Men’s Hoops: Do you care?

[Drtxhorn]

Nothing is going to happen to him before his contract is up but he needs a deep run to get off the hot seat. Keep in mind that this team is the most talented, experienced and deepest team in many years. Regular season is one thing. The tournament is where coaches distinguish themselves. Everybody is talented and highly skilled. It comes down to X’s and O’s and decisions in crucial moments of the game. Believe me, I desperately want him to succeed. I want a national championship and if he can demonstrate that he can lead us there he deserves to stay. His work product to this point hasn’t shown that he can get it done. Remember that the next couple years will be down years as we’ll be in transition and have zero experience. We’re likely be below .500 next year and the next.

This is the year he needs to get it done.

 

[ElDiabloTejano]

I was afraid you prisoners of the moment would start talking extension. Here's the truth from somebody that knows basketball-- shaka is bad at strategy, adjustments, and coming up with something in a pinch. He's not average; he's BAD. He makes bad decisions (see: timeout vs tech with 1.8). His players turn the ball over and take bad shots at the worst possible times (see: TWO shot clock violations in overtime vs Kansas because they were trying to split a double team that happened because of a stationary screener). The dribble dribble dribble dribble JACK UP A 3 AS THE SHOT CLOCK RUNS OUT offense is maddening. It was better earlier this year, then went back to what it's always been. He can recruit. He's a good man, seemingly. But if you don't think Dave rose or Tom Izzo vs shaka in round two is an absolute nightmare of a coaching matchup, I dunno what to tell you. If shaka wants an extension, CDC should say "hey yeah, great job, let's talk annoy that soon", and then let the calendar pages flip to December and see what it looks like without a final four quality roster (which, let's be fair, shaka put together). My vote don't matter, but I vote no extension

 

[BringBackRoyal]

BBR, what are your thoughts on Shaka at Texas long-term? Should Texas sign him to a contract extension, or let his current contract expire and move on from him?

MM, I'm going to have to table my definitive answer to this until after the tournament. I will say that my opinion that Shaka is not the long-term answer has not changed. I've been in agreement with @Drtxhorn on just about everything regarding Shaka and Texas basketball in recent times. I'd also love for him to prove me wrong and grow into the coach that makes us consistently good to very good again, but his body of work still suggests this is very unlikely.

The season has turned out pretty well so far, but the talent and experience was there for something significantly better than an 11-7 conference record (which is almost certainly what our record would have been if the game in Waco had not been canceled). I'm very pleased with the conference tournament championship, even if we caught some extraordinary breaks to win it, but it's still nothing close to winning a regular season conference championship -- or, better yet, doing something of significance in NCAA tournament -- and it absolutely does not on its own merit a contract extension with significant additional guaranteed money. Adding two years to the contract with very little guaranteed money for recruiting purposes is defensible, since he is coming back next year regardless of what happens in the tournament; adding two years with a full ~$7 million in guaranteed money is not, absent a stellar showing in the tournament (for me, Final Four or better). Then there are several "in-between" scenarios.

Rather than play out all of the hypothetical scenarios for tournament performance, let's come back to this once everything's in the books.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

What looms is Michigan St. interesting they play UCLA in a play in, then play BYU. We would get the winner of those.

Yeah, not terribly excited about possibly seeing Izzo in the second round. Michigan St. has wins over two one-seeds and a two-seed in the last three weeks.

 

[horn wild]

I was afraid you prisoners of the moment would start talking extension. Here's the truth from somebody that knows basketball-- shaka is bad at strategy, adjustments, and coming up with something in a pinch. He's not average; he's BAD. He makes bad decisions (see: timeout vs tech with 1.8). His players turn the ball over and take bad shots at the worst possible times (see: TWO shot clock violations in overtime vs Kansas because they were trying to split a double team that happened because of a stationary screener). The dribble dribble dribble dribble JACK UP A 3 AS THE SHOT CLOCK RUNS OUT offense is maddening. It was better earlier this year, then went back to what it's always been. He can recruit. He's a good man, seemingly. But if you don't think Dave rose or Tom Izzo vs shaka in round two is an absolute nightmare of a coaching matchup, I dunno what to tell you. If shaka wants an extension, CDC should say "hey yeah, great job, let's talk annoy that soon", and then let the calendar pages flip to December and see what it looks like without a final four quality roster (which, let's be fair, shaka put together). My vote don't matter, but I vote no extension

100x

 

[KChorn11]

How much longer is his contract?

