Maybe we should have gone after Tubby?
Smart inherited a Texas team that was loaded with more talent than he ever had at VCU and yet has struggled this season. This was not supposed to be a rebuilding year at Texas; far from it, the UT faithful expected Top 10 greatness and a challenge to KU at the top of the Big 8.
The question is will Shaka reverse the curse of VCU coaches leaving for bigger Power 5 football bastions? Capel at OU and Grant at Bama set the precedent.
5 point game..
8 point loss.
This is just continuing Shaka's career trajectory. I'm talking facts, not talking as a spurned Warrior.
2010-11 Final Four
2011-12 Lost in round of 32
2012-13 Lost in round of 32
2013-14 Lost in round of 64
2014-15 Lost in round of 64
2015-16 ??? Will he make the tournament with a stacked Texas team?
I will be impressed with Shaka when he can get to the second weekend again and prove that once -- 5 years ago -- wasn't a fluke. Buzz got to the second weekend three straight times, and some here can't mock him enough.
Quote from: MU82 on January 02, 2016, 10:43:25 PM
8 point loss.
This is just continuing Shaka's career trajectory. I'm talking facts, not talking as a spurned Warrior.
2010-11 Final Four
2011-12 Lost in round of 32
2012-13 Lost in round of 32
2013-14 Lost in round of 64
2014-15 Lost in round of 64
2015-16 ??? Will he make the tournament with a stacked Texas team?
I will be impressed with Shaka when he can get to the second weekend again and prove that once -- 5 years ago -- wasn't a fluke. Buzz got to the second weekend three straight times, and some here can't mock him enough.
The media just liked him because he had a mod sounding name. I think your stat chart is very illuminating. If he is half the coach everyone thinks he is , he should be setting the world on fire at UT.
He's 15 games in his first year. Including a win over #3 UNC. Not saying he's the best coach in the world, but it is way too early to claim that he should be setting the world on fire.
One thing that surprised me when we were pursuing him was he never won a conference regular season title at VCU. I'm sure he will have success at Texas, but it will be interesting to see how his style translates to playing high majors much more frequently.
I'm not saying Shaka is a lousy coach, not by a long shot. I'm saying that he rode his one great season to fame and then basically has lived off of it for 4+ years.
The man has to coach a team into the Sweet 16 at least a few times to be worth anywhere near the hype he has gotten. In time, at Texas, he probably will. If he doesn't, he'll just be another mid-major coach who could cut it with the big boys. Dan Monson, anybody?
Quote from: MU82 on January 02, 2016, 10:43:25 PM
8 point loss.
This is just continuing Shaka's career trajectory. I'm talking facts, not talking as a spurned Warrior.
2010-11 Final Four
2011-12 Lost in round of 32
2012-13 Lost in round of 32
2013-14 Lost in round of 64
2014-15 Lost in round of 64
2015-16 ??? Will he make the tournament with a stacked Texas team?
I will be impressed with Shaka when he can get to the second weekend again and prove that once -- 5 years ago -- wasn't a fluke. Buzz got to the second weekend three straight times, and some here can't mock him enough.
True, but let's also consider the VCU squad he had with 3 star kids mostly. Anything can happen in the tournament.
Lost Ohio State last year by 3 points
Lost the year prior by 2 points
One of those years lost to Indiana in the second round by 2 points (Beat Wichita State that year if I recall)
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 03, 2016, 11:44:50 AM
True, but let's also consider the VCU squad he had with 3 star kids mostly. Anything can happen in the tournament.
Lost Ohio State last year by 3 points
Lost the year prior by 2 points
One of those years lost to Indiana in the second round by 2 points (Beat Wichita State that year if I recall)
This year he has a roster filled with 5 stars and a couple Burger Boys. Leadership isn't situational so it will be interesting to see how he does in Austin. I am guessing that he would rather not be 8-5 at this point. The Big 8 is deeper today than it has been so this could be a long season for Smart. And unlike VCU, the UT Faithful hired for immediate results. Welcome to the Bigs.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on January 03, 2016, 11:44:50 AM
True, but let's also consider the VCU squad he had with 3 star kids mostly. Anything can happen in the tournament.
Lost Ohio State last year by 3 points
Lost the year prior by 2 points
One of those years lost to Indiana in the second round by 2 points (Beat Wichita State that year if I recall)
In my experience, coaching often is the difference in close games.
All I'm saying is he has a lot of provin' to do. Then again, he's rich and I'm not, so who the F am I?