Is Harper golfing with Lon right now?

Here is the UNLV Announcement on signings.


NO "Big Feto" on that list.

Any known poaching?

IMO Harper now has so much good will in the community he could make a run at Gregg Marshall and no one would give the hire much thought. Also, WSU is still paying Marshall as part of their separation agreement through the end of 2026. But what is important in the separation agreement is that WSU must STILL pay Marshall even if he takes a new job. Maybe $1.5 mill could get it done? Marshall would be a great hire. From the Kansas paper:

"According to the agreement, Marshall’s LLC, Marshall Hoops, will receive a $48,076.92 payment from WSU every two weeks, starting on Dec. 11, for the next six years, for a total of 156 payments and $7.5 million. The remaining $250,000 is being paid to Marshall in a lump sum. There is also no mitigation agreement, which is common in separation agreements. That means WSU still has to pay Marshall if the coach is hired by another program in the next six years."

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article247294674.html#storylink=cpy

So what you’re saying is two years of Ulric Maligi before he goes takes the Oklahoma State job and then Buzz Williams, gotcha.

j. spilotro said:

But this isn’t different, schematically, offensively and defensively, from day 1. If you are going to implement an offense that takes advantage of players’ ability, talent … you better recruit players who have ability/talent. Can’t have one trick ponies grabbing the lions share.

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You can't survive really at ANY level these days without some level of scheme. Actual offense.

Back in the day with Diaper dandies ruling the College basketball world, and more open playground/classic NBA style with very little structured offense could work. Rice basically did that at this level and had some success, but obviously hit a ceiling.

But these days, the game is more about upper classmen than freshman. UConn has won championships based off of excellent half court offense and solid defense. Near elite talent.

Cal lost his shine because his formula stopped working, college basketball has evolved, and for the better IMO.

CKK trying to strictly out talent teams will have a low hit rate. We have had some decent talent the past 2 years with him for sure. But not enough to out talent good teams on a regular basis. And lesser talent with good scheme can take advantage as well, which we have seen way too many times as well.

I have given Kevin more slack than nearly everyone on this site, but I have had a disclaimer from day one. HE needs to improve. And he hasn't. The scheme and roster contruction were the 2 biggest issues. I think we have a decently balanced team now. We have a good guard, wings that can shoot, and a legit post player. You can do SO MUCH with that combo, but we do nothing to maximize it. The scheme is necessary at this level. Tell me one team that is G5 that has had any sort of recent success relying on talent alone?

Even Penny at Memphis has changed, he was probably the last one trying that formula with any sort of success. But he was being out played in recent years with teams with lesser talent as well.

TimothyC3 said:

Now we have a history with AD Harper. First, and rightfully so football has been made a priority under his leadership. Also, when it came to his first coaching search it was devoid of any leaks and it kept the media and UNLV fans guessing ultimately resulting in the hiring of Barry Odom as the program’s 13th football coach. We had no clue! Additionally, a contingency plan was in place well before Odom's second season started (just in case) because it was later learned that Harper, Saccenti and Mullen were all playing golf together last summer at Southern Highlands. Harper pretty much had his new coach and money lined up and ready to go. How would you rate Harper's first hire in Odom? He get's an A IMO. What about Harper's 2nd hire in Mullen? It's early. But preliminarily, another A and potentially a higher ceiling than Odom.

Based on history, when it comes to UNLV's next basketball coach there will be no leaks or rumors. No national search committees or consultants. I anticipate based on past performance Harper already has the new UNLV basketball coach pretty much lined up along with the $$$$ to pay him. Within 3-5 days after CKK release, I anticipate UNLV announcing it's new head basketball coach. Based on history and the level of football coaches hired by AD Harper I expect it will be considered another A rated hire.

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Well said!

Odom was not mentioned once here by anyone and Mullen happened so quickly that the way you lay it out makes sense.

Harper is the AD we have been dreaming of, he has proven he knows what he’s doing in the way he has slayed the dragon of UNLV football!

Now, is Harper going to get poached soon, that’s the real question…

TimothyC3 said:

Now we have a history with AD Harper. First, and rightfully so football has been made a priority under his leadership. Also, when it came to his first coaching search it was devoid of any leaks and it kept the media and UNLV fans guessing ultimately resulting in the hiring of Barry Odom as the program’s 13th football coach. We had no clue! Additionally, a contingency plan was in place well before Odom's second season started (just in case) because it was later learned that Harper, Saccenti and Mullen were all playing golf together last summer at Southern Highlands. Harper pretty much had his new coach and money lined up and ready to go. How would you rate Harper's first hire in Odom? He get an A IMO. What about Harper's 2nd Hire in Mullen? It's early. But preliminarily, another A and potentially a higher ceiling than Odom.

