Rumor: Tom Izzo to Tucson

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Again, you are talking about Trent Lockett, Demetruis Walker, Patev... 3* recruits. There is no problem with ASU recruiting those guys and im sure some of them turn out to be good players.

Pateev was recruited when ASU failed to land Stover and Walker only got recruited once Cunningham bombed out and Bejanaro committed to Texas. These guys may turn out alright when all is said and done, but both were fallback options for Sendek and teams with serious aspirations about winning championships don't settle for Plan B's. Arizona unfortunately has been recently and not surprisingly the program has failed to compete at an contender level.

Again, it comes back to what I was saying earlier. Arizona is going to be paying elite-level money which means there is going to be elite-level expectations. And part of running such a program is landing top 40 'can't-miss' kids every year so if whoever we hire isn't doing that and is settling for guys in the 75-150 range who is mostly a crap shoot there will be concern.

ASU fans can interpret our comments as a slight as much as they want, but if you were paying Dennis Erickson $3 million a year would you expect him to compete with UofA or Oregon State for recruits? Of course not, you'd expect him to compete with USC, Texas, and Oklahoma as you as a fanbase would be investing as much into the program as those schools.

 

[overseascardfan]

Okay so I checked the GOAZCATS message board and saw a post that stated Andy Katz has sources that told him that U of A is looking at Dixon, Few and Izzo and will focus on those 3 and expand the search if necessary. I guess they got it from a Katz chat session.

 

[AsUdUdE]

First off, any coach UA hires hould not have recruiting "battles" with the likes of Herb Sendek and ASU considering the paycheck he'll be earning. An Arizona program with stability has every advantage over ASU in the basketball recruiting world, let's notlower ourselves to such standards. Competing with UCLA should be the goal.

Secondly, I personally don't buy the Izzo rumors. In my opinion he's using the UA job as leverage for a much deserved raise ($1.7 annually is not nearly enough in the current landscape for a guy with 4 Final Four's and a ring) at MSU. Arizona should focus on coaches who actually have interest in leaving their current situations such as Calipari and Dixon. Yeah, we could probably offer Izzo $2.5 but there's no reason MSU could not match that and all things equal I'm assuming he'll stay home.

How'd the whole James Harden recruit go for ya....

The bottom line is ASU is turnign the corner as far as recruiting is going, and lets face it, if you were a sophomore, junier or Senior in high school right now.. would you HONESTLY still consider UofA, considering all the problems, and their AD being a freckin Douche and not letting kids transfer.....

If your a recruit the LAST thing you would do is sign a letter of intent to UofA right now, unless there is nothing better out there, because the situation is soo vulnerable.....

Face it Mao.... UofA basetabll is going to be down for a while, and competeing with ASU is the reailty of the situation.....

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

How'd the whole James Harden recruit go for ya....

The bottom line is ASU is turnign the corner as far as recruiting is going, and lets face it, if you were a sophomore, junier or Senior in high school right now.. would you HONESTLY still consider UofA, considering all the problems, and their AD being a freckin Douche and not letting kids transfer.....

If your a recruit the LAST thing you would do is sign a letter of intent to UofA right now, unless there is nothing better out there, because the situation is soo vulnerable.....

Face it Mao.... UofA basetabll is going to be down for a while, and competeing with ASU is the reailty of the situation.....

No coach making what UA's new coach will make should compete with a guy that is paid less than half as much and has half as many resources. That's simple business. I don't know how much more plainly I can put it for you ASU fans.

And if Arizona hires a Jamie Dixon or Tom Izzo or Mark Few, all the internal problems of the last couple years simply go away by the end of the press conference because he will provide stability and clout. Sure it would take him a year or two to get in the required talent but getting kids to come to Tucson to play basketball isn't difficult. Arizona would've signed a top 10 class last week if Lute could've held on a few more months.

