Originally Posted by
Owen Meany
Yeah, I'm not concerned about Memphis in particular. As I said, I'm not sure what to expect from Memphis and Bates stock has dropped. The Duren signing is actually probably a positive thing from a Duke perspective since he was considered a heavy Kentucky lean. I didn't say more because I dont want to jinx anything. But college basketball as a whole will be stronger than I would have liked given that it is Coach K's last hurrah.
I really want to see Coach K go out on a high note, which, given his success, would require a good tournament run. I didn't love seeing Bacot return, Gonzaga add Holmgreen and retain Timme, Kentucky supposedly add Cockburn (this one actually never came to fruition, thankfully), Dickenson back at Michigan or Duke sitting at 10 in the preseason poll. Noormally, I'd look at it as a chance to exceed expectations. This year I just want Coach K and Duke to do well, especially given last season's ending.
And to pacify the weaufx gods, Hardaway is a relatively young guy who may ultimately be a very good coach, although though the jury is still out. And in his first year as an assistant, Larry Brown may be doing a significant amount of coaching without the baggage he will likely quickly accumulate. And if Penny adds Rasheed Wallace to his staff as rumored, it will be even more interesting (it should also be noted that Bates evidently will still be too young to declare for next year's draft). So while I don't think Coach K is at all worried about Memphis right now, I'm not sure I'd want to see them in the second round.