Tarleton State has the making of a good basketball program. They have arguable one of the top coaches in the WAC (from day one) and they are in a talent rich state. However, that is where the rubber needs to hit the road. I realize Tarleton State fans have built up "some" arrogance having a good D2 basketball coach in Lonn Reisman. He is a legend at the D2 level. So, Tarleton fans are used to winning. However, the same can be said about every other D2 school that the WAC has added to its ranks.

I do like that Texan fans have a high opinion (pride) for their program. It makes for an interesting WAC, and the competitive discussions to come. However, to this point, none of the D2 schools have cracked the code on how to topple NMSU. Their is a steep learning curve ahead for Tarleton State. The good thing is they have a head coach who knows what a winning D1 program looks like first hand. Neither Dan Majerle, Rick Croy, or Jon Judkins have experienced winning at that level. With the hiring of Bryce Drew, GCU took a major step in the right direction. As for CBU and Dixie State, they both are relying on successful D2 coaches (their Lonn Reisman) to make their respective programs D1 competitive. Keep in mind, Rick Croy had a 0.820 winning percentage at CBU before joining the WAC. Since then his winning percentage has dropped to a more modest 0.597 in D1 ball. And, Jon Judkins accumulated 551 wins over a 27 year head coaching career; posting a 0.686 winning percentage. Both will be tested by long time D1 coaches on a nightly basis. So far, in his two D1 seasons, Croy has proved worthy. We will see if BCG still has some gas in his tank and if Judkins is over his head in the next two or three season. By then, their respective program's paths will be set.

In the D1 world recruiting and name recognition (School and coach) is everything. Case in point, former UVU coach Mark Pope could not make any progress upending Chris Jans at NMSU. Now that Pope is a BYU, the basketball world loves him. Is Pope a better coach than Jans? Hell NO. But Pope is now at a bigger program which has name recognition and better talent on his roster. I only mention this because BCG has coached at the highest level; where the name on the jersey brought in the best players. Now, will Gillispie need to get back to his coaching roots (as a grinder) at Tarleton State. He will now need to work much hard in the WAC to find good talent. If he can land the right talent, his natural coaching ability will shine; much like Chris Jans has done at NMSU; Jans is a grinder.