It’s only got a year left, so if he makes a deep tournament run it will very likely get extended. That’s just the facts like it or don’t everyone will have to deal with it. If I were a betting man I’d bet pretty heavy money Shaka being at Texas past 2022

 

[horn wild]

Finished ranked 9th in AP poll. First time since 2011. If you want mediocrity then yes extend away.

 

[DHHorn]

It’s only got a year left, so if he makes a deep tournament run it will very likely get extended. That’s just the facts like it or don’t everyone will have to deal with it. If I were a betting man I’d bet pretty heavy money Shaka being at Texas past 2022

I think he'll get a small extension this year and if he proves it again next year then give him the big boy deal.

 

[DHHorn]

Finished ranked 9th in AP poll. First time since 2011. If you want mediocrity then yes extend away.

You seem to have the wrong expectations of UT basketball. The money is not there like it is for Football. I think most fans and donors are fine with making the tournament each year and making a deep run every five years or so. He got lucky last year and got a do over but if he misses the tournament again then he has problems. Right now he's sitting pretty.

 

[KChorn11]

I think he'll get a small extension this year and if he proves it again next year then give him the big boy deal.

Could be. But I honestly don’t believe inside the athletic department Shaka’s seat had ever been that hot. CDC right after the conference tournament game was cancelled last year gave a pretty strong endorsement of Shaka to the point that I don’t think the result of that game or the result of selection Sunday would of changes his mind

 

[horn wild]

Could be. But I honestly don’t believe inside the athletic department Shaka’s seat had ever been that hot. CDC right after the conference tournament game was cancelled last year gave a pretty strong endorsement of Shaka to the point that I don’t think the result of that game or the result of selection Sunday would of changes his mind

Kinda like he gave TH an endorsement?

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Could be. But I honestly don’t believe inside the athletic department Shaka’s seat had ever been that hot. CDC right after the conference tournament game was cancelled last year gave a pretty strong endorsement of Shaka to the point that I don’t think the result of that game or the result of selection Sunday would of changes his mind

Just...no, dude. This year was absolutely make or break for him.

 

[Drtxhorn]

Could be. But I honestly don’t believe inside the athletic department Shaka’s seat had ever been that hot. CDC right after the conference tournament game was cancelled last year gave a pretty strong endorsement of Shaka to the point that I don’t think the result of that game or the result of selection Sunday would of changes his mind

CDC had no choice but to heavily endorse him because Greg Brown had not yet committed. He was still weighing between UT and the NBA G League. We would've lost his commitment if he hadn't endorsed Shaka. By the way, the G League Select team has been a big success in it's first year. Next season, I would expect to see many more elite HS prospects opting for the G League instead of going to college. That dynamic will change NCAA Men's BBall. The likes of Duke, Kentucky, Kansas dominating year after year are pretty much finished. It's going to come down to coaching and development. The new BBall program model moving forward are Gonzaga and Baylor. Mark Few and Scott Drew have a great model using a combination of keeping and developing quality role players with experience and recruiting heavily in the Juco and transfer portal for kids that show high upside. They know how to evaluate talent and how to incorporate player strengths into the program. Chris Beard is another one. Look at the job he did with Mac McClung. That kid is a gamer who was tossed aside by Georgetown.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Shaka has to learn to keep older players on the roster. Having some mature leadership in the locker room goes a long way in keeping the focus on winning and not individual accolades.

 

[KChorn11]

Just...no, dude. This year was absolutely make or break for him.

I don’t dispute that. What I said was I don’t believe his seat was ever as hot LAST year as many believe. Now if this year had gone bad yeah it would of got pretty hot but I don’t think he was ever that close to getting fired last year as many like to believe he was.

 

[outhereincali]

Guys were going to the big dance. Granted we have to spend a month in a place like Indiana but hey if we win its cool. We were ranked 2nd but then covid hit. But we've righted the ship and were going to tournament on a roll. Were starting to play like the team that was ranked 2nd. Were going to far this time.

HookemHorns

 

[LonghornMM]

Until Shaka puts together some runs in the tournament like Barnes and Penders did consistently, in no way does he deserve a contract extension.

 

[2300 Nueces]

I don’t dispute that. What I said was I don’t believe his seat was ever as hot LAST year as many believe. Now if this year had gone bad yeah it would of got pretty hot but I don’t think he was ever that close to getting fired last year as many like to believe he was.

The buyout on his contract was too high. Fenves and Perrin knew what they were doing. He needs to get up to speed at keeping older players on the team. As Drtxhorn said, the G league is going to be taking the more talented players so Shaka will need to be keeping and developing players for multiple years like Jericho Simms.

