Jeff Goodman's ESPN Insider post on Marquette

[palmetto king]

How about any that are coaching still in the NIT.  One Richard Pitino, for example

[nyg]

First, some may like Goodman and some may not, but he is in the big leagues as compared to IWB, Dodds or whoever in the local area.  We are talking CBS and ESPN and not some Wisconsin prep talk. He has the national contacts, is on site at a regional and is not just sitting at a computer reading threads and twitters.  I will pay attention to what he comments on.

That said, he sort of brushed off Smart, but 3M a year and above is crazy money, getting close to Calipari and Pitino range.  That is tough to turn down.  

The mystery man aspect is interesting, but remember and Chicos and I and others mentioned it earlier, Martin was on life support before his team got hot.  I can't put a grip on it why MU would reach out to him, since really no ties with region or anything.  Bennett would be the logical mystery man, but he has his team to the Sweet 16, a #1 seed and plays in the ACC.  Would MU pay him that crazy money or just below.  I think he makes 1.3M at Virginia.  

Dawkins?  When did his name come up or is it just guessing.  

[WadeATKBurton]

How about any that are coaching still in the NIT.  One Richard Pitino, for example

Unproven

[NavinRJohnson]

Dawkins?  When did his name come up or is it just guessing.  

Just guessing on my part. i don't think i heard it anywhere else, though for no real reason, I would wager a lot that MU is looking at him.

[The Lens]

When it's reported we'll pay 3 million, I can assure nearly every coach in the country is kicking the tires.  Most just want a raise.  MU is getting some people rich this month.

[Warhawk Warrior]

Good thing the DIII championships are over.  Our mystery candidate probably won't be from Whitewater.  

[LastWarrior]

Don't think Duke or Cuse is something he'd go for. I think most VCU fans would assume he's gone if Florida opens up after Donovan leaves. The only minor setback about that job is football may be more important to the AD.

Football MAY be more important that basketball at Florida?  Son that is the SEC... Football is GOD in the SEC.  I can guarantee you that 80% of UF people will take a win against UGA in football over a Final Four appearance.

[WadeATKBurton]

First, some may like Goodman and some may not, but he is in the big leagues as compared to IWB, Dodds or whoever in the local area.  We are talking CBS and ESPN and not some Wisconsin prep talk. He has the national contacts, is on site at a regional and is not just sitting at a computer reading threads and twitters.  I will pay attention to what he comments on.

That said, he sort of brushed off Smart, but 3M a year and above is crazy money, getting close to Calipari and Pitino range.  That is tough to turn down.  

The mystery man aspect is interesting, but remember and Chicos and I and others mentioned it earlier, Martin was on life support before his team got hot.  I can't put a grip on it why MU would reach out to him, since really no ties with region or anything.  Bennett would be the logical mystery man, but he has his team to the Sweet 16, a #1 seed and plays in the ACC.  Would MU pay him that crazy money or just below.  I think he makes 1.3M at Virginia.  

Dawkins?  When did his name come up or is it just guessing.  

You hit the nail right on the head about Goodman. I will always find him more credible than the "local" guys any day.

[Gopher+RamFan]

Which is when, 15 years form now? UCLA and Indiana may open up relatively soon (under 5 years)...but that's about it for the big boys. 5 years for one of the blue bloods is even stretching it.

Because Shaka comes from the Donovan tree, and their styles are similar. He could take Donovan's players and not miss a beat. His style of play translates well to the SEC, and he has ties down to Florida going back to his assistant days.

Not saying he would reject an offer from Duke or Cuse outright, but if I had to bet my savings on one program where I think both sides would come to a quick resolution and he would become coach: it's Florida without a doubt.

[nyg]

Just guessing on my part. i don't think i heard it anywhere else, though for no real reason, I would wager a lot that MU is looking at him.

OK, without the guessing game,and using logic and common sense, then it comes down to Martin or Bennett as the mystery man.  I can't see Martin, but who knows.  Bennett by the way makes 1.7M a year at UVA.  

[MUAlum99]

@JimOwczarski Everyone assumes the "mystery candidate" for #mubb is a head coach....

My thought exactly as I read through this post...

[chapman]

Have ESPN re-assign the story to Katz.

[314warrior]

Buzz was making a ton of money, and he still left (for less $).  Would it even be prudent to just throw >$3M at SS to get him to come here?  I am just trying to convince myself to let it go.

I wonder if executive pay is a little harder to come by for the university now that we have our first lay president.  Any idea what they'll pay him?

[Freeport Warrior]

I'm assuming you are addressing me with this statement and as I've posted on here before, there is no need to be condescending.

The story I have stuck with on this forum is that Shaka was never interested in the Marquette position. I also claimed that someone high up in the VCU athletic department informed me that Shaka himself never directly talked with anyone at MU. Goodman's tweet was left open to interpretation and it certainly isn't outside the realm of possibilities that "talking" implied nothing more than discussions with his agent. It is also possible that Shaka did engage in some discussion but I remain convinced that it was for nothing more than leverage.

You and others on this forum have claimed to know information as well. I specifically recall you mentioning a team meeting that I do not believe occurred, although we can agree to disagree on that matter. Where is your criticism of other insiders though, those who argued that a Shaka signing was imminent? Why is only what I claimed to know subject to your ridicule?

My overall point here is that, during times of confusion (i.e. multiple sources clashing and rampant speculation), it is best to err on the side of caution, especially in light of the fact that Goodman nor any other national reporter had verified any of the claims being made here. I don't think that is too radical of a position to hold.

