VT’s recent basketball history is peppered
with mediocre recruiters. That’s my takeaway from GC’s post below.
GC hates Buzz and loves MY. Others feel the opposite. But who really cares? We’ve never been a relevant basketball program and never will.
60 Replies
W
win-tech
2y
We've had two "big events" in the past 5 years: Sweet 16 and ACC Tournament Champs ... our best "Big Dance" since 1960s, and first conference championship since Charlie Moir (if I remember correctly).
It is hard to argue that the past 5-7 years have not been the best VT basketball has done in a very long time (maybe ever). And, when we are winning conference tourneys and making the big dance every few years, we have a better chance of a "magic season" coming along.
So, I think that there is a lot to be positive about. Whether or not that is "relevant" is in the eye of the beholder.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Yeah, you are right. And it will only get harder in the age of NIL. So, what are you going to do about it other than rage in the night?
Perhaps you should seek to find some
Happpiness in what we can accomplish.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Honestly, no bitterness or rage. I think people really misinterpret the tone or emotion behind written posts A LOT.
I just think our basketball program is very middle of the road, historically has been, and will likely continue to be. I’m not angry about that. I don’t blame MY for it. It just is what it is.
GC working so hard to defend MY by comparing him to BW is entertaining because it’s a bit like arguing who is the tallest midget in the room. Like, who cares? Our program is middling. It always will be — so who cares if MY can recruit as well as BW. Neither are elite coaches or going to produce elite outcomes.
I say this with amused indifference, not rage or bitterness.
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
2y
Recruiting is a function of many things. VT is a middling program not because of our coaches. It is due to strategic program factors that are very difficult to change, especially in the new NIL era.
Within that context Buzz and Mike Young are both excellent coaches for VT. The each have a system that allows them to get the most out of players VT is able to bring to the program.
The only issue CMY has is retaining players, not recruiting them.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
…our recruiting and expectations have all ramped up. VT struggled to qualify for its own conference tournament before SG and the thought of beating a Duke or unc seemed silly when we entered the ACC, let alone finish above .500 in conference. And now that is the standard in addition to qualifying for the post season annually, where even an NIT bid seems like a disappointment. Thats pretty good progress, especially the last decade.
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
2y
is relevant as a difficult place to play (ask Reddick/Coach K), even during the Charlie Moir 1970's80's VTBB was relevant in routinely beating the likes of Memphis and Louisville at The Cassell; CMY's ACC Tournament win was most a most relevant milestone. Buzz came in and did what was expected for a short period of time and then bolted for Texas as expected. As I noted below in response to GC's post, I believe CMY is the right guy for the job and will do well in recruiting and success provided he and MBB program are provided the resources ($$$$) and facilities needed to compete, and that includes updating THE CASSELL into a really cool basketball arena with mixed entertainment/hospitality uses to produce revenues from multiple sources.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
I'm sorry relevance is not based on 4-5 years, but the portfolio of college basketball. From the fifties on - VT basketball has been a very competitive program, not horrible,but not champions of the NCAA - relevant.
From VT beating Adolph Rupp in Lexington, to the Final eight in in the 1960's to NIT magical win in 1973 (when the NIT was a BIG deal and NCAA only had 16 folks play in the tourney. The metro was special, and great match ups with Louisville (when they were champions), beating memphis when they came into Blacksburg no 1, to great matches like beating Georgetown and Thompson in Hampton in the eighties.. all special moments. Topping it off with getting to the final 16 in the expanded NCAA, to winning the ACC. That documents to me a relevant competitive basketball program with amazing moments.
VT is like many programs in the SEC, Big 10, or Big 12- very competitive, good support and RELEVANT and that is what most of college basketball is.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
60 years is an argument of relevance. But okay.
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
2y
IMO you’re “relevant”
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Straight up bar to be "relevant." My bad if I'm late to the discussion.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Or in the NCAA tournament more often than not.
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2y
VT, as my alma mater, relevance, to me, is competitive play and a winning record.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
I don't believe in the absoluteness of either basketball programs are relevant or your program shouldn't even compete.. The 'game' is one of competitiveness, year in and year out. If you have a 'special moment' and get invited to the dance that is icing on the cake....
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
2y
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
The whole narrative you and others have pushed is that MY can't recruit, and he wasn't as good as Buzz
I can fully understand why someone who points out that MY has recruited the same as or better than Buzz and matched his record would hurt your feelings.
Your narrative was weak from the jump. That is no fault of anyone but your own. I will take every opportunity I possibly can to rub it in, just like you take every opportunity you possibly can to point out when things go wrong.
But at the end of the day, I'll throw out data and you and kittykitty will let everyone know your feelings.
We get it...they're hurt.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
From National Lampoon circa 1972
Link:
Radio Dinner
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2y
feelings because your hatred of Buzz is pretty clear.
You’ve basically tried to make the argument that the Sweet 16 he took us to is nothing better than MY’s first round losses in the NCAA tournament.
If I was dumb enough to make that argument, I’d probably make some juvenile pivot about hurt feelings as well.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2y
As always you're making things up and hoping no one challenges it.
What I HAVE said is that the Sweet 16 run is comparable to the ACCT championship. Both are difficult. The Sweet 16 has the prestige, the ACC Tournament Championship had the better opponents.
What YOU have said explicitly is that Mike Young can't recruit. Which is the only topic my original post was about. You can't defend that take anymore so you decide (again, as always) to move the goal posts until you can find something relevant or until you can exhaust the conversation until no one wants to continue.
