UNC’s coaching search at this time focuses heavily on coaches still coaching. Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May top that list. While TJ Otzelberger and Ben McCollum have strongly indicated they’d rather remain in Children of the Corn country, Nick Saban once said these words to an entire room of reporters: “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? I will not be the coach at the University of Alabama.” We know how that turned out.
If you’re an Iowan reading this and offended by the Stephen King reference, then you grew up there. On a business trip, I once drove from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines via farm roads due to a shut-down of Interstate 80. The corn was almost ready to harvest, the stalks towering over the road to either side and stretching to the horizon. Is that one spooky experience the first time? Oh yeah. I came to understood the inspiration for that story on that drive. I also learned to appreciate Iowa while working with clients there. I get why the coaches don’t want to leave. Great people, awesome state fair.
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While these coaches remain focused on winning at their current schools, UNC fans can watch some these games with extra interest as an audition of sorts. Who handles the pressure situations the best? Who comes up with the right adjustments at halftime? Whose team rises to the moment, and whose falters under the bright lights?
In order of appearance:
Ben McCollum’s Iowa faces Illinois after taking down Nebraska (that’s a lot of B1G schools in one regional) with a strong finish to that game. Nebraska aided Iowa’s cause by attempting a defensive possession with only four players on the court with less than a minute to go. Can McCollum get the Hawkeyes to a Final Four?
Tommy Lloyd appears at or near the top of most UNC target lists for a number of reasons. He added a new one with the Wildcats’ dismantling of the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday. To wit: Lloyd’s team scored 109 points while only attempting eight three-pointers. Every water-cooler and message board since has been buzzing with, “Wow, that looked just like a vintage Dean team,” or, “Man, I thought I was watching one of Roy’s teams.” We’re jealous, and we want that coach.
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The conventional wisdom is that the deeper the Wildcat’s go in the tournament, the less likely that Lloyd leaves Tucson. On the other hand, UNC fans being UNC fans, if Arizona loses to Purdue, a loud contingent of voices will note that Lloyd’s never made a Final Four and again could not this season, despite two 1 seeds, two 2 seeds, and a 4 seed. That’s just how UNC fans tend to be wired.
Dusty May and Michigan made the Elite Eight by figuring out Alabama’s offense at halftime and holding the Tide to 28 points the last 20 minutes. Point of concern: while Michigan attempted 16 free throws in that second half, they only made eight. UNC fans are sensitive to the subject of 50% free throw shooting at the moment. Former Tar Heel Elliott Cadeau finished with 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Michigan and Tennessee wrestle for a trip to the Final Four in the opener Sunday. Tennessee does not deserve nice things, and Rick Barnes doesn’t either. Will Michigan dismantle the Vols the same way the Wolverines took apart the Tide?
The final Elite Eight matchup pits Duke against UConn in a proverbial meteor game. For most UNC fans, the rivalry with Duke likely transcends distaste for Dan Hurley. Ignoring those two things, it should be an intense, back-and-forth game.
Join us in the comments below with your thoughts as we watch what could be UNC’s next men’s basketball coach try to survive and advance.
