The Bianco/Stansbury comparison is rather remarkable....

[DowntownDawg]

....they both had a great run in the early aughts that raised expectations and greatly increased fan involvement and attention to the sport. Both never could put up a big postseason run even with odds heavily in their favor. After their runs, they both have been very mediocre only showing flashes of the good days, but they both recruit well enough to have kept their jobs based on hope for the future. Both got comfortable after being there for a while and appear to have rested on past accomplishments. Bianco now reminds me of Stansbury a few years ago - unsure what to do with the guy. Feeling like he has a chance to put it together, but knowing that the window has probably closed. The biggest differences between the two are that 1) Bianco has no circus like Stansbury had - which ultimately got him fired, and 2) while Stansbury got outcoached in big games, Bianco's teams are just so full of choke. Same end result though.

And now you've got one side of the fanbase that says "He built the program, he deserves a pass." And then you have the Coach34 side of the fanbase. It's interesting to watch. Glad it's not us for once.

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[Maroon Eagle]

**

 

[DerHntr]

nm

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

However, I don't agree with the analogy. I think Omaha is the college baseball equivalent of the sweet 16, # of teams be damned.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..I don't know much about Bianco, but he seems to be a disciplinarian.


Stansbury was the opposite of a disciplinarian.


In the end, Stansbury tarnished his legacy by allowing worthless ******** to suit up for MSU.


I don't think we'll see Bianco trotting out his version of Sidney as a last gasp desperation act.


But when Bianco blew those Super Regionals against Texas & Miami...no doubt, that was vintage Stansbury.

 

[DowntownDawg]

....that two biggest differences are that Stansbury ran a circus while Bianco doesn't, and that Stans' teams get outcoached while Bianco's just flat out choke.

 

[Coach34]

Winning a Regional and then a Super is the same as a 4 seed beating a 13 seed and then a 5-seed? I dont think so

 

[Todd4State]

there is no NIT in baseball. Yes, both made the postseason- but Bianco is getting to the equivalent of the NCAA Tournament for baseball. As long as he does that, he is safe. Just like if Stansbury took us to the dance, he would have been safe.

But I do agree for the most part- there are a lot of similarities. Ultimately, his tenure at Ole Miss will probably end in a similar way that Stansbury's tenure ended too.

And it is a little different because SEC baseball has more prestige than SEC basketball come tournament time. So, it is easier for a SEC baseball team to make it than a SEC basketball team not named Kentucky.