Take away last year it was really good. Could Knight honestly be worse than Capel? I doubt it. We have seen what Capel is. After Blake Griffin it has been a disaster. The staff he has assembled is trash as well. I'd be more than willing to see what Knight could do.
I’ve personally flipped so many times on the Pitt HC situation.
1) I loved Dixon and what he did here, but like many diehard fans, I wanted MORE —including deeper tourney runs and a Natty banner. So I was not sad to see him go at the end, particularly with his last few recruiting classes (not very good.) the fxxxxxx AD/—1Stallings disaster will get a mention but nothing more…
2) So HL goes hard after Hurley (home run in my opinion) but he uses us as a bargaining chip.
3) HL pivots to Capel and again, I was a big fan of her move to Capel and thought he’d be great. Big time HC experience (I know he flamed out), worked in ACC for one of best college HC’s of all time, recruited at highest level (and knew how to play the game.)
A) Lots of drama and failures first few years
B) We had a fun year last year, transfers were “men in college bball years” which had a lot to do with our success and youth served their roles nicely (Fede, twins)
4) this year is certainly a disappointment
A) backcourt good but very young (physically & experience) and losing Dior and Leggett’s recent shoulder injury has hurt.
B) Fede’s regression and Kante’s injury kills us inside w/ no strength/bulk (was hoping twins improved more as well.)
Last night I flipped to the TCU/Houston game mid/late in 2nd half (I know Houston took over & won at end). It took me back to how much I loved watching Dixon’s offense and sets. Since it was 2nd half @ home, his O was on his side of court. He would instruct his kids exactly what he wanted and was a chess master (would move his kids where he could create best matchup w/ double screens, off ball pick/rolls, to get the ball where he wanted it.) It truly was masterful, even tho Houston made some unbelievable O plays/D plays at end & pulled away.
This had me thinking (not pleasantly) about the O we are watching w/Capel and it nauseated me. It’s like an AAU game with 1 on 1’s, high ball screens, pick and rolls (ie. 2 man game) w/ others standing, etc.
Long narrative to get to my way too amateur conclusions:
1) Dixon was “great” D & X/O offensive coach. Marginal recruiter to win at highest level
2) Capel is bad/ave X/O coach which after sitting beside Coach K astounds me, but it is what it is. Can he recruit studs at Pitt, which he needs to “roll the ball out”? So far, the answer is no, and I’m not overly optimistic.
So where does Lyke go?? I honestly don’t know but I’m sick of seeing the success of UConn/Marquette/Xavier/Houston/(soon to be Rutgers w/ Pitino) & others. Hate to admit it, but I’m nowhere near the diehard fan I was only a few short years ago and my interest continues to wane. What is the answer???
1) up and coming mid major HC good at X&O’s
2) Great Recruiter (think Pearl/Pitino) who can bring in studs (do we have financial support)
3) other options??
Lyke has a hard decision to make and I don’t envy her. This is a really tough position to be in but she makes the big bucks. She’s botched both HC extensions, so we should see if she can pull a rabbit out of the hat—I’m afraid that’s what’s needed- some executive skill/decision making & a lot of LUCK!
PS - I love Brandon and what he did for us at Pitt, but come on guys, he hasn’t been a HC anywhere. Stop the nonsense…