Check the post below the Sunday Truth for all the recaps and analysis.
O.K., ready to roll?
Let's go...
Recruiting hits
Hey, everyone wants those top 100 recruits each season, knowing the probability of "hitting" on those players is higher but what truly is the breakdown of the hotshots once they hit campus?
Here's noted recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, from his chat on USAToday.com.
"What percentage of your Top 100 Recruits would you say don't fare so well at the next level and never meet expectations?
"Tom Lemming: Probably of the Top 100, around 15% will underachieve in college. And about 40% never make it to the NFL. The major reasons are grades, injuries, off-the-field problems and not getting developed properly by the school they signed with."
Then a question was posed about coach Dan Hawkins' former gig, Boise State.
"I'm new to following Signing Day, did Boise State participate and if so, how did they do after all the favorable publicity from their bowl win?
"Tom Lemming: As always, they're under the radar. They won't be ranked in the Top 50, yet no program does a better job of evaluating and developing prep players."
Black and Gold Truth: There you go -- finding players that buy into what the coaches are trying to do, fit the system, are committed and put the pedal to the metal on the practice and game field. With CU not living in the gated communities, financially, that Texas and Nebraska do, and being but middle class when it comes to money, it is going to have to get the rare Ryan Miller's and then go the way of finding the quality generics and building them into four-star producers before they leave Boulder.
Trippin' the courts
Gonzaga's program has been a model one for years, yet this season they are having a disappointing campaign, no longer the dominant team in the northwest. Now news of star forward Josh Heytvelt getting busted with another player for possession of marijuana and pyschedelic mushrooms, according to a report by the Associated Press.
BGT: No program is immune from such college-kid behavior and coach Mark Few has to wonder what's going on these days. What will be most interesting is how Gonzaga chooses to handle this situation, what message it hopes to send to America's youth, to its' own team.
Suspend Heytvelt for the remainder of the team's games to show what drugs can cost you or give him a token slap on the wrist, like a few-game suspension. The question Few will ask himself is what is most important -- the Zag's season or truth and principle. His message will affect Heytfelt for years, not just his college career.
BGT rankings
BGT Best of the Big 12: Texas A & M, KU, Texas & Oklahoma/Kansas State
BGT Best in the Land: Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State & Texas A & M
Player-of-the-Year race, Big 12: Kevin Durant, Acie Law, Brandon Rush, Mario Boggan
Player-of-the-Year race, nationally: Kevin Durant
Qualifications
So what qualifications do you most desire in a coaching hire?
What should CU look for in its' search to replace the departing Ricardo Patton?
Do you demand head-coaching experience or do you prefer the hot young assistant?
Do you desire a lengthy track record or will a one-year wonder do it for you?
If you have a passionate say, ship it to thebgtruth@yahoo.com and let's take a look and see what the people want. You play decision maker.
Here's one voice and his wishlist:
1. Head coaching experience
2. Consistent success over a set period of time, say, a minimum of two or three years
3. A coaching style that will attract higher-level recruits
4. Flexibility in approach and evidence of overcoming obstacles along the way
5. That "it" factor of who they are -- indicating they are only about winning and in an ethical manner
6. A dominant personality who fears no one, no team and will drive this school to unprecented places.
Latest Hot List
The BGT brought you a Hot List, a Top 20 of names in the past to think about to replace Patton. Here is another list, with some familiar names, and yet new ideas. These are not the only people who could work or even all the top choices here, just possibilities to chew on again. Maybe they don't meet all the criteria on the wish list but there are strong qualities about each. Check it out and see what's fresh.
1. Jamie Dixon, Pitt (BGT endorsed)
2. Mark Fox, Nevada (reader suggestion)
3. Chris Lowery, Southern Illinois (readers)
4. Matt Brady, Marist (remember this name)
5. Anthony Grant, VCU (overall background impressive)
6. Gregg Marshall, Winthrop (consistently strong)
7. Mike Dunlap, Denver Nuggets (his record says it all)
8. Jeff Bzdelik, Air Force (NBA, Air Force, instant credibility)
9. Mark Turgeon, Wichita State (BGT endorsed)
10. Mark Few, Gonzaga (BGT endorsed)
11. Tubby Smith, Kentucky (if the Wildcats go down early in March)
12. Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics (he's going to need a job, he's bright, he'd be great)
13. Reggie Theus, New Mexico State (reader suggestion) (6-24, 16-14, now 18-5)
14. Todd Lickliter, Buter (not an unknown for much longer if he can win in March)
15. Scotty Brooks, Sacramento Kings assistant (young, high energy, highly thought of)
16. Tom Izzo, Michigan State (crazy, yes, but maybe he might be ready for a change)
17. John Beilein, West Virginia (winning and exciting brand of play)
18. Alex English, Toronto Raptors' organization (always has had a desire to be a head coach)
19. Marc Iavaroni, Phoenix Suns' assistant (think his background would sell recruits?)
20. Donnie Jones, Florida assistant (attached to the hip of Billy Donovan -- attractive)
The fix: Need a dose of the Denver Nuggets and NBA notes, catch it all at NuggetsNoise.com. Working on new interviews this week, including a blast from the past.
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