I know, I know. I know what you're thinking. Is this an absurd thread or what?
But after watching Oregon demolish Duke the other night, the thought crept into my brain, then expanded like this:
Oregon State basketball is to Oregon basketball what Montana State football is to Montana football--a program always behind, always trying to catch up. And catching up to Oregon ain't gonna be easy, what with their brand new arena, a coach that plays an exciting brand of basketball, and a billion-dollar alum lurking in the background and able to lure five-star recruits with prospects of a Nike deal. Tough competition for a charming guy from Montana.
Beyond that: The two conference powerhouses, Arizona and UCLA. Storied programs, brand names in college basketball. Among Pac12 schools, they'll always have first crack at the best high school talent.
A step below: The Washington Huskies and the Cal Bears. Established coach in Romar at Washington, great recruiter in a major urban hotspot for high school basketball. The Seattle area always produces top-flight prospects, and the Huskies always get their share. As for Cuonzo Martin, he's got two lottery picks on this team, so he obviously can recruit. Not to mention the talent he has access to in the Oakland /Bay Area.If he can avoid this nagging scandal over sexual harassment, he'll remain a tough competitor. And even if he leaves, Cal has the resources to attract a big-name coach.
Always in there: Utah. Great tradition there, Krysko's got that program rolling. He faces some of the same issues as Tinks, yet Utah always produces great high school players. Expect Utah always to be in the top tier.
Major darkhorse: Stanford. The firing of Johnny Dawkins means Stanford means business, and will no longer tolerate a team that doesn't make it to the Big Dance. Of course Stanford, like Duke, has a national recruiting base. Their women's team has always been a national power, and the Dawkins firing means Stanford expects the same of the men's programs.
I've rattled off seven schools, which leaves Oregon State, Washington State, USC, Arizona State and Colorado. Of those, USC and Arizona State always get top players, even if they can't get their programs together. Colorado is on the upswing. Oregon State and Washington State? Small markets, which means little local high school talent, and limited TV exposure.
I'm not saying Tinks can't do it; he has already proved he can. But it's gonna be a continual uphill struggle for him in Corvallis.
But after watching Oregon demolish Duke the other night, the thought crept into my brain, then expanded like this:
Oregon State basketball is to Oregon basketball what Montana State football is to Montana football--a program always behind, always trying to catch up. And catching up to Oregon ain't gonna be easy, what with their brand new arena, a coach that plays an exciting brand of basketball, and a billion-dollar alum lurking in the background and able to lure five-star recruits with prospects of a Nike deal. Tough competition for a charming guy from Montana.
Beyond that: The two conference powerhouses, Arizona and UCLA. Storied programs, brand names in college basketball. Among Pac12 schools, they'll always have first crack at the best high school talent.
A step below: The Washington Huskies and the Cal Bears. Established coach in Romar at Washington, great recruiter in a major urban hotspot for high school basketball. The Seattle area always produces top-flight prospects, and the Huskies always get their share. As for Cuonzo Martin, he's got two lottery picks on this team, so he obviously can recruit. Not to mention the talent he has access to in the Oakland /Bay Area.If he can avoid this nagging scandal over sexual harassment, he'll remain a tough competitor. And even if he leaves, Cal has the resources to attract a big-name coach.
Always in there: Utah. Great tradition there, Krysko's got that program rolling. He faces some of the same issues as Tinks, yet Utah always produces great high school players. Expect Utah always to be in the top tier.
Major darkhorse: Stanford. The firing of Johnny Dawkins means Stanford means business, and will no longer tolerate a team that doesn't make it to the Big Dance. Of course Stanford, like Duke, has a national recruiting base. Their women's team has always been a national power, and the Dawkins firing means Stanford expects the same of the men's programs.
I've rattled off seven schools, which leaves Oregon State, Washington State, USC, Arizona State and Colorado. Of those, USC and Arizona State always get top players, even if they can't get their programs together. Colorado is on the upswing. Oregon State and Washington State? Small markets, which means little local high school talent, and limited TV exposure.
I'm not saying Tinks can't do it; he has already proved he can. But it's gonna be a continual uphill struggle for him in Corvallis.
