The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.
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[quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.
Moose
Well-known member
[quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
You might be too generous there
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
You might be too generous there
[quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.
[quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
I didn't compare them. I'm aware that the WCC has three NCAA teams, but Gonzaga clearly dominates the conference and goes to the NCAA every year. Iona, with more talent and Pitino, will dominate their conference and get auto bid every year.
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
I didn't compare them. I'm aware that the WCC has three NCAA teams, but Gonzaga clearly dominates the conference and goes to the NCAA every year. Iona, with more talent and Pitino, will dominate their conference and get auto bid every year.
[quote="fordham96" post=382650][quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?
[quote="Las Vegan" post=382693][quote="fordham96" post=382650][quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?[/quote]
Valvano’s tenure was pre-conference. Conference affiliation is big
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?[/quote]
Valvano’s tenure was pre-conference. Conference affiliation is big
[quote="Las Vegan" post=382693][quote="fordham96" post=382650][quote="austour" post=382627][quote="Las Vegan" post=382516]The most realistic plan for Iona would be to try to replicate the Gonzaga model. Dominate weak conference, get NCAA bid every year, and play challenging OOC games. Recruits would be attracted by Pitino's rep, playing big name opponents at MSG, and getting to play in NCAA every year. The conference games they would play on campus.[/quote]
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?[/quote]
Because the entire landscape of college basketball has changed since then.
Comparing the MAAC to the WCC is like comparing the AAC to the ACC.[/quote]
Besides conference affiliation Gonzaga's facilities and athletic budget is WAAAY beyond what Iona can offer. Just think about this, Mark Few on several occasions has turned down jobs the likes of which include Arizona and UCLA. Top ten jobs in America. Why? Partly because he feels so at home at Gonzaga and partly because Gonzaga can at least compete in the same arena in terms of money and facilities as those major Pac 12 programs. Iona cannot come close to competing in that arena. No Iona coach would ever turn down the opportunity at a job like Arizona or UCLA, not in a million years if they were ever offered. Of course they would never get offered a job like that because quite frankly neither school would reach down that low.[/quote]
You guys are missing my point. They're not going to become Gonzaga, just try to copy the strategy of remaining in a conference the can dominate. Gonzaga was invited to join the Mountain West two years ago, and leveraged that to get a better deal from the WCC. Valvano had the Iona program playing at MSG and drawing national attention. Why couldn't Pitino?[/quote]
Because the entire landscape of college basketball has changed since then.
Andy Kennedy on the verge of getting UAB job:
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1240781222936264712?s=19
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1240781222936264712?s=19
Well, It seems logical to think Iona people didn't hire Pitino, without having a plan. They could have hired a Cluess assistant or a Big East assistant, but they hired a guy with a lot of personal and professional baggage, and got roundly criticized for doing so. I doubt they would be happy with the status quo. They must believe he can significantly elevate the talent level and the OOC opponents, and the school's profile, otherwise why bring him in?
RedmanMike
Well-known member
You're giving Iona way too much credit. This was a desperation reach job. Did you read the interviews with the AD? Did that sound like they did any due diligence or had any kind of plan?
[quote="Las Vegan" post=382751][quote="fuchsia" post=382739]All this Iona talk and I remember watching Warren Isaac play in the old MSG, maybe against Duquesne with Willie Somerset.[/quote]
Was he better than Richie Guerin?[/quote]
Taller and not as strong or tricky as Guerin. First organized BB I saw in person was old pro doubleheader at MSG on 50th St. Pre Wilt Warriors vs. Celtics and Knicks vs. Pistons with George Yardley. Three teams played one kind of basketball and the Celtics were already in the new era that lasted until the 3Pt line. Guerin was old school. Isaac was more running game.
Was he better than Richie Guerin?[/quote]
Taller and not as strong or tricky as Guerin. First organized BB I saw in person was old pro doubleheader at MSG on 50th St. Pre Wilt Warriors vs. Celtics and Knicks vs. Pistons with George Yardley. Three teams played one kind of basketball and the Celtics were already in the new era that lasted until the 3Pt line. Guerin was old school. Isaac was more running game.
RedmanMike
Well-known member
We're getting a real history lesson in old school NYC hoops. This is great stuff!
