More HB Speculations

[ISU_phoria]

While I agree with a lot of what you're saying, I do remember the Minnesota Final Four team getting more pub than the Timberwolves who made the playoffs for the first time as well.

I remember when Bobby Jackson rolled into a Famous Daves about a week after the Final Four run, and the entire place got up and gave him a standing O. I've been to restaurants where NFL and MLB players have showed up and haven't gotten that kind of reaction.

My point is that if MN does big things, they'll get a lot of support. If not, then I agree they will be second fiddle to the pro teams.

At the same time, if a player at MN doesn't play well, he won't have the pressure or scrunity put on him that he would at a smaller college town.

It all depends on personality and what you value in a program...

Agreed..... I was a huge fan of the Gophers back in '97 when they had their final four run (which unfortunately has been stripped away by the NCAA for violations). Bobby Jackson was one of the most fun college players to watch that I've ever seen!

The fans here (like all of us, truthfully) will definitely jump on a band wagon if any of the Gophers teams have a big run.

However, I'm not sure I agree with you regarding a player that's not doing well being less scruitinized. Maybe the media doesn't pay tham as much attention, but the coaches and teammates still would and I'd guess that would be the primary motivation anyway!

[chuckd4735]

Barnes is on Murph and Andy right now...

[Cydkar]

Boring interview. Sharp kid.

[tidbit]

Not really any new info to say, just general chat. Very smooth and a good conversational young man. Good job out of him.

[mplscyclone]

However, I'm not sure I agree with you regarding a player that's not doing well being less scruitinized. Maybe the media doesn't pay tham as much attention, but the coaches and teammates still would and I'd guess that would be the primary motivation anyway!

I guess what I meant was that if they wanted to go out and not be noticed, or are not in the mood to talk basketball (and BS with fans), they very easily could. You also wouldn't be the main storyline in the local news and on talk radio.

MN would be a good place to go for Academic reasons, and if you want to live in a bigger city where Gopher Athletics aren't the only thing going on. It's also a program that is on the upswing and will continue to do so as long as Tubby is there.

I would assume that the Gophers aren't huge contenders, but if Tubby Smith wants to talk to you, you can't turn that down. Their program is in better shape right now than it was just a couple of years ago.

[Cydkar]

I'd play for Tubby.

[Tornado man]

I've long touted Minnesota as a serious player in the HB sweepstakes - Shirley loves Tubby, and it's an easy drive for her to go watch HB play.
I maintain that a school's proximity to the Barnes household is still a huge factor...

[zumbro clones]

Tubby showed up in the bookstore where my wife works. She said he's a really nice guy. I can imagine kids liking to play for him.

[Wingback]

Boring interview. Sharp kid.

I applaud Murph and Andy for getting Harrison on their show, but really, a pretty blah interview by those two. Absolutely nothing new, just a nice friendly chat. Number one priority: a good business school. Number two priority: team must be able to compete for a national championship.

A very articulate kid. A not-so-good interview.

[Klubber]

Tubby Smith is one of the most overrated coaches in college hoops, and Gopher hoops is one of the most sleazy, scandal ridden programs.

Let's be honest; there are violations, and then there are the violations that occurred under Clem Haskins. It's probably the worst scandal in NCAA history. The higher ups at the university deserve blame as well. Either they knew and turned a blind eye or were completely clueless as to the direction of the program. I wouldn't want my kid anywhere near that program.

[ISU_phoria]

Tubby Smith is one of the most overrated coaches in college hoops, and Gopher hoops is one of the most sleazy, scandal ridden programs.

Let's be honest; there are violations, and then there are the violations that occurred under Clem Haskins. It's probably the worst scandal in NCAA history. The higher ups at the university deserve blame as well. Either they knew and turned a blind eye or were completely clueless as to the direction of the program. I wouldn't want my kid anywhere near that program.

Your comments are completely baseless. The scandal (like all scandals) was awful and the university/program got what it deserved.

But, to claim it was among the worst in history or to claim the program is still "dirty" is without merit.

I'm not a Minnesota fan at all anymore (although I once was), but I find comments like this pathetic!

[Cydkar]

Tubby Smith is one of the most overrated coaches in college hoops, and Gopher hoops is one of the most sleazy, scandal ridden programs.

Let's be honest; there are violations, and then there are the violations that occurred under Clem Haskins. It's probably the worst scandal in NCAA history. The higher ups at the university deserve blame as well. Either they knew and turned a blind eye or were completely clueless as to the direction of the program. I wouldn't want my kid anywhere near that program.

New regime. Wouldn't concern me at all unless you know of something recent.

[ISU_phoria]

I guess what I meant was that if they wanted to go out and not be noticed, or are not in the mood to talk basketball (and BS with fans), they very easily could. You also wouldn't be the main storyline in the local news and on talk radio.

MN would be a good place to go for Academic reasons, and if you want to live in a bigger city where Gopher Athletics aren't the only thing going on. It's also a program that is on the upswing and will continue to do so as long as Tubby is there.

I would assume that the Gophers aren't huge contenders, but if Tubby Smith wants to talk to you, you can't turn that down. Their program is in better shape right now than it was just a couple of years ago.

My bad...I misunderstood you there. I agree with you all the way on everything else.

The one thing that would definitely be alluring to HB is the fact that everywhere else isn't Ames. I love Ames and get back every chance I can. But, if I had grown up there and spent my whole life there, I would probably be ready for a change of scenery. Also, as others mentioned, with Minnesota being so close, it could still be easy to see family often and have his mom go to games regularly.

[CycloneYoda]

Tubby Smith is one of the most overrated coaches in college hoops, and Gopher hoops is one of the most sleazy, scandal ridden programs.

Let's be honest; there are violations, and then there are the violations that occurred under Clem Haskins. It's probably the worst scandal in NCAA history. The higher ups at the university deserve blame as well. Either they knew and turned a blind eye or were completely clueless as to the direction of the program. I wouldn't want my kid anywhere near that program.

Are you insane??? All Tubby did was bring Minnesota back from the dead in two years. Kentucky has been reeling without him. He did wonderful work at Georgia and Tulsa. His teams are tough. They work the floor. They are gritty and are willingly to give all for that man.


Do some research, brother.

[CarolinaCy]

I wish Jake Sullivan would talk as favorably about Coach McDermott and Iowa State as he did in that interview about Tubby Smith and Minnesota.

Here's Jake's quote from that article:

"I think he loves the coaching staff up there and what they have to offer," said former Tartan High School and Iowa State standout Jake Sullivan, Barnes' AAU coach with the All-Iowa Attack. "A unique thing with Harrison is that it's going to be a drawn-out process. I think he has as good a chance at going to Minnesota as anywhere else right now."

To say you're reaching just a bit would be a vast understatement.