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Message: [QUOTE="azfan, post: 5122711, member: 7748"] Over on the week 3 WBB discussion there was interesting discussion on the competition in Iowa, which prompted me to think about that issue here in AZ. I started with the thought the 4 major schools might play regularly. Of course I was unable to channel my frustration over my alma mater so - [TABLE] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]Molly Miller Grand Canyon[/TD] [TD]Loree Payne Northern Az[/TD] [TD]Natasha Adair Oh how we have fallen[/TD] [TD]Aida Barnes Kitties[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Overall record[/TD] [TD]265-52 .836[/TD] [TD]248-167 .597[/TD] [TD]186-163 .504[/TD] [TD]154-100 .606[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Record at current school[/TD] [TD]87-37 .702[/TD] [TD]118-109 .520[/TD] [TD]19-40 .322[/TD] [TD]154-100 .606[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Salary[/TD] [TD]250,000[/TD] [TD]150,000[/TD] [TD]650,000[/TD] [TD]1.3 million[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]5 Year record of school prior to arrival of current coach[/TD] [TD]69-73 .486[/TD] [TD]41 - 103 .284[/TD] [TD]88-63 .586[/TD] [TD]55-99 .357[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Perhaps this provides context for my frustration that quickly turns to rage went thinking about ASU. So, when the 4 schools went hunting for a head basketball coach, only one institution had a 5 year record above average. The other three schools were in the dumpster fire stage, although Grand Canyon had success in the past. 2 of the schools found head coaches with demonstrated success, hired them, and haven't looked back. Both Miller and Payne were and are well respected in the profession, had great success and have elevated the programs at their schools. Of the two "flagship" institutions, the kitties took a chance on a talented former player with 0 head coaching experience and that chance PAID OFF BIG. So these 3 schools employed a thoughtful, well considered process and, while the kitties took a road not traveled by the Lopes and Jacks all three programs are much better off and the prospects look good. Grand Canyon and NAU are much less impacted by the business turmoil than that school in the dirty T, but all three had have to deal with transferring and all have been fine. Then we have . . . . dum da dum - theI Mike Crowe created zombie program. Oy. I didn't understand the hire then and as time goes on this hire makes the Urban Meyer debacle at Jacksonville look smooth, like cool jazz. Why anyone thought that this mid Atlantic coach with deep ties to players of mid major ability would be in a position to maintain the success at ASU defies understanding, belief, comprehension. (Note; I wound if the AD is thinking about SDS as a replacement for the losing culture in place, Sky is a well known figure here in the valley and maybe her approach would work . . . although would have to pay her more than 650.000) The result of the "process" to replace CTT who left both Pac 12 level players and a .500+ program is really unspeakable. Early this year, Grand Canyon beat the small Devils by 11 on a neutral site in Phoenix. The kitties will certainly do unkind things to ASU next year. While the odds are on for a third consecutive 20 loss season for Adair and her "team" who in their right mind would say, hey they only lost 18, they are better than the Houston Cougars so, lets stand pat - I'll tell you who (although they are not in their right mind - Build it Crowe and AD Graham Rossini ((who?...he replaced Ray Anderson). The agony continues in Tempe.) Interestingly, Grand Canyon having beaten ASU, also plays both NAU and the kitties this season. BTW - I keep waiting for Payne to move on - she is a tremendous coach and ready for the next step. Might Miller at some point be headed to Baylor? Barnes future still shines. Wonder if Adair is destined to return to the mid Atlantic region . . . [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach