Top 50 coaches Donovan number 1

[mcs333]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/top50coaches1/no-1-florida-billy-donovan

Ollie 5-0 against top 3 coaches!! And what really impressive is that UCONN was an under dog in all 5 games.

 

[phillionaire]

8-0 if you include when he was an assistant coach

 

[Chin Diesel]

And Ollie has outcoached them all with in-game substitutions and game planning. And he did all of this with "JC's players". Imagine what he can do with his "own players".

Another opportunity for UConn to sell via its marketing and promotions. Maybe a few tweets just to point out that Ollie is 5-0 against the ESPN top 3.

 

[FeedTheDove]

"That UConn upended the Gators -- and made us all wonder whether SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin wasn't badly injured, given how poorly he played on the defensive end -"

Absolutely... It had to be another fluke UConn win on their way to a National Title. Classic

 

[aceboon]

I would've gone Pitino #1, I'm shocked that he's not in the top 3 over at least Izzo.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I was wondering where Calhoun would be if he was still an active coach...At least 3/4/5 if that's the Coach K range. Then again if he was our coach this year and won a title he would obviously have to be #1?

 

[aceboon]

"That UConn upended the Gators -- and made us all wonder whether SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin wasn't badly injured, given how poorly he played on the defensive end -"

Absolutely... It had to be another fluke UConn win on their way to a National Title. Classic

I love how Brennan referenced the defensive end and not the offensive end when I don't even think he hit the rim on any of his missed shots, SMH. Wilbekin was fine on defense, he was a disaster on offense because Boat and Bazz completely took him out of the game.

 

[FeedTheDove]

I love how Brennan referenced the defensive end and not the offensive end when I don't even think he hit the rim on any of his missed shots, SMH. Wilbekin was fine on defense, he was a disaster on offense because Boat and Bazz completely took him out of the game.

This sums up the kind of game Wilbekin had because of our suffocating guards.

 

[Rondogg]

And I love how ESPN notes that the criteria for the list is CURRENT achievement yet Ollie is behind the people he beat up on, CURRENTLY!

The best was when they talked about Coach K's struggles and early exits CURRENTLY yet they still have him in near the top.

 

[UConNation]

I have no problem with Billy D being #1. He's been wildly successful in the SEC. Yes, I understand that the SEC isn't known for it's basketball, but he has put together some very nice squads nonetheless. Do I think Ollie will climb into that number 1 spot if he continues to grow as a coach as much as we think he will, yes. But I can still feel comfortable saying that BD deserves this recognition after the end of the 2013-14 season.

 

[Inyatkin]

It's already fading for people that UConn didn't beat Florida in the Final Four, we suffocated them. As soon as we got over some jitters, and spotted them a 12-point lead, it was as thorough a thrashing as we delivered all year.
But poor, poor Scottie Wilbekin. If only he wasn't hurt/completely overmatched!

 

[CTHUSKY74]

We have to also remember that KO lost to some pretty good coaches as well like Pitino and Brown during the season and during the conference postseason. But during the NCAA's he always seemed to find answers against the great teams we were playing. Maybe things that we were not doing well during the season that led to losses against SMU and UL even at home, we were able to clean up in the tourney. One of the things that separates teams in the tourney was referenced well in the article about Ollie - "Our most recent National Champion's best quality was how it wrung the life out of crunch time comebacks before they ever had a chance to begin." This was a huge and accurate statement about this team that spoke to the offensive and defensive pressure we applied. You won't defend us without fouling and we will make you pay at the line. On the other end we will turn the screws and suffocate your guards so you can't score easily or at all. Therefore you won't stage a comeback.

 

[Palatine]

8-0 if you include when he was an assistant coach

That would be stealing from Calhoun.

 

[pnete]

Why does ESPN continue to embarrass itself with these corny conclusions? Billy D.'s main coaching achievement was to talk three of his players(Noah, Brewer and Horford) into returning for a 2nd run at a title when it was against the best interest of the players to do so. Any injury would have cost these kids millions. In fact Noah went from being the first pick to the ninth pick on the advice of Billy D. Was he planning on reimbursing these guys for possible lost wages if they got hurt. Billy D put his own interest above the interest of his players. As it was he cost these kids one year of NBA first round pay and one year of huge pay at back end of their careers. Recently, he tried to talk Beal out of the draft. No way Calhoun, Williams, Patino would talk their kids out of a guarantee prosperous life for their own interest. Where would Olden be today if he had Donovan as a coach? Dead broke.

