UofA basketball on the rise

[Lefty]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/12352315

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Of course we're on the rise, our recruiting has been ridiculous.

Another good article detailing the recruiting success (with a little luck) that MIller has had in Tucson and draws parallels to the fortunate situation Lute came across 25 years ago when a kid named Sean Elliott happened to be a Tucson high schooler as he took over the program.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/luke_winn/10/12/arizona/index.html

And Miller really did screw Sendek pretty bad. First he ignored his advice in favor of Calipari and Matta when it came to choosing Arizona. Then he basically stole Kyryl and Bej (and possibly Derrick Williams) which has massively changed ASU's near-future outlook as a program.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Of course we're on the rise, our recruiting has been ridiculous.

Another good article detailing the recruiting success (with a little luck) that MIller has had in Tucson and draws parallels to the fortunate situation Lute came across 25 years ago when a kid named Sean Elliott happened to be a Tucson high schooler as he took over the program.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/luke_winn/10/12/arizona/index.html

And Miller really did screw Sendek pretty bad. First he ignored his advice in favor of Calipari and Matta when it came to choosing Arizona. Then he basically stole Kyryl and Bej (and possibly Derrick Williams) which has massively changed ASU's near-future outlook as a program.

Please explain.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

That weekend that Miller was considering the Arizona job he called some of his friends and former colleagues in the coaching ranks and asked their opinion about the Arizona job. Some including Herb Sendek warned of the weak roster he had to inherit and what some consider unrealistic expectations. Others especially John Calipari (Miller is probably closer to Cal than any other major college HC) basically told him taking the job was a no-brainer and he had to do it. Miller was somewhat leaning towards Arizona because of the money but his other concerns were quelled by Calipari who had vetted Arizona all season in anticipation of his own planned jump from Memphis.

The funny thing is that all those coaches were probably acting in their own selfish interests. Sendek didn't want Miller in the Pac-10 and Cal/Matta didn't want Miller ia stone's throw from their own campuses.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

That is interesting about Sendek and knowing what we know now, its obvious it wasn't in his best interest to have Miller so close.

I guess that means at this point its fair to say with Cal wanting the job and Miller having such instant success that the Arizona brand and job is in fact very powerful in the world of college basketball. Or at least more powerful then every sports analyst, talking head, and ASU fan was willing to give credit for just 5 months ago.

Not that I am getting cocky. JL got lucky and so did we all.

But if Miller can build on what he has done so far in recruiting with actual coaching and wins (which is what I percieved as his strength when he came on board) then not only might we be back, we might be better then ever.

Of course time will tell. But I am optimistic.

 

[overseascardfan]

That is interesting about Sendek and knowing what we know now, its obvious it wasn't in his best interest to have Miller so close.

I guess that means at this point its fair to say with Cal wanting the job and Miller having such instant success that the Arizona brand and job is in fact very powerful in the world of college basketball. Or at least more powerful then every sports analyst, talking head, and ASU fan was willing to give credit for just 5 months ago.

Not that I am getting cocky. JL got lucky and so did we all.

But if Miller can build on what he has done so far in recruiting with actual coaching and wins (which is what I percieved as his strength when he came on board) then not only might we be back, we might be better then ever.

Of course time will tell. But I am optimistic.

I honestly believe and this may be common knowledge but if Kentucky had waited a couple of weeks after the season to fire Gillespie, Cal would be the HC at UA.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Although its speculation on my part, just look and see who was helping Livengood with his search... C.M. Newton, Kentucky's old AD who tried to lure Lute to UK back in the day.

Like I said, its speculation on my part but im going to connect a few dots here...

1. Paster leaves the UA bench for an assistant's position under Cal at Memphis. Clearly a better job and a move up the bench as well. However, to think that Cal didnt have UA in the back of his mind or that Paster said absolutely nothing to him about UA is just ignorant. What a recruiting combo that would be in Tucson.

2. Livengood gets his good buddy, C.M Newton, to be an advisor on the coaching search.

3. Cal is the clear cut #1 choice and its pretty much mutual from September on.

4. Kentucky makes its pitch to Donovan, who apparently turns it down.

5. Memphis is eliminated

6. UA is eliminated by Louisville the following night.

7. UK immediately locks on to Cal and offers him a package no program can match.

8. UA's coaching search tumbles after months of expecting Cal to sign on.

Again, im not saying Newton gave up the info on what Livengood was going to do or that Kentucky wouldn't have gotten him anyway. However, had the UK job opened a week later, Cal would be at Arizona. Had Donovan accepted the job, Cal would be at Arizona.

In the end, things turned out just fine for everyone involved, including Gillespie (just was awarded his $3 mil). Miller is a hell of a coach and a recruiter who can pull the caliber athletes that Arizona was recruiting previously, into Tucson immediately.

I cant complain about the way things shaked out, but every UA fan from March through April 5th was on suicide watch.