This search is going to be interesting. Two divergent worlds are sure to collide. On one hand you have what UT should do on the other you have what they probably will do. Either way, Tennessee is sure to come out of this with a serious upgrade to Cuonzo Martin. Thank God for Cal! I might just hug a tree before this is over!


It’s not UT’s history to hire powerful coaches in any sport. It’s not their history to hire guys like Ben Howland. Then again, this is an extraordinary circumstance. Tennessee has always been afraid of guys like Ben Howland. Tennessee likes malleable coaches. This guy is anything but that. He's a tough dude. A West Coast guy. A terrific basketball coach. Love the local media's narrative about him that he's not getting any of the openings so he can't be all that. He only tried and interviewed for one job and that's Marquette. Wake Forest or BC would've taken him in a heartbeat. Book that. Will UT call Howland? Will they sit down? Will they get serious with him? I'll believe it when I see it. Why? It’s just the way it works here. It will be interesting to see if they interview him and how it goes.


Still a little early to tell what UT’s going to do as far as a top five. I get the feeling that Gregg Marshall will be one of if not the first guy UT will reach out to. He does have a really nice team coming back but if he’s going to get, this would be a wonderful opportunity for him to come back to the South. Ironically enough, this is a guy UT passed over twice and now he’s going to get a chance to either get handsomely rewarded or pass over UT himself. America ain’t a bad place. Marshall is a little on the wacky side according to people I've talked to. In other words he's unpredictable. Oh, to be a fly on that wall.


Today's Wichita Eagle Newspaper calls out UT for being dysfunctional. This columnist is virtually taunting UT for being a horror show behind the scenes. Dave Hart has to counteract this during the interview process. Link


The only thing shaky about Dave Hart after he deftly handled the Cuonzo situation is his hairdo. And the last time I checked, I'm no expert on either hair or hair care. Dave Hart gets two thumbs up from me on the way he's shaped up UT's athletic program behind the scenes. On the other hand he was foolish with Bud Ford. That's no way to do a guy like that. Then again, nobody's perfect. Only thing perfect is Dave Hart's Hair. Where's the twitter account, 'Dave Hart's Hair'? You're losing your touch!










As for Donnie Tyndall’s saying he’s staying put (Link), let's get something straight here.... Donnie Tyndall would crawl on his belly on broken glass if Tennessee called him. That stuff from yesterday is akin to Cuonzo telling all involved that he was committed to Tennessee after he couldn’t get to second base with Marquette. Come on guys. People are smarter than this these days. Donnie Tyndall would DIE to have the Tennessee job and he knows it!


BTW, Cuonzo Martin’s appearance on Hall Hill this morning would’ve been better on John Boy and Billy. It was pure comedy. I like his joke about the petition not being a factor in any of this, in fact he barely even knew about it he told Hal Hill. I also like the part about teaching his team how you deal with adversity by the way he handled this situation. So, you deal with adversity by tucking tail and running? OK. Got it. Come on Cuonzo, you were going to have all of your players and you knew it was going to be curtains in 11 months. I really do like Cuonzo Martin. I just can't figure out why you would do that interview. Some things are better left unsaid. We all wish you well but I don't believe a word Cuonzo said about the stuff that mattered. Love the modern day coaching profession. Who are these guys kidding? It’s not me.



Speaking of kidding. Got a text from a friend with ‘well placed source at UT’ who ‘told him’ that ‘Richard Pitino was meeting in Atlanta with UT today.’ Well, anything is possible, but I will tell you this. In the annals of college hoops the Pitino clan and most in his coaching tree are notorious for using the media and intermediaries to make themselves appear appealing. Is Richard Pitino a viable candidate for UT if it gets to him? Absolutely. Is Richard Pitino going to be the first guy Tennessee interviews face to face? No way José. I don’t buy that. Then again, this is UT hoops and the track record despite the support in this community isn’t exactly sterling golden (Hulk Hogan fans, there’s your bone).

Michael White is a potential candidate that is growing on me. Here’s his bio. This is a guy who’s connected with his father the AD at Duke. The Dukies get away with murder with the NCAA in hoops. Would this Teflon NCAA coating project onto this guy? Seriously, a couple of folks who’s opinions I value in the coaching profession told me yesterday that he was going to be a ‘superstar coach.’







I said yesterday on Twitter and I’ll say it here, the bench for this hire is 10 deep. If you’re Jon Gilbert & Dave Hart at Tennessee it’s going to be pretty difficult to screw this up. I don’t even think a member of my Phillies bullpen could screw this up. And the last time I checked, Jake Diekman set an all time MLB record by surrendering back to back to back homeruns to the Braves without recording an out. That's quality.


If it's me, I'm hiring Ben Howland right now. Why? He has the record, the reputation as a recruiter, the results and you can get him cheaply. NO BUYOUT. Then again, Tennessee usually doesn't fool with coaches like this guy. Will they break the mold? Will he even get an interview?

I would take any guy off this list and be a happy camper.


Any of the 10 guys on this list above would be serious upgrades over Cuonzo. ANY of them.



Tomorrow at TonyBasilio.com, Keith Hatfield goes 20 deep in candidates for the UT job. The guy has some serious chops.

Also, 'X' with some post Spring thoughts to take into the summer.

Catch you on the show today at 11 eastern.

Remember to download the app as we will go live as soon as UT makes its choice. The place to turn for instant fan reaction is right here with your Official Voice of the Common Fan!

Let's make it a GREAT day!

Hope springs eternal!

Tony

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