[mlmpetert]

I dont know what to think about Smart’s contract right now. Theres already a lot of talk about hows hes going to get all sorts of offers, Ive heard hes a prime candidate for the Tenn job. My thoughts:

Hes real young – could be a good or bad thing, but I think it’s a good thing. I think hes more likely to say, hey Ive got plenty of time to go to a big name program in the future, let me stay at VCU for a while wheres its bound to be cush for a long time even if I suck. I honestly don’t think Smart is ready for a bigger stage.

Jeff Capel changed VCU basketball I think my sophomore year, before then we wernt that hot. Jeff Capel just showed there are no ganranettes making it in the big leagues.

When they built the Segal Center they designed for a smaller crowd (based on pre Capel attendance). It worked out well though, because it gets loud and is a tough atmosphere to play in. We have one of the best home court advantages in ALL of college basketball and constantly sell out. That’s a big thing to like as a coach

After Capel left for OU Grant came in and really changed things. Now of course Grant was handed Eric Maynor (the second coming of the Messiah in VCU land), but Grant is one hell of a basketball coach and think hes going to do amazing things in Alabama. Grant obviously had pedigree being the head assistant to FL’s Donovan, and was a pretty big coaching candidate for a lot of bigger schools when he came here. Shaka is kind of a no body when you compare him to Grants biography; just Grant’s main assistant. I guess I think a lot of schools might think he kind of got lucky in his run and will want to see another steller year before offering him a cant say no opportunity. Which brings me to:

I don’t think Shaka is all that great of a coach (pre-CAA tourney). Whats going on with the Rams right now is kind of inexplicable.... Capel and Grant were obviously better coaches. Shaka has only been here for 2 years and I think people want to see him do a little more during the regular season.

One thing that both Grant and Shaka were able to do better than Capel is recruit (again besides Messiah Maynor). And VCU is really set up to be a better team next year and the year after right now. Joey Rodriguez may be a media darling right now but before the last couple weeks he was never really loved by VCU fans. Skeen is going to be the player that hurts the most to loose next year. Reddic (6’9” 4-man) and Hailey (7 foot center from Cali) are gonna be good, real good and theyre both freshman. The team is young with just 4 seniors.

And finally:

VCU aint as bad as it sounds. Honestly the CAA is emerging as a powerhouse mid major and VCU has been the main stud in the stable since Capel’s arrival. When Grant was here there was even some talk about VCU hoping to get invited to a bigger conference and how that is something the VCU athletic department was perusing. As I said in a post a little back; VCU, Mason, ODU, and Richmond are the best basketball teams in the state and have been for a while. The hardest part about being a good mid-major is other teams wont play us…….