Myron Q & A With Tubby

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Coaches and managers use the press often to get their point across to their players during the season. It's part of the deal both in the pros and in college. However, very seldom do they continue to comment on those players after the relationship is over. It serves no purpose for Tubby to have commented on Colton the way he did. Yes. "Colton did less with more." But if Tubby was really being honest, he would have addressed why Colton was playing the high post at times and why he was out on the wing trying to close on 3-point shooters. Some of that, at least, is Tubby's responsibility.

The article was fine, Myron. I appreciated it mainly because it gives some insight into Tubby. IMO, it isn't a big deal with what he said about Colton. But without knowing what really went on, I can't believe it's a positive in the coach/player relationship. Also, can't imagine if some recruit's parents contact Colton's parents, it's going to help Tubby's recruiting. Just wish he would have left it alone and used "coach-talk" general statements.
 

Mulligan said:
But without knowing what really went on, I can't believe it's a positive in the coach/player relationship. ... Just wish he would have left it alone and used "coach-talk" general statements.
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Agree, especially after the way (based on public statements to the media) the Iverson family handled Colton's transfer. At least outwardly Colton's dad handled the transfer with a lot of class. That should count for something in terms of how Tubby speaks about Colton (publicly) after the fact. I'd be less surprised if it were Devoe or Royce (pretty much cancers to the program) that Tubby was taking a shot at when they were already out the door.
 

I read the article, didn't see anything wrong with what Tubby said. I remember his most famous comment at UK. It was about Kelenna Azubuike. "Looks like Tarzan, Plays like Jane" Now fans had been saying it because he had the ability to take over games, just didn't do it early on.

The deal with Iverson, he was the best Tubby could get early on, now you have R3 who has clearly gotten better each season, mbakwe and mo walker are better options at the 5 and RS3 is your best 4 plus you have a red shirt sf/pf and a juco pf/c. I think Iverson can play the high post in one aspect, he's a decent passer but doesn't have the other skills to play the spot.

You people are amazing to me. Minnesota hasn't gone to consecutive ncaa appearances in the the modern era of basketball but once!!!!! Tubby gets there and bam.. back to back ncaa appearances after his 3rd year. Get this, he didn't have to cheat to do it. So he's done something that's only been done other time in the history of Minnesota basketball!! and you people think he's on the hot seat or out of line for saying anything? I'd say you better be glad you got a coach who can win, do it the right way and hope it elevates your overall status when he retires or moves on.
 

notagopherfan said:
You people are amazing to me. Minnesota hasn't gone to consecutive ncaa appearances in the the modern era of basketball but once!!!!! Tubby gets there and bam.. back to back ncaa appearances after his 3rd year. Get this, he didn't have to cheat to do it. So he's done something that's only been done other time in the history of Minnesota basketball!! and you people think he's on the hot seat or out of line for saying anything? I'd say you better be glad you got a coach who can win, do it the right way and hope it elevates your overall status when he retires or moves on.
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So let me get this straight, notagopherfan. If someone questions the way Tubby handled something, that means we're not in his corner, or that we don't appreciate what he's done for the program? Get a grip. Think outside the box and don't lump everyone into the "don't appreciate Tubby" or "get rid of him" crowd simply because they don't agree with everything he does/has done.
 



notagopherfan said:
The deal with Iverson, he was the best Tubby could get early on
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I take issue with this comment. "The best Tubby could get" implies that Iverson was some fringe prospect who was lucky to even sign with a BCS school. The fact is that he was a 4-star Scout, 3-star Rivals prospect who had offers from Florida, Iowa, Iowa St., Nebraska, and Washington St. at the very least. He certainly did not produce like that offer sheet would have predicted, but let's not rewrite history and pretend that he was a borderline player.
 

notagopherfan said:
I read the article, didn't see anything wrong with what Tubby said. I remember his most famous comment at UK. It was about Kelenna Azubuike. "Looks like Tarzan, Plays like Jane" Now fans had been saying it because he had the ability to take over games, just didn't do it early on.

The deal with Iverson, he was the best Tubby could get early on, now you have R3 who has clearly gotten better each season, mbakwe and mo walker are better options at the 5 and RS3 is your best 4 plus you have a red shirt sf/pf and a juco pf/c. I think Iverson can play the high post in one aspect, he's a decent passer but doesn't have the other skills to play the spot.

