Tubby named to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame's 2026 class

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I agree with this take:

Tubby Smith’s Hall of Fame Moment Belongs to Minnesota, Too - GopherHole.com

When the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tubby Smith as a member of its 2026 class, it served as a celebration of one of the most accomplished coaching careers in the history of the sport. Smith won a national championship at Kentucky, guided seven Division I programs, and...
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Go Gophers!!
 

matt said:
I enjoy Gopherhole as a message board, but some of Nadine’s takes have me wondering if I really want to keep patronizing this site.
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You don’t think the U should have made some sort of announcement or press release or social media post honoring their former, now hall of fame coach?
 

SelectionSunday said:
Well deserved honor.

Won a national championship and took five programs (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas Tech) to the NCAA Tournament. The classiest man to ever coach Gopher basketball.
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I agree with your assessment that Tubby belongs in the HOF. But, Im very curious why you feel Tubby was a class act? What experiences did you have with him that gave you that feeling?

As a high school basketball coach...each year there is a coaches clinic. Typically college coaches bend over backwards to offer any help possible to high school coaches. Tubby, if memory serves, didn't show up one year to speak at his designated time. He talked for 10 minutes about nothing another time. The other years I didn't go.

The Tubby experience that influenced my thinking the most was a 3 day coaching clinic in Milwaukee. Probably 10 speakers over the three days...Tubby was the last speaker on Friday night....the speaker before him spoke to 300-400 coaches. Tubby spoke to less than 10 coaches by the time he was done. Lots of coaches left before he spoke...I scooted over to a guy 20 feet away and said: "What's going on? Why is everybody leaving?" He smiled and said: "Obviously, you've never heard Tubby speak at one of these." No first time. "Well, I'll make you a bet...you'll leave before he's done!" Just kinda to verify things hadn't changed...he stayed for a couple minutes and left.
I did stay. I learned nothing. He mumbled, he spoke softly, he was totally off topic rambling. It was bad.
The other guys were awesome. Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim are the two I remember the most...both insightful...both willing to hang around and answer all questions.

Jim Dutcher is one of the classiest people I have ever met in any walk of life. Coached at his camps....off topic: Lute Olson was super accommodating, helpful, gracious as well...coached at his camp too. Dutcher was same.....very willing to help a young nobody.

So, I only know Tubby from coaching clinics....worst by a long ways at that. Maybe great at social events...IDK?
 

60's Guy said:
I agree with your assessment that Tubby belongs in the HOF. But, Im very curious why you feel Tubby was a class act? What experiences did you have with him that gave you that feeling?

As a high school basketball coach...each year there is a coaches clinic. Typically college coaches bend over backwards to offer any help possible to high school coaches. Tubby, if memory serves, didn't show up one year to speak at his designated time. He talked for 10 minutes about nothing another time. The other years I didn't go.

The Tubby experience that influenced my thinking the most was a 3 day coaching clinic in Milwaukee. Probably 10 speakers over the three days...Tubby was the last speaker on Friday night....the speaker before him spoke to 300-400 coaches. Tubby spoke to less than 10 coaches by the time he was done. Lots of coaches left before he spoke...I scooted over to a guy 20 feet away and said: "What's going on? Why is everybody leaving?" He smiled and said: "Obviously, you've never heard Tubby speak at one of these." No first time. "Well, I'll make you a bet...you'll leave before he's done!" Just kinda to verify things hadn't changed...he stayed for a couple minutes and left.
I did stay. I learned nothing. He mumbled, he spoke softly, he was totally off topic rambling. It was bad.
The other guys were awesome. Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim are the two I remember the most...both insightful...both willing to hang around and answer all questions.

Jim Dutcher is one of the classiest people I have ever met in any walk of life. Coached at his camps....off topic: Lute Olson was super accommodating, helpful, gracious as well...coached at his camp too. Dutcher was same.....very willing to help a young nobody.

So, I only know Tubby from coaching clinics....worst by a long ways at that. Maybe great at social events...IDK?
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Met him a few times as part of my job. Good dude. Nothing but class, never “big timed” others like some U coaches (Mason, Herbert, Monson assistant Bill Walker to name a few).

