RE: Don't get me wrong coaching does matter some

Posted on: October 18, 2016 at 16:15:28 CT

Look at the last 3 examples of great MU basketball teams: 2012, 2009, 1994. 89 wins over 3 seasons, a #1, #2, #3 seed in the NCAA tourney and 3 conference championships.

The following were the NBA talent on the 3 rosters combined:

-Crudup got drafted in the 2nd round but never made a team
-Grimm went undrafted but did appear in some games on a 10 day contract
-Booker went undrafted but did appear in some games on a 10 day contract
-Demarre Carroll was a low 1st round pick and eventually has carved out a nice career at that level via hard work and development
-Denmon got drafted in the 2nd round but never made a team
-English got drafted in the 2nd round and was a brief role player for a season
-Pressey went undrafted was briefly a decent backup role player, now in the D-League


One thing each of those seasons have in common (1994, 2009, 2012) is that MU's coach won the National Coach of the Year award. The other thing is an abundance of seniors who were great leaders. They were absolutely great teams, but not among the most talented to play for MU.