 

[outhereincali]

Also the Lady Horns are in tournament. They're a 6 seed which is good for a first year coach. I don't know how far they'll go. Would it be a success if they win at least 1 game or should they win more? Either way

HookemHorns

 

[BringBackRoyal]

I don’t dispute that. What I said was I don’t believe his seat was ever as hot LAST year as many believe. Now if this year had gone bad yeah it would of got pretty hot but I don’t think he was ever that close to getting fired last year as many like to believe he was.

I was responding mostly to this sentence: "But I honestly don’t believe inside the athletic department Shaka’s seat had ever been that hot."

Anyway, that's fine -- I think we just have a different idea of what constitutes a hot seat. To me, if you're facing certain termination unless you perform at a level that exceeds anything you've done during your five-year tenure, that constitutes a seat that's plenty hot. But usages can vary.

 

[diadevic]

Also the Lady Horns are in tournament. They're a 6 seed which is good for a first year coach. I don't know how far they'll go. Would it be a success if they win at least 1 game or should they win more? Either way

HookemHorns

Finally - some Women’s hoops talk! BU just won their 11th Big 12 Tournament title, and 11th STRAIGHT regular season title! Mulkey is the greatest coach, man or woman, any sport, this side of Coach K. And she’s younger than Vic Schaefer. Sorry Vic - you’re not going anywhere in the Big 12 Until she calls it quits.

 

[horn wild]

Finally - some Women’s hoops talk! BU just won their 11th Big 12 Tournament title, and 11th STRAIGHT regular season title! Mulkey is the greatest coach, man or woman, any sport, this side of Coach K. And she’s younger than Vic Schaefer. Sorry Vic - you’re not going anywhere in the Big 12 Until she calls it quits.

He put her out once....he will do it again. May take him a few years but it’s gonna happen.

 

[Oldmanastro]

Finally - some Women’s hoops talk! BU just won their 11th Big 12 Tournament title, and 11th STRAIGHT regular season title! Mulkey is the greatest coach, man or woman, any sport, this side of Coach K. And she’s younger than Vic Schaefer. Sorry Vic - you’re not going anywhere in the Big 12 Until she calls it quits.

Some coach named Eddie Reese says “Hello”.
But I get your sarcasm.

 

[outhereincali]

Finally - some Women’s hoops talk! BU just won their 11th Big 12 Tournament title, and 11th STRAIGHT regular season title! Mulkey is the greatest coach, man or woman, any sport, this side of Coach K. And she’s younger than Vic Schaefer. Sorry Vic - you’re not going anywhere in the Big 12 Until she calls it quits.

Diadevic don't get carried away about how great a coach she is. She's a great coach in top 3 among the greatest all time among women's coaches. But c'mon now how about Geno?

That being said Mulkey, Brittany Griner and RG3 combined to save Baylor athletics. She's won 3 titles and probably would have won a 4th last year if it hadn't been for covid. And 2 years ago her bears put a beat down on Geno's U Conn team. Baylor is ranked 6th and is a 2nd seed. Can they pull a U Conn and win men and women's titles? They do have a good team.

 

[WRLHookem]

Finally - some Women’s hoops talk! BU just won their 11th Big 12 Tournament title, and 11th STRAIGHT regular season title! Mulkey is the greatest coach, man or woman, any sport, this side of Coach K. And she’s younger than Vic Schaefer. Sorry Vic - you’re not going anywhere in the Big 12 Until she calls it quits.

I believe Geno Auriemma may have a bit of an argument but I’ll give her 2nd place, for now.

 

[LonghornMM]

Shaka Smart took VCU from the First Four to the Final Four back in 2011, winning five games to get there. Since then, Smart has just two tournament victories in six appearances (and none in his two prior trips as the Longhorns' head coach). Between VCU and Texas, his teams have lost four straight first-round games, as Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 10 seeds. Texas hasn't won a first-round game since 2014, so it's safe to say both the coach and school are desperate to dent the win column. This is the Longhorns' highest seed since 2008, which is also the last time they advanced to the second week of tourney play.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Shaka Smart took VCU from the First Four to the Final Four back in 2011, winning five games to get there. Since then, Smart has just two tournament victories in six appearances (and none in his two prior trips as the Longhorns' head coach). Between VCU and Texas, his teams have lost four straight first-round games, as Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 10 seeds. Texas hasn't won a first-round game since 2014, so it's safe to say both the coach and school are desperate to dent the win column. This is the Longhorns' highest seed since 2008, which is also the last time they advanced to the second week of tourney play.

