Posted by Big Ron on March 17, 21 at 11:06:02:
In Reply to: Re: Agree posted by ButterBall Devil on March 17, 21 at 08:17:58:
: maybe this is not your take, but are you saying Hurley deliberately undermined the season? So - in light of the clear improvements since the Sendek years (and BTW, I really liked CHS, but he appeared to have struggled with recruiting at ASU, and CBH is also finding it challenging), you think AD/RA or MiCrow is ready to show CBH the door?
: Or - do you think CBH has an offer at a better program? I would find either scenario highly unlikely.
: On the other hand, if a vacancy opens, I would think Coach K (just fired from Utah), should be considered.
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My take: I do not think that Hurley tanked the season or recruiting. Before this season fell apart, Hurley thought that he had the players to make Guard U a nationally recognized success story. Verge and Christopher were his prolific scorers. Cherry and Bagley were the spread forwards that could pop 3s and spread the defense. Martin was the heart and soul of the team. National rankings and a tournament invitation was clearly in sight. But he knew the roster would be completely depleted after the season and he would face a massive rebuilding project. Basically, back to Square One. It would take more than one good recruiting class to restock the program.
Was he actively looking to jump ship? Well, business managers get paid to present clients career options. So his manager did his thing while Hurley concentrated on saving the season and recruiting. In a year that ASU should have had a banner season, Duke and Kentucky missed the national tournament for the first time since the Clinton Administration.
With a healthy Christopher and Bagley and Martin available all season, Hurley might have had the choice of rebuilding ASU or Duke. Now he will need to hustle and sign some talent and mine the transfer portal for solid players. Given the option, I think he would prefer to be rebuilding a team like Duke than a team like ASU.
I just want to know where Ray Anderson is hiding and wonder if we are going to hear another program trajectory speech. Because what I see is another Sendek scenario. Live or die with guards shooting jump shots. An occasional collection of good talent that gives us hope. Lack of big men.