Jeff Goodman's ESPN Insider post on Marquette

[keyswarrior]

First post and I'm waiting to get lambasted for it but hasn't Ben Howland accomplished much more than Shaka Smart?  If Smart was our new coach and did well wouldn't we have the same old "Smart to (fill in blue blood school looking for a new coach)".  Yes I'd be happy if Smart was our new coach.  I'd be happier if it was Howland and we could join the ranks of sweet 16/elite eight/final four teams that have coaches that aren't on the carrousel every year.

[Hards Alumni]

First post and I'm waiting to get lambasted for it but hasn't Ben Howland accomplished much more than Shaka Smart?  If Smart was our new coach and did well wouldn't we have the same old "Smart to (fill in blue blood school looking for a new coach)".  Yes I'd be happy if Smart was our new coach.  I'd be happier if it was Howland and we could join the ranks of sweet 16/elite eight/final four teams that have coaches that aren't on the carrousel every year.

Actually, that is a pretty standard comment around here.

[4everwarriors]

The allure of Smart for me was the perceived bump in recruitin'. Whether Howland still has that, I'm not for sure.

[keyswarrior]

Exactly what I was expecting

[GB Warrior]

The allure of Smart for me was the perceived bump in recruitin'. Whether Howland still has that, I'm not for sure.

+1.

[mattyv1908]

The allure of Smart for me was the perceived bump in recruitin'. Whether Howland still has that, I'm not for sure.

I disagree.

Who's players are still playing in the NCAAT for UCLA?  Pretty sure that's Howland's team.  He's recruited and coached much better players than Shaka Smart ever has.

If it wasn't for parody in college hoops we would never have seen a VCU final four.  While I would have been happy if Smart did accept the offer, a part of me feels like we missed out a whole lot of manufactured hype rather than a real proven winner.

[AirPunches]

The allure of Smart for me was the perceived bump in recruitin'. Whether Howland still has that, I'm not for sure.

Same here. Even if just for the short term. Although, it wouldn't take much to put out a better lineup than the last coach this past season.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I disagree.

Who's players are still playing in the NCAAT for UCLA?  Pretty sure that's Howland's team.  He's recruited and coached much better players than Shaka Smart ever has.

If it wasn't for parody in college hoops we would never have seen a VCU final four.  While I would have been happy if Smart did accept the offer, a part of me feels like we missed out a whole lot of manufactured hype rather than a real proven winner.

That's at UCLA. You've got to be fairly dynamic to recruit to Milwaukee

[mattyv1908]

That's at UCLA. You've got to be fairly dynamic to recruit to Milwaukee

He recruited just fine at Pitt.  It's no mid major but it's not exactly a sexy locale either.

[keyswarrior]

So we get all excited about a guy that had a miracle run from richmond who's stringing us along vs. a guy that won at two schools and wants to be here?  I'm on the Ben Howland bandwagon

[GooooMarquette]

He recruited just fine at Pitt.  It's no mid major but it's not exactly a sexy locale either.

Yep.  He brought plenty of good players to Pitt.  He could do the same at MU.

And I get a sense kids might like playing for a guy who has put 14 players in the NBA....

[Spotcheck Billy]

I got your point, responding to your quote was just because I had to respond to someone's.

Donovan just re-upped for 5 years, just don't know if the Association is in his future. After going through multiple programs trying to grab Smart, and seeing what he demands of VCU each time, one can reasonably see where his priorities may be.

Donovan already reneged on a job in the NBA

[Let's Go Warriors]

That's at UCLA. You've got to be fairly dynamic to recruit to Milwaukee

there is some truth to that.  However, in the past few years and the next few years.  MU could do a lot worse than to snap up the Wisconsin/Milwaukee top level recruits.  Howland I think can do this.

[PistolPete]

there is some truth to that.  However, in the past few years and the next few years.  MU could do a lot worse than to snap up the Wisconsin/Milwaukee top level recruits.  Howland I think can do this.

It's too early in the morning and I'm too lazy to comb through every post, but can someone weigh in on reasons that we would not hire Howland? I know the rumor was that he was asking for too much money... but, beyond that?

[MUMountin]

It's too early in the morning and I'm too lazy to comb through every post, but can someone weigh in on reasons that we would not hire Howland? I know the rumor was that he was asking for too much money... but, beyond that?

I think the general question right now is not why we wouldn't hire him, but whether he still wants MU: Did he get jilted after expressing significant interest in MU last weekend only to have MU play footsie with Shaka for a week.  I'm hoping that's not the case, and that we can get to terms with him quickly. 

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I think the general question right now is not why we wouldn't hire him, but whether he still wants MU: Did he get jilted after expressing significant interest in MU last weekend only to have MU play footsie with Shaka for a week.  I'm hoping that's not the case, and that we can get to terms with him quickly. 

I have to imagine BW is not that soft, but admittedly the same thought has crossed my mind.  MU is obviously vetting other candidates or it'd be a done deal by now.   

[PistolPete]

I think the general question right now is not why we wouldn't hire him, but whether he still wants MU: Did he get jilted after expressing significant interest in MU last weekend only to have MU play footsie with Shaka for a week.  I'm hoping that's not the case, and that we can get to terms with him quickly.  

If anything, wouldn't that bolster his position? We swung and missed on our presumed top candidate.

[LAZER]

I think the general question right now is not why we wouldn't hire him, but whether he still wants MU: Did he get jilted after expressing significant interest in MU last weekend only to have MU play footsie with Shaka for a week.  I'm hoping that's not the case, and that we can get to terms with him quickly. 

Agreed, I'm starting to think Martin might be #2 for MU.

[Logi4three]

Chico's


Martin has appeal to current kids and recruits.

Was Martin in on Hill, JJJ, Cohen, Dawson or any of out other big recruits/players?  If so, sounds like this hire might be worth considering further despite the fact it looked as though he was going to be out at Tenn a month or so ago. 

[WadeATKBurton]

there is some truth to that.  However, in the past few years and the next few years.  MU could do a lot worse than to snap up the Wisconsin/Milwaukee top level recruits.  Howland I think can do this.

Milwaukee is 10x better than Storrs, Connecticut...Kevin Ollie dont have any problems.

[LAZER]

Was Martin in on Hill, JJJ, Cohen, Dawson or any of out other big recruits/players?  If so, sounds like this hire might be worth considering further despite the fact it looked as though he was going to be out at Tenn a month or so ago. 

I'd imagine he and JJJ are at least a little familiar.

[chapman]

Agreed, I'm starting to think Martin might be #2 for MU.

[WadeATKBurton]

I'd imagine he and JJJ are at least a little familiar.

No need to imagine.  Even if he didnt recruit those guys they all will love him.

[nyg]

I'd imagine he and JJJ are at least a little familiar.

Per Rivals, both Hill and JJJ were offered by Tenn.  So, Martin is familiar with these two.  

[WadeATKBurton]

You guys are all sleeping on Martin. I think he would do great at Marquette.