixon going to USC, and Sean Miller to Pitt

 

Isiah Thomas or Jim Harrick to IU?? =P~

 

There's a lot of talk that Tony Bennett is the favorite for IU. There is also a LOT of Pitino to IU chatter, as well.

 

While I don't really believe that Rick Pitino will end up at Indiana, that certainly has been the majority of the scuttlebutt over the past week or so here. I can say that IU's administration not only seems adamant on a big name type coach, but some seem very proud of themselves as if it's just a matter of time. I have concerns because I don't believe them, nor do I trust their opinion of what constitutes a "big name."

 

I like Tony Bennett a lot.

 

Isiah Thomas is a big name.

 

While I'm not concerned about Thomas actually getting the job, I'm still concerned about this big name obsession. Because, you're right, Thomas is certainly a big name.

 

Someone was on ESPN (NBA analyst) said that Thomas just sat on the bench the whole game and has basically quit. I wouldn't want a guy like that near my school no matter what the name is.

Plus the guy ruined two NBA franchises and the entrie CBA. He was a hell of a player, but is horrible at running a team or program.

 

Add to that the sexual harassment which is worse than a few phone calls.

 

As incompetent as I think IU's administration has been recently, I'm not concerned at all about Thomas being in the coaching hunt. I am concerned about other names I'd prefer to steer clear of.

[bukie]

In other college basketball news...

 

It'll be Bradley-Tulsa in a best-of-three series for the CBI championship.

 

NIT Final Four is set with Ohio State, Florida, Ole Miss and UMass.