Author: Coach Z (Page 18 of 38)

Coach Bob Knight, I mean reporter, Bob Knight. Bobby Knight or should I call him Bob Knight has just signed on with ESPN to do analysis of the upcoming NCAA tournament. While I believe his expertise will be fantastic and his charisma will shine through, I find it amazing that ESPN will eat this much crow to get him on board.

I hope they let him interview some of the coaches and that one coach gives him the same type of smart aleck answer he used to give. That could be very interesting television indeed.

Sticking with analysts, heard Jay Bilas going off on the flawed system the selection committee uses to select the teams for the tournament. While I agree with some of his comments, especially this over talk about “rpi “and last “ten games,” he needs to understand that the excitement of the tournament is generated by the underdogs who get a shot at the big boys on a neutral court. Contrary to what he believes, not everyone wants to see Duke in the Final Four eery year.

The day after Michigan State coach Tom Izzo blasted the Big Ten Network, his Spartans go blasted by Wisconsin. Izzo was complaining that their fans can’t see all of their games while the Network negotiates with the cable companies. Lucky for Coach Izzo fewer people can see his team.

Wisconsin put a pasting on the Spartans with Brian Butch leading the way. Butch connected on four three pointers. He seems to have continued his shooting touch from the game winning three at Indiana a couple of games back. Butch, who started the season 3-32 from behind the line has heated up in Big Ten action. Credit Coach Bo Ryan and his constant work with his post players to develop their scoring abilities away from the basket.

What once was a four team race for the title has turned into a three team battle royale between Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana.

Head coach Norm Roberts met with his athletic director Chris Monasch yesterday and was assured that he would be back next year. In four years he has had only one winning season and failed to make the Big East tournament last year.

However, he took over a complete mess from Mike Jarvis and inherited a program that was on probation. These days most coaches get three years to turn things around. If you are lucky you get four. In Roberts case he deserves five for taking on such a challenge. This year they have made progress while starting and playing as many as eight freshman.

On another note, heard Mike Jarvis on the radio the other day and it seems he has found God and wants another chance to coach. Should he be allowed to coach. Absoulutely!! But if college presidents are true to something other than the almighty dollar he should have to prove his desire to coach by starting in the lowest of levels. Maybe NJIT.

Last night I got to see the Purdue Boilermakers up close for the first time in over a month. Last time I broadcast one of their games was on the road at Iowa. Yesterday they looked even better. Coming off the Indiana loss and 8 days to prepare and re-energize, the Boilermakers came out and took away anything Minnesota tried to do.

This is an average Minnesota team that Tubby Smith has led to the verge of an NCAA tourney bid. (They still need that marquee win. They have one shot left at Indiana.) However, Matt Painter’s crew showed the defensive tenacity that has them in the running for the Big Ten title. Starting the youngest line up in the country with four freshman doing most of the damage they have even exceeded his expectations.

Three more wins and the Boilermakers will have their 22 Big Ten title. For my money, Matt Painter is the National Coach of the Year hands down. No other coach has taken this many freshman (and none are one and done guys) and molded them into a team that can beat any one, anywhere. Just ask Wisconsin!

Moving down the road to South Bend, Luke Harangody has put up numbers for Notre Dame team that is threatening to win the Big East. He is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. The only one who have better numbers are Hansbrough and Beasley. The former has a better supporting cast while the latter’s team is not doing as well. Don’t sleep on Harangody. If you do he may just knock the snot out of you.

Two coaches moving out, Mark Slonaker and Dean Keener. Slonaker was fired this week only two months removed from a road upset at USC. Keener will resign at the end of the year after failing to get James Madison moving in the right direction.

Speaking of firings, the Big Sky has suspended the three officials who worked the Idaho State-Montana game for one game. Are you kidding? After blowing the call they should be banned for the year. What do they lose? One game!! And they’ll just pick it up doing a game in another conference. Meanwhile, coaches lose jobs and careers. When are we going to start making officials accountable!!!

Herb Sendek seems to have found some happiness out in the dessert. He has his Arizona State team poised for an NCAA tournament run. Back in Raleigh, Sidney Lowe and the Wolfpack of North Carolina State are battling for last place in the ACC. Do you think they miss Herb now. Just another example of a weak athletic director allowing a good coach to get run out of town. This is a nice tribute.

The first coach they ran out was Jim Valvano after he won a national title. The NCAA came in and investigated and found nothing. But a weak administratyion back then gave him his walking papers. When are athletic administrators going to have backbone.

Speaking of backbone, the only athletic director I can remember who stood up for his coach was Larry Keating. He was the AD at Seton Hall when his President told him to fire PJ Carlesimo. He refused and within two years Carlesimo had the Pirates in the championship game. Way to go Larry. Oh, by the way he lost his job over it.