Auburn Hires, what else has opened up that wasn't earlier?

[jocoshock]

@Gary:ParrishCBS: Southern Miss to pursue Stephen F. Austin’s Brad Underwood to replace Donnie Tyndall, sources told @CBSSports. Story: http://cbsprt.co/1pqSOMD

[jocoshock]

@tsnmike: Marshall plan: Does Missouri want him? How much does he want to be wanted? http://dlvr.it/5TBT9F

Marshall would not be the only candidate who is a must-call; Shaka Smart still is at VCU after turning down numerous opportunities to leave. But as has been shown with Smart, the Final Four that Wichita State reached in 2013 is going to stick on his resume, and he's one-upped Smart by following that with this season's 35-1 masterpiece. So Marshall will get more chances if he stays put now.

Whatever develops around the Missouri search over the next several hours, or days or — God forbid — weeks — the only thing that matters for the moment is how badly the Tigers want Marshall and how much he wants to be wanted.

Until that matter is settled, the rest of what you hear is merely noise.

[SHOCKvalue]

My theory is that 3G is waiting until the season celebration tomorrow night at Koch to tell everyone in attendance that there's no story here other than him being the HC at WSU. What a better place/situation to make such a decree.

[1972Shocker]

@tsnmike: Marshall plan: Does Missouri want him? How much does he want to be wanted? http://dlvr.it/5TBT9F

"Marshall can afford to wait at Wichita State as long as he wants. He can afford it because Wichita is paying him like no coach of a mid-major program ever has been or, given the shifting landscape of college athletics, ever will be again."

[Dave Stalwart]

"Marshall can afford to wait at Wichita State as long as he wants. He can afford it because Wichita is paying him like no coach of a mid-major program ever has been or, given the shifting landscape of college athletics, ever will be again."

Haha AKA not mid major

[Cdizzle]

The college athletics world should probably use the Duck Test a little more often.

[AndShock]

I'm getting tired of Lutz pushing 3G to Mizzou just because he mentioned it before MU came open.

Yep. But he still tries to cover his butt by saying Mizzou would've had a better shot at him next year, like the year has any bearing on his decision. I wish Lutz would retire already but they'll probably just replace him with the other Lutz.

[WSUwatcher]

"Marshall can afford to wait at Wichita State as long as he wants. He can afford it because Wichita is paying him like no coach of a mid-major program ever has been or, given the shifting landscape of college athletics, ever will be again."

That's because WSU isn't a mid-major program. Were people surprised when Memphis paid big bucks back before the AAC fell into their laps as a home? And Mark Few, while he doesn't make Marshall money, is paid more than lots of power conference coaches, too. There are just some circumstances that don't fit the neat little classification framework that sports guys like to use (i.e., "mid-major," "at this level," etc.), and WSU is one of them.

As for Lutz, he's comical, but he's just thrilled to breathe life into the story he manufactured for himself. His opinion is just that, and totally irrelevant at any level that matters, but any time he can write about it he's managed to fill another space and beat another deadline.

[1972Shocker]

My theory is that 3G is waiting until the season celebration tomorrow night at Koch to tell everyone in attendance that there's no story here other than him being the HC at WSU. What a better place/situation to make such a decree.

That would be nice, but I would be a little surprised if that actually happens. I think the biggest hook we have for retaining Coach Marshall comes down to family. By all accounts his family is very happy in Wichita including the Kids. Both Gregg and Lynn seem very happy with the education and social environment that Kellen and Maggie are getting in their formative years. I think this is hugely important to Gregg and Lynn.

