MUScoop

MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: MU82 on September 29, 2022, 07:52:45 AM

Title: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: MU82 on September 29, 2022, 07:52:45 AM
The Athletic has ranked most P6 college basketball coaches by tiers, and Shaka was in the Tier 3 ... along with some pretty good company:

Randy Bennett, Mike Brey, Hubert Davis, Jamie Dixon, Greg Gard, Anthony Grant, Chris Holtmann, Juwan Howard, Dan Hurley, James Jones, Tommy Lloyd, Thad Matta, Fran McCaffery, Greg McDermott, Niko Medved, Porter Moser, Nate Oats, Kevin Willard, Buzz Williams, Brad Underwood, Mike Young.

https://theathletic.com/3619418/2022/09/28/college-basketball-best-coach-rankings-tiers/?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=5157326

Top tier was predictable: Bennett, Calipari, Drew, Few, Izzo, Pitino, Sampson, Self.

Criteria was "intentionally vague," and "because tiering 350-plus coaches would be folly, we culled the list according to the following qualifications": head coaches from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC; any head coach from a non-“power” conference who has led his team to the NCAA Tournament or won a regular-season conference title in the last three seasons; must have already coached a full season at the Division I level.

I guess that's further evidence that the Big East is considered part of the "Power 6."

Of our coach, The Athletic said:

Shaka Smart went to a Final Four with VCU and bypassed a ton of offers before jumping at Texas. He was not bad in Austin. The Longhorns went to the NCAA Tournament in three of his last five years (and probably would have made another were it not for COVID-19), before he opted out and headed to Marquette. There, Smart took a team that was largely dysfunctional amid roster churn and got it to the NCAA Tournament. “I know there’s a wide range of opinions on Shaka, but he has been to a Final Four,’’ one agent says. “He’s been to the NCAA Tournament every year but three that he’s coached. I mean, that’s pretty damn good."

Calling Shaka's breakup with Texas him "opting out" is a little generous, but I otherwise agree that Shaka has been a "pretty damn good" college basketball coach.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on September 29, 2022, 08:03:47 AM
Quote
There, Smart took a team that was largely dysfunctional amid roster churn and got it to the NCAA Tournament.

 ::)

I'd say that is a big achievement. No "cupboard was bare" excuses.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Scoop Snoop on September 29, 2022, 08:41:01 AM
"Amicable divorce" would be a little better description than "opted out", but that would be generous also. I think calling the team dysfunctional let Wojo off the hook, as I think it would be a fair description of his coaching.

Anyhow, I am very happy that Shaka is our coach and look forward our future with him.


Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on September 29, 2022, 08:44:48 AM
He took over a team that had three returning players (ranked 6th, 7th and 10th in minutes the year prior) kept some key recruits, got in some decent transfers, and made the NCAA tournament.

A pretty good coaching job IMO.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: TAMU, Knower of Ball on September 29, 2022, 09:06:35 AM
He took over a team that had three returning players (ranked 6th, 7th and 10th in minutes the year prior) kept some key recruits, got in some decent transfers, and made the NCAA tournament.

A pretty good coaching job IMO.

The one thing I would say to this is that he could have theoretically returned the entire roster if he wanted to. He didn't. He blew it up instead and still made the NCAAT. Pretty good coaching job indeed.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: DienerTime34 on September 29, 2022, 10:10:17 AM
He took over a team that had three returning players (ranked 6th, 7th and 10th in minutes the year prior) kept some key recruits, got in some decent transfers, and made the NCAA tournament.

A pretty good coaching job IMO.

Basically an A for the regular season last year. No excuses made about the roster or youth, brought in great transfers, brought back some toughness.

But you wonder how it went so badly so quickly at the end -- reminded me of the previous coach. Fully understanding they ran into a UNC buzzsaw - but regardless, they looked dysfunctional in that NCAA game.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on September 29, 2022, 10:12:39 AM
Basically an A for the regular season last year. No excuses made about the roster or youth, brought in great transfers, brought back some toughness.

But you wonder how it went so badly so quickly at the end -- reminded me of the previous coach. Fully understanding they ran into a UNC buzzsaw - but regardless, they looked dysfunctional in that NCAA game.


Smart coaches figured them out.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: NCMUFan on September 29, 2022, 10:18:15 AM
Good to hear it is a decent hire.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Uncle Rico on September 29, 2022, 10:32:00 AM
Basically an A for the regular season last year. No excuses made about the roster or youth, brought in great transfers, brought back some toughness.

