The thing that bothers me is that so may people (not saying you) were raving about how much CMA developed Mullins recruits well that Mullin couldn't do. Everyone said look how great these guys are playing under him and they really fit his system! Now others are saying oh we need CMA recruits in here. Greg Williams was a really talented 4 star kid out of high school. He's gotten better each year I would not say he's not good enough.
I feel like Dave who works in the business knows players and coaches. He has a the pulse of what is going on in college basketball and what it takes to be successful. I just think a lot of fans on here are delusional and don't want to believe what he says because you are eternal optimists.
The fact of the matter is that we as a University made the mistake of firing Lavin. He was the best coach weave had here in a long time and if he stayed we would probably be in the same boat as Willard at the Hall and Cooley at Providence. If you want to bring up that Lavin stopped recruiting, I listened to a podcast he was on and said he knew he was out the door and the plan was to bring in Mullin. He also dealt with having to sit out a year as well. He isn't the best in game coach but he's the best we've had and it isn't even close.
The improvement isn’t what I’d hoped it would be. Earl, Roberts, Caraher and although I like him, I hoped Williams would be a 15 ppg guy by now. He may get there yet. That said, CMA needs to be evaluated by his choices. Yes, he was gifted Heron and these other guys. Was that a good present? I went to and watched a lot of games. Heron and LJ pissed the staff off constantly with their dragging it on d. Coach is no nonsense. He pulled them right out of the game. Embarrassed them. So, was “injured” and LJ took his ball left.
Between Lavin and Mullin, Lavin was better, but he wasn’t good either. Lest we forget, he took a loaded team to the NIT a la Brian Mahoney because he couldn’t outthink anyone.
I will still take a coach with a system of some kind over a recruiter who is overmatched once the ball goes up. Lavin saw how well Dunlap worked with the team. He had a great system, with our without him. All he needed to do was find a coach who could team it as well. Dunlap left, but did Lavin replace him? Nope.