Big Blue vs LSU Basketball in the past few years

Many have wanted some hot shot coach to come to LSU in hopes of lifting our program. I was watching UCLA give Michigan its 1st loss of the season today and heard some interesting stats. Would it surprise you that Michigan has not been to the NCAA tournament since 1998? It did me. The once great program that produced so many good teams including the fab 5 with Chris Webber ( of which had far less sanctions than we did with over $400,000 of money given out compared to our $5000).

I also looked at the record of Tommy Amaker in his 8 years as a head coach. He was at Seton Hall for 4 years and Michigan now in his 5th year. His record at those two schools is 132-115 with 1 NCAA appearance of which was a sweet 16 at Seton Hall and no conference championships. He would argueably be a coach that our so called basketball experts would say should be the coach at LSU since he was in Coach K's mold.

In the same period of time, our coach has amassed a record of 140-102 in a much more devastating probationary period to also go to the NCAA Sweet 16 along with 2 other NCAA appearances. He also has 1 SEC championship under his watch.

I am pointing out 2 things for discussion:

1. Just because you get a Coach K guy doesn't mean he is going to automatically win.
2. Michigan not in the NCAA tourney for 7 years in a row is amazing to me. We would have been through at least 2 coaches by now if that was us.

 

Look what Bruce Pearl of UT has already done. Went in to Knoxville, cleaned house and put in a whole new system. Not only that, has gotten a top 10 recruting class. Will the Vols win the SEC and make runs in the NCAA? Who knows, but they are already making noise by beating a Texas team on their home court ( a injured UT team). They certainly have me worried north of Knoxville!:shock:

 

Oh, by the way...not too many Coach K's, Tubby's, Izzo's, and Few's available in college basketball. Comparing Ameker to Coach K? You're kidding right?

 

1. And that has what to do with Jeffinbama's post?

2. And we care, because...?

Good post Jeff. The grass always looks greener on the other side. LSU and Brady have put together a nice young team and we can look forward to a few years of great ball with these guys. Unfortunately, every loss (and there will be losses by these youngsters) will bring out the Brady bashers in force and send me underground again.

 

He wasn't comparing Amaker to Coach K, dolt. He said he was a "Coach K guy" which he is.

So Kentucky beats Louisville and you are chippy again, huh? Settle down. The Cats are in for a loooooooonnnnng season.

 

Jeff - great post. I agree.
I also agree with Sabinfan that so many think "the grass is always greener".
You just don't get a "hot shot" coach come into a program. Sure, Williams finally went to North Carolina and Knight to TT and Pitino from NCAA to NBA and back, but typically, if a coach is good, can build a program, he is established, has his roots deep, he usually stays put. All up and coming coachs are typically unproven. Some work out, others don't. I do believe the period between Dean Smith and Williams was lean by NC standards - and they hired an up and coming coach with great NC ties.
We did not fall on our face with Brady although I was not satisfied with his coaching against Houston. Lafayette just lit it up the second half and we had no answer. But this is for another thread.
Now - in the late sixties, with the greatest scorer, passer ever in NCAA history and you still have to struggle to get to .500. Now you have a problem.:lsup:

 

Little quick with the trigger! I missed read the post. I see Jeff’s point, but I guess I was making a point that Pearl in the limited time in Knoxville has the Vols believing. I will say the Vols (gulp) will be the sleeper in the SEC. Now, the point of the thread is Brady not doing such a bad job? Or a member of Coach K not making big waves…no kidding…look at “Old Quinn at Mizzou…has there ever been a Coach K family member ever made strides in Div 1 besides Coach K? Maybe Capel, but have you heard from him lately?:thumb:

There are a lot better coaches that could come to Baton Rouge and tear it up with that talent…Trust me, LSU basketball is a sleeping GIANT waiting to be waked up…just need the man to wake it up.
:shock: :geauxtige

 

The point is that LSU fans are looking for something that is not there. LSU, right now has the talent to be a competitive, maybe even championship team. The team is learning every game and getting better. They are very young and Brady is having/will have the same difficulties any coach would have with these players.

LSU is a waking giant and fans need to learn to enjoy what is right under their noses and quit fantasizing about pipe dreams.

 

If we give Tyrus Thomas more minutes, we could definitely be a championship team.

 

If Tyrus continues to listen to his coaches, I'm confident he'll be a force before long. The same can be said for Tasmin Mitchell. Temple gives some quality minutes and, even Voogd is showing signs of being more confident out there. Given Darrell Mitchell's, Big Baby's and Lazare's play to this point, if the freshmen mature this season, these Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with come tournament time. Be forewarned, though. There will be some bad losses during the season. This is a team that the coaches...and fans...should be patient with. I don't want to have to abandon TigerForums to be able to enjoy it.