The Black and Gold Truth and columnist Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News looked at the situation in College Station and discussed it recently. Here is what he had to say about basketball becoming the big ticket for that school.
BGT: Kevin, welcome. So a lot of us want to know what you think -- what specifically makes Billy Gillispie special and how has he taken the Aggies from zero-to-60 in such a short period of time, making a football school basketball crazy?
Sherrington: The closest comparison you can make to what Gillispie has done at A & M is what Bob Stoops has done at Oklahoma. Now what Stoops did, obviously, is greater -- he won a national championship in his second year -- but there seems to me to be similarities between the two of them. People see that there is something great with Billy.
He won at UTEP and won very quickly there. Then he came to A & M and won very quickly. That tells everybody this is not a flash in the pan, that he didn't get lucky at UTEP.
Why is he a great coach? He works really hard, he recruits really well and he really stresses defense. I've been told during a two-hour practice that 90 minutes of it will be spent on defense. I've also been told that he has 21 guys at practice. That means there are nine guys who are not even going to suit up in a game and yet they are willing to come out and practice every day just because they want to be part of (the program).
They practice on game day and I don't know any other team that does that.
BGT: They practice on game day, not just hold a shoot-around? Practice?
Sherrington: Yes, they practice on game day so (Gillispie) is getting about 30 more practices a year than anyone else.
BGT: I've never heard of such a thing, not even about Bobby Knight. Military-like, almost. So next up, how is recruiting looking for next season. Does Gillispie seem to be capitalizing on his early success?
Sherrington: He's getting a 7-footer (DeAndre Jordan) from Houston who is supposed to be the best player in the state. I've been told the sky's the limit with this kid.
BGT: Yes, heard of him. The second-best center in the land and the eighth-best prospect, period. I guess he really is reaping the benefits of his work. To the victors go the spoils.
Sherrington: With what Billy likes to do I'm sure (Jordan) will be used for defense and blocking shots.
BGT: Purely speculation here, but with his early meteoric success, could Gillispie be coaching himself right out of College Station?
Sherrington: At this point, if they really go deep in the tournament and I think they certainly should, then he'll be on everyone's radar. There are about five big jobs out there and everyone knows which ones those are and those are the only jobs I think he'd consider.
My question would be and I haven't asked him this, would be -- would you want to create something here that has never been here before?
It's all happened so fast that there's not a lot of feel on how he's doing it. It has to be the coaching, the intensity he brings to it.
BGT: What was your initial impression of him, Kevin?
Sherrington: If I were to use one word to describe him it would be intense. He's kind of, it seems to me, there's not a minute in his day that he's not thinking -- what can I do to pour into basketball?
BGT: Last question -- what's the talk in Austin? Is Texas concerned about the little-brother school becoming a better basketball program? Obviously Rick Barnes is an accomplished coachat UT but do you think he's got one eye on A & M?
Sherrington: They're a better team right now, that's for sure, but as far as the program? I do think that Rick is nervous about it. The other day after the loss people were kidding him about the job Gillispie is doing and (Barnes) kept saying 'what do you want me to say -- that this is the best place that I've ever been? It's not the best place I've been.' There were lots of agitated quotes from Rick.
BGT: Want more on Gillispie? Here's an interesting read written by Brad Townsend, also of the Dallas Morning News.
Recruiting
One list that always has fascinated me has been the Long Beach Press-Telegram Best-in-the-West roll call of the top dogs in the region. Here is the 2007 version. See if you recognize any names. During the days of Bill McCartney, when CU was hitting California hard, the Buffs had a real presence on the annual compilation.
Look to the far right-hand column for the total amount of votes received for each player. Then look towards the bottom of the page and see some of the names that have been listed in past years.
Rough waters coming
Think academics play a large role in recruiting now? Wait until 2008.
Check out this story at the Dallas Morning News about the new requirements involving core classes.
Ouch.
More fallout coming and less recruitable big-time talent. Either that or preps start getting the news that with sloppy academics come more trips to junior college or no more sports in their lives.
Letters
Dan writes to say the choice is obvious for CU athletic director Mike Bohn. The man to replace Ricardo Patton as head coach of the men's basketball program is not Mark Turgeon of Wichita State but another Missouri Valley Conference hot property.
"We have to have Chris Lowery be the next Buffs' basketball coach. He is an outstanding recruiter, and is a Dan Hawkins of hoops. Hawkins is gonna get the job done in Boulder, no matter what anyone says.
"For 20 plus years, CU hoops has basically been bad. It is time to reach for excellence, and if they get Lowery, they will do that. I believe everyone is finally on the same page in Boulder, so the light at the end of the tunnel is very bright, with Lowery and Hawkins in Boulder, we can have the best teams ever (at CU).
BGT: Dan, have to agree, there seems to be something about the process in which CU is making decisions these days that makes more sense, seems more by-the-book smart. I think Bohn knows he has a major decision to make so he is trying to minimize making a significant mistake by surrounding himself with intelligent people and trying to really flesh this search out to get the best information before making his move. He also realizes the current parameters in which he's working will not be the same in a year or two down the road. A concerted effort is being made to inch the school closer to an even playing field. CU may never get there but if it can take significant strides in that direction it will greatly enhance its' chances for on-court, on-field success.
Once Bohn finds his guy, I think he will be bold in going after him and honestly, he has a lot to offer to someone not in this thing solely for the financial windfall.
Another point you made stands out, Dan, and that is everyone being on the same page. It says here that there seems to be a passion for the impending hire that maybe was lacking in the past. People are paying attention this time around, are on the edge of their seat and expecting someone that will show progress quickly and make the program special. That is coming from the fans who are long-suffering and the media who have long-chronicled that discontent or disinterest.
Actor wants the focus on the field
Actor Russell Crowe has seen enough, according to wire reports printed in the Austin American-Statesman.
Crowe is taking the cheerleaders out of cheering for his rugby-league club because, well, let him explain it.
"It makes women uncomfortable and it makes blokes who take their son to the football also uncomfortable," Crowe said of the mini-skirts and fishnet stockings.
"We examined game day and wanted to contemporize and make the focus (on) football," he said.
Percussionists will be the new brand of entertainment support for the rugby club.
Do we still get pints after the match?
BGT Note: Today is the day the BGT grabs some time with CU athletic director Mike Bohn to talk about the athletic department, the challenges it faces and more. Look for that post later this week. On Tuesday, it's one-on-one with Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede.com where I'll pepper him with recruiting questions and he'll fire shots back at me.
Checking out, the best your way
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