Year 1 - Implementation of system/Heavy Recruiting/Cutting Dead Weight
Year 2 - Continued Recruiting/Run at NCAA Tourmament Berth/Conference Respectability
Year 3 - NCAA Tournament Lock/Conference Championship Contention/Deep Tournemy Run Contention

That's how it works when you pay somebody $2.5 million a year and if it doesn't then said coach will be on the chopping block.

 

[TJ]

How'd the whole James Harden recruit go for ya....

The bottom line is ASU is turnign the corner as far as recruiting is going, and lets face it, if you were a sophomore, junier or Senior in high school right now.. would you HONESTLY still consider UofA, considering all the problems, and their AD being a freckin Douche and not letting kids transfer.....

If your a recruit the LAST thing you would do is sign a letter of intent to UofA right now, unless there is nothing better out there, because the situation is soo vulnerable.....

Face it Mao.... UofA basetabll is going to be down for a while, and competeing with ASU is the reailty of the situation.....

Is your keyboard broken, or is it that ASU education that is keeping you from spelling simple words correctly?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I don't know how much more plainly I can put it for you ASU fans.

Your point has been pretty clear for awhile, your premise is where it gets a little shaky for me. Your assumption is, we throw a bunch of money at a coach we will get:
A. a great coach
B. a return to being a top tier program

Hope it's as simple as that for the sake of U of A fans, but we'll see if that is the case. Again, the annoyance comes from the arrogance. Notre Dame fans will talk until they are blue in the face about their facilities, their tradition, the recruiting, money in the program, etc, but that certainly hasn't brought them back to national prominence. (We're also talking about a program that supersedes U of A basketball in every sense) I just think it's not as simple as you make it out to be and that the road back may be a bit more difficult than you are bargaining for.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Hiring a coach like Calipari or Izzo would be on the same level as Carolina hiring Roy Williams. Carolina was in better shape than we were, but within 3 years it is extremely probable we are competing for a Pac-10 championship under either of those two.

From there you have Few, Dixon, and the rest. I think Dixon and Few can keep UA in the top of the Pac-10, they clearly are going to have more struggles than Izzo and Cal in order to return Arizona to prominence.

 

[HooverDam]

Again, you are talking about Trent Lockett, Demetruis Walker, Patev... 3* recruits. There is no problem with ASU recruiting those guys and im sure some of them turn out to be good players.

Trent Locket is a 4 star recruit and Jeff Pendergraph was 'only' a 3 star guy and he turned out ok, so lets not get too excited about the star ratings either way (though of course in general more 5 star guys will turn out to be great, Im not saying the system is useless, just not concrete). Also ASU still can sign 1 more player in this class and they seem to be in the running for #10 C/4 star Kyryl Natyazhko and #16 PF/4 star Angus Brandt and with Pendergraph graduating, Taylor Rhode maybe being stuck between the 3 and the 4, Boateng and Woods looking like nothing great, ASU may be appealing to a big man looking to play right away (and theres also always Sidney, but who knows if he even goes to college).

I don't doubt the right coaching hire will keep UA at the top of the heap, but Maos whole premise of programs are what they are and coaches are what they is way off to me. Programs go up and down all the time. Notre Dame football is a great example, they're the premiere college football program (or certainly in the top 3) and when was the last time they won a bowl game? Its been over a decade! Programs go up and down, there's a chance UA could be at the beginning of a down swing if they don't make all the right moves going forward, with Livengood as your AD, Im not sure it can be expected that all the right moves will be made.

EDIT: I should also say, Im not some crazy ASU fan who hopes UA loses every game from now until eternity. I wish them well, to me having ASU and UA both being strong in hoops and football would make the rivalry more fun, like the baseball rivalry (que Maos rant on how college baseball isnt a sport). Id love to see ASU, UA, USC and UCLA develop into something like Wake, NCState, UNC and Duke...now for a name? They've got "Tobacco Road", maybe "Sunshine Road"? Hm.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I don't doubt the right coaching hire will keep UA at the top of the heap, but Maos whole premise of programs are what they are and coaches are what they are is nothing short of ridiculous. Programs go up and down all the time. Notre Dame football is a great example, they're the premiere college football program (or certainly in the top 3) and when was the last time they won a bowl game? Its been over a decade! Programs go up and down, there's a chance UA could be at the beginning of a down swing if they don't make all the right moves going forward, with Livengood as your AD, Im not sure it can be expected that all the right moves will be made.

