Tubby's Smith's replacement should be?

[MajorMike]

Tubby's Smith's replacement should be?


By Bobby Brockman, Sports Editor




It's hard to figure out who were the happiest people in the United States on Thursday afternoon: those in Minnesota or those who live and die with University of Kentucky basketball?

Both groups were elated for different reasons.

The ones in the state of 1,000 lakes actually think they now have a legitimate men's basketball coach.

While those that think they know more basketball than Dr. James Naismith ever did, think they will be much better off with anyone other than Orlando Smith calling the shots in Lexington.

It's a fact that Smith's recruiting has been off in some years which shouldn't happen at UK. It also seems that his offense has become very stagnant.




Recruiting woes can't be blamed exclusively on Smith. All a recruit or his family has to do is listen to a talk show in the Commonwealth and why would they want to play under the scrutiny of those know-it-alls.

The Big Blue experts figure it will be easy to replace Smith and the program will be much better off.

Don't be so sure about that.

Taking away 10 or so years in the 1940s and 1950s and the 1996 through 1998 run and UK's run at national titles is similar to a bunch of collegiate hoop squads.

The next UK coach does need to play a racehorse brand of basketball. However, it does seem like the shot clock was installed, point totals have gone down.




Here's a look at some of the names mentioned for the post and why or why not they might not take the Wildcat head spot should Mitch Barnhart come a calling.

Billy Donovan: Why would anyone in their right mind leave a program which could be coming off back-to-back national championships and the tranquillity of Gainesville, Fla.

Rick Pitino: Bringing him back would make UK fans as big of a hypocrite as they claimed he was when he took the University of Louisville job.

Tom Crean: He would probably crawl to Lexington. But, is his offense any more wide-open than Smith's?

Tom Izzo: His offense is similar to Crean's with the only difference being he probably wouldn't crawl to Lexington.





Mark Few: Gonzaga does play a wide-open offense, but is Few ready to recruit east of the Mississippi and handle the media and fans who want to know everything about you (i.e. the names of your dogs' offspring and who is now their owners).

Bruce Pearl: Two years ago, maybe. But, why would he want to leave a spot where he is worshipped, opposite in Lexington where the players are put on a pedestal.

Mike Brey: Probably makes the most sense since his style is a shoot-the-three at anytime and he can recruit nationally. But, his biggest bugaboo is he used to coach under Coach K and Duke is one of the many teams UK fans will stay up late at night if they figure they have a chance to lose.

Billy Gillispie: There aren't five people who could say they had heard this name two years ago. So, why would someone want him since he has won at Texas A&M with Melvin Watkins' leftovers just like Smith supposedly did with Pitino's holders in 1997-98.

John Calipari: Similar actions and results to Pitino, but would his questionable recruiting tactics be overlooked by the Kentucky media, which scrutinizes everything before, during and after the fact. They only do that with barbecue in Memphis.

Travis Ford: He's probably kicking himself that Smith didn't stay a couple of years longer. Unless Barnhart strikes out a few times, it's probably too early for Ford to get the nod. He might be one more move from being in serious consideration for a return to his alma mater.

John Pelphrey: He's already being mentioned for the South Florida opening and, like Ford, probably needs to prove a bit more before being the thick brush.

That's 11 names and the surface has only been scratched. The eventual replacement is probably not on this list. Was Rich Brooks on the UK football radar 24 hours before getting that post?

The job description is quite simple for the next University of Kentucky men's basketball coach.

He needs to have extremely thick skin, which Smith did for the first half or so of his tenure, be able to recruit the hamburger All-Americans, play an exciting brand of basketball, win at a rate that only UCLA did (10 titles in 11 years) and answer questions similar to "is Richie going to play tonight" on the weekly radio show.

[MajorMike]

1) Billy Donovan, Florida — The Florida head coach has other things on his mind right now, but when the Gators' run ends he'll have to decide whether to take a look at heading to Lexington.

Donovan has a terrific relationship with Florida AD Jeremy Foley and Foley isn't about to let money be the determining factor for Donovan leaving Gainesville. Look for Donovan ultimately to remain where he is.

Odds (if offered): Slim

2) Rick Barnes, Texas — The Texas coach was pursued heavily by NC State a year ago, but he decided to remain in Austin despite the lure of basically returning home.

Odds (if offered): 10 percent

3) Tom Izzo, Michigan State — He's a God in East Lansing and it would be difficult to imagine him leaving.

Odds (if offered): 10 percent

4) Tom Crean, Marquette — One of the hardest-working guys in the business, Crean would really be able to take advantage of the Kentucky name on the recruiting trail. He's done a terrific job at Marquette, but going to Lexington would be a huge boost.

Odds (if offered): 50 percent

5) Billy Gillispie, Texas A&M — There's no questioning the job that the Aggies head man has done in turning around the program, but his strength lies definitely with recruiting the Lone Star state. Also, remember he wasn't even the one who recruited Acie Law IV or Joseph Jones.

Odds (if offered): 30 percent

6) John Calipari, Memphis — Cal has done an impressive job at Memphis, but he likes attention — and he doesn't get any until the NCAA tournament rolls around. That would change in Lexington — and so would his ability to attract high-profile recruits.

Odds (if offered): 40 percent

7) Thad Matta, Ohio State — Greg Oden will be gone this year and Daequan Cook and Mike Conley Jr. aren't all that far behind, but Matta is a perfect fit for Columbus. He's low-key and doesn't mind playing second-fiddle to football.

Odds (if offered): 5 percent

8) Jay Wright, Villanova — His name was mentioned prominently a year ago after his team made a run at the Final Four and his personality would make him an instant hit in Lexington. However, Wright is happy at 'Nova and he doesn't have quite as much appeal as he did a year ago.

Odds: (if offered): 15 percent

9) Mark Few, Gonzaga — Just imagine what Few could do in Lexington. He has helped turn Gonzaga into a legitimate power out west with unheralded players. However, not quite sure he's the right guy for this job. Few will likely take over for Ernie Kent when he leaves Oregon.

Odds (if offered): 50 percent

10) Mike Brey, Notre Dame — I can't imagine this one happening because Brey still hasn't made the Big Dance two of the last three years. If he gets offered the job, expect him to take about one breath before accepting.

Odds (if offered): 99 percent

[RonMexico]

I think it should be CaptMike

[Mr. Body]

Mark Few has repeatedly said he's never leaving Gonzaga. He's a huge fly fisherman and loves the outdoors and his house is minutes away from some of the state's best streams. The Zags themselves are in a good situation of a relatively weak conference and great national respect. He's not going anywhere.

[leemajors]

I think it should be CaptMike

how about RonMexico.

[Extra Stout]

Donovan specifically has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if he gets the Kentucky job.

And, despite his success, he can never be more than second fiddle at Florida, where football is king.

[RonMexico]

how about RonMexico.

Or Jim Mora, Jr.?

[Brutalis]

Kentucky screwed themselves. Goodbye to their basketball program, being from Arkansas I know how it feels so good luck with that.