The Case for Niko (aka Niko’s Case)

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cheeseheadgophfan said:
Give me a break....he was a candidate four years ago because he's "one of us"....nobody in P4 was looking to hire him four years ago. I hope I'm wrong.

What Wade has done at McNeese is ridiculous. Probably one of he worst programs in country when he took the job (I know I know it was his own fault), but his squad this year would've run the Gophers off the court IMO.
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I would absolutely love if Will Wade was our next coach. I just don't think the U will have the stomach to go for that.

As far as the "one of us" discussion, I often think it's less that we hire them because they are one of us and more they'd consider us because they are us.
 
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cheeseheadgophfan said:
Give me a break....he was a candidate four years ago because he's "one of us"....nobody in P4 was looking to hire him four years ago. I hope I'm wrong.

What Wade has done at McNeese is ridiculous. Probably one of he worst programs in country when he took the job (I know I know it was his own fault), but his squad this year would've run the Gophers off the court IMO.
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Good Lord, give it a break. The guy is toxic to programs.
 

Bad Gopher said:
He was then what Johnny Tauer is now. Some folks just can't see it.
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I like Tauer more than just about anyone on here but Dutcher had a lot more proven resume.

When we hired Johnson (2021 offseason), Brian Dutcher had been to the NCAA 2 out of the 3 seasons. He also had the #6 team in the country (guaranteed 2/3 seed), the year the tournament was cancelled.

I like Tauer, but there is a risk. For us to not go after Dutcher that year is absolutely crazy.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
I would absolutely love if Will Wade was our next coach. I just don't think the U will have the stomach to go for that.

As far as the "one of us" discussion, I often think it's less that we hire them because they are us and more they'd consider us because they are us.
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The dark cloud over Minnesota's head is that, at least according to the narrative, we can't win without cheating. Hiring Wade and winning would not disspell that narrative. There would always be the suspicion. We would not have gotten out from under that.
 


Bad Gopher said:
The dark cloud over Minnesota's head is that, at least according to the narrative, we can't win without cheating. Hiring Wade and winning would not disspell that narrative. There would always be the suspicion. We would not have gotten out from under that.
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Yeah, but it feels like we are in a post-cheating world and the people who care about that narrative aren't people whose opinions I care about.

I just want us to hire the best coach we can and bend every rule every other program bends and win basketball games. I used to not feel this way at all about college sports, but it's changed for me.
 


Bob_Loblaw said:
Yeah, but it feels like we are in a post-cheating world and the people who care about that narrative aren't people whose opinions I care about.

I just want us to hire the best coach we can and bend every rule every other program bends and win basketball games. I used to not feel this way at all about college sports, but it's changed for me.
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He had proven that he doesn't just bend the rules.
 





Bad Gopher said:
The dark cloud over Minnesota's head is that, at least according to the narrative, we can't win without cheating. Hiring Wade and winning would not disspell that narrative. There would always be the suspicion. We would not have gotten out from under that.
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Who the hell cares what others think? I don't. You think the teams coached by Bruce Pearl, Kelvin Sampson, Bill Self, etc etc etc care about the narrative. Frankly, I'd love to be good enough that people were thinking we might be cheating.....
 


USAF said:
You're right, it isn't gonna happen.

But it should.

Wade is the exact guy this program needs.

Start the process of thumbing your nose at the NCAA, for one thing. Like the serious programs have done for decades now.
What has trying to be "clean" gotten us?
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I'd put the banner back up tomorrow as a middle finger to the NCAA.
 



TwistingMyMelon said:
I don't know. I have mixed feelings. I watched the second half of the Colorado State game and I didn't see a single shot clock violation. Ben's teams could get three of those in a half! Also, there was too much quick passing and cutting in the half-court and not nearly enough dribbling around the perimeter.

Seriously, though, the one possible piece of bad news is that Niko's price may go up.
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Passing and cutting? What's that?
 


What’s the harm in getting it done this week? Players aren’t going to care as most would likely be coming with or transferring anyway.

I kid, but it will happen at some point.
 






Bob_Loblaw said:
Yeah, but it feels like we are in a post-cheating world and the people who care about that narrative aren't people whose opinions I care about.

I just want us to hire the best coach we can and bend every rule every other program bends and win basketball games. I used to not feel this way at all about college sports, but it's changed for me.
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Welcome to the dark side! (we have cookies!)
 


Anyone here familiar enough with CSU’s roster to know how many guys could (and maybe would) follow Niko to Minneapolis?

Got my first real look at that team yesterday and came away impressed.
 


Gophers1992 said:
Anyone here familiar enough with CSU’s roster to know how many guys could (and maybe would) follow Niko to Minneapolis?

Got my first real look at that team yesterday and came away impressed.
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The sophomore trio of Evans, Crocker-Johnson and Mbemba feel like the most likely. All getting 20ish minutes a night, all good contributors, but none super high end where a powerhouse would swoop in.

With likely 10 or so spots open we have room! I'd be interested to see how many MW conference guys he'd bring. Step up in level for most and Niko would have a nice scouting profile on them.
 

Would happily take Wade but just can't fathom The U hiring him. Plus, I think he will get a big, big contract elsewhere.
Would be happy with Niko, McCullum or Dutcher.
 

Bobek said:
Niko lost John Tonje to Missouri in the transfer portal 2 years ago, who now stars for Wisconsin. And yet Niko has recovered and is having success. Seems like a good choice if true.
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Tonje was also a Niko recruit and stayed and developed at CSU for 4 years.
 



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