What is Niko building?

[The Deliberate Stranger]

I had previously wrote that Niko hasn't had a big improvement in year one at any of his stops. I don't think he is a flashy recruiter, I think he is successful based on year over year improvements and eventual conference and tourney successes, and turning some "average wings" into NBA players.

At Furman they went 7-24 the year before Niko, 9-21 his first year. By year 4 they went 23-11.
Drake was 17-17 the year before Niko and 17-17 with him for one year.
At CSU, the Rams were 11-21 the year before and 12-20 in Niko's first year. They were 20-12 in year 2. And like we all know, had them in the tourney in 3 of his last 4 seasons there.

Growing a program at a place like Minnesota will take some time. Very hard conference, average NIL budget at best, weather issues, etc. There is also a history of the best in state players mostly leaving the state to play basketball.

Bo Ryan at Wisconsin, the year before 19-13, with Bo 18-11.
Even Tom Izzo, who took over a 22-6 team that lost a great backcourt of Respert and Snow, only managed a 16-16 record in year one.

Drake was 7-24 the year before Niko

 

[Spaulding!No!]

I’ll give him three years. They don’t have the talent to compete now. He needs this year and two more to be able to have a chance to turn it around. If after your three it still looks like crap then he’s gotta go.

Would you give him a raise if he finished last in The BT this year?

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Would you give him a raise if he finished last in The BT this year?

F no.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

F no.

I concur

 

[Bad Gopher]

In my opinion, might as well just watch the pros from here on out. At least they have contracts, salary caps and rules in place. They would destroy their product with the kind of roster churn happening in college.

If the NBA were only basketball, I might watch it regularly.

 

[formerlybis]

I believe Niko only lost Tonje to NIL to Wisconsin as any significant player to leave in his 7 years there.

FTR, Tonje left for Mizzou

 

[USAF]

He's building CBJ's resume.

 

[Slim Tubby]

 

[CentralGopher]

No idea, we’ll have to wait and see until he has 2-3 of his own recruiting classes playing and doesn’t have to wait until the end of the cycle to grab transfers.