Virginia had just as good a season as Wisconsin, ignoring the NCAA tournament obviously Also, Izzo's last top 10 recruiting class was in 2003. He's not getting Kentucky/Duke/UNC talent.
Uva was a 2 seed, Wisconsin a 1 seed so clearly the committee thought Wisconsin was better Kentucky and duke talent the last few years have been on a another level- especially UK. He's not getting that talent and neither has Roy but he's still getting top talent.
The committee is clueless as everyone has acknowledged. They gave Kansas a 2 seed, among countless other screwups. It's almost as if the seeds were drawn out of a hat. Objectively, Virginia had as good a pre-tournament season as any team in the country except Kentucky. They had three losses, all close games, and all against top competition. Duke, UNC, and Louisville.
Izzo is definitely a better coach than Roy Williams... Part of coaching though is recruiting so if you think he isn't getting top players than that shouldn't be used as an excuse to validate his abilities but rather an indictment on them. However, I will acknowledge that its easier to recruit at UNC, Duke, Kentucky than Michigan St.
I think Roy's undefeated record against Izzo's teams say otherwise including an annihilation in a Nat'l title game that was essentially a home game for MSU. even in 2010 when Roy made the NIT he STILL beat Izzo's Spartans that year, even last year on the road when MSU was #1 and UNC was Jeckyll and Hyde he beat Izzo's Spartans. Izzo is a great coach, Roy is too. he is very underappreciated.
exactly you're limited by the school and location. Maybe Izzo would be landing top recruits if he coached at Duke or UNC. UNC was a powerhouse program landing top recruits for a long time. Contrast that to Michigan State when Izzo arrived.
he does land top recruits. Michigan State had a dream team II member on their team just before Izzo got there and was a 1 seed only a few years before Izzo took over. the man he took over for had won a Nat'l title and had this no name guy who changed the game of basketball who STILL is visible w/in the program. Mich State was a 3 seed the year before Izzo took over.
I gotta give it to junc and I love Izzo but he brings up some really valid points. Michigan State was no some dumpster fire when he took over, it's like the misconception that K took over some no name program and worked a miracle. Duke was in the Final 4 just 3 years before he was hired. (They hit their 1K win mark in 1974) but MSU was pretty solid before Izzo. When he took over for Heathcote MSU was a 3 seed and lost in the 1st round to Weber State. I really like Izzo but Roy has beaten him every time they've played. That has to say something.
No. Michigan State has made nine E8s and seven final fours since Izzo took over. It had been sixteen years since their last ELITE EIGHT when Izzo took over. Pre-Izzo, the last time Michigan State ever had real tournament success was 1979. No Elite 8s from then until Izzo took over in 1995. 1980-1995. Zero. Nine in 20 years for Izzo now. Michigan State in their entire history has only made 9 final fours, and 7 of the 9 came under Izzo.
Izzo has elevated the program no doubt but again they were a 3 seed the year before Izzo took over. He did not take over a bad program. Again, I am not bashing Izzo in any way. he's an all time great in CBB but it's just not true that he has been winning w/ marginal talent.
If Magic Johnson hadn't have grown up across the street they would have had nothing prior to Izzo's 7 final fours. Iowa had more consistent success as a program. The mere fact that we are comparing them now to North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Etc. and not Iowa or Purdue speaks to the job Izzo has done
well Magic did grow up in their backyard and they won probably the most important title in NCAA history. I agree w/ your last sentence. I am not taking anything away from Izzo but MSU had a good program and had won a title before. Izzo is one of the greats, it just gets annoying hearing how he does it w/ no talent.
What do you think about the hire? Lavin was a personality hire too, but I have to imagine Mullin is a bigger coup...Without a doubt I bet Lou Carnaseca was involved in getting him in. I think Mullin will get a legit staff... Hoping for Hoiberg 2.0
I am not sure, I think it's a worthy gamble but does he still have NY area HS connections? remember, the kids he is recruiting have probably never seen him play in an NBA game let alone one at St. John's. I hope he is your Hoiberg, I was surprised they didn't go after Jackson who has HC experience and is a big name in basketball still b/c of that and his work as an announcer but I'm rooting for Chris. Good guy who I think should be able to recruit well and recruiting is a huge part of success at this level.
I think Mullin can win parents over...Not only that, kids can be sold on his greatness...A dream team player and legit HOF'er I think players will be impressed with him too...He needs a killer staff, he will need someone to be his right hand man
One thing I will say is the allure of the greatest player of all time is wearing off for kids w/ regards to playing where Michael Jordan played. Obviously he's not in kids living rooms so that will be different but I wonder how big this will be for kids? his staff is critical, any word on potential assistants? I think this could be a huge success and I hope it is but I don't think it will be easy.
Shaka Smart talking with Texas apparently. Wow. That would be a major move. The Longhorns have the talent base to be a serious power.
I'm super pumped. The program is going to have a influx of donors with this hire. The recruiting trail will heat up quick. Let's see who he brings in to be assistants and away we go....
