ForumsThe Halfcourt Trap Vol. II., No. 2
This week’s column was inspired by a lunchtime debate about how big a mistake Guy Morriss in leaving Kentucky for Baylor. Some jobs are just graveyards. Here are the worst jobs in the six major conferences.
1. The Big East. South Florida. No tradition, fan apathy, and membership in the most cutthroat league in America. Those factors conspire to make this the single worst job in a major conference.
2. The ACC. Florida State. This could easily have been Miami, but the Hurricanes have a decent on campus facility and an immediate area stocked with high major prospects. Florida State has neither of those things. All it has is an indifferent fan base.
3. Big Ten. Penn State. Northwestern might seem to be the pick here. However, the Wildcats can look to the Stanfords and Vanderbilts of the world for a blueprint of how to succeed in hoops. Also, proximity to Chicago and a patient fan base and administration are plusses. The Nittany Lions have no history of success, a remote locale, and no real recruiting base. That spells trouble for anyone heading that program.
4. The Big Twelve. Colorado. Yet another school where commitment to basketball has been sketchy, at best. The hiring of Jeff Bzdelik and some facility upgrades may bring change, but I’ll take a wait and see attitude before elevating this job.
5. SEC. Before Andy Kennedy took over in Oxford and the Ole Miss administration began an ambitious facility building project, that would have been my choice. Now, Georgia tops the list. Dennis Felton has to deal with scant fan support, an awful arena, and Billy Donovan, Bruce Pearl, and Billy Gillispie. That’s no fun.
6. PAC 10. Oregon State. This job is almost as bad as South Florida. The only thing that raises the Beavers above the Bulls is the ability to invoke the Ghosts of Successes Past, when Ralph Miller roamed the sidelines and players like Charlie Sitton, Steve Johnson, and Gary Payton had OSU in contention every year. Craig Robinson better borrow the Audacity of Hope from his brother in law.
Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.
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