I think OU is Kruger's last stop personally. He's a good coach, but he doesn't do a lot for me, but he does seemingly fit the criteria. I can't imagine our fans would get all that excited about him though.

I would think that if Donovan is available, that he'd be the next coach at Louisville. I'd think they could pay him enough to make it worth wading out whatever the NCAA decides to do to them.

bobinator said:

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I would think that if Donovan is available, that he'd be the next coach at Louisville. I'd think they could pay him enough to make it worth wading out whatever the NCAA decides to do to them.

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I didn't even think about him going there. That's a terrifying thought! I'd love to see the UK fans meltdown over that one though!

Honestly, if it was known he was on the market, I could see UK opening back channel communication with him. I think if he had interest, they may be willing to get rid of Cal for him.

Topher17 said:

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I think if he had interest, they may be willing to get rid of Cal for him.

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No. Way. Cal is making 8 mil per year and his contract runs through 2024. Even if they hypothetically wanted to, there's no way they're paying fifty million dollars to do it.

In all honesty, I didn't consider Cal's contract, so you're right about that one.

One thing we might potentially have working for us if we do make a move is that not a lot of top tier jobs look to be coming open other than Louisville and UCONN. Maybe Pitt if they go ahead and pull the plug on Stallings.

It depresses me to think about, but I don't see us doing it. Sure would seem like a good time to be in the market though.

You'd have to think Pitt is going to move on don't you? Their fall has been unbelievably quick.

As of now, Izzo is certainly out because of criteria 2. We will see what shakes out of the current Spartan Scandal, but I still see him as a generally loved guy who is perfectly happy where he is.

hoya-ag said:

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I've said it before but we should hire up-and-comers, have a short leash, and embrace being a stepping stone school for the blue bloods. Maybe we get lucky along the way and someone decides to stay.

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100% agree!
If an up and comer leaves, it means you were successful. Once successful, give them every reason to stay, but no one is staying here if someone like UK comes calling. If they don't show the ability to get it done in 3 years, move on to the next guy. In college basketball there is always someone at a lower school ready to take the job, it's not like firing someone quickly will deter others from coming here.

I normally agree, and I've said that before, but the obvious exception here is if Buzz could be lured away.

I'd rather go for an up and comer than a retread or something, but you never know who might be interested.

I think that's the big question though, can Buzz be lured away? The year he left Marquette, we were in prime position to hire someone and really get them off to a good start. I still remember exactly where I was when I found out he took the VT job, I was livid. Now, would Buzz, or someone else interested, look at our roster and still want the job?

He just signed an extension through 2022-23, so even if he was interested, he would be expensive.

Not necessarily... I think his buyout is less than $2 mil (per this article from the Washington Post.)

I dunno if he'd be interested, he's just an obvious tier one candidate that might actually be possible.

Double Diamond said:

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Chis Beard isn't taking this job. But it would totally be a home run. I mean what's a home run? Bill Self? I mean you guys need to get that the next hire will be someone with hopefully a lot of upside, but isn't gonna be some guy with titles.

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Pitino has a title with Kentucky and is available. Escorting him here should be a shoe in.



Edit: (Method Man noted first.)

Well damn...I guess I feel into the trap of thinking every other school sucks as bad as we do at drafting contracts. Saw that he was guaranteed $2.6-$3.3 mil until 2022-23 and figured a high buyout

Buzz actually writes his own contracts basically, but also the buyout from the Virginia Tech side (if they wanted to fire him) is probably a lot higher.

It's the same with Kennedy actually. It'll cost us 4.5 or whatever to fire him, but it would only cost another school like 1.5 to buy him out from us.

Different types of buyouts. I'd expect a fancy big city litigator like you to know that...

So what do yall think about bringing Kyle Keller back? He was at A&M and has done a good job in his short tenure at SFA. He obviously understands what A&M is about and has Texas ties. Not to mention he comes from the Bill Self and Eddie Sutton coaching tree.

Pass on Keller. Needs more time as a head coach.

I want musselman so bad it hurts

Keller took over a stellar situation at SFA and I'm not sold on him as a head coach yet at this point. I think he has potential, but he probably be in the third tier of guys I'd call. A lot of people would have to tell us no before I'd be looking at him.

Fair enough. At this point I just want someone who will get off the bench and coach. Someone who brings some fire and their team embodies that. Obviously right now we have quite the opposite.

I stay way the hell away from contract law.

Now...if you get picked up by the feds on a drug conspiracy and need someone to breakdown the US sentencing guidelines and drug equivalency and conversion charts given a defendant's criminal history score and how it will reflect on the PSR...I'm your guy.

Izzo does not want his career to be remembered as being there as (gymnastics sex) crimes were taking place. The place stinks right now, president resigned and upper management in turmoil. He's "ripe" for pulling out of there with the right opportunity.

I swear some of you guys are happy being second fiddle and have that " we don't deserve good things" mentality. We plucked Jackie, Fran and Jimbo from NC teams by having vision and balls. Need that now in BB program.

bobinator said:

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Us hiring Tom Izzo for basketball would like the football equivalent of us hiring Bill Belichick.

There is absolutely no comparison to us hiring Jimbo Fisher in football.

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You think to small.

LOL. Izzo has been at MSU for 35 years. He is not going anywhere else, and if he did, it damn sure wouldn't be here.

Afraid to ask a girl out is no way to go through life. Grow a pair or be willing to be a beta male your whole life.

We've got the resources, play in the best conference, and now need leadership.

Look, Izzo was the name I threw out there to get people off the " find an up and comer" mentality. Think big or get out of the way.

You want to try someone actually realistic?

Also, we definitely don't play in the best conference, but I don't think that matters much.

bobinator said:

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Also, we definitely don't play in the best conference, but I don't think that matters much.

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???? Let's watch the tourney and reevaluate that depth thing . SEC may not have the NC winner or best team but we have a bunch of good giant killers.

I don't think you realize the stature and support of our b-ball program is light years away from that of our football program.

As Bob said, most of us don't believe we will actually fire Kennedy and he's done far less to earn the admin's goodwill than Sumlin ever did. If we won't fire a guy who has only been above .500 in conference twice in 7 seasons, what leads you to believe we'd hire someone on Izzo's level?

Our-turn-to-rule said:

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bobinator said:

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Also, we definitely don't play in the best conference, but I don't think that matters much.

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???? Let's watch the tourney and reevaluate that depth thing . SEC may not have the NC winner or best team but we have a bunch of good giant killers.

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Tournament success does not distinguish conferences as better than one another, just like bowl season doesn't in football.

The SEC is having a much better year in hoops, and is on the upswing, but it has been one of, if not the, worst basketball conferences for the five years prior to this one.