Memphis

[TheLogicalTake]

Just landed Jalen Duren and looking like they may land Emoni Bates as well. I don’t know how they do it (Yes, money, I know). With NIL everyone can pay kids somewhat above board, so it’s not like you can just point to duffel bag of cash for the reason. Penny always came off as a good guy but I’ve not seen much evidence that he’s a good coach or developer of talent at this level as he’s essentially taken top guys and they’ve stayed at their previous level or even fallen off. I was wary of how they’d do after the Team Penny group aged out but they haven’t missed a beat on the recruiting trail.

I truly hate the practice of hiring connected assistants just for 1-2 kids and then cycling them out every few years but that seems to be the way the game is moving.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Come on man, he starred in "Blue Chips".

Memphis has been probably one of the most historically, notoriously dirty programs. From the early days, remember they played one of Wooden's teams in the finals, tom Dana Kirk and Keith Lee., to the Penny days, to Calipari.......I mean they always laughed at the rule book. So you give a program like that carte blanche and LOL at some of these bluebloods now.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Just landed Jalen Duren and looking like they may land Emoni Bates as well. I don’t know how they do it (Yes, money, I know). With NIL everyone can pay kids somewhat above board, so it’s not like you can just point to duffel bag of cash for the reason. Penny always came off as a good guy but I’ve not seen much evidence that he’s a good coach or developer of talent at this level as he’s essentially taken top guys and they’ve stayed at their previous level or even fallen off. I was wary of how they’d do after the Team Penny group aged out but they haven’t missed a beat on the recruiting trail.

I truly hate the practice of hiring connected assistants just for 1-2 kids and then cycling them out every few years but that seems to be the way the game is moving.

They will be loaded with talent, but Penny isn’t a good coach. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Come on man, he starred in "Blue Chips".

Memphis has been probably one of the most historically, notoriously dirty programs. From the early days, remember they played one of Wooden's teams in the finals, tom Dana Kirk and Keith Lee., to the Penny days, to Calipari.......I mean they always laughed at the rule book. So you give a program like that carte blanche and LOL at some of these bluebloods now.

What does this even mean? There are no rules now?

 

[TheLogicalTake]

They will be loaded with talent, but Penny isn’t a good coach. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I truly hate to slam the guy because he’s obviously recruiting at an incredible level, but I have to agree as I just haven’t seen the coaching chops develop. You can’t really judge him one way or the other for Wiseman, but none of the other top guys he’s brought in have really seen their value jump as a result of going to Memphis in the same way that UK kids usually always get a boost (Skal Labissierre jumps out immediately).

Assuming he gets Bates, his team is going to be loaded with talent this year but managing that talent isn’t going to be easy. I’m sure he sold a guy like Landers Nolley the NBA dream and now that’s a guy who will probably have to take a backseat to Bates once he’s in the fold. Memphis certainly won’t lack for intrigue this year

 

[thirteenNINE]

There aren't enough basketballs in the world for Bates, Nolley, Timberlake, and Quinones to share. I can't wait to watch this, this is going to be appointment television.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Just landed Jalen Duren and looking like they may land Emoni Bates as well. I don’t know how they do it (Yes, money, I know). With NIL everyone can pay kids somewhat above board, so it’s not like you can just point to duffel bag of cash for the reason. Penny always came off as a good guy but I’ve not seen much evidence that he’s a good coach or developer of talent at this level as he’s essentially taken top guys and they’ve stayed at their previous level or even fallen off. I was wary of how they’d do after the Team Penny group aged out but they haven’t missed a beat on the recruiting trail.

I truly hate the practice of hiring connected assistants just for 1-2 kids and then cycling them out every few years but that seems to be the way the game is moving.

Penny is one of the most bizarre coaching stories. Went from HS to a high major, but nowhere near a blue blood but has recruited as a blue blood from Day 1. I mean he gave the Wiseman family some money and got caught. But did they really catch him the ONLY time he gave a family money? That's the only money he's ever given a recruit?

 

[TheLogicalTake]

There aren't enough basketballs in the world for Bates, Nolley, Timberlake, and Quinones to share. I can't wait to watch this, this is going to be appointment television.

I really liked Quinones out of HS. He’s been OK down there but that’s another guy who really hasn’t taken a step forward with that staff. You’re exactly right, though. They won’t lack for entertainment value

Penny is one of the most bizarre coaching stories. Went from HS to a high major, but nowhere near a blue blood but has recruited as a blue blood from Day 1. I mean he gave the Wiseman family some money and got caught. But did they really catch him the ONLY time he gave a family money? That's the only money he's ever given a recruit?