Jim Molinari was a fantastic guy to work with, as well. Engaging, down to earth, nice man/human being.

Dutch always impressed me as a classy guy, too, but never met him in person, unless you count attending his summer camp as a junior high kid.

Side note: My dad was a high school basketball & baseball teammate of Lute Olson at Grand Forks Central. He went by “Luke” back then. My Dad speaks as highly of Lute as anyone he’s ever met.
 





matt said:
This is the most petty bullshit, she is clearly looking to pick a fight.
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She didn’t tweet it. Seth who wrote the pro Gopher article above did. It absolutely wasn’t looking to pick a fight, just an observation he saw when looking to see how Tubby’s other teams recognized his honor.
 


SelectionSunday said:
Met him a few times as part of my job. Good dude. Nothing but class, never “big timed” others like some U coaches (Mason, Herbert, Monson assistant Bill Walker to name a few).

Jim Molinari was a fantastic guy to work with, as well. Engaging, down to earth, nice man/human being.

Dutch always impressed me as a classy guy, too, but never met him in person, unless you count attending his summer camp as a junior high kid.

Side note: My dad was a high school basketball & baseball teammate of Lute Olson at Grand Forks Central. He went by “Luke” back then. My Dad speaks as highly of Lute as anyone he’s ever met.
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I, like most Gopher fans, was totally excited when Tubby was announced as the new head coach. The buzz was electric!
One night at the Big10 tournament, however, has colored my view of Tubby. It was the night of the last second Hoffarber shot to beat Indiana. The team was crazy excited, bursting into the locker room to celebrate the victory. In the recollection of several players and parents, Tubby stormed into the room and began to berate them. “Why are you guys celebrating?! We have work to do, and a game to play tomorrow.” We waited for the team at their hotel for a post-game celebration. They walked into the room, heads down and not in a celebratory mood whatsoever. Tubby spoke to the crowd for perhaps two minutes; nothing about the heroics of the team, how proud he was, etc. No positive words at all.
We rode the elevator to our rooms with a couple of parents of players. They were mystified. “What just happened? I thought we won!?” Their behind the scenes story burst the Tubby-bubble for a bunch of us Gopher fans.
 

GopherHole Staff said:
She didn’t tweet it. Seth who wrote the pro Gopher article above did. It absolutely wasn’t looking to pick a fight, just an observation he saw when looking to see how Tubby’s other teams recognized his honor.
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Thanks for the clarification. I still hesitate to get out my pitchfork because the U’s social media team chose a retweet over an original post.
 

Good for Tubby! He had a great career and he might have had a better one here with any help from the U of M. Had he been able to keep Royce, the program would have been off and running again.
He seemed to lose energy and enthusiasm for it after that.
 

Lou Hudson said:
I, like most Gopher fans, was totally excited when Tubby was announced as the new head coach. The buzz was electric!
One night at the Big10 tournament, however, has colored my view of Tubby. It was the night of the last second Hoffarber shot to beat Indiana. The team was crazy excited, bursting into the locker room to celebrate the victory. In the recollection of several players and parents, Tubby stormed into the room and began to berate them. “Why are you guys celebrating?! We have work to do, and a game to play tomorrow.” We waited for the team at their hotel for a post-game celebration. They walked into the room, heads down and not in a celebratory mood whatsoever. Tubby spoke to the crowd for perhaps two minutes; nothing about the heroics of the team, how proud he was, etc. No positive words at all.
We rode the elevator to our rooms with a couple of parents of players. They were mystified. “What just happened? I thought we won!?” Their behind the scenes story burst the Tubby-bubble for a bunch of us Gopher fans.
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I mean it was a pretty bad last part of the game except for the shot. But yeah, gotta let the team celebrate there. Then talk about what needs to get cleaned up later or the next morning. But it's the end of the season, there aren't a lot of adjustments you can make then anyways. Momentum is huge in a tournament. Don't kill your own team's momentum.
 

60's Guy said:
I agree with your assessment that Tubby belongs in the HOF. But, Im very curious why you feel Tubby was a class act? What experiences did you have with him that gave you that feeling?

