Two Questions

[IndyHorn]

First, when is the date we get finalized information that JCovan and Myck are gone? Secondly, is there any agreement with my idea that Dodds hired the wrong Rick back in 1998? Does anyone recall that one name we kept hearing was Rick Majerus, who has now slimmed up a bit? As it is, I am very, very, very tired of that parade of Texas players to inane early exits. JCovan Brown I can understand given his familial situation and lack of further development opportunity. But if, and more likely, when, Kabongo announces he is leaving, you all know we will see a kid bolt Texas at least one or two years too soon. Barnes is John Calipari-lite, an equal number of defections, but no NCAA tournament success. There, I wrote it......

 

[elface]

With Rick Majerus, I think TJ Ford would have gone to Duke and they would have won the championship in 2004 as TJ would have stayed 3-4 years there. Kevin Durant would have gone to UNC.

In Barnes defense, TJ and DJ left after sophomore years and it was the right time for them to leave. It would have been great as a Texas fan to have them stay for junior years, but it was right decisions for them.

I think Barnes veered away from his strengths by trying to become a national recruiter and going with Ro Russell. That connection is gone now that Terry has moved on and now that Lanier is back in the fold, you will see recruiting not being funnelled through one guy.

 

[blonthang]

Indy,

If UT did due diligence, although much of this was after his consideration by UT, the suits may have been given pause:

From:The Link

(quotes from the link):
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Majerus was known to berate and verbally abuse his players. Lance Allred, who wrote about it in his autobiography "Longshot", told of his three years at Utah and how Majerus would humiliate him, often targeting his disability--Allred being partially deaf and requiring hearing aids.[5] Allred transferred after the 2001-02 season, but Majerus was later "cleared of any wrongdoing."[6] While at Ball State and Utah, Majerus was considered a serious candidate for numerous major head coaching positions, including UCLA, St. John's, UNLV, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, San Diego State and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.[7]

On December 15, 2004, Majerus was hired as coach of the University of Southern California basketball team; he was to replace interim coach Jim Saia, who was replacing fired coach Henry Bibby, with Majerus taking over effective April 1, 2005. His contract was scheduled to pay him $5 million over five years.[8]

Majerus gave an energetic and humorous press conference on the day of his hire, but also noted "I hope I die here. I hope I coach here the rest of my life."[2][9] In order take the position, he needed to buy himself out of his contract as an analyst for ESPN.[7] However, Majerus unexpectedly resigned only five days later in a somber, and at times weeping, press conference. He apologized to the university and stated that his health and fitness were not yet at a stage where he thought he could perform his new duties, noting "I wanted this job so bad I was in denial where my health actually is [. . .] I realized [USC] wasn’t getting the guy they hired. I came to that conclusion myself. I’m not fit for this job by my standards."[10] Years later, however, Majerus would claim that the true reason for his change of mind had not been his health, but rather had been his mother's request that he not take the job, which would have meant his relocation to Los Angeles, far removed from her home in Wisconsin.

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My comment here: he also had a 7-bypass surgery due to his morbid obesity.

Just some info on the "other Rick."

 

[NBHorn7]

TJ wanted to come back for one more year, but after his injury in a pick up game at Gregory Annex and being examined. It was revealed he had spinal condition that could end his career at any time with the right collision.

Barnes advised him to leave and get the money while he could before that happened. It was the right decision and we have all seen what has happened to TJ since.