The only thing about UA's situation which makes it completey different from Notre Dame football is that in basketball one star player can carry a team. No offense, but take Harden away from ASU and what do you have?

Rebuilding a basketball program is much easier than college football, because you need at least 15-16 above average to good players in football to field a good team. In basketball you need 4 average to above average players and one star player to make a run at a conference title. With the right coach, UA will be rebuilt in a matter of 3 years. With Izzo or Cal, Arizona's first full recruiting class would be one of the better ones in the country. The question is how much talent is left on the Arizona roster when a new coach takes over?

While I am not saying that we are going to be elite no matter who we hire, I find it hard to believe that anyone in Livengood's situation can make a poor hire given the high interest in the job and the fact that Arizona has enough money to pay a coach in the $2 million dollar range easily.

I dont trust Livengood to make this hire, but I believe that those around him, including the major boosters, will guide Livengood to the right hire, ie Cal, Izzo, Dixon, Few...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Your point has been pretty clear for awhile, your premise is where it gets a little shaky for me. Your assumption is, we throw a bunch of money at a coach we will get:
A. a great coach
B. a return to being a top tier program.

No, my point was that we will throw a bunch of money at a coach (that I can guarantee) and for doing so we will have higher expectations than competing with ASU. I can't guarantee wins and losses, but I am 100% certain that if in 2014 Arizona Basketball is on equal footing with ASU Basketball then whoever we hire this March or April will be fired or on a very hot seat.

Hope it's as simple as that for the sake of U of A fans, but we'll see if that is the case. Again, the annoyance comes from the arrogance. Notre Dame fans will talk until they are blue in the face about their facilities, their tradition, the recruiting, money in the program, etc, but that certainly hasn't brought them back to national prominence. (We're also talking about a program that supersedes U of A basketball in every sense) I just think it's not as simple as you make it out to be and that the road back may be a bit more difficult than you are bargaining for.

Thanks for bringing up Notre dame, it only makes my point easier to make. You Domers are paying Weis top 10 money nationally, correct? And I assume in doing so you and the athletic department expect the program to compete at an elite level? So when ND Football is not living up to those expectations coaches get fired or get heavy doses of criticism, right?

It will the same thing at Arizona with hoops. With the amount of money we will be paying the administration will demand an elite program. LIke ND it may not happen, but that is where the bar will be set.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Is your keyboard broken, or is it that ASU education that is keeping you from spelling simple words correctly?

LOL.. oOOO.. Snap.. haha, ok I don't use spell check when I post on the forums... perhaps I should...

Good point though

Chalk it up to simple typos though.....

 

[Black Jesus]

its tobacco road because they are all real close in NC. I guess ASU, UofA, UCLA, and USC are kind of connected by teh PAC-10 I-10

 

[overseascardfan]

ESPN is reporting that Mark Few has been offered the Oregon job. So if we hold out until spring our candidate pool may drop by one. Although I cannot see Few leaving a program like Gonzaga for Oregon unless they break the bank.

 

[Lefty]

ESPN is reporting that Mark Few has been offered the Oregon job. So if we hold out until spring our candidate pool may drop by one. Although I cannot see Few leaving a program like Gonzaga for Oregon unless they break the bank.

I could see Few going to Oregon. Money will be no problem thanks to Nike and he gets to stay in the northwest. Gonzaga loses a lot of players after this year, so if there is ever a time for him to leave, it will be after this season.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I cant imagine letting this info out will help their case with Few.

