Mikie S
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Musselman is my favorite too. However, I do question if he will value academics or NCAA rules much more than his father.After deliberating for a couple weeks I have come to rank my choices as follows:
1) Musselman
Who knows if he is a realistic option but there is enough chatter to make me believe this isn't some pie in the sky scenario.
I like that he has built multiple programs into top 10 teams, is energetic, and seemingly connects with today's youth. He also has an NBA pedigree which I don't place an importance on but if you do he checks that box too. I don't know if there is a negative on his resume.
My reservations with Dutcher are that he settled playing Robin to Fisher's Batman for 25+ years. Maybe a tad too "go-with-the-flow" type. #4 on my fav list.2) Dutcher
Good coach, good recruiter, WANTS to be here. He is evidently extremely loyal having stayed with Fisher for 25+ years. The only question I have is whether he can win with his own players and not Fisher's collection... but then again he recruited most of these guys so is that really an issue?
Smith is my #2 (Fleck lite), Gates is my #3. I would be VERY happy with either.3) Gates, Smith, Medved
This is the beginning of the second tier for me. Gates probably excites me the most but I can only base this off the videos that have circulated this site. Smith doesn't do much for me but he is probably not a horrible hire. Medved is about the same but I think would garner less excitement about the program.
NO! Just NO!4) Mitchell, Saunders
I'm not enthused about either of these options but I would prefer Mitchell over Saunders as I feel he's a better game coach based only on their times with the Wolves. Mitchell has some experience recruiting but who knows how much of an influence he actually had on last year's Memphis class, which has underachieved.
I disagree with you here. Most coaches, not named Leonard Hamilton, start to lose their edge around 66-67 years old. Beilein is there already. Matta would be a gamble on him remaining healthy. Band-aids.I don't consider any of the other names thrown about to be realistic but would obviously take Beilein or Matta in heartbeat.
In conclusion, I'd be pumped if it was Musselman or Dutcher, optimistic and intrigued if it was Gates, Smith, or Medved, and disappointed if it was Mitchell or Saunders.
If there was someone not on this list I'd probably check on Travis Steele's interest if for not other reason than Xavier seems to know what they are doing when hiring head coaches so they must see something in him that are better than his results so far (which are still better than Pitino).