All Quite On the D’antoni Front

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Fired vs. not renewing a contract is a distinction without a difference.

Yes, it is technically true that DD’s contract has expired. That is just about the cost of firing him. No buyout. The decision to retain him or not is the same. And it comes down to if MU really wants to be serious about MBB or not, and if those new to power are willing to take on his major allies to do what is right for MU, or not.

Well, I am actually in agreement with you Goddamn Sam.
Spears is actually in the Catbird Seat with the situation.
He comes from a school who has some basketball history to it, he's taking over a program going to a new conference, the current coach has underperformed for the last 4 years, and the contract has run out...no buyout, nothing.
No added cost to change this position.

Spears would also, very likely, not lose any support if he told DD to focus on his Main St. On Central or whatever restaurant he co-owns in Barboursville and went in a different direction.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

According to Spears, he's meeting with DD today. I guess we'll know soon what happens.

 

[RhinoD]

A two year deal is probably what they would do. A clear signal that MBB is a token effort. As to DD being labeled a “lame duck”, so what? Like somebody is going to use that status against him in recruiting? No body else wants any of the players he is recruiting.

I wouldn't so much worry about the "lame duck" recruiting impact as I would guys we already have not playing hard or giving a damn knowing the coach is on his way out at the end of next year.

 

[FreddyReef]

next year is going to be this year minus Kinsey.

to be fair… that might actually play in our favor. Kinsey has athletic ability, no doubt. However, he was a turnover machine and couldn’t shoot exceptionally well, even when set. We will most likely be a middle of the pack program in the SBC and some will still hold on for a chance at repeating our first round win 5 years ago.

Also, did you see he said that we had several older players leave for bigger programs last year… no they all didn’t leave for bigger programs, they left for bigger possibilities and didn’t want on the sinking ship. So kudos to west, Bennett, Williams, and whoever else left.

 

[19MU88]

They jumped on other sinking ships so good.

 

[The Real SamC]

We will most likely be a middle of the pack program in the SBC

And as much as I have pointed out the nature of CUSA basketball, it is yet more so obvious in the SBC. The league champion, is a 16 seed, AKA the very bottom. The NET of the teams that will be in the SBC next year is an average of 184. Last year the SBC champion was a PIG for the 16th seed. In 19 they produced a 14 seed, the high point of this league in its current form. That was the regular season champion wining the tournament and going 24-11. That gets you a 14 seed. That is terrible.

So, DD might, on paper, to the untrained eye, have a slightly better record. Mid-pack in the Sun Belt. And mid pack in the Sun Belt is disgusting.

 

[FreddyReef]

And as much as I have pointed out the nature of CUSA basketball, it is yet more so obvious in the SBC. The league champion, is a 16 seed, AKA the very bottom. The NET of the teams that will be in the SBC next year is an average of 184. Last year the SBC champion was a PIG for the 16th seed. In 19 they produced a 14 seed, the high point of this league in its current form. That was the regular season champion wining the tournament and going 24-11. That gets you a 14 seed. That is terrible.

So, DD might, on paper, to the untrained eye, have a slightly better record. Mid-pack in the Sun Belt. And mid pack in the Sun Belt is disgusting.

I don’t disagree at all. I hate the thought of settling in a basketball conference that we could obliterate. I just hope some players come in from the portal …