To give some perspective, I lived in Memphis when Calipari was hired.

[jackstefano]

I left in 2002, but I'm pretty sure he didn't make the NCAA tournament in his first 4 years there. Just sayin.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

NIT semis 1st year, NIT champs 2nd year, NCAAT 1st round 3rd and NCAAT 2nd round in his 4th year

 

[Caoch34]

Not a comparison at all. Calipari can "recruit" any McD's AA he wants and most likely lands them. Ricky Ray has zero contacts in MS, so until he completes construction on that wall, his recruiting is a complete unknown. We could have a team full of clowns for the next 2-3 years.

 

[jackstefano]

Facts

 

[MaroonedNdaRock]

.......and I thought of Memphis too when pondering our coaching hire and future.

Calipari reached the NCAAs in his third year. I was in NewJack City at that time too. Trust me, some of the natives were restless with "Cal" after year two. NITs don't cut it with the Tigers. I remember an article in the paper one morning that was suggesting he wasn't cutting it. He was on a radio interview. The host ask him if he saw the paper this morning. Cal says, "Yeah, when I backed over it."

Anyway, I think it is an interesting comparison to make. They had a tough go after Finch retired and they havemore history, money, and talent in the surrounding area. We are going to have to give Ray some time.State doesn't have a history of landing one and dones or hiring aMcDonald AA's father as an assistant.