As a high school basketball coach...each year there is a coaches clinic. Typically college coaches bend over backwards to offer any help possible to high school coaches. Tubby, if memory serves, didn't show up one year to speak at his designated time. He talked for 10 minutes about nothing another time. The other years I didn't go.

The Tubby experience that influenced my thinking the most was a 3 day coaching clinic in Milwaukee. Probably 10 speakers over the three days...Tubby was the last speaker on Friday night....the speaker before him spoke to 300-400 coaches. Tubby spoke to less than 10 coaches by the time he was done. Lots of coaches left before he spoke...I scooted over to a guy 20 feet away and said: "What's going on? Why is everybody leaving?" He smiled and said: "Obviously, you've never heard Tubby speak at one of these." No first time. "Well, I'll make you a bet...you'll leave before he's done!" Just kinda to verify things hadn't changed...he stayed for a couple minutes and left.
I did stay. I learned nothing. He mumbled, he spoke softly, he was totally off topic rambling. It was bad.
The other guys were awesome. Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim are the two I remember the most...both insightful...both willing to hang around and answer all questions.

Jim Dutcher is one of the classiest people I have ever met in any walk of life. Coached at his camps....off topic: Lute Olson was super accommodating, helpful, gracious as well...coached at his camp too. Dutcher was same.....very willing to help a young nobody.

So, I only know Tubby from coaching clinics....worst by a long ways at that. Maybe great at social events...IDK?
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None of that doesn't means he isn't a classy individual, sounds like you just don't have a patience for old slow talking southerners, but neither do I so can't really dawg you for that. To be fair I loved Tom Kelly as the Twins Manager but when I was an assistant GM in the Northwoods league in my much younger days, TK was the keynote speaker at our all star game banquet and he about put me to sleep, super nice guy but my god like Tubby it was rough to hear him speak, personality of a doorknob. I would be willing to bet Tubby like TK is a much better 1v1 or in small groups as far conversation goes
 


gopherbadgerman said:
Lazy recruiter his last couple years here. But probably said F it when the Admin screwed him over a year or two...
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Tubby Smith holds the record for the highest average recruiting class rankings and highest average individual recruit ratings for the Minnesota Golden Gophers since modern online recruiting databases (like 247Sports and Rivals) began tracking data in the early 2000s. [1, 2]

Recruiting Highlights by Coach

CoachEraRecruiting Context & Average Standing
Tubby Smith2007–2013Consistently secured classes ranked in the national top 25 to top 40, regular blue-chip talent.
Richard Pitino2013–2021Experienced highly volatile classes, historically averaging in the mid-40s to 70s nationally.
Ben Johnson2021–2025Suffered from small class sizes and low national baselines, typically finishing outside the top 55.
Niko Medved2025–PresentHead coach starting in 2025; early high school classes (e.g., 2026 class) average around the mid-20s, but have a limited sample size.
 

Gold Vision said:
Tubby Smith holds the record for the highest average recruiting class rankings and highest average individual recruit ratings for the Minnesota Golden Gophers since modern online recruiting databases (like 247Sports and Rivals) began tracking data in the early 2000s. [1, 2]

Recruiting Highlights by Coach

CoachEraRecruiting Context & Average Standing
Tubby Smith2007–2013Consistently secured classes ranked in the national top 25 to top 40, regular blue-chip talent.
Richard Pitino2013–2021Experienced highly volatile classes, historically averaging in the mid-40s to 70s nationally.
Ben Johnson2021–2025Suffered from small class sizes and low national baselines, typically finishing outside the top 55.
Niko Medved2025–PresentHead coach starting in 2025; early high school classes (e.g., 2026 class) average around the mid-20s, but have a limited sample size.
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I believe some of Tubby's higher ranked guys never played....could be making it up.
But, Gophers are #38 for the 2026 class in 247.
Bigger but, we can't compare recruiting from era to era...the rules change too much...nobody is recruiting but one or none high school kids in 2027 because of the portal and 5 for 5 rule...no roster spots available, most everybody is eligible to return...so, until the season is over and they see if guys transfer hard to recruit right now.
 

