Why has Texas turned into a title contender since Shaka left?

[NolongerWarriors]

Is Beard just that good?

Shaka was that bad?

It does look like he had recruited some subpar players going by the what he brought along to MU.

[tower912]

Beard is that good.

[Galway Eagle]

Yeah because being a three seed last year they weren't a title contender...

[MuggsyB]

Beard is that good.

Agreed.

[Herman Cain]

Texas was a 3 seed, won the conference tournament and was highly ranked all last year .

[brewcity77]

Their top two scorers are Andrew Jones & Courtney Ramey, so clearly it's still because of Shaka 

[MU82]

Chris Beard is a better coach than Shaka Smart.

I don't think it makes anybody less of a Marquette fan or even less of a Shaka fan to admit that. Beard is better than most coaches.

I guess it's accurate to say Shaka had Texas as a "title contender" last year because they were a 3 seed, but that's one year and they ended up humiliating themselves against a team of midgets in the first round. Shaka was 10-22 in his second year at Texas; I'd be willing to bet anybody some serious money than Beard won't be 10-22 at Texas in 2022-23.

The fact that Beard is better than Shaka doesn't mean Shaka was a bad hire for Marquette. So far, he seems to be a good hire. Ultimately, time and results will determine if he was a good hire, a great hire, a bad hire, whatever. It's always about results -- long-term, repeatable results.

[Billy Hoyle]

Beard is that good.

Beard and the transfer portal.

And Beard took over a UT program in better shape than Shaka took over.

[tower912]

Sure.

[jfp61]

1. Beard is really really good.
2. They still could easily lose by 10 tonight.

[panda]

1. Beard is really really good.
2. They still could easily lose by 10 tonight.

Texas is will roll tonight.

[wadesworld]

Beard and Shaka have the same amount of Final Four appearances.

[Jockey]

Let's also not forget that Beard had double digit losses in 4 out of 5 years at Texas Tech.

Yes, he is a very good coach, but I'd put him a little below Jay Wright on the coaching ledger.

[MU1980]

Is Beard just that good?

Shaka was that bad?

It does look like he had recruited some subpar players going by the what he brought along to MU.

Your lack of knowledge with anything to do with college basketball is truly mind-blowing to me. How can you follow college basketball as closely as it appears that you do and still be so clueless?

[The Equalizer]

Beard can't be that good. . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky7S6If9Q0g

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

There are several reasons but mainly, Beard is a better coach than Shaka at this point. I don't think anyone would argue that.

[panda]

Let's also not forget that Beard had double digit losses in 4 out of 5 years at Texas Tech.

Yes, he is a very good coach, but I'd put him a little below Jay Wright on the coaching ledger.

Let's not ignore the fact that since the B12 started in 97, TT has only had a winning record in conference seven times. Beard had three of them and took them to a final four and elite eight.

He's absolutely elite and will quickly make Texas one of the best programs in the country.

[avid1010]

Is Beard just that good?

Shaka was that bad?

It does look like he had recruited some subpar players going by the what he brought along to MU.

Can you explain the whole Rick Barnes thing to me as well.  In all seriousness...since MU hired Shaka you have seemed pissed...but I don't think it has anything to do with his coaching or record..

[tower912]

He is.   Spell it out, nlw.

[bilsu]

My only problem with the Shaka hiring is that we past on Moser, who I believe is the better coach. Of course it is possible that Moser was not interested in MU, but I was very disappointed when we did not get Moser.

[jesmu84]

Can you explain the whole Rick Barnes thing to me as well.  In all seriousness...since MU hired Shaka you have seemed pissed...but I don't think it has anything to do with his coaching or record..

He wanted Moser

[4everwarriors]

MU fooked up. Shoulda hired Beard, hey?

[avid1010]

MU fooked up. Shoulda hired Beard, hey?

Agreed...though I would have settled for Brad Stevens, Mark Few, or Jay Wright. 

[willie warrior]

My only problem with the Shaka hiring is that we past on Moser, who I believe is the better coach. Of course it is possible that Moser was not interested in MU, but I was very disappointed when we did not get Moser.

Doubt if MU made any serious run at Moser. Shaka was the name brand they wanted.

[StillAWarrior]

Agreed...though I would have settled for Brad Stevens, Mark Few, or Jay Wright.

That would have been a good staff. What do you figure? Steven's as HC with Wright and Few as ACs?