Of course that’s not the only money a Memphis kid got under Penny. My question is that, now that NIL has opened the floodgates and kids are posing in car dealerships with new cars, what’s the value of being a rogue program like Memphis? Duren/Bates would’ve gotten a fat NIL deal no matter where they went, so I’m very interested to understand what Memphis’ appeal is when Penny hasn’t really shown that he can do anything beyond get top kids through the door.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

I really liked Quinones out of HS. He’s been OK down there but that’s another guy who really hasn’t taken a step forward with that staff. You’re exactly right, though. They won’t lack for entertainment value



Of course that’s not the only money a Memphis kid got under Penny. My question is that, now that NIL has opened the floodgates and kids are posing in car dealerships with new cars, what’s the value of being a rogue program like Memphis? Duren/Bates would’ve gotten a fat NIL deal no matter where they went, so I’m very interested to understand what Memphis’ appeal is when Penny hasn’t really shown that he can do anything beyond get top kids through the door.

They’re getting deals with FedEx

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Penny is one of the most bizarre coaching stories. Went from HS to a high major, but nowhere near a blue blood but has recruited as a blue blood from Day 1. I mean he gave the Wiseman family some money and got caught. But did they really catch him the ONLY time he gave a family money? That's the only money he's ever given a recruit?

Who cares? It’s legal now. Are you going to cry about paying players legally now?

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Who cares? It’s legal now. Are you going to cry about paying players legally now?

What is your problem??

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

What is your problem??

??? I just don’t get why people care if Memphis legally pays their players? Sounds dumb like when Narduzzi was on the fan crying about the Alabama QB. We weren’t competitive with them before but sure NIL is what is making the difference now. Pitt needs to get some big backers to lay down some solid deals like FedEx is doing for Duren and Bates.

 

[Pitt1992]

I think bates in the end just turns pro

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

I think bates in the end just turns pro

Bates is young for his grade and would have to spend 2 years in the G league. I think his best option is going to Memphis and making same money from FedEx.

 

[TheLogicalTake]

Bates is young for his grade and would have to spend 2 years in the G league. I think his best option is going to Memphis and making same money from FedEx.

Both he and Duren still need some work, despite the hype/talent. I forgot about the FedEx-Memphis connection, so that makes sense regarding their involvement. Assuming the money is in the same ballpark as the G League, the question is whether Memphis is the best one year development stop for them before entering the draft? I have my doubts but we’ll see.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Sure there’s legal ways of taking care of kids now , but deeper pocketed booster groups will now be more important than ever .

Can’t feel bad about this , college athletics was never supposed to be about the money , but that’s exactly what’s it about with coaches earning millions of dollars and universities changing lifelong alliances for a bigger payday . The next step is eliminating academics altogether.

Great for the kids and their families !

 

[ECUPittfan]

Penny is still learning. He is like Josh Pastner, great recruiter but subpar coach. Pastner took a while but appears to be a decent coach now.
I met Penny 2 years ago with my son after a game against ECU. he was so great with the fans, a genuinely good guy. He took pics and signed autographs after the press conference for 10-15 minutes. I am actually rooting for him.

 

[joeydavid]

Penny is still learning. He is like Josh Pastner, great recruiter but subpar coach. Pastner took a while but appears to be a decent coach now.
I met Penny 2 years ago with my son after a game against ECU. he was so great with the fans, a genuinely good guy. He took pics and signed autographs after the press conference for 10-15 minutes. I am actually rooting for him.

It's not like he needs this job for money.

 

[TheLogicalTake]

Penny is still learning. He is like Josh Pastner, great recruiter but subpar coach. Pastner took a while but appears to be a decent coach now.
I met Penny 2 years ago with my son after a game against ECU. he was so great with the fans, a genuinely good guy. He took pics and signed autographs after the press conference for 10-15 minutes. I am actually rooting for him.

I don’t see the equivalency to Pastner. He’s a very good coach but just wasn’t a good fit for Memphis, or more appropriately, their fan base/expectations.

I had a brief run in with Penny and, like you, found him to be a really good guy but I just question if he has the right approach. I have yet to see him get a talented guy in and progress his game forward as most of the big time guys he’s gotten have stagnated or regressed. Is that all on him? No, I don’t think I’d say that as a guy like Cisse was wildly overrated and was always going to need some time in college. I look at Duren and Bates in a similar way as they are big time talents but neither is close to a finished product worthy of the hype they’re getting. If trend of guys not developing continues with these 2, the whispers about if Penny can take the next step will become much louder

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I don’t see the equivalency to Pastner. He’s a very good coach but just wasn’t a good fit for Memphis, or more appropriately, their fan base/expectations.

I had a brief run in with Penny and, like you, found him to be a really good guy but I just question if he has the right approach. I have yet to see him get a talented guy in and progress his game forward as most of the big time guys he’s gotten have stagnated or regressed. Is that all on him? No, I don’t think I’d say that as a guy like Cisse was wildly overrated and was always going to need some time in college. I look at Duren and Bates in a similar way as they are big time talents but neither is close to a finished product worthy of the hype they’re getting. If trend of guys not developing continues with these 2, the whispers about if Penny can take the next step will become much louder

It doesnt matter. He is recruiting like Duke and Kentucky. While he probably cant coach well enough to make Final Fours, this is Memphis. He will have consistent Sweet 16s in the near future

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Larry Brown was hired to coach the team. They’re title contenders… this year.