60's Guy said:
I believe some of Tubby's higher ranked guys never played....could be making it up.
But, Gophers are #38 for the 2026 class in 247.
Bigger but, we can't compare recruiting from era to era...the rules change too much...nobody is recruiting but one or none high school kids in 2027 because of the portal and 5 for 5 rule...no roster spots available, most everybody is eligible to return...so, until the season is over and they see if guys transfer hard to recruit right now.
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I’m not casting any judgement on Niko yet. I just don’t think there is any evidence that Tubby was a lazy recruiter in comparison to his peers. He also has the most Tourney appearances and wins in the post Clem era. He revived a desolate barn and provided a spark for a new generation of gopher bball fans.

Royce White is the only impact recruit that never played. He and Dominque Dawson were the only recruits in that category.

The tier three descriptions below are a bit of a stretch (Mav and Chip), but there are a lot of highly rated, impactful and memorable players on the list.


Tier 1: The Cornerstones
These recruits were multi-year focal points, high-level starters, or major program producers.
  • Rodney Williams: High-flying 4-star local wing who finished with over 1,100 points, anchoring the team's athleticism during his four-year career.
  • Andre Hollins: Clutch, dynamic guard out of Memphis who became the definitive cornerstone of Smith's later classes, leading the team to an NIT title.
  • Ralph Sampson III: Smith's foundational 2007 big-man recruit who served as a massive interior rim-protector and reliable four-year starter.
  • Austin Hollins: Incredibly reliable, lockdown wing defender and elite shooter who developed into one of the team's most consistent players.
  • Blake Hoffarber: Legacy sharpshooter who hit some of the most famous buzzer-beaters in school history while serving as a heavy-minute lethal spacer.

Tier 2: Consistent Impact Starters & Rotation Pieces
These players were highly dependable starters or critical, high-impact bench pieces.
  • Joe Coleman: Local high-energy guard who earned significant starting minutes across two seasons, providing tough on-ball defense and slashing ability.
  • Al Nolen: Foundational true point guard from Smith’s initial haul who provided elite perimeter defense and floor leadership before injuries slowed him down.
  • Colton Iverson: Bruising 4-star big man who gave the Gophers crucial size, depth, and frontcourt production for three seasons before transferring.
  • Devoe Joseph: Very talented 4-star Canadian guard who flashed premier scoring capabilities before leaving the program mid-career.
  • Maurice Walker: Massive 4-star center prospect who dealt with early conditioning and injury issues but eventually turned into a highly effective interior weapon.

Tier 3: Limited Production & Deep Depth
These recruits played on the court for Minnesota but primarily filled depth roles, logged low minutes, or transferred out early.
  • Maverick Ahanmisi: Smooth, savvy rotational guard who gave the backcourt reliable depth and ball-handling minutes throughout his four years.
  • Chip Armelin: Explosive, energetic bench spark-plug wing who provided immediate microwave scoring in a reserve role.
  • Justin Cobbs: Played in nearly every game of his freshman season but was buried on the bench in a crowded backcourt, averaging just 2.1 points in 10.7 minutes before transferring to Cal.
  • Wally Ellenson: Multi-sport athlete with elite vertical bounce who played sparingly on the wing before transferring to Marquette.
  • Oto Osenieks: Stretch-forward prospect from Latvia who flashed situational shooting but was largely restricted to minor frontcourt depth.
  • Charles Buggs: Highly athletic forward prospect who took a redshirt year under Smith and was mostly a developmental depth piece.
  • Dominique Dawson: Depth frontcourt player from Smith's earliest stretch who saw very limited court action.
  • Chris Halvorsen: Local forward who committed as a walk-on/depth piece and filled deep bench roles.

Tier 4: Signed But Never Played
These high school recruits officially signed with Tubby Smith and enrolled at Minnesota, but left the program before ever logging a single official minute on the hardwood.
  • Royce White: A 5-star McDonald's All-American from Hopkins High School who was the highest-rated recruit of the Tubby Smith era. He left the team following off-court incidents before his freshman season began.
  • Dominique Dawson
 
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Those Tubby recruits were some good guys to watch. Anybody else have the feeling about many of those guys...OH! That guy is going to be really good! And the truth with most of them...they just never really elevated their games.
 


60's Guy said:
Those Tubby recruits were some good guys to watch. Anybody else have the feeling about many of those guys...OH! That guy is going to be really good! And the truth with most of them...they just never really elevated their games.
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Yes. Tubby’s offense did no favors for the guys who weren’t pure jump shooters.