Your shtick is tired. It is proven inaccurate, and no matter the number of topic changes you're going to be wrong.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
and generally pushed down the Sweet 16 accomplishment, in general, as a result of beating 2 weak opponents. That is your take not mine. Those teams were good or they would not have been there.
Can we at least agree on this? If we can't, we will wait for the gaslighting to resume.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2y
When people (namely, yourself, PJ and Rat) say MYs ACC run was a fluke or easier than a S16 run, I remind them that the S16 was against much inferior opponents
What I haven't done (and what PJ is completely making up) is compare Buzz's Sweet 16 run to Mike Young's NCAAT record and say Buzz is worse
All of this completely beside the genesis of this brilliant thread being that Mike Young has long had a reputation (again, thanks to yourself and the other trolls) that he cannot recruit.
It does not surprise me in the least bit that pointing out his recruiting has been equal to or better than Buzz created a firestorm among your circle who have pivoted to Sweet 16 and national relevance when neither were mentioned in the original post.
You guys like to keep those goal posts on skates and then pat each other's backs when you make irrelevant points that are either grossly misrepresented or just flat out wrong
(In response to this post by catdaddy)
2y
departure. You are getting awfully upset and lashing out at folks who have not said what you are alleging. We all know why you only post here now, not a secret. Let me be crystal clear.
With regards to our Sweet 16 run.. the only thing I have ever said is some combo of the following:
CMY made an incredible run, just unbelievable. Caught lightning in a bottle. Ran through the gauntlet and earned every bit of that championship. Amazing run. We were lucky that Duke and Carolina couldn't hit wide open 3's, etc.
I have never, ever said or inferred that our Sweet 16 run was a "fluke" or "easier than a Sweet 16 run". Please stop fabricating this nonsense and be more factual.
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2
2hhoop3
2y
in this post saying VT "was lucky Duke and Carolina couldn't hit wide open 3's, etc."
(In response to this post by catdaddy)
2y
And lol...do tell why I only post here now. This will be good
(In response to this post by catdaddy)
H
HokieRat
2y
https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtbasket... (Define Mediocrity)
https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtbasket... (LU and STL the Mountain Top)
https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtbasket... (Cheating and LU/STL thread)
https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtbasketball/6590b27bd3e26e001348319c (VTBBalls greatest feat)
https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtbasketball/66019e7fa595e40014a155cb (beating LU/STL is easy)
Theres more
(Only the first 3 links are shown. Post contained 5 links.)
Link:
Define Mediocrity
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Are we defining mediocrity or relevance? They can be mutually exclusive.
** Edited by TomTurkey at 7/6/2024, 3:02:52 PM
(In response to this post by HokieRat)
H
HokieRat
2y
is the same as a fluke. Cause all it means is doing something that has been impossible. Which in VT bball's case, ACC champs has been and will be a fair feat we may not see in another 30 years.
And that is actually just the same thing GC said in his VT mediocrity post, just in different words.
I interpret mediocre and irrelevant as the same. Kinda makes me think of Nebraska Football.
** Edited by HokieRat at 7/6/2024, 5:57:35 PM
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2y
I have always said VT has a specific ceiling due to its location and resources. That is a long-term outlook, not what is happening in a given year/month/game
I have always said that Virginia Tech can find a spot to be competitive in any given year if they will be efficient in their resources and value a system over individual pieces. That does *not* mean that over the span of 10 years that their lack of resources won't show...it absolutely will.
VT will never be a program that competes every single year as one of the top 25 or even top 40 teams in the country. But every given year they certainly have an opportunity to do so.
If you gamble enough in a casino the house is going to win, they have more resources than you. But that doesn't mean you can't do things on a micro level to increase your chances of winning in a short period of time.
Nothing you linked or anything I have said is contrary to this. This has always consistently been my position.
(In response to this post by HokieRat)
2y
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Back-to-back NIT first round losses.
What gives?
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
J
jms41
2y
relevant either. If I want to watch, it’s relevant. I rarely watch anything if VT not involved.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
We’re part of the mediocre blob.
(In response to this post by jms41)
2y
far between!!
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Playing a Sweet 16 game down to the final wire is relevant
Winning an ACCT title is “relevant”
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
But sure. I guess I should say, “We’re relevant twice a century.”
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
V
vtpw
2y
If your referring to 1967 tourney actually lost elite 8 game to Dayton, who then faced UCLA with Alcindor (before name change to Jabbar) when they were dominant in final 4.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2y
tell us the Sweet 16 run didn’t mean much because we didn’t beat any good teams.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2y
Bottom line is I don't care how you got there. The end result is all that matters.
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
H
Hokie`79
2y
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
MY has achieved just as much as Buzz did — and the only way to make that argument is to diminish our run to the Sweet 16.
(In response to this post by Hokie`79)
2y
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
Well then, if that's so important to you, maybe you should find a relevant basketball program to follow
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
They just want to complain. When what they've built a reputation complaining about crumbles, they ad hominem their way to hoping everyone forgets about it.
(In response to this post by YBYSAIAHokie)
2y
is really crumbling! lol. That amazing post season run last year really undermines the argument! 😂
(In response to this post by GCHokie34)
2y
I
(In response to this post by Pride_and_Joy)
2y
(In response to this post by 132678Hokie)