Let's just set the record straight. You are wrong on many levels here. I don't need to cite any sources, you just are. Smart is/was flirting with the idea and doing his due diligence. Eventually, it will all come out. And that will occur even if Smart remains the VCU coach or not. His flirting isn't a slam on VCU, it's human nature. I think both institutions have an inflated view of the world. Shaka will move on. If not us, someone else. It happens. The reason a guy like Goodman puts out a "no-info" tweet like that is because no one is talking to the national media/twitter guys because there is currently nothing to say. It may well all fall apart, but don't be so naive to think that he hasn't been in conversations all week. Yes, him. #anyonebutwardle

[Marquette_g]

@JimOwczarski Everyone assumes the "mystery candidate" for #mubb is a head coach....

My thought exactly as I read through this post...

This wouldn't be the first time this board heard the name Dwayne Stephens thrown out.  

An assistant seems far more likely than Tony Bennett leaving UVA.

[The Equalizer]

Dayton:  Archie Miller : Just got extended... doubt it.

Sean Miller signed an 10-year extension (through 2018) with Xavier.  He left for Arizona inside of one year.

The extention is irrelevant.  The only thing that would matter is the size of the buyout.

[LastWarrior]

Let's just set the record straight. You are wrong on many levels here. I don't need to cite any sources, you just are. Smart is/was flirting with the idea and doing his due diligence. Eventually, it will all come out. And that will occur even if Smart remains the VCU coach or not. His flirting isn't a slam on VCU, it's human nature. I think both institutions have an inflated view of the world. Shaka will move on. If not us, someone else. It happens. The reason a guy like Goodman puts out a "no-info" tweet like that is because no one is talking to the national media/twitter guys because there is currently nothing to say. It may well all fall apart, but don't be so naive to think that he hasn't been in conversations all week. Yes, him. #anyonebutwardle

If MU is really offering $3MM+ and Shaka is currently at $1.2MM, how much more can VCU even offer?  VCU is a State school, right?  Would they even be able to get his salary up to $2MM?

[Wade for President]

Let's grab Howland & go to work.

[palmetto king]

Leonard Hamilton, FSU, ?  Larry Brown, SMU?  Look the point is, an offer will eventually be made and accepted.  The new coach will be judged on certain criteria: wins and losses; whether he runs an ethically clean program, and whether his players are in a position to receive an education with the goal of graduation for those that remain the allotted time. I have supported this team when we were a premier program and when we were awful, and everything in between.  Marquette U. provided me with an excellent education.  Marquette basketball provided me with entertainment, and still does.  Although frustrating, we may lose recruits with the new hire.  Nevertheless, every year that I have followed this program, there have always been others to replace them. I have cheered just as hard for us when we were in all the various conferences in which we found ourselves, including Conference USA when we went to the FF.  Those are my two cents worth.

[79Warrior]

If MU is really offering $3MM+ and Shaka is currently at $1.2MM, how much more can VCU even offer?  VCU is a State school, right?  Would they even be able to get his salary up to $2MM?

I don't believe the $3 million figure is true. Just how long would you have to think about doubling you salary by moving back home? Makes no sense.

[Wisco]

Let's just set the record straight. You are wrong on many levels here. I don't need to cite any sources, you just are. Smart is/was flirting with the idea and doing his due diligence. Eventually, it will all come out. And that will occur even if Smart remains the VCU coach or not. His flirting isn't a slam on VCU, it's human nature. I think both institutions have an inflated view of the world. Shaka will move on. If not us, someone else. It happens. The reason a guy like Goodman puts out a "no-info" tweet like that is because no one is talking to the national media/twitter guys because there is currently nothing to say. It may well all fall apart, but don't be so naive to think that he hasn't been in conversations all week. Yes, him. #anyonebutwardle

I thought I made it clear in my post that I believed there was a possibility Shaka engaged in discussion. My point was that I believed his intention all along was to gain leverage...nothing more.

Again, though, your post begs the question: why should I weigh the validity of your sources over mine? Just because you say so? The bolded part makes no sense. My train of thought assumes the status quo. That has been the safest bet the whole time here.

You posted the other day: "Also just confirmed Shaka!!!!" Obviously, that didn't turn out to be true. Why should I trust that the people you have been speaking with are in the know? Your position assumes quite a bit more than mine.

[ChicosBailBonds]

@JimOwczarski Everyone assumes the "mystery candidate" for #mubb is a head coach....

My thought exactly as I read through this post...

D. Stephens, MSU.   Still my out of the box candidate.

[humanlung]

Just hire Howland.

He WANTS to be here.  It seems that sets him apart, perhaps, from other big names thrown about on here.

Oh...and he's MUCH more accomplished than EVERY other name considered.

[Hards Alumni]

This wouldn't be the first time this board heard the name Dwayne Stephens thrown out.  

An assistant seems far more likely than Tony Bennett leaving UVA.

I would be absolutely fine with Dwayne Stephens.

[Aughnanure]

First, some may like Goodman and some may not, but he is in the big leagues as compared to IWB, Dodds or whoever in the local area.  We are talking CBS and ESPN and not some Wisconsin prep talk. He has the national contacts, is on site at a regional and is not just sitting at a computer reading threads and twitters.  I will pay attention to what he comments on.

That said, he sort of brushed off Smart, but 3M a year and above is crazy money, getting close to Calipari and Pitino range.  That is tough to turn down.  

The mystery man aspect is interesting, but remember and Chicos and I and others mentioned it earlier, Martin was on life support before his team got hot.  I can't put a grip on it why MU would reach out to him, since really no ties with region or anything.  Bennett would be the logical mystery man, but he has his team to the Sweet 16, a #1 seed and plays in the ACC.  Would MU pay him that crazy money or just below.  I think he makes 1.3M at Virginia.  

Dawkins?  When did his name come up or is it just guessing.  

He's also super busy. He puts out the transfer list, which coaches literally pester him about, he's covering games, and he's trying to cover the coaching carousel.