Wishful thinking...or reason for optimism...

[NersEllenson]

Some feel we are out of the running with Shaka....I hope they are wrong.  Question I have for those who feel we are out of the running:

Can we find anywhere published where Shaka has made a statement to a credible news reporter that he doesn't have any interest in the position?   

Maybe wishful thinking...but...if he didn't have ANY* interest, why have we not heard anything publicly denying his interest?

[Windyplayer]

Because you don't want to set a precedent in which you have to come out and deny every single rumor or else the media will think it has traction. You're better off staying silent on everything.

[Eldon]

Some feel we are out of the running with Shaka....I hope they are wrong.  Question I have for those who feel we are out of the running:

Can we find anywhere published where Shaka has made a statement to a credible news reporter that he doesn't have any interest in the position?   

Maybe wishful thinking...but...if he didn't have ANY* interest, why have we not heard anything publicly denying his interest?

It's so weird to be on this side of the fence for once.

So this is what it was like on SMU, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, etc. boards the last few years...

[muarmy81]

Can we find anywhere published where Shaka has made a statement to a credible news reporter that he doesn't have any interest in the position?   

have you found anything that's been published where he indicated interest?

I'd love to have him but I doubt he's moving on from VCU...my money is on Ben Howland.

[79Warrior]

Some feel we are out of the running with Shaka....I hope they are wrong.  Question I have for those who feel we are out of the running:

Can we find anywhere published where Shaka has made a statement to a credible news reporter that he doesn't have any interest in the position?   

Maybe wishful thinking...but...if he didn't have ANY* interest, why have we not heard anything publicly denying his interest?

That is assuming we ever were in the running for Smart. The fact is Cords is radio silent, as he should be so everything is rumor.

[jesmu84]

Some feel we are out of the running with Shaka....I hope they are wrong.  Question I have for those who feel we are out of the running:

Can we find anywhere published where Shaka has made a statement to a credible news reporter that he doesn't have any interest in the position?  

Maybe wishful thinking...but...if he didn't have ANY* interest, why have we not heard anything publicly denying his interest?

just playing devil's advocate...

have you found anywhere published where shaka made a statement to a credible news reporter that he DOES have interest?

edit: Army beat me to it

[NersEllenson]

It's so weird to be on this side of the fence for once.

So this is what it was like on SMU, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, etc. boards the last few years...

+1 - And by all accounts...we seem to know there was some interest on Buzz's part for at least SMU and Oklahoma...

[mechaghidorah]

Since numerous reports have Howland as being very interested in the job, if he was MU's top choice, wouldn't it get done in a day or two?

[NersEllenson]

just playing devil's advocate...

have you found anywhere published where shaka made a statement to a credible news reporter that he DOES have interest?

edit: Army beat me to it

Don't think any coach at an existing institution ever comes out and makes a statement that they ARE interested in another opening at another school...

When it happens...it usually happens that they are just named head coach at new school.  I mean everyone knows Wardle would take the job in a second...but has he gone on record saying he's interested in the MU job?

[Tugg Speedman]

Because you don't want to set a precedent in which you have to come out and deny every single rumor or else the media will think it has traction. You're better off staying silent on everything.

+1
First he's turned down every job in that has opened in the last three years (including UCLA).  And, yes, if you start denying rumors, you have to denying every made up twitter rumor or people will assume a non-denial means your interested.

When multiple reports surface he is interested (like we have with Howland), then it is real.  Until then assume it is all made up wishful thinking that Shaka is realistic.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

If MU wants Shaka they are gonna have to throw the bank at him. Somewhere in the range of 3 mil a year with a private plane, endless budget and give him a say in who the new AD would be. MU has the resources to do it but is Shaka willing to part with a confortable situation.

[Tugg Speedman]

If MU wants Shaka they are gonna have to throw the bank at him. Somewhere in the range of 3 mil a year with a private plane, endless budget and give him a say in who the new AD would be. MU has the resources to do it but is Shaka willing to part with a confortable situation.

That is exactly what Buzz had!

So Shaka can be had by just handing him Buzz's old contract?  Can it be that easy?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

That is exactly what Buzz had!

So Shaka can be had by just handing him Buzz's old contract?  Can it be that easy?

Yes but I dont think Shaka is going to jump ship and come here. Im just saying that MU has the resources to pull him away, I just think he will. Plus in regards to UCLA, personally, I would rather recruit out of the midwest in the Chicago, Milwaukee area then the LA kids. More bball talent in the Midwest.

