If we do go with a Bucky over Huss. What is the case for that?

I understand that Bucky plays an exciting style of basketball but he is still very inexperienced in regards to college basketball.

Huss has been an assistant under a big coach like McDermott at Creighton and has seen first hand how to run a program in a successful way. Has been in big time recruiting battles across the nation unlike Bucky, and would be able to build a better staff you would think with more relationships in the industry.

Bucky could hit, but it's a very high risk high reward hire. And so would Huss to extent but it's even more than that.

We assume Huss would jump at this, but maybe he is holding out for something better next year.

Bucky is a ballsy hire. Not safe. Not boring. Could be an outstanding hire. Could be an absolute disaster. He will win over the fans, but keeping them won over will be dependent on do you win.

I'm starting to get scared now. Hold me.

Bc Buckyball?

If we're going to gamble this much, give me Murray over Bucky

Was typing up a thread on Bucky Ball, here's what I've got so far:

Enough people are talking about this that let's go ahead and break this one down.

In one word on this one: BOLD.

Pros:

- Outside the box. And I mean WAY outside of it. McMillian went to Samford straight from the high school ranks.
- Took Samford to their first NCAA Tournament in 24 years last year where they mounted a huge comeback against Kansas that feel short in part because one of the worst calls in recent history, and has won the SoCon two of the last three seasons, which Samford had also not done since 2000.
- Innovative style - This will not be a boring team to watch. Samford has been a top 100 tempo team in four of his five seasons, they absolutely fire the ball up there. They've been high in 3pt rate and 3pt% the last several years

Cons:

- Lack of coaching connections? He's been in the college ranks all of four years. Can he put together the kind of staff he's going to need to win at this level?
- Recruiting? Same deal here. He has not recruited at this level. That said, he is kind of a system coach, so that could be a big advantage here. He may not need the best players to win, just the ones that fit.
- Unknown if his style can work at this level. But that's what they say about every style until it does.

He needs Rodney Terry on staff. Or somebody with a lot of experience and good recruiting background

bobinator said:

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Was typing up a thread on Bucky Ball, here's what I've got so far:

Enough people are talking about this that let's go ahead and break this one down.

In one word on this one: BOLD.

Pros:

- Outside the box. And I mean WAY outside of it. McMillian went to Samford straight from the high school ranks.
- Took Samford to their first NCAA Tournament in 24 years last year where they mounted a huge comeback against Kansas that feel short in part because one of the worst calls in recent history, and has won the SoCon two of the last three seasons, which Samford had also not done since 2000.
- Innovative style - This will not be a boring team to watch. Samford has been a top 100 tempo team in four of his five seasons, they absolutely fire the ball up there. They've been high in 3pt rate and 3pt% the last several years

Cons:

- Lack of coaching connections? He's been in the college ranks all of four years. Can he put together the kind of staff he's going to need to win at this level?
- Recruiting? Same deal here. He has not recruited at this level. That said, he is kind of a system coach, so that could be a big advantage here. He may not need the best players to win, just the ones that fit.
- Unknown if his style can work at this level. But that's what they say about every style.

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Reminds me of Sumlin in the SEC

My very in-depth analysis of Bucky reveals that he coaches at Jimbo's alma mater, so that's a negative. But he has the same nickname as the QB that played with fire back when I was in school, so that's a positive. I'm really conflicted based on these two salient data points.

But Sumlin had worked at multiple big programs as an assistant

Not even close. Sumlin had been as assistant at high major programs, an offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, etc. Maybe there was some question if the spread could work in the SEC, but Bucky's never even been to a Big 12-level.

This would be an absolutely WILD hire. I don't hate it, it's bold, it's risky, but so are all of these to some degree. This would definitely have the lowest of floors and the highest of ceilings.

Yeah, it would be nice if we had a retired coach around our program like some others do to help him make some connections.

Though maybe he doesn't need it. Coaches can make friends fast and maybe he's been building a network, it's just a question mark because we have no idea.

If either of these guys are head coach, I'm done watching Aggie basketball.

justsomeguy said:

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If either of these guys are head coach, I'm done watching Aggie basketball.

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Shut up! You will be back if the next coach wins.

I think my main thought is that it's not the way I'd go, but I do like not being afraid to just take a massive swing to see if we can change the trajectory of this program. If it doesn't work, fine, we're right back here in a few years doing the same thing.

But this is the kind of swing that if it does work, builds you a new type of program. It wouldn't be a riff on someone else's style of ball or trying to see if a coach fan find the juice again.

bobinator said:

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Was typing up a thread on Bucky Ball, here's what I've got so far:

Enough people are talking about this that let's go ahead and break this one down.

In one word on this one: BOLD.