You people are amazing to me. Minnesota hasn't gone to consecutive ncaa appearances in the the modern era of basketball but once!!!!! Tubby gets there and bam.. back to back ncaa appearances after his 3rd year. Get this, he didn't have to cheat to do it. So he's done something that's only been done other time in the history of Minnesota basketball!! and you people think he's on the hot seat or out of line for saying anything? I'd say you better be glad you got a coach who can win, do it the right way and hope it elevates your overall status when he retires or moves on.
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Are you a friend of Friend of Tubby?
 

Jon said:
Why do people read Myron's junk? I glanced at the questions and skipped everything but the one a Colton. I want to know about our committed players and next year; who is playing where this summer; what skills is Tubby wanting different players to work on... I guess I will have to wait for some info from Marcus at The Pioneer Press
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Looks like Myron was one step ahead of you - here are the questions about the future, and Tubby's responses:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/120113554.html

I thought these two pieces were very good. Tubby is a tough interview, access wise, and getting him to stay on track and complete his thoughts. Just about everything Myron asked was things that I was wondering.
 

Is there a place in the middle for someone who still is supportive and hopeful that Tubby will bring the Gophers back to glory, yet looks at the program with a critical, yet fair eye?

I think I fall in this category (and I know several others, such as SS, bga, Gopher Lady, Mulligan, to name but a few do also-I certainly don't claim to hang out on this branch alone), because overall I'm quite pleased with where the program is in comparison to the last few years with Monson and I'm thankful we have a clean coach who operates the program the correct way. There's many positives on where the program is currently at, despite the disappointments of this past season.

With that being said, I think there's plenty of legitimate questions to ask-the transfers out of the program, the slide at the end of the year, the offensive execution, the defense on 3 point shots, etc, etc. And while few people like to be questioned on how they do their jobs, particularly in public, that is the territory that Tubby and his brethren choose when they take head coaching positions at these high profile programs for very generous salaries.

As with any fanbase, there are ridiculous outliers who won't be happy unless national championships are won repeatedly, preferably by double-digit margins. But to think that Minnesota Gopher basketball fans are acting spoiled or ungrateful because they were unhappy with the slide at the end of the season? C'mon.
 



GopherLady said:
Looks like Myron was one step ahead of you
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How was he ahead? He put up the story hours after Jon pissed and moaned. Couldn't Myron add items to the story in response?

Regardless some good nuggets. Seems to me Welch and Andre will be running the two-guard show.

What are your goals going forward and what will it take to achieve them?

"We’re thinking about going to a two-guard offense instead. But it’s hard to do in the middle of the season. You don’t have to enter the ball to the wing, you just pass it to [a player such as] Rodney [Williams] up top, play a high-post type offense. We’re going to dabble in some of that as well to take some of the pressure off the point guard."

So Andre Hollins, who's more of a combo guard, can play point guard for you next season?

"He’s done it. I’ve watched him now. He’ll be effective at it."


What's the status of both Ralph Sampson III and Trevor Mbakwe?


"I think in Ralph’s situation, he's been going to Chicago and working out. Obviously his family and he feels like he wants to give it a shot. I’m supportive of that. But pretty soon, he’s got to make a decision. I really haven’t seen him on anybody’s list to be a first or second round pick. Neither is Trevor. But Trevor did lead the league in rebounding. We’ve been having ongoing dialogue. ... We’ve sent out the letters to try to get more information from the NBA."
 

notagopherfan said:
I read the article, didn't see anything wrong with what Tubby said. I remember his most famous comment at UK. It was about Kelenna Azubuike. "Looks like Tarzan, Plays like Jane" Now fans had been saying it because he had the ability to take over games, just didn't do it early on.

The deal with Iverson, he was the best Tubby could get early on, now you have R3 who has clearly gotten better each season, mbakwe and mo walker are better options at the 5 and RS3 is your best 4 plus you have a red shirt sf/pf and a juco pf/c. I think Iverson can play the high post in one aspect, he's a decent passer but doesn't have the other skills to play the spot.

You people are amazing to me. Minnesota hasn't gone to consecutive ncaa appearances in the the modern era of basketball but once!!!!! Tubby gets there and bam.. back to back ncaa appearances after his 3rd year. Get this, he didn't have to cheat to do it. So he's done something that's only been done other time in the history of Minnesota basketball!! and you people think he's on the hot seat or out of line for saying anything? I'd say you better be glad you got a coach who can win, do it the right way and hope it elevates your overall status when he retires or moves on.
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Thank you very much for another great post. Fan loyalty is hard to come around here these days. You did say this once in your previous posts, UK did have the same situation with Pitino when he 1st took over that program. Tubby will deliver here and all of the negative posters will find something else to complain about.

