Ben Howland

[WarriorPride68]

He was hit or miss on Scoop when Howland wanted the Marquette job.

Can't help but notice what he's doing in Starksville of all places; 7 top 100 (2015 & 2016) commits before coaching a game.

Were there ever NCAA infractions broken when Howland was at UCLA or Pitt? I recall the SI article, but was he ever punished for that?

[Brewtown Andy]

I don't think any of his issues at UCLA were anything that really rose to the NCAA's awareness level.

[Eldon]

He was hit or miss on Scoop when Howland wanted the Marquette job.

Can't help but notice what he's doing in Starksville of all places; 7 top 100 (2015 & 2016) commits before coaching a game.

Were there ever NCAA infractions broken when Howland was at UCLA or Pitt? I recall the SI article, but was he ever punished for that?

I really wanted Howland (and still do?), even over Shaka.  All people can ever say is "the guy has stink" but the claim is never substantiated (other than the SI article).

To be fair, there must be reason that MU, along with other schools (including Oregon State...OREGON STATE!!) passed on him.

[Brewtown Andy]

I really wanted Howland (and still do?), even over Shaka.  All people can ever say is "the guy has stink" but the claim is never substantiated (other than the SI article).

To be fair, there must be reason that MU, along with other schools (including Oregon State...OREGON STATE!!) passed on him.

Based on Howland on Fox Sports TV last year, I think MU passing on him can largely be summed up as "Wojo's a better public speaker."

[brewcity77]

I don't think Howland has been nailed for any infractions, but he comes across as a pretty terrible human being. If Marquette would stand by the motto of Cura Personalis, it would be pretty hard to justify having someone like Howland on the payroll. Just ask Matt Carlino about his team management.

[willie warrior]

Based on Howland on Fox Sports TV last year, I think MU passing on him can largely be summed up as "Wojo's a better public speaker."

And a better power point presenter

[GGGG]

I really wanted Howland (and still do?), even over Shaka.  All people can ever say is "the guy has stink" but the claim is never substantiated (other than the SI article).

To be fair, there must be reason that MU, along with other schools (including Oregon State...OREGON STATE!!) passed on him.

Because he is surly.  And because he was unfairly maligned by morons like Bill Walton who thought he should have won a certain way at UCLA.  But you are right, he has won wherever he has been.

[bilsu]

It is much easier to recruit before you coach your first game at a school. You can tell recruits about everything you will do at the school.  Wojo is now trying to recruit after a 13-19 season, which is harder than selling future expectations.

[jesmu84]

He was hit or miss on Scoop when Howland wanted the Marquette job.

Can't help but notice what he's doing in Starksville of all places; 7 top 100 (2015 & 2016) commits before coaching a game.

Were there ever NCAA infractions broken when Howland was at UCLA or Pitt? I recall the SI article, but was he ever punished for that?

$$$$$$$$$$$$

[tower912]

He didn't build bridges at UCLA.   He took some guys of questionable character and had his last couple teams self destruct from within.    However, no one has ever doubted he can coach.   If he has mellowed, found some humility, and returned to recruiting high character players,  he has a lot of ability and experience to offer.

[keefe]

If Marquette would stand by the motto of Cura Personalis, it would be pretty hard to justify having someone like Howland on the payroll.

Tom Crean?

[keefe]

Because he is surly.  And because he was unfairly maligned by morons like Bill Walton who thought he should have won a certain way at UCLA.  But you are right, he has won wherever he has been.

It wasn't just Walton. That alumni base is one of the most shrill, virulent, and obnoxious this side of Notre Dame. Coaching at UCLA requires diplomatic skills that Howland will never possess.

I thought he would have been a great hire for Marquette. Howland is surly but he's neither an assh0le like Crean nor a f#cking looney like Bert. He would have done great things for us.

[wadesworld]

We got our guy.

[Pakuni]

Because he is surly.  And because he was unfairly maligned by morons like Bill Walton who thought he should have won a certain way at UCLA.  But you are right, he has won wherever he has been.

Unless that SI piece on him and his final years at UCLA was a piece of fiction, I'd say much of the maligning of Ben Howland was well earned.
Not that it should preclude him from landing another job - including at MU - but he left UCLA a dumpster fire.

[tower912]

This SI article?
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2013/03/25/ucla-ben-howland

Yeah, pretty damning.   

[jpvegas]

I believe Lovell knew Howland from his time at Pittsburgh and chose not to make him the top priority, though I believe he probably would have been considered if Wojo didn't take the job.

[tower912]

I believe Lovell knew Howland from his time at Pittsburgh and chose not to make him the top priority, though I believe he probably would have been considered if Wojo didn't take the job.

An interesting angle.   

[Pakuni]

This SI article?
http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2013/03/25/ucla-ben-howland

Yeah, pretty damning.

I was thinking if this one, but that one's not much better:

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/02/29/ucla

[Tugg Speedman]

He was hit or miss on Scoop when Howland wanted the Marquette job.

Can't help but notice what he's doing in Starksville of all places; 7 top 100 (2015 & 2016) commits before coaching a game.

Were there ever NCAA infractions broken when Howland was at UCLA or Pitt? I recall the SI article, but was he ever punished for that?

Who are these 7 top 100 commits to Miss State?

Admittedly not a perfect source but ESPN says one from 2015 to Miss State
http://espn.go.com/colleges/basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/344/class/2015
This is biggie in Malik Newman (#1 SG) but he committed before Howland and recommitted once Howland was named.  I believe his dad went to Miss State.

And ESPN says 1 from 2016
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/344/class/2016
This is great get Schnider Herard (#8 C)

In Contrast Under Wojo

ESPN says two top 100 commits under Wojo for 2015
http://espn.go.com/colleges/basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/269/class/2015
Ellenson and Cheatham

ESPN says two top 100 commits under Wojo for 2016
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/school/_/id/269/class/2016
Hauser and Bailey

By this measure that is Wojo 4 top 100 versus Howland with 2.

What is wrong with this?

[naginiF]

An interesting angle.

The way i remember it Cuonzo was the one we were circling on until the awesome Wojo interview with Ben as the fall back.  but that is 100% memory of Scoop.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Howland was never an option for MU. When there are public pictures of you drinking with your underage players you gotta imagine the private pictures are even worse. Howland knows how to win but is not a good human being. Would have been an awful representative of Marquette.

[4everwarriors]

Not as bad as Crean, doe, hey?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Not as bad as Crean, doe, hey?

I'd take Howland as a coach but Crean as a person. Not close on either count.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Howland was never an option for MU. When there are public pictures of you drinking with your underage players you gotta imagine the private pictures are even worse. Howland knows how to win but is not a good human being. Would have been an awful representative of Marquette.

See the whole drinking with underage players really doesnt bother me at all. I get it from a representing the university standpoint but its not something that bothers me in the slightest.

[MUchamp22]

See the whole drinking with underage players really doesnt bother me at all. I get it from a representing the university standpoint but its not something that bothers me in the slightest.

I'm with you on this. I don't think it's something you can call him not a good human being over...