Food For Thought:
Who amongst us thinks that if Mark Few retired this offseason that Tommy Lloyd wouldn't go running back to Gonzaga? I just want to put it out there.
Don't fall in love with Coaches.
Don't fall in love with players anymore with NIL and instant transferring.
I have a lot of questions that he will need to answer heading into the Big12. The Big12 is serious and we may very well be just an average team there.
Just don't assume that the status quo can't or won't change. Arizona is no longer a dream destination for anything nor anyone. No where is.
Any school can become a Blue Chip if TikTok declares it popular overnight.
Lloyd mentioned in his initial Arizona press conference that we are the only school that could have lured him from Gonzaga. His daughter is in Tucson and I'm confident that he'd stay if Few retires.
Quote from: arxpert on January 14, 2024, 10:23:29 PMWho amongst us thinks that if Mark Few retired this offseason that Tommy Lloyd wouldn't go running back to Gonzaga? I just want to put it out there.
This thought crosses my mind often.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/ua/2021/04/15/tommy-lloyd-taking-arizona-basketball-job-only-place-would-have-left-gonzaga/7245843002/#
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 15, 2024, 07:15:03 AMhttps://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/ua/2021/04/15/tommy-lloyd-taking-arizona-basketball-job-only-place-would-have-left-gonzaga/7245843002/#
It's all peaches and cream until a school offers something that cannot be refused. Gonzaga may not have that money, but maybe they could come up with it. Any big school could theoretically steal Tommy, but the only Ace in the Hole we have with Tommy is he is not a Winner when it matters so far. If he ever does get it done, all bets are off.
I am bumping this.
Don't expect Tommy to stick around. Especially if he has success this year in March. Heeke brought in people who gave him kickbacks for their hires.
Heeke needs to be investigated.
Tommy will leave for Gonzaga as soon as Mark Few retires and it won't even take a huge offer. This doesn't mean next year or the year after, but eventually.
Tommy isn't a true Power 5 level HC. He will be so much happier back in Gonzaga where he can do his thing without the hellacious competition of the Big12.
Being exposed by sub par teams in the Pac12 has really changed my outlook on Tommy.
We are witnessing the same mistakes he made last season again already. His system is telegraphed. It works well vs what KC would say is "lesser" competition. Whenever you put "coached up athletes" against Tommy he tends to crumble. Whenever you put up Chemistry laden teams against Tommy he has no answers.
His system should actually be great for defending the 3, but for some reason it just isn't. Maybe it's the specific players and the roles he forces them into.
I think he is learning that this isn't for him overall. A final four run could also push him into a scenario where another school offers something he literally cannot refuse.
Damned if we do, damned if we don't.
I'm not expecting any loyalty at all from Tommy.
With "Draconian Cuts" coming, I would really just hope that Tommy doesn't bail too
Eventually, the opportunity will arise but Arizona Basketball has become the backbone of Tucson and I'm optimistic that the donors would ensure that he sticks around because they're willing to pay the hardwood leader (as opposed to a football coach that has a reputation for jumping at the next big thing).
As long as he can start to establish success in the NCAA tournament, Lloyd will be a Wildcat.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 16, 2024, 03:24:18 AMEventually, the opportunity will arise but Arizona Basketball has become the backbone of Tucson and I'm optimistic that the donors would ensure that he sticks around because they're willing to pay the hardwood leader (as opposed to a football coach that has a reputation for jumping at the next big thing).
As long as he can start to establish success in the NCAA tournament, Lloyd will be a Wildcat.
I can agree if he can establish March success that he could be in for the long haul, but we would need to survive an initial wave of attempted poaching. If Tommy made a deep run or won it all and didn't leave, then I would feel more comfortable with the situation. That's mostly the message here. This is a new world.
https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga/basketball/mens-basketball-rankings-gonzagas-ap-top-25-poll-streak-ends-after-santa-clara-loss
I was listening to Dennis Dodd on local KC radio tonight and he said that Lloyd was the most valuable assistant in his recollection. He said the departure to Arizona from Gonzaga hurt and they'll likely never be the same in Spokane.
Also had some really cool stories about Few. Quite the family man.