Go Gophers
 

coolhandgopher said:
Is there a place in the middle for someone who still is supportive and hopeful that Tubby will bring the Gophers back to glory, yet looks at the program with a critical, yet fair eye?

I think I fall in this category (and I know several others, such as SS, bga, Gopher Lady, Mulligan, to name but a few do also-I certainly don't claim to hang out on this branch alone), because overall I'm quite pleased with where the program is in comparison to the last few years with Monson and I'm thankful we have a clean coach who operates the program the correct way. There's many positives on where the program is currently at, despite the disappointments of this past season.

With that being said, I think there's plenty of legitimate questions to ask-the transfers out of the program, the slide at the end of the year, the offensive execution, the defense on 3 point shots, etc, etc. And while few people like to be questioned on how they do their jobs, particularly in public, that is the territory that Tubby and his brethren choose when they take head coaching positions at these high profile programs for very generous salaries.

As with any fanbase, there are ridiculous outliers who won't be happy unless national championships are won repeatedly, preferably by double-digit margins. But to think that Minnesota Gopher basketball fans are acting spoiled or ungrateful because they were unhappy with the slide at the end of the season? C'mon.
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Agree with you 100%...but you know me well enough to already know that!

katze019 said:
How was he ahead? He put up the story hours after Jon pissed and moaned. Couldn't Myron add items to the story in response?
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Ummmm...because the interview was already completed. You think he just had access to call Tubby up and ask questions after some GH poster complained? No. The interview was already done, as Myron noted, there wasn't enough room to put it all up in one article.
 




I'm a fan of Tubby Smith. He does things the right way, he can win with great or lesser talent and he's in line with my moral code for life. For those of you who are talking about the "glory days" of gopher basketball. Are you talking about the glory days of academic fraud and ncaa probation? The fact is, you haven't had any real glory days in Minnesota Basketball ever in the entire history of your basketball program except for the ones that don't really count. The fact that Tubby put you in the NCAA tournament 2 years in a row for only the 2nd time in your programs history proves that.

Being a guy who's watched the majority of games he's coached at Kentucky, Georgia and Tulsa. I can tell you that you have the best coach you've ever had and it's not even close. Not that he's gods gift to basketball but you've never had a guy there who has had more success than him and done it right. I will root for you guys all next year!!
 

notagopherfan said:
I can tell you that you have the best coach you've ever had and it's not even close. Not that he's gods gift to basketball but you've never had a guy there who has had more success than him and done it right. I will root for you guys all next year!!
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Come on now, no way, now how, never, will Tubby ever compare to Kundla in pure basketball knowledge. That is a fact.
 

notagopherfan said:
I'm a fan of Tubby Smith. He does things the right way, he can win with great or lesser talent and he's in line with my moral code for life. For those of you who are talking about the "glory days" of gopher basketball. Are you talking about the glory days of academic fraud and ncaa probation? The fact is, you haven't had any real glory days in Minnesota Basketball ever in the entire history of your basketball program except for the ones that don't really count. The fact that Tubby put you in the NCAA tournament 2 years in a row for only the 2nd time in your programs history proves that.

Being a guy who's watched the majority of games he's coached at Kentucky, Georgia and Tulsa. I can tell you that you have the best coach you've ever had and it's not even close. Not that he's gods gift to basketball but you've never had a guy there who has had more success than him and done it right. I will root for you guys all next year!!
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Friend of Tubby...I was wondering how long it would take for you to come back with a new moniker after being banned last month.
 

For those of you who are talking about the "glory days" of gopher basketball.
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I just read through the entire thread again and nowhere did any poster mention anything about the "glory days" of Gopher basketball. In fact, I think we're a pretty realistic fanbase about our spotty history and I think we would also acknowledge that Tubby's resume surpasses that of any other coach at the moment of hire since John Kundla.

Tubby has the pedigree, the history, the reputation, and the salary where Gopher fans should expect his era to be the "glory days". Until the Gophers finish in the top half of the Big Ten or win a NCAA tournament game, I think it's quite fair for our fanbase to establish these expectations, based on all the factors listed above.
 

Jon said:
Like I said Myron, I did not read Tubby's response to your questions since your questions did not interest me. I skip articles of writers that don't inform, entertain or enlighten. I post here to support Gopher sports and perhaps papers will read and consider or reconsider their tone and which writers they want to pay...
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I think it is completely igorent to expect all fluffy, feel good supportive stories about your favorite team all the time. I think you have been reading way too many small town community papers. Myrons job is to be professionally objective. He is not a fan of the team nor the voice of the team.
He is there to ask the hard-hitting, pertinent questions, not to drink the kool aid. Sometimes when the team is bad, the articles appear negative. When the team is good, they appear positive. Get a clue. Good journalist understand they are not out there to " cheer" for the team. Maybe in small town, but not in a major market like MSP.
 

