RE: I'm excited!

[dfairchild]

I think it will be hard to get a BE caliber coach because we don't have the
$$ to pay a BE coach.

We were not paying Huggins what he was worth - only $700,000 compared to
Pitino at $2 mil.

UC's athletic budget is $22 mil (I think) - UL is up to $37, the top tier
programs in the BE are all around $35 mil.

Add to that situation the loss of revenue from the Huggins debacle - and we
are looking at a mid-major type coach.

Finally, where is that BE caliber coach going to come from?  1) an
established program (Prosser, Purnell) - a lateral move.  2) a coach
currently out of work (Lavin, Majerus - not many others); or 3) a potential
(unprove) BE caliber coach - a current head coach at a "lesser" program - or
an assistant coach.

Having said that - a name that popped into my head is Tom Crean.  I don't
know about the money, but I would think UC is a better program than
Marquette because of the lack of a football program.  I think the BE
basketball only schools are vulnerable because they could be spun off after
a couple of years.

DF



-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Bickel [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 6:43 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: RE: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!


And one more thing;

Re:  Timing of hiring new head coach.  I'd lay odds on it being before the
season.

If AK has a successful run [and I think they will] then you almost
have to give him the job.  Similar thinking regarding Huggins is what I
think led to the current timing.

And for reasons stated previously, I think it will be a BE worthy coach
given NZ penchant for "appearances".  We will need to be competitive to get
the $$ returned.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Bickel [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 6:29 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: RE: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!

Re:  NZ profile for 2005-06 team, I say use it is the best locker room
banner money can buy...

Re:  Recruiting.  I think a lot depends on who [and when] we have a
permanent head coach.  I have doubts that AK will be given the job
permanently, deserved or not.  The JUCO story scares me; not because of
talent, but because of the expectations. Without a big name coach that can
bring in the recruits and build the program with quality players from the
get go, I'm just not sure what to expect.


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Bickel [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 5:38 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: RE: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!

With what has happened, I agree it's hard to get too excited about the
upcoming season. I just hope AK can convince the players to forget the
administration's expectations that "...the profile of the 2005-06 men's
basketball team projects limited academic success and off-court
discipline problems." What a great vote of confidence!

So, in addition to motivating the players to exceed the administration's
expectations... if we can keep the roster as it is now, I think it is
possible to compete this year. I think the team will be ok w/ Kennedy
coaching... the ol' "apple doesn't fall too far from the tree" saying
should yield not a lot of changes from Huggs' style. Do they win 20? I
doubt it. But, they will be competitive. I'm not ready to bet on an NCAA
appearance. NIT maybe... not even so sure there, but definitely not the
dance.

My biggest worry is replacing this year's 4 seniors and beyond. I fear
we end up recruiting mid-major caliber players for the c/o 2006, and
potentially beyond, instead of kids more capable of playing BE
basketball. The talent recruited from the classes of 2007 and on will
depend on the replacement coach's recruiting abilities and the team's
future level of competition in the BE. Oh, and it also depends on the
recruit's ability to meet academic requirements for athletes that are
higher than any other BE school... and their desire to meet those
requirements.

In the chicken-or-egg argument I would rather have the chicken: the
players lined up and the hall of fame coach in place that will win and
draw more players capable of helping the team further succeed in the BE.
The available players in the c/o 2006 are dwindling. Losing Bennett
really hurt. I just think it would be a miracle to talk the right
recruits into coming to UC. JUCO players will be required. And then,
you're battling the same recruiting issues and setting yourself up for
future years of JUCO recruiting... if you can even get them to come to
UC.

I just don't see the future looking real bright.



-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Marshall [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 1:17 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: RE: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!

I think for most on this list that's a given....
I never thought Andy wasn't a strong coach... However it's tough to
compete
with Huggins.
IN addition no matter what.. These are Huggs recruits, I know Andy
helped
recruit them, but they were attracted to Huggs. And even though we got a
walk on recently... With all do respect HE'S a WALK ON (sorry Alex)
"Landing" a walk-on is not a big deal.

-----Original Message-----
From: address@hidden [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 1:11 PM
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!

I kinda know what you mean.  It is exciting to know anything is
possible.
But to be honest with you I was more excited every other year.  Because
with
Bob Huggins I knew we had a shot.

It doesn't excite me to think we might be in the NIT this year.  I am
FAR
less excited about this year than I was 2 weeks ago even.

----- Original Message -----
From: vincent puopolo <address@hidden>
Date: Thursday, September 1, 2005 9:03 am
Subject: [UC Basketball] I'm excited!

> For the first time since I was a freshman in 93 @ UC we have no idea
> what to expect from our cats. I have a feeling that we are going field

> a much stronger team than anyone will expect. I have a friend who is
> close to Andy Kennedy and he feels that Andy is a stronger coach than
> one might be aware of and he expects great things from this team.  I
> am looking foward to November.
>
> Baltimore Bearcat
> DAAP 98



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