Huggins/K-State

[Oldgeezer]

It is my personal opinion that K-State sold their soul to the devil when they brought in the Huggins-Martin combo as coaches. And so far, it's paying big dividends. They have been on national tv 3 times already, and Beasley is better at this stage in his career than Kevin Durant. Jacob Pullen and Walker aren't bad either. Crunch time against Oregon and they had all three frosh on the floor. Their time in the spotlight will be short, Beasly and Walker will be gone in April, and Martin is really not a very good coach.

[jdoggivjc]

The problem with selling your soul is it has unintended consequences. For instance, after Bart sold his soul to Milhouse, he could no longer walk through automatic doors. Those things come in handy...

[markshir]

Saying Beasley is better than Durant is a bit of a stretch. He's putting up insane numbers - but that doesn't always make someone a better player than someone else.

Exhibit A: Stephon Marbury. Hall of Fame stats, never played in a championship at any level of basketball, high school, college or pro.

[matt8879]

I always thought they sold their soul when they brought in Mr. Burns to turn around their football program.

[goldmember]

Huggins is a good coach, and if he was still at KSU they would be tough this year. Even though huggins only stayed one year, he did energize that program. They now have over 12K season ticket holders and their arena has been rocking from the few games I have seen on TV........reminds of what Hilton once was.

[Wesley]

Frank Martin however is a good recruiter. He has a fine class for FY09, just as good as Bob Huggins has in West Virginia. KState will be good as long as Frank can recruit. He can have his assistants coach, just like Wayne did.

Personally the quality of North play, for better or worse, will be improved in Basketball and football the next five years. people on sports shows are already saying the football Big 12 is going to get much better.

The arms race is underway. Nebraska will announce Bo Pelini Sunday or Monday. Turner Gill will be offered the Assistant AD. TO is an interim recruiter this week and visiting homes of three or four borderline recruits.

Looks like Colorado may become the weak sister of the North in the next five years.

[mjlane]

Originally Posted by goldmember

Huggins is a good coach, and if he was still at KSU they would be tough this year. Even though huggins only stayed one year, he did energize that program. They now have over 12K season ticket holders and their arena has been rocking from the few games I have seen on TV........reminds of what Hilton once was.

That will last until Beasley and Walker bolt for the NBA next spring and the program sinks back into the bottom half of the conference next year. Martin might be a decent coach, but he's no Huggins. I think he might be able to put together some decent recruiting classes, but we'll see if he can actually coach them. Seems like a very similar situation to the Wayne Morgan era, but with a lot better talent.

[Knownothing]

Frank Martin however is a good recruiter

Frank is not the good recruiter. It's his assistant who used to coach Beasely and Walkers AAU team. He has insane connections. I can't remeber his name off the top of my hear. I think it's like Jeff Hill or something like that. Beasley and Walker were both going to go to Charlotte when he was there. That is why Huggy hired him. He could bring Walker and Beasely.

[BryceC]

It's Delonte Hill. Martin has not signed a single player that was not part of the DC Assault AAU team, the team Hill used to coach.

[wonkadog]

Anyone else find themselves cheering for the Ducks last night? I know we should probably cheer for our Big XII brethren but seeing Beasley flat out cuss out his point guard after throwing a pass little high quickly vaulted K-State basketball towards the top of my "always root against" list. That and the Oregon coach always seems like a class act.

[mjlane]

Originally Posted by wonkadog

Anyone else find themselves cheering for the Ducks last night? I know we should probably cheer for our Big XII brethren but seeing Beasley flat out cuss out his point guard after throwing a pass little high quickly vaulted K-State basketball towards the top of my "always root against" list. That and the Oregon coach always seems like a class act.

I saw that play too, but I'm going to take Beasley's side on this. When a post player has position and calls for the ball, you throw it where he wants it. If you put it somewhere else, he might lose his positioning on the defender, limiting what he can do with the ball once he gets it. Probably didn't need to chew his rear about it though.

He also lit into Andre Gilbert after the game was over for his boneheaded drive to the basket when they needed a 3 to tie. Apparently he is going to lead by "yelling at everyone who isn't as good as me."

[wonkadog]

Yeah, I never said I didn't understand why he was upset, obviously the guy should have gotten him the ball. His reaction to it (yelling a couple f bombs at his teammate and making wild, angry motions with his arms) didn't give me a great first impression of his character.

[flander1649]

Martin is not a good coach KSU might have the most talent in the Big 12 but they will lose at lot of games because of his coaching. It is his fault that his players did not know the game situation last night. KSU plays as individuals not as a team. Teams will slow them down make them play d and get them out of a running game and they will get frustrated. They just have enough talent to over come that a lot.

[alaskaguy]

If Hoskins ever gets over his injury that should benefit the team.

Its pretty early in the season yet to be judging KSU.

[wonkadog]

I don't think it's too early, they look dang good to me. I think they'll thump us twice this year.