Agreed. Niko wouldn't be a terrible hire, but we can do better.
Gopher Mens Basketball
They won't say anything, because they were delusional then and remain that way. We watched multiple cellar programs be turned around in one to two years, but they refused to acknowledge that it can be done. Their model for success was one from the 90's, and that made sense to them and couldn't be convinced otherwise; it's hilarious.
Lack of success does not fall on us fans
Good post.
To summarize: Ben is a disaster, but we have to wait another year for the already ordained firing.
He hasn't. But he might be resentful enough of the talk to listen a la Tubby Smith 2007. He's probably in a "Sweet 16 at a minimum or you're fired" position next year and might not like that.
If so, the timing would be right if Johnson doesn't right the ship next year. Smith is an honorable man and wouldn't pull a Brenda on the University of Utah.
I would hope he is honorable, but cash and opportunity too often eclipse honor in the coaching world. I’d take him in a New York minute.
it's called reading the tea leaves.
Don't we still pay the highest admission prices in the conference? At one time, I know we did. It gets a little blurry when you add in the "donations" in the season tickets.
There's a chance Ben turns it around next year, but I'd say the chances are slim, and it also depends on your definition of "turn it around".
Aww jeez
My expectation after last year, once we got Garcia- was that we should be good enough for 6-7 or more wins this year- then an NCAA qualifier in 23-24. Now with the abysmal year and more departures- I think he has to get those 7 wins to keep the job. I think that there is enough there to do it with a couple of good guards and a banger back up guy.
If we get 6-7 Big Ten Wins, that's probably enough to earn year four with a young nucleus.
Willis was pretty good, and the book is not yet written on next year.
I'm not advocating for it.
This is correct. If we are headed in the right direction we will be able to see it and it won't be a strict wins and losses evaluation. It will be a combination of how it looks on court, how committed the players are, the record and who he signs this fall (not that signings are sacred anymore- as we now know from Mr Evans). If all of those things are in order the fans will start to come around as well.
Willis was really a 2G who did a phenomenal job adapting. He was great last year- no doubt.
Mistakes were made.
Agreed. he likely never will ascend from his current role. Kinda sad.
I think we are 365 days away from a decision if I'm counting right and we lose weakling Wednesday 2024.
