Shaka Smart is exactly what Jeff Capel was supposed to be.

[WTSooner]

Young, energetic coach from a small school, that can get people excited about the program, can win in a variety of ways, and can recruit talented kids.

He is going to have UT competing for a Big 12 title in a few years, and had the timing been better, I'd love to have had him at OU.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Young, energetic coach from a small school, that can get people excited about the program, can win in a variety of ways, and can recruit talented kids.

He is going to have UT competing for a Big 12 title in a few years, and had the timing been better, I'd love to have had him at OU.

They will be competing for more than Big 12 titles. We need to hope a big program like Louisville, Duke, or UNC hires him at some point soon.

 

[OUHoops]

I agree. Is it possible to still hate Texas but like Smart?

 

[stormspencer]

They will be competing for more than Big 12 titles. We need to hope a big program like Louisville, Duke, or UNC hires him at some point soon.

If he demonstrates success at UT, I believe the NBA will come calling within a few years.

 

[BruinSooner]

Smart has actually accomplished something before he got to UT. Capel was more or less a name from Duke.

 

[oudna]

and had the timing been better, I'd love to have had him at OU.

You weren't going to see him at OU. He turned down lots of other opportunities. He had maybe a dozen "destination" targets ID'd.

 

[MercedeSooner]

Great coach.

 

[152219]

Impressive that he got this team to buy in.

Should be noted that this Texas team is even more experienced than OU. Last night their starters were 3 seniors and 2 juniors and the first 2 guys off the bench are seniors. Also, arguably their best player, Ridley (who is hurt), is also a senior.

Their two freshman guards have shown some promise this year. And their recruiting class was good so going forward Texas likely has a bright future.

 

[Zimwillett]

Impressive that he got this team to buy in.

Should be noted that this Texas team is even more experienced than OU. Last night their starters were 3 seniors and 2 juniors and the first 2 guys off the bench are seniors. Also, arguably their best player, Ridley (who is hurt), is also a senior.

Their two freshman guards have shown some promise this year. And their recruiting class was good so going forward Texas likely has a bright future.

It will be interesting to see what Taylor does at the end of this season. I know he flirted with coming out early last year. Whether he sticks around for his senior year (which I think he should) is probably the biggest question for Texas going into next season.

 

[tycat947]

They will be competing for more than Big 12 titles. We need to hope a big program like Louisville, Duke, or UNC hires him at some point soon.

If he's that successful that blue bloods would call, whorn will outbid anyone.

 

[thebigabd]

He has three, 4-star players coming in for next year already.

Talent will go up, and they will be very well coached.

 

[152219]

It will be interesting to see what Taylor does at the end of this season. I know he flirted with coming out early last year. Whether he sticks around for his senior year (which I think he should) is probably the biggest question for Texas going into next season.

Agree. If Taylor comes back, Texas will be good next year if they can find some front line help.

I need to correct one thing, the first two off the bench were a senior and a junior not 2 seniors. Would have been 2 seniors if Ridley wasn't injured.

 

[BoulderSooner]

He has three, 4-star players coming in for next year already.

Talent will go up, and they will be very well coached.

and he has 3 4 star guys and 1 5 star player leaving ..

and another 4 star maybe leaving (Taylor) ..

the future is really bright for him in Austin .. but the "talent" is not going to be an upgrade ..

 

[skyvue]

I have nothing bad to say about Smart, but I don't quite understand the coronation of him either. His team gave us a good game in losing, but they should have done so. texas is not lacking in talent; it's not as if he took over a bare cupboard.

 

[TINY]

I have nothing bad to say about Smart, but I don't quite understand the coronation of him either. His team gave us a good game in losing, but they should have done so. texas is not lacking in talent; it's not as if he took over a bare cupboard.

capel came into a much, much worse situation and had ou in the elite within 3 seasons. He had big dogs from across the country trying to hire him. Just as quickly as he had that success, the floor went out from under him. Let's see what smart does over the next 4-5 years before we crown him.

 

[Soonermarty]

capel came into a much, much worse situation and had ou in the elite within 3 seasons. He had big dogs from across the country trying to hire him. Just as quickly as he had that success, the floor went out from under him. Let's see what smart does over the next 4-5 years before we crown him.

Blake had everything to do with the "success" Capel had. And he recruited "high talent" kids, but they were low in character. Capel wasn't and isn't a good coach. Any of us could have coached the two squads with Blake and had success

 

[Big Old Booger]

If he's that successful that blue bloods would call, whorn will outbid anyone.

They can outbid all they want however football will always be king at UT and most really good coaches will go somewhere that basketball is numero uno.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I have nothing bad to say about Smart, but I don't quite understand the coronation of him either. His team gave us a good game in losing, but they should have done so. texas is not lacking in talent; it's not as if he took over a bare cupboard.

I agree with this. David Ubben tweeted last night that Smart is the top choice for COY in the Big 12. I don't really understand that because it's not like he took over TCU or OSU. UT always has talent.

Having said that, I think he's a pretty good coach. You don't take a program like VCU to the final 4 and win 150 games over 5 seasons and not be a good coach.

 

[TINY]

Blake had everything to do with the "success" Capel had. And he recruited "high talent" kids, but they were low in character. Capel wasn't and isn't a good coach. Any of us could have coached the two squads with Blake and had success

There's not one person on this board who could coach ou to the elite 8. Regardless, I don't think there's much debate that capel was in way over his head when Blake left.

It's about perception. Shaka is earning cred off of a team almost entirely recruited by Barnes. Not only that but they are seasoned talents. Shaka looks the part, but so did capel after his first 3 seasons. Things can change in a hurry.

 

[campbest]

I have nothing bad to say about Smart, but I don't quite understand the coronation of him either. His team gave us a good game in losing, but they should have done so. texas is not lacking in talent; it's not as if he took over a bare cupboard.

He went to a Final Four at VCU, that's pretty impressive.

As for UT, lets see how they do with his recruits...I think he will do really well but who knows. Ridley being out is actually helped them IMO.