I think Arizona and Oregon are two schools on Few's limited wish list, but im sure nobody in the Oregon AD is happy about this news getting out.

Also, still havent found a link about this yet.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I cant imagine letting this info out will help their case with Few.

I think Arizona and Oregon are two schools on Few's limited wish list, but im sure nobody in the Oregon AD is happy about this news getting out.

If this is to take place next year Few will wait out the interview process and see if he becomes a front runner after the process begins.

I want Tom Izzo. In a non-sexual kind of way

 

[overseascardfan]

I cant imagine letting this info out will help their case with Few.

I think Arizona and Oregon are two schools on Few's limited wish list, but im sure nobody in the Oregon AD is happy about this news getting out.

Also, still havent found a link about this yet.

I guess it is a rumor being started on a GOAZCATS forum, but since Few is from Oregon from what I hear it makes sense if Oregon is after him.

 

[Gaddabout]

Never bet against the alma mater when it comes to coaching hires.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I guess it is a rumor being started on a GOAZCATS forum, but since Few is from Oregon from what I hear it makes sense if Oregon is after him.

I looked there too and I didnt see anything about Few being offered the job. I saw a thread about Oreogn losing to Oakland again and that Kent should be fired.

Either way, I seriously doubt anything like that leaks out of any athletic department, for it would be the beginning of World War III.

 

[Skkorpion]

I don't believe any of the leaks either but hope UA gets somebody good.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't believe any of the leaks either but hope UA gets somebody good.

As I've said before - if I was a gambling man I'd bet on it being Jamie Dixon.

 

[dawnashley]

ya all need to wake up from your dream

You all need to wake up and take your meds !!!!
Izzo is not going anywhere period. Born and raised in Michigan, his only move after coaching will be as the new AD at MSU.
Third higest paid coach and a record to match.
Calipari has accomplished Nothing....Nothing. Conference USA is the weakest conf in the US. At best it belongs in a division ll conference. One final four does not a great coach or program make.
Five final fours, A Championship, 14 consecutive NCAA appearences , Five conference Championships, every player that stays until his senior year goes to the final four, 80% graduation rate.......... these all make a great program.
Dream on folks Izzo ain't going anywhere with a 2 million salery, two cars,Housing bonus, a radio program, NCAA bonus's 5 mil paid up life insurance policies, and to top that all off a one time 9 million + bonus ??????????

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Thanks.

 

[Mulli]

You all need to wake up and take your meds !!!!
Izzo is not going anywhere period. Born and raised in Michigan, his only move after coaching will be as the new AD at MSU.
Third higest paid coach and a record to match.
Calipari has accomplished Nothing....Nothing. Conference USA is the weakest conf in the US. At best it belongs in a division ll conference. One final four does not a great coach or program make.
Five final fours, A Championship, 14 consecutive NCAA appearences , Five conference Championships, every player that stays until his senior year goes to the final four, 80% graduation rate.......... these all make a great program.
Dream on folks Izzo ain't going anywhere with a 2 million salery, two cars,Housing bonus, a radio program, NCAA bonus's 5 mil paid up life insurance policies, and to top that all off a one time 9 million + bonus ??????????

 

[Renz]

You all need to wake up and take your meds !!!!
Izzo is not going anywhere period. Born and raised in Michigan, his only move after coaching will be as the new AD at MSU.
Third higest paid coach and a record to match.
Calipari has accomplished Nothing....Nothing. Conference USA is the weakest conf in the US. At best it belongs in a division ll conference. One final four does not a great coach or program make.
Five final fours, A Championship, 14 consecutive NCAA appearences , Five conference Championships, every player that stays until his senior year goes to the final four, 80% graduation rate.......... these all make a great program.
Dream on folks Izzo ain't going anywhere with a 2 million salery, two cars,Housing bonus, a radio program, NCAA bonus's 5 mil paid up life insurance policies, and to top that all off a one time 9 million + bonus ??????????

You registered just to put up that?