 

[imno1]

How about this joke Bruce Pearl was on the list of coaches just missing the top 50

 

[Huskybass]

There is not one guy in the top 10 that I would rather have than KO.

 

[James]

" he just doesn't look the same out there !" Hahaha. Was kasey hill injured too ? Because he got his lunch taken as well

 

[mauconnfan]

Maybe ESPN should check the NBA Draft for 2014 and look to see how high Scottie went in compared to who he played against in the semi's???? Oh wait Scottie didn't get drafter and the guy he played head-tohead was drafter in the 1st round by non other than Pat Riley……..oh maybe that's why he looked to be injured because he's not as good?

 

[BankShot]

From the second half of the ELITE EIGHT to the moment the championship title was given, outside of the beginning of the FL game, we were never down to IZZO, DONOVAN, or CALIPARI.

F' ESPN and their dumb list. Ollie should be top 6 at worst, having Beilein, Bo, and the Witchita State coach ahead is a joke.

Ollie will be number #1 in 2016 after we bring in two more amazing seasons and at least one more title

 

[RichZ]

How about this joke Bruce Pearl was on the list of coaches just missing the top 50

Based on his current body of work? WTF?

 

[intlzncster]

I would've gone Pitino #1, I'm shocked that he's not in the top 3 over at least Izzo.

If it's recent history...how can Calipari not be number 1? NCAA title, Final Game, and Final four in 3 seasons. That's the best.

 

[intlzncster]

This sums up the kind of game Wilbekin had because of our suffocating guards.

View attachment 6319

That is gold, jerry. Gold!

 

[intlzncster]

Why does ESPN continue to embarrass itself with these corny conclusions? Billy D.'s main coaching achievement was to talk three of his players(Noah, Brewer and Horford) into returning for a 2nd run at a title when it was against the best interest of the players to do so. Any injury would have cost these kids millions. In fact Noah went from being the first pick to the ninth pick on the advice of Billy D. Was he planning on reimbursing these guys for possible lost wages if they got hurt. Billy D put his own interest above the interest of his players. As it was he cost these kids one year of NBA first round pay and one year of huge pay at back end of their careers. Recently, he tried to talk Beal out of the draft. No way Calhoun, Williams, Patino would talk their kids out of a guarantee prosperous life for their own interest. Where would Olden be today if he had Donovan as a coach? Dead broke.

Two titles is two titles. Whether the guys returned or not. He built the squad that won it and then he won it again (not easy to do). He rebuilds and puts strong teams on the floor most every year. His success at Florida reminds me a little bit of UCONN (though obv take our history over theirs 100 times out of 100).

 

[Kitaman]

From the second half of the ELITE EIGHT to the moment the championship title was given, outside of the beginning of the FL game, we were never down to IZZO, DONOVAN, or CALIPARI.

F' ESPN and their dumb list. Ollie should be top 6 at worst, having Beilein, Bo, and the Witchita State coach ahead is a joke.

Ollie will be number #1 in 2016 after we bring in two more amazing seasons and at least one more title

Relax bro, its just ESPN. Trust me during games next year, no on will be saying top ranked, 3rd ranked, etc. on TV. Its off season and ESPN was looking for something to do, and to keep readership numbers going. In fact they also did achieve basketball discussion continuation.

I would bet Ollie ain't bothered, we fans however may be because we don't have a trophy/ring to look at everyday. But we do have each other to keep us sane. Its not a big thing, and if its a joke then treat it like a joke and laugh.

 

[champs99and04]

Maybe ESPN should check the NBA Draft for 2014 and look to see how high Scottie went in compared to who he played against in the semi's???? Oh wait Scottie didn't get drafter and the guy he played head-tohead was drafter in the 1st round by non other than Pat Riley……..oh maybe that's why he looked to be injured because he's not as good?

It just so happened that Kane, Appling, Wilbekin, and the Harrison twins all picked the wrong time to play an awful game. Bad luck.