But you wonder how it went so badly so quickly at the end -- reminded me of the previous coach. Fully understanding they ran into a UNC buzzsaw - but regardless, they looked dysfunctional in that NCAA game.

Bad body language
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Pakuni on September 29, 2022, 10:45:33 AM

Smart coaches figured them out.

As did some not-so-smart coaches.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on September 29, 2022, 10:54:56 AM
As did some not-so-smart coaches.


The dumb ones learned from the smart ones.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Hards Alumni on September 29, 2022, 10:56:44 AM

Smart coaches figured them out.
A tier 3 coach
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: NCMUFan on September 29, 2022, 12:02:06 PM
Appears the team ceiling was hit and strengths and weaknesses exposed.  Opposing coaches figured out how to play to our weaknesses and avoid our strengths.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: WhiteTrash on September 29, 2022, 01:27:53 PM

Top tier was predictable: Bennett, Calipari, Drew, Few, Izzo, Pitino, Sampson, Self.

You can not be afraid to break some rules to make it to the top.

Gotta think Jay Wright would have had his own tier. Too good to be in that group.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: avid1010 on October 02, 2022, 06:13:34 PM
Basically an A for the regular season last year. No excuses made about the roster or youth, brought in great transfers, brought back some toughness.

But you wonder how it went so badly so quickly at the end -- reminded me of the previous coach. Fully understanding they ran into a UNC buzzsaw - but regardless, they looked dysfunctional in that NCAA game.

MU didn't end the season well...but I give no thought to the UNC game...they blew out many good teams (including Baylor until an epic 10 min of officiating). 

I think this is going to be a challenging year for MU...if we're in the tourney I'm happy.  The following year we should be competing for a BEAST championship.

I'd also take Shaka over any of the other coaches in his tier.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: wadesworld on October 03, 2022, 10:08:36 AM
I'd also take Shaka over any of the other coaches in his tier.

I'd for sure take Lloyd, Holtmann, Howard, and Oats.  I'd personally take Underwood and Matta.  McDermott, Dixon, and Hurley are tossups for me.  5 years ago I would've definitely taken Brey and Buzz too.  And too early to tell on Hubert.  Overall I'd say this group of coaches if pretty accurate in terms of where he should be ranked.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: MU82 on October 03, 2022, 11:33:10 AM
Overall I'd say this group of coaches if pretty accurate in terms of where he should be ranked.

Agree.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: DFW HOYA on October 03, 2022, 11:33:44 AM
Tier 3 >> Tier 7
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Stretchdeltsig on October 04, 2022, 04:30:47 PM
The Athletic has ranked most P6 college basketball coaches by tiers, and Shaka was in the Tier 3 ... along with some pretty good company:

Randy Bennett, Mike Brey, Hubert Davis, Jamie Dixon, Greg Gard, Anthony Grant, Chris Holtmann, Juwan Howard, Dan Hurley, James Jones, Tommy Lloyd, Thad Matta, Fran McCaffery, Greg McDermott, Niko Medved, Porter Moser, Nate Oats, Kevin Willard, Buzz Williams, Brad Underwood, Mike Young.

https://theathletic.com/3619418/2022/09/28/college-basketball-best-coach-rankings-tiers/?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=5157326

Top tier was predictable: Bennett, Calipari, Drew, Few, Izzo, Pitino, Sampson, Self.

Criteria was "intentionally vague," and "because tiering 350-plus coaches would be folly, we culled the list according to the following qualifications": head coaches from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC; any head coach from a non-“power” conference who has led his team to the NCAA Tournament or won a regular-season conference title in the last three seasons; must have already coached a full season at the Division I level.

I guess that's further evidence that the Big East is considered part of the "Power 6."

Of our coach, The Athletic said:

Shaka Smart went to a Final Four with VCU and bypassed a ton of offers before jumping at Texas. He was not bad in Austin. The Longhorns went to the NCAA Tournament in three of his last five years (and probably would have made another were it not for COVID-19), before he opted out and headed to Marquette. There, Smart took a team that was largely dysfunctional amid roster churn and got it to the NCAA Tournament. “I know there’s a wide range of opinions on Shaka, but he has been to a Final Four,’’ one agent says. “He’s been to the NCAA Tournament every year but three that he’s coached. I mean, that’s pretty damn good."

Calling Shaka's breakup with Texas him "opting out" is a little generous, but I otherwise agree that Shaka has been a "pretty damn good" college basketball coach.