Pros:

- Outside the box. And I mean WAY outside of it. McMillian went to Samford straight from the high school ranks.
- Took Samford to their first NCAA Tournament in 24 years last year where they mounted a huge comeback against Kansas that feel short in part because one of the worst calls in recent history, and has won the SoCon two of the last three seasons, which Samford had also not done since 2000.
- Innovative style - This will not be a boring team to watch. Samford has been a top 100 tempo team in four of his five seasons, they absolutely fire the ball up there. They've been high in 3pt rate and 3pt% the last several years

Cons:

- Lack of coaching connections? He's been in the college ranks all of four years. Can he put together the kind of staff he's going to need to win at this level?
- Recruiting? Same deal here. He has not recruited at this level. That said, he is kind of a system coach, so that could be a big advantage here. He may not need the best players to win, just the ones that fit.
- Unknown if his style can work at this level. But that's what they say about every style until it does.

---

I love it! Let's roll the dice and do. It will be so refreshing to see a competent offense.

If we can't get a proven experienced winning head coach, I am good with taking a chance on an exciting up and comer, versus some middle of the pack experienced head coach that won't move the needle.

Artorias said:

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If we can't get a proven experienced winning head coach, I am good with taking a chance on an exciting up and comer, versus some middle of the pack experienced head coach that won't move the needle.

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For sure, my question is why McMillan over Huss?

bobinator said:

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Was typing up a thread on Bucky Ball, here's what I've got so far:

Enough people are talking about this that let's go ahead and break this one down.

In one word on this one: BOLD.

Pros:

- Outside the box. And I mean WAY outside of it. McMillian went to Samford straight from the high school ranks.
- Took Samford to their first NCAA Tournament in 24 years last year where they mounted a huge comeback against Kansas that feel short in part because one of the worst calls in recent history, and has won the SoCon two of the last three seasons, which Samford had also not done since 2000.
- Innovative style - This will not be a boring team to watch. Samford has been a top 100 tempo team in four of his five seasons, they absolutely fire the ball up there. They've been high in 3pt rate and 3pt% the last several years

Cons:

- Lack of coaching connections? He's been in the college ranks all of four years. Can he put together the kind of staff he's going to need to win at this level?
- Recruiting? Same deal here. He has not recruited at this level. That said, he is kind of a system coach, so that could be a big advantage here. He may not need the best players to win, just the ones that fit.
- Unknown if his style can work at this level. But that's what they say about every style until it does.

---

Thanks for this. A lot of good points

bobinator said:

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Not even close. Sumlin had been as assistant at high major programs, an offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, etc. Maybe there was some question if the spread could work in the SEC, but Bucky's never even been to a Big 12-level.

This would be an absolutely WILD hire. I don't hate it, it's bold, it's risky, but so are all of these to some degree. This would definitely have the lowest of floors and the highest of ceilings.

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No I meant the uptempo offense in a physical conference

FWIW, he's in San Antonio today as a speaker at an NIL conference.

Silver Waves Media Global NIL Conference
https://www.instagram.com/silverwavesmedia/p/DHbtc76yss3/

The good news there is that there's already some proof of concept.

We call the SEC a physical conference, and it is, but there are some "pretty basketball" teams in it. They're still physical, but they're uptempo, they shoot a tone of threes, etc. Most notably Alabama and Florida.

I actually think if you're doing this, then Florida is the team you're trying to emulate. They haven't just absolutely killed it in recruiting, but they have a type.

BTW as to the actual OP's question. I don't know that there's much separating these guys. If this is the direction we're going then you just have to pick the one you believe in based on everyone else you're talking to.

justsomeguy said:

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If either of these guys are head coach, I'm done watching Aggie basketball.

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Oh no.

Actually I've found the difference.

• Bucky Ball comes in and starts killing it
• BucEE's gets more involved in athletics
• Muster and Monster Truck Rally Arena becomes the newly renovated BucEE Bowl
• Era of total Aggie Basketball domination begins

bobinator said:

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Actually I've found the difference.

• Bucky Ball comes in and starts killing it
• BucEE's gets more involved in athletics
• Muster and Monster Truck Rally Arena becomes the newly renovated BucEE Bowl
• Era of total Aggie Basketball domination begins

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I doubt the bucee's dude has watched a basketball game in a while

NERD ALERT

I've been away from the boards this morning. Is Bucky now the consensus of where this is going?

Personally, I don't love it if so. I've long been skeptical his style can work at a power conference level and would want to see him do it in a slightly better league than the SoCon before giving him a shot at the SEC. He's been pretty good at Samford, but has he been so good as to make the jump to this level?

It's just the latest rumor but one we hadn't really talked through already so it's currently dominating the conversation.

Earley 2.0

Yes. I mean they have absolutely nothing in common at all. But sure.

For what its worth, people around UAB were absolutely ready to jump on him (samford is like 10 minutes from UAB) if Andy Kennedy left. I think Bucky is going to level up in the next couple of years anyway so why not buy low? Caveat of course would be a veteran lead assistant (Rodney Terry) to help his growth curve.

I much prefer taking a risk like this compared to an uninspring hiring of a coach with more experience and mediocre results. In fact, I think I prefer a risk like this compared to anyone we have a shot with now (I obviously would have preferred Beard or McCasland).

Would also be fine with Huss or Lutz. We need an up and comer, not a re-tread.

If he made that jump and did well at UAB I would feel a lot better about it. I think his style is perfect for trying to pull an upset in the tournament. I'm skeptical of it working game in and game out at the major conference level.