[Tugg Speedman]

The closest we will get to Shaka is when VCU is added to the BE.

[wadesworld]

The closest we will get to Shaka is when VCU is added to the BE.

Maybe, maybe not.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Maybe, maybe not.

Strong words.

I think Ners is going to be depressed though, over not having Buzz to rip on all time. At least he still has DWilson. There's that.

[4everwarriors]

I think I'm officially done if its Wardle.

[Wisco]

I know I've been beating a dead horse with this, along with the fact that no one has a particularly good reason to believe me on these forums (aside from the fact that I've been a member since 2009), but I can state with near full confidence through my VCU contact (at which I am currently enrolled) that Shaka has already turned away Marquette. The same individual told me that he thought Howland was the guy, but that was going off slightly less reliable information than the Shaka bit. Take it for what you will...but this individual was extremely reliable when it came to the "Shaka to..." rumors that popped up during the past few off-seasons.

[Skatastrophy]

I think I'm officially done if its Wardle.

I am now strongly in the Wardle camp.

I kid

[wadesworld]

Strong words.

I think Ners is going to be depressed though, over not having Buzz to rip on all time. At least he still has DWilson. There's that.

Not saying, just saying...

[RyanConroy]

I know I've been beating a dead horse with this, along with the fact that no one has a particularly good reason to believe me on these forums (aside from the fact that I've been a member since 2009), but I can state with near full confidence through my VCU contact (at which I am currently enrolled) that Shaka has already turned away Marquette. The same individual told me that he thought Howland was the guy, but that was going off slightly less reliable information than the Shaka bit. Take it for what you will...but this individual was extremely reliable when it came to the "Shaka to..." rumors that popped up during the past few off-seasons.

With all due respect, "Shaka loves it here and isn't going anywhere" seems like a sentiment that could easily be peddled by boosters who have deluded themselves or been 'reassured' by the VCU administration. Your source very well may be privy to inside information, but views that highlight positive outlooks for VCU from VCU insiders are difficult to trust.

It's also harder to dispel rumors when a fan base gets imagery of Shaka patrolling the sidelines of the BC on Saturdays in February. I know I'm trying to lessen my hopes a bit. It isn't working very well.

[Wisco]

With all due respect, "Shaka loves it here and isn't going anywhere" seems like a sentiment that could easily be peddled by boosters who have deluded themselves or been 'reassured' by the VCU administration. Your source very well may be privy to inside information, but views that highlight positive outlooks for VCU from VCU insiders are difficult to trust.

It's also harder to dispel rumors when a fan base gets imagery of Shaka patrolling the sidelines of the BC on Saturdays in February. I know I'm trying to lessen my hopes a bit. It isn't working very well.

Fair point. As I posted in the other thread, I'm trying my best to be objective. I've been a Marquette fan much longer than I've been a VCU fan so if I truly thought there was a chance I'd come out and say it. I want Shaka to be Marquette's coach just as much as any of you.

[mu03eng]

Look at it from Shaka's perspective and what his end goals/motivations are.  Where does he want to be 10 years from now?  I think he wants to be at a blue blood.  If so, a move to MU doesn't make sense.  A blue blood will open in the next 3-5 years why spend them at an intermediate school that brings increased risks (competition, visibility, conference issues, organizational issues, etc) without the associated reward.

Sure we can throw money at him, but if he is thinking long term why does the short term money matter.  He can stay at VCU, make good money, protect his reputation for that next blue blood and then jump.

I'm not saying MU isn't a fantastic job, it is....I just don't see it as a fantastic job for Smart long term, though I'd love him to be here.

[Eldon]

Fair point. As I posted in the other thread, I'm trying my best to be objective. I've been a Marquette fan much longer than I've been a VCU fan so if I truly thought there was a chance I'd come out and say it. I want Shaka to be Marquette's coach just as much as any of you.

Really?

I have multiple alma maters, and for me I would rather have Howland at one, Shaka at the other (assuming if Shaka came here, Howland would not take VCU)

[Wisco]

Really?

I have multiple alma maters, and for me I would rather have Howland at one, Shaka at the other (assuming if Shaka came here, Howland would not take VCU)

Sorry, I'm probably typing sentences before I can finish my thoughts at this point. Yes, in an ideal world, Shaka would stay at VCU and Marquette would hire Howland. That would probably make for a fun couple of years for me as a basketball fan.