I have reluctantly concluded that for whatever reason Hardaway will never excel as a coach. I wish it were otherwise, but it's not. I think that much is obvious now.

However, we are in a drastically better position now than during the Tubby Smith disaster. Then, we had become irrelevant. Smith's sloth, and that of his son, left us with poor recruiting classes and no hopes of anything changing. We were told to get used to getting third tier recruits, mostly because he couldn't be bothered to earn his salary to get better ones.

Hardaway once again showed the world that we CAN get top tier recruits. That's a big deal. Memphis is not the irrelevant third tier program Tubby wanted it to be, it's still top tier, we just haven't found the coach yet to match our potential. But give Penny all the credit for putting us back on the map.

(01-16-2022 09:50 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  I have reluctantly concluded that for whatever reason Hardaway will never excel as a coach. I wish it were otherwise, but it's not. I think that much is obvious now.

However, we are in a drastically better position now than during the Tubby Smith disaster. Then, we had become irrelevant. Smith's sloth, and that of his son, left us with poor recruiting classes and no hopes of anything changing. We were told to get used to getting third tier recruits, mostly because he couldn't be bothered to earn his salary to get better ones.

Hardaway once again showed the world that we CAN get top tier recruits. That's a big deal. Memphis is not the irrelevant third tier program Tubby wanted it to be, it's still top tier, we just haven't found the coach yet to match our potential. But give Penny all the credit for putting us back on the map.

Penny served his purpose.
Bring excitement back to the program
Get fans in the seats
Bring in recruits
Make us nationally relevant - has not happened winning but has with recruiting

Winning would have been an awesome bonus. It has not happened and does not look like it will. It is time to move on before what he has accomplished is dismantled.

(01-16-2022 09:56 AM)SeñorTiger Wrote:  

(01-16-2022 09:50 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  I have reluctantly concluded that for whatever reason Hardaway will never excel as a coach. I wish it were otherwise, but it's not. I think that much is obvious now.

However, we are in a drastically better position now than during the Tubby Smith disaster. Then, we had become irrelevant. Smith's sloth, and that of his son, left us with poor recruiting classes and no hopes of anything changing. We were told to get used to getting third tier recruits, mostly because he couldn't be bothered to earn his salary to get better ones.

Hardaway once again showed the world that we CAN get top tier recruits. That's a big deal. Memphis is not the irrelevant third tier program Tubby wanted it to be, it's still top tier, we just haven't found the coach yet to match our potential. But give Penny all the credit for putting us back on the map.

Penny served his purpose.
Bring excitement back to the program
Get fans in the seats
Bring in recruits
Make us nationally relevant - has not happened winning but has with recruiting

Winning would have been an awesome bonus. It has not happened and does not look like it will. It is time to move on before what he has accomplished is dismantled.

I don't think that's going to happen, but yes, I agree with you.

(01-16-2022 09:50 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  I have reluctantly concluded that for whatever reason Hardaway will never excel as a coach. I wish it were otherwise, but it's not. I think that much is obvious now.

However, we are in a drastically better position now than during the Tubby Smith disaster. Then, we had become irrelevant. Smith's sloth, and that of his son, left us with poor recruiting classes and no hopes of anything changing. We were told to get used to getting third tier recruits, mostly because he couldn't be bothered to earn his salary to get better ones.

Hardaway once again showed the world that we CAN get top tier recruits. That's a big deal. Memphis is not the irrelevant third tier program Tubby wanted it to be, it's still top tier, we just haven't found the coach yet to match our potential. But give Penny all the credit for putting us back on the map.

I’m not even sure things are that bad really

The Iowa State game caught them and then HE dropped the rope during the next three games

Since then though the injuries and missed games have been remarkable

But kids are not all replaceable
If Williams is out, you cannot run the same offense through Dandridge
If Nolley is out you cannot run the same offense

Etc.

Have until Thursday for SMU. This last loss will hurt. Will take a winning streak here to offset it. Now or never. Play basketball kids.