SmithRiverDuck No. 1 Share Posted March 23 Much was made today as two coaching legends met on the court. John Calipari's Razorbacks outlasting Pitino's whatever the hell St. John's nickname is. These two verifiable top notch coaches are contemporaries of one, Dana Altman. On the all-time wins list Calipari ranks #23. Dana Altman #42. Rick Pitino #54. Two of these coaches have been at some of the blue-bloodiest basketball programs in the country and have won national championships. One has toiled at the likes of Kansas State, Creighton and Oregon. Two of these coaches have been run off from their pinnacle programs for being mercenaries running win at any cost outfits. I won't detail the transgressions of the two coaches that led to their downfalls at their respective schools. That is widely reported and detailed. You could legitimately make an argument the Altman hasn't had the same temptations or been in the same win or die situations that the other two coaches have. I'll acknowledge that. But I will argue that Altman has stayed true to his convictions of doing things the right way regardless of the wins and losses. I'll also acknowledge that he tried the one and done recipe of Calipari and realized it wasn't the way to go because you can't gel in March with those players. In the end, I still believe that Altman is one of the finest coaches in the country and any calls for him to step aside because he doesn't "have it anymore" are misguided. 4 1 2 4 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeotechDuck No. 2 Share Posted Sunday at 03:22 PM (edited) Altman is the best head basketball coach in Oregon history and that is likely not to change for a very long time, no matter who follows him when he decides to step down. As Oregon fans, we got really lucky that Altman chose to come to Oregon. I agree and I hope he sticks around for a few more years. Edited Sunday at 03:22 PM by GeotechDuck 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woundedknees No. 3 Share Posted Sunday at 03:48 PM Remember THIS: Before Altman chose Oregon, before Calipari was given the chance to be a Razorback, Altman showed the world his true colors... by walking away from a job he had already accepted, AT ARKANSAS. Too much integrity to sing, "WO0oo, Pig, Sooie"! It still Quacks me up! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 4 Share Posted Sunday at 04:34 PM Not a vintage year for the Big East. (I am hoping UConn takes down The Gators, sorry Gat, today.) The Saint John Johnies' bad shooting showed up yesterday. The leading scorer was held to nine points by the Razorbacks. Next up for 10 seed Arkansas is No. 3 seed Texas Tech. Come On Red Raiders! MASH THE MILDCATS! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 5 Share Posted Sunday at 07:31 PM I feel like Altman is like Lanning and will coach at Oregon as long as he wants to This year tested the, "Altman's teams win March", which turned out to be absolutely true, as no team has more W's in March than Oregon since Altman took over. You don't have to retire to get in the Hall of Fame as a basketball coach, and it will be great when we stop hearing, "Altman should be in the HOF" because he is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Marsh No. 6 Share Posted Sunday at 09:59 PM I remember reading a year or two ago about one of the big reasons for Altman's struggles in recent years. In short he hasn't had that many leaders who have to be told to go home at night. I remember in this interview Altman was saying that what made some of his best teams great was from the leadership of his gym rats that he'd actually have to tell to go rest. Players like Pitchard and Brooks who would just work. Part of that I feel is the culture of NIL and high ranked players when paired with the one-and-done mentality. Part of that I feel is a post covid world. I have noticed the years after 2020 that my high school students are wired differently. There just seems to be less motivation and resiliency on the whole. It's getting better but it's taken a long time. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 7 Share Posted Sunday at 10:20 PM On 3/23/2025 at 2:59 PM, David Marsh said: Players like Pitchard and Brooks who would just work. Absolutely true. I didn't like the nonchalance this year's team showed with their great start. The come from behind wins could have been great, but instead it seemed to have instilled a false bravado. When UCLA beat them, in a close game, coming from behind; it could have been a "good loss" but I don't think they learned from it. Shelstad can hit, has hit, some big 3's. But, neither he, or anybody else on the team is a leader like Pritchard, or Brooks were. The closest this team has to that type of player is Bamba, but his struggles offensively this season negates that. This era of players doesn't have the same intensity, drive, for the name on the front of the jersey that past years had. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 8 Share Posted Monday at 05:27 AM On 3/23/2025 at 8:48 AM, woundedknees said: Remember THIS: Before Altman chose Oregon, before Calipari was given the chance to be a Razorback, Altman showed the world his true colors... by walking away from a job he had already accepted, AT ARKANSAS. That same year Billy Donovan left to be the coach of the Orlando Magic before deciding to reverse course. I think it was also the year Bobby Petrino to quit mid season, leaving the Atlanta Falcons to coach Arkansas. That same year Lane Kiffin was fired by Oakland, and went on to coach Tennessee for one year before leaving in the middle of the night to go to USC. 2007 was an odd year in general. The undefeated Patriots losing on the most improbable pass. Stanford winning as a 42 point underdog. West Virginia choking in their final game vs Pitt. USF getting to number two in the polls before losing it the next week.The smartphone was unveiled. Don't even get me started on the GEICO Cavemen getting their own show. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatOrlando No. 9 Share Posted Tuesday at 02:00 PM On 3/23/2025 at 9:34 AM, Jon Joseph said: Not a vintage year for the Big East. (I am hoping UConn takes down The Gators, sorry Gat, today.) Jon, I thought we were good!! Just kidding. I gotta tell you UCONN didn't worry me. I was more concerned with Saint Johns, but they're gone now. UCONN may not be as good as their back to back championship teams, but they put Florida on the ropes. I'm hoping that's the scare game instead of the guys thinking they only were pushed because they didn't show up. I trust in Golden to keep them on their toes. Much respect to Hurley and that program. That's the third or fourth head coach that's won a championship at UCONN since the year 2000. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 10 Share Posted Wednesday at 05:37 PM Here's some well-deserved Buzz for Coach Izzo. March Madness 2025: Ranking every coach in the Sweet 16 as NCAA Tournament rolls on to regional semifinals - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM From 1-16, Kyle Boone ranks the coaches still standing in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 field Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 11 Share Posted Wednesday at 05:51 PM Will Sparty end the B1G Tourney Drought? Will 2024-25 mirror 2000? Michigan State is mirroring its 2000 national championship run WWW.YARDBARKER.COM The Spartans, led by head coach Tom Izzo, last advanced to the Elite Eight in 2019. They'll be looking to end that six-year drought on Friday and continue their march towards a third national title. Today is the anniversary of the most-watched game in college B-Ball history. Indiana State and Larry Bird vs. Michigan State and Magic Johnson. Magic led the way to a Sparty title. Larry would get payback in pro ball. Coach Tom is not happy with the portal opening during the playoffs. Tom Izzo has incredible nickname for the transfer portal WWW.YARDBARKER.COM Tom Izzo is very clearly not a fan of the transfer portal. The transfer portal for the college basketball season opened on March 24 and will close on April 22. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
