re: Your top 5 candidates if the LSU hoops job hypothetically opened up today?

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Another young Pitino assistant hadn't done a whole lot at Marshall when he was hired at a big time school. He seems to have done ok

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Well if that's all it takes let's hire John Pelphrey.

Is this just a discussion or is there some rumor floating around?

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Samuel L. Jackson

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I've seen Coach Carter. Dude can coach our boys up.

Pat Riley or Phil Jackson

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No love for Shaka Smart, or is he unrealistic?

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He has a MUCH better job where he is at right now...............

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He has a MUCH better job where he is at right now...............

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I wouldn't go that far. But if he has turned down Illinois, UCLA, and Marquette, he won't come here.

Ya'll are going to think I'm crazy, but, what I would do is hire a new name young coach from the names mentioned, then make J Jones the lead arse't coach with recruiting responsibility and practice leadership with the the highest arse't pay in the U.S. Keep him at LSU where he loves the school, but make him No.2 with little game coaching responsibilities. He does NOT coach defense, does not make game changes to win, is hardheaded on sticking with his philosophy, instead of quick game changes and adjustments. If you watched the tournament games this year, this week, the coaches made ADJUSTMENTS often. Jones never made adjustments, that's his weakness that keeps him average.

just a papa purple and gold throwback

Given the approach LSU took when replacing Trent Johnson, Johnny Jones was as good a hire as they could have gotten. He is a strong recruiter and has a staff with similar recruiting prowess. All indications are there will be a stream of talented players flowing to LSU in the coming years. If NBA attrition can be avoided or moderated then stability will ensue and this will be top 25 program, top 3 SEC most years.

Yes the team underperformed slightly this year, but given it is only year 2 of the Jones tenure lets reserve judgment for a year of two and see what happens.

Having said that, I have always been in favor of going after a top tier coach in the way Saban was pursued for football. Start at the top and work down. Sure Coach K or Pitino or Calipari won't come her. But outside of a small group everyone else should be considered. I would start with Izzo and go from there.

Damn it, this LSU and we do have a proud basketball tradition, albeit erratic. Only Kentucky has more SEC titles. How many schools can list a top five as good as Maravich, Shaq, Petit, Macklin and Abdul Rauf ( nee Jackson)?

We gotta quit the mentality of he won't come here because he won't leave Villanova or VCU or whoever. Why not ask? The circumstances that caused them to decline prior offers may have changed. Lets say they miss on the top 6 to 8 on the list. If Coach # 9 accepts it would still likely be a better hire than Trent of Jones were, no disrespect intended to either as they are good individuals and respected coaches.

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No love for Shaka Smart, or is he unrealistic?

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I live in Vegas now and a friend who hosts a show on espn radio said Shaka is actually open to looking around, and that he and Ben Howland are on the short list for UNLV if (when) Dave Rice leaves for South Florida.