Am I the only one who doesn't think what he said is even a big deal? He made a very minor statement about Iverson and now all of a sudden he is throwing him under the bus after Colton handled his exit with class?

People love making mountains out of molehills (especially in the offseason). I think if you asked Colton how he thought he played last season he would probably answer it in a similar way. If he wouldn't he isn't critical of his own game enough to be successful anyways.

Just chill people. Everyone calm down. If the team is bad next year tubby is on the hotseat going into 2012-13 season. Until then we may just want to sit back and try to enjoy life.
 

Rosemountian said:
Am I the only one who doesn't think what he said is even a big deal? He made a very minor statement about Iverson and now all of a sudden he is throwing him under the bus after Colton handled his exit with class?

People love making mountains out of molehills (especially in the offseason). I think if you asked Colton how he thought he played last season he would probably answer it in a similar way. If he wouldn't he isn't critical of his own game enough to be successful anyways.

Just chill people. Everyone calm down. If the team is bad next year tubby is on the hotseat going into 2012-13 season. Until then we may just want to sit back and try to enjoy life.
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Tubby gave the interview. People are discussing why he gave it, what he said, and what it might reveal about him. Nobody is overly excited as it's not an emotional issue like whether Rosemount should be forced to play Wayzata in football. It's what sports fans do when they "try to enjoy life."
 

Mulligan said:
Tubby gave the interview. People are discussing why he gave it, what he said, and what it might reveal about him. Nobody is overly excited as it's not an emotional issue like whether Rosemount should be forced to play Wayzata in football. It's what sports fans do when they "try to enjoy life."
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It is obvious to me that you were lost throughout the entire thread you are referring to. I was never saying that Rosemount should not play Wayzata. I said the mshsl cannot and will not force Rosemount to play Wayzata because they simply do not have the power.

What was lost to you is that I was making an argument based on what will happen, not based on what I think should happen. Apparently that was completely over your head.

Way to stay on topic guy.
 


"I think it is completely igorent to expect ..."

I think it is completely "igorent" to not know how to spell ignorant.
 

Having glanced at the rest of the info from Myron; it sounds like Tubby is still high on Maverick, I am wondering how the rotation at guard ends up working, nice to have options.
 



Tubby is Tubby. He will never take responsibility for any failure. He always comes across as if the player owes him something because he is Tubby Smith. If a player wants to go elsewhere because Tubby's system doesn't fit them, that is their perogotive, but Tubby acts like they are ungratious for doing so. Like he was the only reason these kids are playing Div 1 basketball. He isn't the only high profile coach that acts like that.

As far as some on here syaing we don't appreciate Tubby, I can only say that what I care about most as a Gopher fan is Big Ten wins and losses. Going to the 68 team tournament does nothing for me if we finish in 7th place in the Big Ten. It means nothing because as we have seen it means that you are usually one and done. I expect a coach to get us into the running for a Big Ten championship. Case closed. I don't care what his name is Tubby Smith or John Doe. Right now Tubby Smith isn't doing it. Let's hope that changes.
 


minngg said:
I expect a coach to get us into the running for a Big Ten championship.
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Based on what? I've never understood this entitlement mentality around here. Other than a few brief fits and spurts, Minnesota has been a mid- to bottom-tier Big Ten basketball program for 30 years. Hoping for a Big Ten championship is great, but "expecting" it? Again, based on what? That is only slightly less ridiculous than saying one "expects" the Gophers to compete for a Big Ten championship in football.
 

minngg said:
Tubby is Tubby. He will never take responsibility for any failure. He always comes across as if the player owes him something because he is Tubby Smith. If a player wants to go elsewhere because Tubby's system doesn't fit them, that is their perogotive, but Tubby acts like they are ungratious for doing so. Like he was the only reason these kids are playing Div 1 basketball. He isn't the only high profile coach that acts like that.

As far as some on here syaing we don't appreciate Tubby, I can only say that what I care about most as a Gopher fan is Big Ten wins and losses. Going to the 68 team tournament does nothing for me if we finish in 7th place in the Big Ten. It means nothing because as we have seen it means that you are usually one and done. I expect a coach to get us into the running for a Big Ten championship. Case closed. I don't care what his name is Tubby Smith or John Doe. Right now Tubby Smith isn't doing it. Let's hope that changes.
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Very good post. It is amazing how much you know about Tubby in 4 years.

Go Gophers
 

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