There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker
It’s not over yet
The NCAA tournament is far from over we are in the first day of action. Upsets usually occur however these were supposed to be wins for the Big 12 Conference. Kansas City media has done a great deal of braggin’ about the strength of the Big 12 since last December. Somewhere near the middle of the regular season I expressed my belief this outlook was mistaken. I’m curious of the media observations after the first day of the tourney. Number 14 Georgia State upset number 3 Baylor. To take this one step further Iowa State also a number 3 lost to another UAB also a number 14. Number 6 Butler wasn't an upset however Texas a number 11 seed and Big 12 member went down too.
One n done
This is written March 13th and there is no resolution concerning Kansas freshman Cliff Alexander. To take this one step further according to ESPN the NCAA is yet to interview him. The former McDonald’s All American was expected to play his freshman year then head straight to the NBA. Alexander would join the parade of one n done athletes upward bound, that may not be the case now. Alexander had issues adjusting to the college game and Bill Self’s schemes. He managed to sit more than he played during this first year of college.
Coach Self had nothing to do with the latest benching it was the NCAA. It’s been reported a relative of Alexander may have received improper payments. If this report should be valid naturally the player would be declared ineligible. It’s also been reported Alexander’s family has retained an attorney. Let’s speculate assume the NCAA investigation clears him it’s likely his basketball mission at Kansas is over. Alexander might be inclined to head for Europe or China and attempt a pro career. If he manages to grow his game playing professionally the NBA could possibly call one day.
Brothers
There are a number of brothers with NBA careers, few occasions have siblings managed to play for the same team at the same time. There have been exceptions in fact the Suns once had two sets of brothers on their team. The Suns drafted Marcus Morris in 2011; in 2012-13 they made a trade with the Rockets for his twin brother Markieff. The brothers were reunited as they had been when playing for Kansas. At this years trade deadline the Heat concluded a trade with the Suns for point guard Goran Dragic and his brother Zoran. The younger Dragic was sent to the D-League but has been re-called and the brothers are both on the Heat roster.
The coach
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage “coaches are hired to be fired.” It depends on the perspective, allow me to explain further. How about South Carolina’s Frank Martin, he’s now in his third year and is yet to register a winning record. His previous five teams at Kansas State resulted in 20 win seasons. Whether it was Martin recruits or something else Bruce Weber’s first two teams won 20 plus games. They were supposed to compete for the 2014-15 Big 12 championship. Kansas State concluded the season with a 10-8 conference record 20-13 overall. Nevada’s David Carter was fired after one winning season in five years; in 2012 they were selected to play in the NIT post-season tourney. DePaul terminated Oliver Purnell after five seasons at the helm and more recently George Mason relieved Paul Hewitt after four years at the helm.
All the coaches had been winners in the past or had ample time to turn around a program.
That is not the case with Mizzou’s Kim Anderson. Local sports talk radio has centered on Anderson and whether Mizzou should retain his services, in light of a new athletic director hire. Anderson has/was a winner at Division II University of Central Missouri for 12 years. Mizzou is not the only school with a first year coach attempting to stamp a program with his initials. Coaches Kelvin Sampson and Bruce Pearl also faced the same situation; unlike Anderson Sampson and Pearl have experience at the Division I level. Sampson’s Houston team finished with a 4-14 conference record and 12-18 overall. How about former Tennessee Coach Pearl? His Auburn Tigers also finished with a 4-14 record and 13-19. The point Sampson and Pearl and Anderson must be given adequate time to build their programs.
Jim Boeheim
Three years from now Jim Boeheim of Syracuse will retire. In this instance it’s not an age issue that’s impacted him he’s younger than Larry Brown at SMU. The improprieties the NCAA uncovered may have impacted the 70-year old Boeheim to set a retirement date. Boeheim indicates he will appeal his 9-game suspension dealt out by the NCAA. Is the Boeheim legacy tarnished, likely for now? Will it be forgotten no but 10 years from now maybe sooner it will be a footnote on his bio. Think about this time brings about healing in the eyes of the public, past sins are forgiven.
