pumpfake

Yea, he was one of the two 'hard sells' I was thinking of. (Stevens & Donovan the two unanimous ones).

I suspect the consensus choice has been a different guy for the last 3 days (Donovan, Alford, Bennett). It's a testament to how these things tend to go (and probably just how those conducting the search would prefer). Based on the trend, tomorrow's choice du jour will probably be somebody I don't want, ha.

LOL. True. There's only two possible choices that would get near unanimous approval. I think there might be one or two that might be a hard sell to some. The other half dozen or so will get most of us on board. I've watched the ILL boards for their last two searches and it was remarkable to see an out of left field selection immediately become a home run hire. (I also saw Kevin Wilson immediately annointed a 'home run' hire too).

I'm sure the process and functions listed are accurate, but I have to believe much of that has been in process for days. Where the search stands at this moment is probably a mystery to everyone (including us and the media) and that's just fine with me.

I, too, would happily welcome Bennett. I don't think anyone disputes the high level of defense his teams play, but the offense is far better than what some like to claim. His teams don't play a fast paced offense by any means, I think maybe 'deliberate' might be a good characterization. I've felt that teams that play fast are easier to slow down, that the opposite. IMO, this was evidenced by what happened over the last 9 years when we played teams like WISC. I know some may not prefer this type of offense, although his teams are still pretty high in off efficiency. I don't have a problem with it, but I thought the 4 corners or IU's stall back in the 70's was a thing of beauty.

This could all be cleared up if that Tresh guy would get back to his job guarding the airport !!!!

Statistically, Bennett, Marshall, and White look pretty impressive - especially Tony B.

I figured something would happen in response to whoever it was that tweeted out salary figures yesterday (and indirectly got CC involved in the dialog). I say we all move on from BD and focus on realistic candidates (wink, wink).

He had some good takes on the firing of Crean (making the case for it), but gee, I listened to a little of his show yesterday and all I can say is you are correct. I feel like a boob for defending the guy a couple of days ago.

That guy seems like an obvious troll. First post on that site. User name of "General's Revenge". Probably Twin Degrees/Ducati or some other disgruntled BK zealot.

Who knows. Perhaps he convinced VC donors to put pressure on Fred.

Indeed he does. If we get saddled with yet another mediocre hire, all because some big-wig insists on hiring his friend it will say an awful lot about the Athletic Department and our place in the college basketball world.

Wow. That's actually profound and sound advice. Iowa fans weren't sad to see SA leave and it appears the UCLA faithful feel similarly.

Sadly, I can't rebut any of your points.

Yes, that is one fact that will probably always stick in my craw. Also, we've had one taste of the Izzo coaching tree - do we want to have another?

Here's a question that ran through my head last night: How would you compare Alford at IU versus Painter at PU? (Both are former players and experienced coaches, with modest success in the NCAA tourney).

I'm sure DF would like to have an interview (and FG said he'd listen to former players). That said, IMO, Fife makes no sense at all and would be the most risky choice possible. Absolutely zero accomplishments as a head coach (unless you count a .478 w/l percentage at IUFW) and hasn't held such a position for several years. He could be a great choice for #1 assistant (I'm not sure what the ranking is on the MSU bench). If BD is a grand slam, Dane Fife would be advancing to first base on a dropped third strike.

I can see FCTC being a real possibility at OSU. They just lost a coach, due in large part because their AD was being stingy. With Pickens deep pockets the AD may decide to hire a name coach and give him a decent contract. Also, as I understand it they (OSU) were all offense and little defense this year - sounds tailor-made for a certain out of work coach.

Ever since talk of BD possibly being interested in the job, I've figured it wouldn't be or wasn't simply because he could get more money, but more a case of realizing he really enjoyed the college game more. After getting a taste of the NBA, he may have come to the conclusion that college ball is more his cup of tea. I hope that's the case and he comes to Bloomington. Adding a couple of seasons of NBA experience to an already accomplished NCAA resume makes him the perfect hire.

Somebody contact Sage Steele and have her kick that dude's fat butt.

Yea. I don't see any way anybody connected to the program, who knows things would offer that information to the media or (even less so) some obscure blogger.

Perhaps confirmation he expects to replace Matta?

I somehow managed to get away for a couple of hours and was at home construction site. One of the workers was off to the side, looking at his phone and all I could think was "I wonder if he's an IU fan, or better yet one of the insiders". LOL

Well that certainly came out of left field, LOL. The only shred of credibility I'd give that is the thought that the choice often seems to come out of nowhere. That said, speculation, conjecture, guessing, clickbaiting, etc. is most of what we're seeing. Nothing wrong with following insider info and holding hope (as my avatar proves) but no one should feel any kind of certainty until FG introduces his guy.

As a very casual follower of the NBA, he may also realize that unless you really stink and get double-lucky on a top 3 draft pick or are in a town that is a 'destination city', you have very little chance of winning a title. The top players hold all the cards and love to chase championships, small market teams may get a taste of success but are generally destined to play for something other than all the marbles. [The above is my opinion/view of the NBA and I may be wrong, but is OKC a place where the superstars are going to want to band together and play for rings?]