It's gettin' hot in here

Colorado has long wanted Jeff Bzdelik as its' man.

That time appears to be now, as in this weekend in Atlanta at the Final Four, according to B.G. Brooks of the Rocky Mountain News.

If the offer is made and Bzdelik accepts as expected, start the parade as rebirth of Buffs' basketball can begin. Regardless of whether CU really went nationwide in its' search for a replacement for Ricardo Patton and whether Bzdelik is the right fit in Boulder, he is unquestionably the hottest hire the program has ever made for the program.

Who knows what CU will be next season on the floor but this much would be a given with Bzdelik as coach -- structure would be evident, fundamentals a strength, defensive intensity would puzzle fans and media and the offense would resemble a system. Wins would also occur more frequently.

Bzdelik would inherit Patton's talent but would need to find some playable size or suffer the consequences next season.

The fans are tired of waiting and talking about "who's it going to be." Buffs' athletic director Mike Bohn getting his guy would put a big smile on his face and get this, on the faces of many at the school, even professors as Bzdelik is a no-nonsense leader who wants strong students and leaders representing his team.

Players like it

CU recruits like the idea of Bzdelik.

Why?

The resume.

His background.

The winning.

Players want to win.

They will take the yelling, the screaming if something comes out of it.

They want instruction and guidance.

If they get the payoff.

They want to feel good about themselves and especially around their peers on and off campus.

Prescription -- winning.

Them other guys

Arkansas loses out in its' pursuit of Texas A & M chemist Billy Gillispie as the Aggies' coach has decided to remain in College Station. Big coup for an up-and-coming program and a embarrassing rejection for Razorback fans. Hard to imagine A & M as a more attractive place than Fayetteville these days.

Letters

Greg comments on assistant coaches for the next staff at Colorado.

"(Jeff) Bzdelik needs to find an assistant coach who can develop relationships with Colorado high school coaches. We have been losing too many good players (Nick Fazekas, Matt Bouldin, Sean Ogirri, and more) to outside programs! I would also like to see a former Buff on the staff. Perhaps Jay Humphries would be interested?"

BGT: Greg, I agree that developing quality relationships with in-state coaches has long been an oversight and imperative so that when the unique local talent comes around, CU is strongly in the mix. However, assistants also need to be able to succeed with the authority given to them in practice by being teachers and they must be able to recruit regionally, if not nationally, with a high rate of return. Humphries is intriguing because he can say CU took him to the NBA but a former Buff is not mandatory to me but recruiting talent farmers and practice teachers are.

Next up is Joe Anonymous, also is talking assistants.

"The ideal candidate would have been a high school coach in Colorado at some point in his career. Bobby Hofman at Fort Lewis is one name that comes to mind. It doesn't hurt that Hofman played at CU, either!"

BGT: Hofman has his fans, chief among them Neill Woelk of the Daily Camera, and yes, you want people invested emotionally in the program, ideally, but I like the idea of focusing more on getting hungry, ethical teachers and recruiters. Then, with that formula and leadership in place watch this program be transformed into something some think not possible, which is a consistent winner. Maybe not Final Four quality or even an annual NCAA Tournament participant but a school which is always tied down with postseason plans.

And how about Jim, who took exception to my definition of Detroit in a Dre' Bly comment.

"I hope you are referring to the Lions organization when you say "a dump named Detroit"."

BGT: Jim, I know people from Detroit and the way you ask your question, well, you have me locking doors, closing blinds, wishing I had a gun.

When I was calling Bly out for his phoniness and called Detroit a dump, yes, I was referring to the Lions' organization.

Do I still get my legs broken?

Rub my eyes

I wouldn't make this up so humor me for a moment -- read today that some NBA scout, in discussing the Greg Oden or Kevin Durant choice as the best prospect, said Oden is like Hakeem Olajuwon while Durant is a better Tracy McGrady.

Oh brother, a better McGrady? T-Mac flipped off college for the pro game and was good enough to become a star but Durant dominated the NCAA's as a scorer and rebounder. To minimize him and say he is only another McGrady is insulting because freshman don't often just show up and play like NBA guys right out of the gate. And Oden as Olajuwon? That's just delusional. Oden is an excellent shot blocker and rebounder, even with one hand, and he scored very well for those limitations but he lacks the fluidity, explosion and skills The Dream had. Oden might become a star at the next level but he will never have Olajuwon's game. And honestly, as I wrote here before, is Greg O. better than other past college big men like Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson or Tim Duncan?

By the way, that's a rhetorical question.

Rant over. Thanks for coming, drive home safely.