I would also add, Pastner is no Jim Calhoun, or even a lower life-form like John Calipari...but for a 36 year old head coach who was thrust into a tough spot...I think he's done well, and grown a LOT as a coach.
Throw in the perfect APR, the media savvy, the high level recruiting... I think Memphis got lucky to be honest.
I really think most don't realize how close we came to going back to the Tic Price days right after Cal left...Tim Floyd, Scott Drew, and Leonard Hamilton all said "no" and RC had Cal whispering in his ear "hire Tony Barbee, I'll send you some players"