I was totally in favor of Tubby Smith being fired (which didn't happen) for not adjusting. Instead, he dug his heels in and had former players talk about his "system" on the radio. So far, as you said, "Pope is making no adjustments." So, unless this season turns around, I hope this is his last.
And, I also think that Cal refused to adjust. He thought that all he had to do was put a bunch of future NBA players on the court and he would win. His tournament success was horrible those last several seasons.
The season has started already. Hurley's entire system shift was done around recruiting the types of players he needed to make that shift. He went out and got big guards, spacers. This roster is already what it's going to be.
I think it's a decent roster and UNC & Indiana would be two teams he has to beat to save any face, the issue is going to be defense. They can't defend, and Milan, as good as he is, is not a go to scorer. He's a slow footed dude that can't create his own shots. His open looks at ISU were based on Jefferson and Lipsey being catalysts.
If you want to do what Hurley does, you have to be incredibly intentional around recruiting, get the exact type of kids that fit your system and culture. He found kids a little further down the rankings his first championship and developed them, then got a 5* for the second one. Now he can get anyone he wants.
Izzo's team is made up of a bunch of 4* kids. This is why I said with Pope, let go of thinking you can recruit the top 5* to save face, go find the really good 4* that fit what you want to build and train them up. He's not going to buy his way to success trying to keep up. I think Malone is going to flop too, and I think he's going to flop hard. I can already see him trying to buy success meanwhile his current UNC team has looked like
@SS so far. That is not a terrible roster he has. Able, Keyita, Avdalas are a solid trio. And these guys are playing teams like Wyoming and Western Carolina close, at home. He's trying to find his Jokic and calling up MJ to help get them. It's going to blow, it's not how CBB works. You have guys like Hurley, Golden and Izzo who are developing in culture in clear systems.
I know May did it, but he did it with such intention in a highly unique system. Dude was genius, would have been right there with Hurley had he stuck & I think he kills it in Dallas w/Flagg.
