Basketball from a fans perspective

Texas Longhorn basketball

At the time Shaka Smart was first named coach at the University of Texas I thought that’s great.  He’d made a name for himself at Virginia Commonwealth University, he was 163-56 in six years at the school.  His VCU team reached the NCAA Tournament in 5 of the 6 years Smart served as head coach.  I thought “with all the high school basketball talent in the State of Texas this was a slam-dunk hire.”  That has not been the case thus far. 

Texas has struggled in Smart’s third year at the helm, in his first year with Rick Barnes holdovers the Longhorns finished 20-13, last season it was 11-22 and so far, this season their record is 15-11.  Despite the glowing credentials at the time Smart was first hired his Longhorn team is one game over .500 in year three as this is written.  He might not be in danger of losing his job this season however the following season might be make or break.   

Stay in your lane

LaVar Ball bothers me on so many levels however I appreciate his “Stay in your lane” comment.   A number in the media believe they are Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments.  Give you an example, the other day Kevin Keitzman claimed: “I believe Bill Self recruits’ players 1 through 50 for Kansas, on the other hand Bruce Weber (Kansas State) recruits 50 and up.”  

In other words, Kansas State doesn’t recruit the same players as its in-state rival. I find that statement difficult to believe, what I believe might occur is this.  Kansas has a national and world-wide reputation, players gravitate to Lawrence because it is Kansas basketball.  How in the world is a coach going to refuse to recruit a player strictly saying: “He’s not coming here no need of making an offer?  I think guys like Keitzman truly believe in their words or they are simply intentionally provoking guys like me.   

Coach of the Year

Steven St. John of WHB 810 is correct, Bruce Pearl at Auburn will be named SEC Coach of the Year.  St. John made this statement despite the season Mizzou has experienced thus far.  As for Mizzou two players transferred, one player was suspended indefinitely and the major story.  No Michael Porter Jr. expected to lead the school into the promised land has been sidelined for the season.  January 31 Mizzou was on a 3-game losing streak and faced Alabama on the road, they stood 13-8 (3-5 SEC). 

After their win on Tuesday against number 21 Texas A&M they are 18-8 (8-5 in conference).  Mizzou will probably not finish the season streaking however they could.  Is this team comparable to some of the Duke, North Carolina or Kentucky teams in years past?  No certainly not, I said it the other day and will repeat it, Coach Cuonzo Martin has changed the culture at Mizzou Arena.  The “Doom n Gloom” that hung over the building for the last three years are no more.  Yes, the coach won’t be named SEC Coach of the Year, but he should.     

Rookie of the Year

Awhile back I don’t remember the date, at that time I pronounced Sixer Ben Simmons ROY.  I stated at one point some other rookie could come to the forefront and challenge Simmons.  In the west Donovan Mitchell of the Jazz has moved into contention, the 6-foot 3-inch shooting guard is scoring at nearly 20 points a game. 

He’s allowed Jazz fans to say: “Gordon who”, that being a reference to Gordon Hayward who left for the Celtics.  Mitchell is scoring at a 19.5-point clip versus the 16.4 of Simmons however it’s the other things Simmons brings to the table.  The 6-foot 10-inch point guard is close to 8 rebounds a game, he’s tied for 5^th in assists at 7.3.  Sorry Donovan I believe you will finish in second place behind Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons.  If I’m wrong I will return to admit my error.