Agreed. My only worry is that we're now 1/4 in Final Fours. 2011 wasn't expected, but we lost to a team we shouldn't have. 2012 we were clearly the best and won it. 2014 we had the potential and lived up to it, but again lost to a team we shouldn't have. 2015, I might differ from a lot of people, but we lost to a team we should have. So basically 1/3 in my books. Disappointing any way you cut it.
Develop is an interesting word with how you look it. Lots of people would say he's been fantastic at developing players and making sure they are successful in the league. Elite high school players do not always end up in the nba, but Cal has been extremely successful with who he has sent. Look at some of the comparisons between schools like KU, Duke, or even UF. I think he definitely developed some players. Guys I thought would have no business leaving decided to because they were successful with how Cal played them. Next year we'll see Willis/Hawkins too and how they have developed at UK.
The problem is, and it's a crazy problem, when you're able to take the highest ranked players every year you will not be able to take guys projected as multiple year players. Cal has to make a choice whether to target a few 5*s and others, or all 5*s. Cal chose the latter and it's worked fine with 4 final fours. I don't think I would go back and change it. Maybe going forward I would think about it.
Btw, lets look at Cook. He was 32nd in his class. Stayed four years and probably wont get drafted. Booker came in without any draft talk, after being ranked 22nd in his class, and in one season nba scouts are saying he's a lottery pick. Coach K developed a great 4 year college player, while Booker proved in one season he was nba ready (hopefully). Big difference I guess. Obviously Cook helps Duke a lot more than Booker leaving.
Eloy wasn't much of a factor. It was Darius who really helped win that title. But it was more because we had a guy like Davis surrounded by guys who complemented him well. We could have won it just as easily in 2011, 2014 and that argument is out that window. But the ball bounced the other way so it's brought up a lot. We have guys like WCS, Poythress, Lamb, Jones, Harrisons, Ulis, etc who have played more than 1 year. Guys that are big time players like the Wall, Knight, Davis were for those teams.
Who was behind Davis? Rivers. Randle? Parker. In front of KAT? Jahlil. Etc etc. Duke had been trying hard to get one and dones. Their 4 year starter was nearly a 5*. Duke gets the same type of players. It's the systems and coaches. I think a lot of credit goes to Coach K for keeping them on campus and then the coaching he does in season. If Cal was better we might never talk about this because he beats Wisc and has a chance at Duke.
