Surprised that Chris Collins didn't attend the Coach K tribute in Durham last night. As both a player and assistant coach I thought for sure he'd be there. I know NU has a game tonight but still......96 former players attended. Mike Brey and Tommy Amaker were also no-shows....
OT: Coach K Cameron Finale
- Thread starter NJCat
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How many of those guys are actively playing or coaching still? I don't see Kyrie or Tatum or other current NBA players. I wouldn't expect Collins to take off for Durham the night before a game, nor, do I suspect, did Coach K.
K grabbed the microphone in an unscripted post game moment and vented his feelings about the game. The anger of losing big to UNC still burning.
BTW ... John Wooden and UCLA might have something to say about Duke basketball referring to their coach as the GOAT.
GOUNUII
Coach K's best point guard, Bobby Hurley now coaching ASU was also understandably absent.
As the saying goes, your two favorite college basketball teams are your own school and whoever is playing Duke. But somewhat sad he lost his last game at Cameron. A stupendous career but John Wooden still the GOAT.
Wooden was great. But two factors support K:
1) The NCAA Tournament was MUCH smaller in the JW days. Fewer chances to slip up.
2) Wooden turned a blind eye to a booster, Sam Gilbert, who cheated. No evidence that K has cheated, although the Zion story raised eyebrows.
Either one has a strong case as G.O.A.T. Anyone else is a distant third.
The other part of the Wooden legacy
This is tricky. It's uncomfortable. But it's worth discussing anyway.John Wooden, the greatest basketball coach of all-time, died Friday. The Internet, including on our own blog, was immediately flooded with fond remembrances and heartfelt tributes, all deserved.
www.espn.com
Perhaps I'm being a jerk for saying this, but I'm kind of glad Duke lost that game the way they did. It sorta' serves Coach K right. He seemed pretty intent on making that night all about him and not the team.
I admit he has been an incredibly successful coach, but I've never been much of an admirer of him. He is the coach that wanted to have his name stamped on the floor while he was still the coach. He is the guy who helped usher in this era of big money in college hoops through his work as a corporate spokesperson for American Express (those commercials made me sick to my stomach). He is the coach who, even though coaching at one of the country's elite academic institutions, took the one-and-done concept to a whole other level. I think for all the good he's done for the game, he is one of the most responsible for the selfish, money-grabbing state of college basketball today.
I admit he has been an incredibly successful coach, but I've never been much of an admirer of him. He is the coach that wanted to have his name stamped on the floor while he was still the coach. He is the guy who helped usher in this era of big money in college hoops through his work as a corporate spokesperson for American Express (those commercials made me sick to my stomach). He is the coach who, even though coaching at one of the country's elite academic institutions, took the one-and-done concept to a whole other level. I think for all the good he's done for the game, he is one of the most responsible for the selfish, money-grabbing state of college basketball today.
I attended my first game at Breslin Center last night and, unbeknownst to me, when the final buzzer rang it was announced that Izzo had just won his 663rd career game, more than Knight won at IU and therefore the most in conference history. It’s a big number and a big achievement. (Thousands of people then started displaying 663 signs, so people knew, but it was still cool.)
Izzo then went out and spoke for about five minutes about his career at MSU, and how, man, they’ve been tough on the fans this year but ‘we still got to 20 wins, and they used to give Jud parades when he got to 20.’ (It spoke better than it reads, probably because Izzo is a better speaker than I a writer, and his crowd likes him better than mine.)
Then senior day stuff, post-game. He said they like to do it post-game so that he can go long about his guys, even if it’s resulted in a few painful senior days. He was pretty funny in talking about the four seniors, a walk-on grad transfer from Ferris State, Hauser (who they recruited hard but who went to Marquette first), Bingham and Brown. Izzo practically tackled Brown when he came out for his picture and jersey. It was cool.
Each senior also got about a minute or two worth of prerecorded video board comments, all with a few clips of them dancing with Izzo. It was neat.
Christie was terrible yesterday, and the group next to me was pretty frustrated with his performance this year. But, yeesh, it’s tough to beat MSU for a recruit when you see their environment. (Student section packed at 30 minutes to game.)
Anyway, most of this is in contrast to what you describe about Coach K’s night. Mooch made it to East Lansing, but pretty quiet otherwise.
Izzo then went out and spoke for about five minutes about his career at MSU, and how, man, they’ve been tough on the fans this year but ‘we still got to 20 wins, and they used to give Jud parades when he got to 20.’ (It spoke better than it reads, probably because Izzo is a better speaker than I a writer, and his crowd likes him better than mine.)
Then senior day stuff, post-game. He said they like to do it post-game so that he can go long about his guys, even if it’s resulted in a few painful senior days. He was pretty funny in talking about the four seniors, a walk-on grad transfer from Ferris State, Hauser (who they recruited hard but who went to Marquette first), Bingham and Brown. Izzo practically tackled Brown when he came out for his picture and jersey. It was cool.
Each senior also got about a minute or two worth of prerecorded video board comments, all with a few clips of them dancing with Izzo. It was neat.
Christie was terrible yesterday, and the group next to me was pretty frustrated with his performance this year. But, yeesh, it’s tough to beat MSU for a recruit when you see their environment. (Student section packed at 30 minutes to game.)
Anyway, most of this is in contrast to what you describe about Coach K’s night. Mooch made it to East Lansing, but pretty quiet otherwise.
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I went to the Breslin center twice, once for a game against PSU and another for a game against NU. The Izzone gives the place a great atmosphere. As they are in the middle they are very visible. For me, and without having been in every arena, it's second in the B1G for home advantage atmosphere. Purdue has less visible but larger student sections. And, overall, the place gets louder. Pain in the back, literally, to sit in those stands though.
I am yet to make it to a game at MD, PSU, UW, RU, UNL and IA. Someday.
Speaking of legends, Belarmmine just won the ASUN tourney. Not eligible to make the field a they are only on their second DI1.year. I would have no idea about this we’re it not for the fact I lived in the Louisville area for 3 years
1) Scott Davenport is a freaking legend
2) They started playing at Freedom Hall when they joined D1. A very mystical place for Louisville fans
I encourage anyone to read about Davenport’s career. Really really cool.
1) Scott Davenport is a freaking legend
2) They started playing at Freedom Hall when they joined D1. A very mystical place for Louisville fans
I encourage anyone to read about Davenport’s career. Really really cool.