Calipari to Kentucky?

xlgman · Post by **xlgman** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:30 pm

Marty Dobrow is awesome. Nice piece.

farkdogg · Post by **farkdogg** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:43 pm

AlPatino wrote:Good luck to Cal. He's earned this opportunity. 8 years at UMASS, 9 at Memphis and taken both programs to the top echelon. As much as I wish he were still here. he hasn't forgotten his roots at UMASS. I would not be surprised to see Kentucky added on to the schedule within the next two years.

GO UMASS!

Hopefully if we get to play THIS Kentucky coach, he wont buy out of the contract like Gillespie did...

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:44 pm

Best part of the Dobrow story?

Marty Dobrow covers UMass athletics for The Boston Globe.

Mike0473 · Post by **Mike0473** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:39 am

I feel good for Cal, but I also can't help but feel a little bad for the Memphis fans. Cal left Umass over a decade ago, and the program still has not recovered, and may not recover anytime soon, who knows. Memphis is staring down the same situation. I wonder if this fate awaits Uconn one day when Calhoun finally retires. The one thing fans of Uconn can definately say, is that there coach has stuck around for the long haul. Still, that is an even bigger fluke than Cal at Umass. Once he leaves, it will likely never be the same either.

The one thing we have learned here is to REALLY enjoy things when everything is clicking. Once it is over, it could really be 15-20 years before it happens again, if ever. Similarly with the New England Patriots. Enjoy them now, once BB leaves/retires, the party might be over for a long time.

uz2b-len · Post by **uz2b-len** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:42 am

Then there's Xavier.

shovelhd · Post by **shovelhd** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:38 am

Which school has been on a coaching carousel while the other one has not?

SavageNYCQueens · Post by **SavageNYCQueens** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:08 am

Calapari might have been called crazy if he turned down the 8-year, $31.6M deal. Plus a $2.5M signing bonus..... Seems like Kentucky is not struggling in this economy.

Good luck to Cal. If Cal doesn't bring Kentcuky to the final four in his first year is he gonna get fired?

umass2msu · Post by **umass2msu** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:35 am

Obviously being a JC fan, I just can't root for him at Kentucky. I do like Memphis and hope that they continue their success, just so the Big Six doesn't claim all its fame and hype. It will be interesting with some of the recruits but it depends who they hire. Memphis has no interest to get Derek even though he recruits well. They need a marquee head coach to keep the program going. It will be interesting to see of they can get Bob Knight back or maybe Tim Floyd from USC. As mentioned in previous post I do wonder how this will affect the Memphis return game, but I was under the impression this game was going to be played in Amherst instead of Boston because it would be John back on campus and we would try to get another marquee matchup in Boston (orignally I thought it was Kansas... but they are not returning the game). Maybe we should play Providence or some Big East school regionally close to play in Boston.

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:58 am

I don't think memphis will buy out the game. I think they need this game to keep up with their exposure. Especially since Boston turned out to be a great tourney site, Memphis should be dying to get a game in here.

nale · Post by **nale** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:22 am

I don't understadn Kdoog. Why should Memphis be dying to play a game in Boston?

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:30 am

Exposure to the boston market. Now that they lost their high profile coach, the worst thing they could do was start dipping back into obscurity but canceling an OOC game. Like I said, the games here were a huge success, so it would be worth the trip to get some media coverage.

Rocks22 · Post by **Rocks22** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:39 am

A Boston market (mmm…rotisserie chicken) that has proven time and time again that it cares little for college sports, be it nationally or locally?

There are dozens of media markets smallers in size than Boston that would benefit Memphis more.

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:44 am

Rocks22: Time and time again? Were you not paying attention to the tourney games here. I was there and it was a great turnout. Not to mention, the Globe was all over it. ESPN radio talked all day on sunday what a great atmosphere it was. The other sites were morgues comparatively.

Boston doesn't not care for for college sports, its just a front runner city. When the celtics sucked, no one went to the games. When the Bruins sucked, no one went to the games. On the other hand, Umass was a hot ticket in the 90s. Bandwagon town yes. Not a college sports town, no.

Rocks22 · Post by **Rocks22** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:50 am

It was a good atmosphere inside the Garden, but I think the credit for that is due to the fans that travelled with their teams and the diehard college hoops locals, which are an overwhelming minority.

Not sure if you saw this:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/m ... nk_stares/

You’re right though, when the local college teams are exceptionally good, they people here will jump on the bandwagon for them. But how is that to Memphis’ advantage, especially next year when our bandwagon consists of those of us posting on this board?

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:00 am

Thats funny that you posted that because I know someone who that guy interviewed and it was his viewpoint or none. I wouldn't really rely too heavily on it.

My point is what looks better for Memphis, playing games nationally and making a statement that they are here to stay or canceling games because they're high profile coach is gone? Boston is a good sports market, and not just pro.