Mu82
You continue to be a negative. Apparently you aren't aware of your cynicsm or sarcasm. You've proven over and over that you are a real "Debbie Downer." For this reason you are being muted.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: TAMU, Knower of Ball on October 04, 2022, 04:50:06 PM
Mu82
You continue to be a negative. Apparently you aren't aware of your cynicsm or sarcasm. You've proven over and over that you are a real "Debbie Downer." For this reason you are being muted.

I really can't tell if you are being serious or if you are committed to a years long bit.

If the former, yikes on bikes. If the latter, respect for the commitment.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: MU82 on October 04, 2022, 06:06:52 PM
Mu82
You continue to be a negative. Apparently you aren't aware of your cynicsm or sarcasm. You've proven over and over that you are a real "Debbie Downer." For this reason you are being muted.

Heartbreaking.

I really can't tell if you are being serious or if you are committed to a years long bit.

If the former, yikes on bikes. If the latter, respect for the commitment.

Yeah, I'm probably one of the dozen biggest MU hoops optimists on here, but whatevs. I'll miss the scintillating conversations.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: mileskishnish72 on October 05, 2022, 09:55:49 AM
He took over a team that had three returning players (ranked 6th, 7th and 10th in minutes the year prior) kept some key recruits, got in some decent transfers, and made the NCAA tournament.

A pretty good coaching job IMO.
+1
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: mileskishnish72 on October 05, 2022, 09:57:11 AM
The one thing I would say to this is that he could have theoretically returned the entire roster if he wanted to. He didn't. He blew it up instead and still made the NCAAT. Pretty good coaching job indeed.
+2
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: JakeBarnes on October 05, 2022, 02:53:54 PM
I always assume I am muted by most. Basically, Scoop for me is the assumption that I am shouting into the void. It's pretty cathartic, to be honest.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: tower912 on October 05, 2022, 03:02:56 PM
Did you say something?
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Scoop Snoop on October 05, 2022, 05:28:01 PM
I always assume I am muted by most. Basically, Scoop for me is the assumption that I am shouting into the void. It's pretty cathartic, to be honest.

I know the feeling, but as you said, it's pretty cathartic.

If you want to be noticed by at least one Scooper, that's easy. Go on a political rant and Rocky will stop by to say hello. Either that or get into a pissing contest with someone. Everybody loves those!
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Goose on October 05, 2022, 05:40:58 PM
Scoop and Jake

I hear you guys loud and clearly.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Scoop Snoop on October 05, 2022, 05:57:41 PM
Scoop and Jake

I hear you guys loud and clearly.

Thanks Goose.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Newsdreams on October 06, 2022, 07:17:39 AM
Did you say something?
Please don't quote him
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: PJDunn on October 06, 2022, 12:16:27 PM
Medved may be the best in the tier 3 group. That being said, no one in their right mind would leave Fort Collins for Milwaukee.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Hards Alumni on October 06, 2022, 12:43:54 PM
Medved may be the best in the tier 3 group. That being said, no one in their right mind would leave Fort Collins for Milwaukee.

They're sort of incomparable.  One is 166k people in the mountains, the other is Milwaukee.

Rest assured, no one is running towards Colorado State for a coaching job over Marquette.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: PJDunn on October 06, 2022, 12:47:25 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Nukem2 on October 06, 2022, 12:53:12 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.
I wonder how CSU’s deputy AD Cottingham would opine on that.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: PJDunn on October 06, 2022, 12:57:18 PM
Good question. All we can truly ascertain is that his quality of life on the front range is much higher than it was southeast Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: cheebs09 on October 06, 2022, 12:58:56 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.

I try to be as realistic as I can about MU’s standing in the college basketball landscape. I have a hard time thinking CSU’s ceiling is in the realm of MU’s. Their last Sweet 16 was 1969.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on October 06, 2022, 01:06:04 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.

This is so, so very silly.

Marquette is a much, much better basketball program than CSU's. They average less than half Marquette's crowd and really haven't accomplished anything significant on the court.

And yes, the average college basketball coach would pick Marquette and Milwaukee over CSU 9 times out of 10.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Pakuni on October 06, 2022, 01:09:43 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.

The legendary Stew Morrill thought Utah State had a higher ceiling than CSU.
When Utah State was in the Big West.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: brewcity77 on October 06, 2022, 01:22:23 PM
This is so, so very silly.

Marquette is a much, much better basketball program than CSU's. They average less than half Marquette's crowd and really haven't accomplished anything significant on the court.