Furhermore, I think you can extend that family to include his players especially Tekele, Ron and Fred. You have a senior in Tekele who has worked his ass off to become a great defender and a better than serviceable shooter. A quiet leader who accepts the challenge of playing the opponents best player and who has the ability to make the dunk of the year in college basketball without so much as a hint of "look at me, look at me". Just head back down the court to concentrate on defending the next possession. You have two outstanding junior-to-be guards. One who showed a tremendous amount of loyalty in staying with his verbal commitment under what was no doubt an assault on that commitment from other programs and perhaps acquaintances and who has the potential to be the National Player of the Year. The other junior-to-be guard suggested and volunteered to pay his own way for a year with the promise of a scholarship to follow and now is looking down the barrel of an NBA career. You have a young man on the sidelines that you recruited to play basketball and who almost died in front of your eyes. How would he be treated by a new coaching regime?

You know what you have in terms of support from your administration and your fan base and it won't get much better than that anywhere.

So it all boils down to dollars. Is there enough money to walk away from the happiness of your family and from the absolute dedication and commitment by your best players and from your administration and your fan base. It will take a big, big pot of money.

Really, the only downside I see that hurts us is our weather. Not sure Gregg is wild about that. It can be challenging. On the other hand hard to beat the quality of many of our local golf links. The weather in Columbia, MO won't be much different than ours (they are actually a little north of us) and I doubt they can match the quality and quantity of our top-notch golf courses.

Hard to believe Gregg is ready to move on (at any price) at least for a few more years.

[SHOCKvalue]

That would be nice, but I would be a little surprised if that actually happens.

Turg did it, didn't he? The OU job offer after 05-06? I know for a fact Turg said it to a group amassed at Koch, because I was there, I just don't recall the context of the get-together.

I agree with the rest of your post.

I still can't wrap my mind around why there is even hoopla concerning the MU opening. So Marshall turns down UCLA (blue blood) and NC State (back home), and doesn't even check the pulse of the Tennessee, Marquette, and Wake jobs, but somehow one of the most historically impotent and most fickle supported power 5 jobs is making us and everyone in the media talk? Not sure I understand.

[1972Shocker]

Turg did it, didn't he. The OU job offer after 05-06? I know for a fact Turg said it to a group amassed at Koch, because I was there, I just don't recall the context of the get-together.

I agree with the rest of your post.

He might make such a statement. I didn't say he wouldn't, just that I'm not expecting it and would be a little surprised if he did. I certainly wouldn't predict what 3G might or might not do based on something Turg did though.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Lolz at all these writers saying sec is big time basketball conference, beyond Fl and Ky they are weak sauce.

2, 2, 5, 1, 2, 6, 6, 5, 7, 4, 7, 6
That is the SEC's conference rank each of the last 12 years. Average of 4.4 out of 30+ conferences.

How would YOU define "big time basketball"?

[SHOCKvalue]

2, 2, 5, 1, 2, 6, 6, 5, 7, 4, 7, 6
That is the SEC's conference rank each of the last 12 years. Average of 4.4.

How would YOU define "big time basketball"?

And... WE'RE OFF!

Statistical trend line what?

[1972Shocker]

I still can't wrap my mind around why there is even hoopla concerning the MU opening. So Marshall turns down UCLA (blue blood) and NC State (back home), and doesn't even check the pulse of the Tennessee, Marquette, and Wake jobs, but somehow one of the most historically impotent and most fickle supported power 5 jobs is making us and everyone in the media talk? Not sure I understand.

I think it all boils down to dollars and how much of their SEC football money is Mizzou willing to commit. I don't think any of the pundits really understand (or probably even care about) the dynamics of Coach Marshall's current situation at Wichita State.

To them it is simply a matter of dollars and perceived prestige of the SEC. Nothing else to them is significant.

[Shox21]

My theory is that 3G is waiting until the season celebration tomorrow night at Koch to tell everyone in attendance that there's no story here other than him being the HC at WSU. What a better place/situation to make such a decree.

I don't look for him to make any enlightening comment on the subject at all. Why would he -- this tumbling of coaches is not at an end yet and won't be until the NBA slots are filled. If one of the premier college coaching jobs comes open because of the NBA situation, he surely doesn't want to have made an absolute statement of any kind.