I think this team has the players to make a deep run. Most of the teams we will face will be running man to man defense and I have yet to see a team outside of Baylor that has the physical talent that Texas has. Can't wait. I pull for all the Big 12 teams in the NCAA tournament. Personally, I see the B1G as the most overrated conference. I think we will see a lot of southern teams in the Sweet 16.

 

[RoboCocks21]

Upset alert Chip Patterson from CBS has us losing to Abilene Christian cause they play Tech and Arky hard this year and lost and that Texas will be sleeping

 

[KChorn11]

Until Shaka puts together some runs in the tournament like Barnes and Penders did consistently, in no way does he deserve a contract extension.

Some of you have a fond memories of the Barnes era that don’t really match reality.
In 17, years at Texas he was out on the first weekend or missed the tournament 12 times in those 17 seasons. He had a couple runs to the elite 8 and a run to the final 4 with TJ Ford, but overall we were pretty disappointing in the tournament, and Barnes probably had better teams than Shaka has had here with the exceptions of this year. Barnes did a great job here not crushing him, but tournament wise we really didn’t have tge

 

[2300 Nueces]

Upset alert Chip Patterson from CBS has us losing to Abilene Christian cause they play Tech and Arky hard this year and lost and that Texas will be sleeping

ACU does not match up well against us. They are a dedicated man to man defensive team. Man D does not work well against superior athletes that can drive the lane.

The duesch bag is likely a bama fan hoping against hope that they don't get us in the sweet 16. OU spanked bama in the regular season. OU wasn't much competition for Texas at full strength.

 

[horn wild]

Some of you have a fond memories of the Barnes era that don’t really match reality.
In 17, years at Texas he was out on the first weekend or missed the tournament 12 times in those 17 seasons. He had a couple runs to the elite 8 and a run to the final 4 with TJ Ford, but overall we were pretty disappointing in the tournament, and Barnes probably had better teams than Shaka has had here with the exceptions of this year. Barnes did a great job here not crushing him, but tournament wise we really didn’t have tge

Silly me...I thought we were trying to upgrade.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Some of you have a fond memories of the Barnes era that don’t really match reality.
In 17, years at Texas he was out on the first weekend or missed the tournament 12 times in those 17 seasons. He had a couple runs to the elite 8 and a run to the final 4 with TJ Ford, but overall we were pretty disappointing in the tournament, and Barnes probably had better teams than Shaka has had here with the exceptions of this year. Barnes did a great job here not crushing him, but tournament wise we really didn’t have tge

I was more than ready for Barnes to go by 2015, since he seemed to develop an irresistible addiction to self-sabotage with the way he handled his teams over his final seven years. There was also plenty to grumble about even during his best years. But during his first decade at Texas, once he had pulled Penders’ program out of the ditch, he looked like Tom Izzo in the tournament compared to what Shaka has done here so far. I’d take 1999 to 2008 (and especially 2002 to 2008) again with no complaints.

 

[KChorn11]

Silly me...I thought we were trying to upgrade.

Upgrade what? Barnes is a HOF coach. The chances of “upgrading” were slim, but it was time for both sides to get a fresh start. I’m just saying the idea we had all this tournament success under Barnes and it’s missing under Shaka is false.

also keep in mind in Shaka’s 2 tourment apperences with Texas we lost on a half court buzzer beater and a 2OT game.... yeah it sucks, but it happens. Bill self who when his career is said and done will be considered one of the greatest coaches ever lost to Bucknell and Bradley his first two years at KU

 

[JDCPAgolferHorn]

Upgrade what? Barnes is a HOF coach. The chances of “upgrading” were slim, but it was time for both sides to get a fresh start. I’m just saying the idea we had all this tournament success under Barnes and it’s missing under Shaka is false.

also keep in mind in Shaka’s 2 tourment apperences with Texas we lost on a half court buzzer beater and a 2OT game.... yeah it sucks, but it happens. Bill self who when his career is said and done will be considered one of the greatest coaches ever lost to Bucknell and Bradley his first two years at KU

So you’re saying Barnes is a HOF coach and had limited tournament success? On what basis is he a HOF coach if you also discount his tournament record?

 

[westx]

Some of you have a fond memories of the Barnes era that don’t really match reality.
In 17, years at Texas he was out on the first weekend or missed the tournament 12 times in those 17 seasons. He had a couple runs to the elite 8 and a run to the final 4 with TJ Ford, but overall we were pretty disappointing in the tournament, and Barnes probably had better teams than Shaka has had here with the exceptions of this year. Barnes did a great job here not crushing him, but tournament wise we really didn’t have tge

The Final 4 is a helluva big deal and the Elite is a big deal