Jim Vanderhoof

I don’t think Miller will play second fiddle. Dream come true if both Jensen and Miller came back. Johnny Bryant is a sleeper. He has become a star development coach and has a great reputation in the NBA.

All talented players want to play in the NBA. Having a coach that is experienced in player development at the NBA level would be a big recruiting tool.

Hard to believe we couldn’t make the tournament last year. This year record is similar to last year in a better conference and without Smith and Carlsen.

I would hope Alex Jensen and Johnny Bryant are at the top of the list.

`we are not a blue blood program. BYU hired an NBA assistant with NBA development skills and connections. The boosters stepped up to get their coach then players. We have 2 alums that could fit the same bill. Jensen or Bryant would be an upgrade in recruiting. The blueprint is there.

He is also on the #10 ranked team. Pittino has made a big difference in his game. He looks like a true point guard and gets his teammates the ball.

Maybe more boosters will step up if we get a coach that can recruit. No doubt money can make a difference but without a coach that can get talent and develop that talent it won’t matter.

Average coach below average recruiter = average to below average team. Turnovers and poor FT shooting have plagued this team since Smith arrived. Give him 1 more year while you work on getting Bryant or Jensen.

Coach K got burned out. The program was stagnant and his “old school” offense and style didn’t resonate with the up coming players. Recruiting is everything. Coach K had NBA experience and connections that helped him recruit. Smith doesn’t offer anything to attract top talent.

Sorry I was responding to the inconsistent lineups. Guards have always been crucial (especially point guard) to success in college. Not having a point guard is contributing to the inconsistent lineups. Hard to believe Smith hasn’t had a true point guard in 4 years.

Rick and Emerson I also think a consistent point guard playing big minutes would create more stability and define roles better. Seems like Smith’s rotations are based on who won’t turn the ball over and that varies depending on how good the other teams defense.

I don’t think Smith is a bad coach. He has overachieved with the talent he has. Problem is recruiting and NIL. He has been unable to recruit top talent and donors don’t want to support a losing team or a coach that hasn’t proven he can win.

I’d like to see someone with NBA ties. Good players want to play in the NBA. It has worked for TDS so far. Bryant and Jensen have both Utah ties and NBA ties.

Amazing stat NarfUte. You would not expect that from a team that lacks talent. Anyone can shoot and make a free throw. FT % should be a strength not a weakness.

This team has over achieved with the talent level and so many new players. Problem is our high water mark won’t get us a trip to the dance.

I don’t think Smith is capable of recruiting Big12 talent Miami. He is coaching Mountain West caliber players. Other than Carlsen (coach K recruit) I can’t think of any NBA talent on roster in 4 years.

It will take a Dion type hire with deeper NIL pockets to turn things around. If we want to compete in the Big 12 and sell tickets it’s going…[Read more]

Lack of talent and athleticism. Players roles have not been defined causing the variation in minutes played. I could see a complete revamp of the roster again next year.

I will admit I haven’t watched much women’s BB. I get your points about watching teamwork and “old school” fundamentals that the men once practiced. The men’s teams are so athletic and talented they have evolved into a different type of game that us county rec type players can’t relate to. I get so frustrated with the turnovers and lack of pas…[Read more]

Thanks Miami. I’d be curious to know if NIL valuation from incoming freshman is based on their ratings? How many of the new recruits have any chance of being physically and mentally ready to play immediately.

That’s true Miami. A friend of mine has been the PA guy there for 25 years. We go early to eat before games and he knows everyone in town. Students walk from the dorms and a lot of farmers and locals support the team. Really fun environment and salt of the earth people.