And yes, the average college basketball coach would pick Marquette and Milwaukee over CSU 9 times out of 10.

On the most recent Eye on College Basketball podcast, Matt Norlander made it clear he considers Marquette a top-20 job.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Uncle Rico on October 06, 2022, 01:34:42 PM
On the most recent Eye on College Basketball podcast, Matt Norlander made it clear he considers Marquette a top-20 job.

Does he talk to the sweater vests?
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Jay Bee on October 06, 2022, 01:44:54 PM
CSU … David Roddy from the Twin Cities… gotta admit, never would have guessed he would be an NBA first rounder when he was in HS. Crazy. Memphis via 76ers
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: wadesworld on October 06, 2022, 02:25:35 PM
On the most recent Eye on College Basketball podcast, Matt Norlander made it clear he considers Marquette a top-20 job.

Not really. He mentioned it when he was trying to guess what job Parrish would have in his top 15 that Norlander did not, and then said, “not a top 15 job. Good job though.” Then he listed at least 5 others he was considering with the answer.

Edit: The exact quote was, "It's not top 15, but Marquette's a sneaky good job."  Then he says Ohio State is his first guess, then says he was debating between UCONN, Arkansas, Ohio State, Florida, Marquette, and says Maryland is top 20 and can see Oregon as top 15.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: mu.n8ball on October 06, 2022, 04:42:37 PM
this video about the coach in question came up on my google feed:
https://coachesinsider.com/mens-basketball/pick-and-roll-vs-a-trap-with-shaka-smart-marquette-univ/

I think the big he might be referring to as playmaking is Oso.

Apparently, it's part of a larger video set:
https://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/Powerful-Pick-And-Roll-Offense-With-6-Proven-Counter-Attacks-Based-On-How-An-Opponent-Defends-Screens_BD-06018.html?crm=a%2d2874

Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: MU1980 on October 06, 2022, 05:41:34 PM
Good question. All we can truly ascertain is that his quality of life on the front range is much higher than it was southeast Wisconsin.
  This is just an opinion and one that not everyone would agree with.  I lived in Boulder, CO for a couple of years and enjoyed it very much, but missed the Midwest and Milwaukee and moved back and am very happy with my choice.  And Boulder is a much nicer city than Ft. Collins, or at least that is my opinion. 

Also, as has been mentioned, the Marquette job is a much better job than CSU and that is more than just opinion, it is pretty factual. 

Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Shooter McGavin on October 06, 2022, 09:35:06 PM
  This is just an opinion and one that not everyone would agree with.  I lived in Boulder, CO for a couple of years and enjoyed it very much, but missed the Midwest and Milwaukee and moved back and am very happy with my choice.  And Boulder is a much nicer city than Ft. Collins, or at least that is my opinion. 

Also, as has been mentioned, the Marquette job is a much better job than CSU and that is more than just opinion, it is pretty factual.

Why are we comparing CSU to MU basketball?  Seems pretty unnatural carnal knowledgeing dumb to me. 
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: MU82 on October 06, 2022, 10:08:54 PM
Maui is really nice. Ipso fatso, Chaminade is a better basketball coaching job than Marquette is.
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Newsdreams on October 07, 2022, 07:02:08 AM
Why are we comparing CSU to MU basketball?  Seems pretty unnatural carnal knowledgeing dumb to me.
COLE Patrol
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Tha Hound on October 07, 2022, 06:27:17 PM
I agree that they are incomparable, Fort Collins is a fantastic. Also not sure that the ceiling at MU is that much greater than CSU.

Should be banned for this post, sarcasm or not
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: jfp61 on October 07, 2022, 06:32:46 PM
Speaking of top tier coaching. 3rd straight year a Pitt player got arrested under Capel.

Let’s see some Greg at PG baby!
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Newsdreams on October 07, 2022, 07:40:34 PM
Speaking of top tier coaching. 3rd straight year a Pitt player got arrested under Capel.

Let’s see some Greg at PG baby!
Culture
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Spotcheck Billy on October 13, 2022, 10:44:07 AM
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2022/10/13/marquette-has-strong-player-development-under-head-coach-shaka-smart/8237152001/
^ excellent article from Ben Steele about Dayshawn Wells, MU’s video coordinator, and Tyler McDevitt, who was promoted to director of player development and their roles
Title: Re: Our coach isn't "top tier," but he ain't half bad
Post by: Tums Festival on October 15, 2022, 08:13:47 PM
Should be banned for this post, sarcasm or not

At least for the sentence fragment.