The roster was always athletic and tough. What I loved about the Tubby era is what you knew we’d be in every game because of the defensive intensity. We were never an easy out.

The offense though…woof. How many times were we up late in games, but blew it due to not generating any offense in crunch time. It was maddening. I coined it the “stall offense.”
 

Gold Vision said:
I’m not casting any judgement on Niko yet. I just don’t think there is any evidence that Tubby was a lazy recruiter in comparison to his peers. He also has the most Tourney appearances and wins in the post Clem era. He revived a desolate barn and provided a spark for a new generation of gopher bball fans.

Royce White is the only impact recruit that never played. He and Dominque Dawson were the only recruits in that category.

The tier three descriptions below are a bit of a stretch (Mav and Chip), but there are a lot of highly rated, impactful and memorable players on the list.


Tier 1: The Cornerstones
These recruits were multi-year focal points, high-level starters, or major program producers.
  • Rodney Williams: High-flying 4-star local wing who finished with over 1,100 points, anchoring the team's athleticism during his four-year career.
  • Andre Hollins: Clutch, dynamic guard out of Memphis who became the definitive cornerstone of Smith's later classes, leading the team to an NIT title.
  • Ralph Sampson III: Smith's foundational 2007 big-man recruit who served as a massive interior rim-protector and reliable four-year starter.
  • Austin Hollins: Incredibly reliable, lockdown wing defender and elite shooter who developed into one of the team's most consistent players.
  • Blake Hoffarber: Legacy sharpshooter who hit some of the most famous buzzer-beaters in school history while serving as a heavy-minute lethal spacer.

Tier 2: Consistent Impact Starters & Rotation Pieces
These players were highly dependable starters or critical, high-impact bench pieces.
  • Joe Coleman: Local high-energy guard who earned significant starting minutes across two seasons, providing tough on-ball defense and slashing ability.
  • Al Nolen: Foundational true point guard from Smith’s initial haul who provided elite perimeter defense and floor leadership before injuries slowed him down.
  • Colton Iverson: Bruising 4-star big man who gave the Gophers crucial size, depth, and frontcourt production for three seasons before transferring.
  • Devoe Joseph: Very talented 4-star Canadian guard who flashed premier scoring capabilities before leaving the program mid-career.
  • Maurice Walker: Massive 4-star center prospect who dealt with early conditioning and injury issues but eventually turned into a highly effective interior weapon.

Tier 3: Limited Production & Deep Depth
These recruits played on the court for Minnesota but primarily filled depth roles, logged low minutes, or transferred out early.
  • Maverick Ahanmisi: Smooth, savvy rotational guard who gave the backcourt reliable depth and ball-handling minutes throughout his four years.
  • Chip Armelin: Explosive, energetic bench spark-plug wing who provided immediate microwave scoring in a reserve role.
  • Justin Cobbs: Played in nearly every game of his freshman season but was buried on the bench in a crowded backcourt, averaging just 2.1 points in 10.7 minutes before transferring to Cal.
  • Wally Ellenson: Multi-sport athlete with elite vertical bounce who played sparingly on the wing before transferring to Marquette.
  • Oto Osenieks: Stretch-forward prospect from Latvia who flashed situational shooting but was largely restricted to minor frontcourt depth.
  • Charles Buggs: Highly athletic forward prospect who took a redshirt year under Smith and was mostly a developmental depth piece.
  • Dominique Dawson: Depth frontcourt player from Smith's earliest stretch who saw very limited court action.
  • Chris Halvorsen: Local forward who committed as a walk-on/depth piece and filled deep bench roles.

Tier 4: Signed But Never Played
These high school recruits officially signed with Tubby Smith and enrolled at Minnesota, but left the program before ever logging a single official minute on the hardwood.
  • Royce White: A 5-star McDonald's All-American from Hopkins High School who was the highest-rated recruit of the Tubby Smith era. He left the team following off-court incidents before his freshman season began.
  • Dominique Dawson
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Not sure if he counts but Devron Bostick was an all world summer league player who did not hit if off with Tubby.
 

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