Based on history, when it comes to UNLV's next basketball coach there will be no leaks or rumors. No national search committees or consultants. I anticipate based on past performance Harper already has the new UNLV basketball coach pretty much lined up along with the $$$$ to pay him. Within 3-5 days after CKK release, I anticipate UNLV announcing the UNLV new head basketball coach. Based on history and the level of football coaches hired by AD Harper I expect it will be considered another A rated hire.

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I love your positivity. I hope it plays out exactly like that and we get to enjoy UNLV football and basketball both being ranked in the top 25 in the same season.

SilverSpoon said:

I've heard it's hands down the best golfing event to watch in person.

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It definitely is. No other tournament even comes close to the attendance it gets. All the profit goes to charities all around the state. This year they are limiting how many general admission tickets will be sold for each day.

I've heard it's hands down the best golfing event to watch in person.

jmcnamaraiii said:

Anyone know if there going to do a signing day show?

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Have not seen anything mentioning a show. So far they have only posted the signing of 2 new players.

dcut03 said:

That's our offense. We depend on players making tough shots to bail us out.

Personally I like the idea of creating offense that manufactures easy shots whenever possible, but hey, that is just me. You know, open looks tend to go in more than off-balance, heavily contested shots. I know, I know crazy talk.

Obviously Kruger and staff does not agree. Because not only do we make offense as difficult as possible, we have no trouble leaving guys wide open on the regular when on defense. So at least he is consistent?

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Which brings me to the OP.

How many of Rishwain's 3 point looks have been decently open, within a reasonable range, coming off a screen or a play? You don't have to watch the tape, it is probably zero.

Now the dude can make some crazy shots, but he would be making significantly more if we actually tried to run a play to give him an open look. You know, like every other team we play that has a decent shooter.

Rebel_Luv said:

How many game did CKK get bailed out bye HERO ball ? Hamilton , Harkless and Thomas to a lesser extent . IMO we out talent people on most of his wins. If those players were not as clutch as they were and CKK record would be MUCH worse. Off the top of my head maybe 7-10 less wins. Probably more.

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That's our offense. We depend on players making tough shots to bail us out.

Personally I like the idea of creating offense that manufactures easy shots whenever possible, but hey, that is just me. You know, open looks tend to go in more than off-balance, heavily contested shots. I know, I know crazy talk.

Obviously Kruger and staff does not agree. Because not only do we make offense as difficult as possible, we have no trouble leaving guys wide open on the regular when on defense. So at least he is consistent?

RebelinWA said:

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Played guard and center. Looks to be a decent prospect, just needs some polish. No idea why he wasn’t offered elsewhere.

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He's a BIG boy !

Rosegreen1 said:

My understanding is that the most viewed stories for both the LVRJ and Sun are UNLV sports, whether it’s MBB, Football, or when Lindy makes the NCAAT.

So the views are there and there isn’t any reason to hold back on CKK. Unless they were specifically told not to, if you wanted to start generating revenue off views that is how you do it. Look around the country and whenever a coach is doing bad, some beat writer is going to rattle off the list of problems and why a new direction is needed.

Last year the LA Times was pretty rough on Darvin Ham, ditto for when Robert’s choked in the playoffs for the Dodgers, until recently he’s been praised as a GOAT.

Perhaps the owners of the publications have vested interest in keeping UNLV AD happy or IMO they both know Lon Kruger and are doing him a favor. I do believe Lon is active behind the scenes to protect his son and results notwithstanding, Harper does NOT have a problem with CKK.

Rice and Menzies got heat early in their final seasons, this is year 4 and it’s going backwards. Not a peep from the media, guaranteed they are under a gag order.

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A gag order is about right for this season.

bcvegaspt2 said:

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Sebastian Circo...I was close.

Nice signing though got a few good young QB's. Had offers from Texas A&M and Nebraska at one time was listed 80% for there.

j. spilotro said:

It’s been over for awhile, for whatever reason, local press won’t talk about it. This isn’t a Jan decision, this isn’t a Feb decision, this isn’t a five game losing streak decision. This is a bad three seasons and disastrous fourth decision.

The team needed to make some real noise this season. It was evident in the early season. Unless you were one of the Kevin Kruger Kumbaya Klan members, it was very, very easy to see this team didn’t have near what it takes, it would require a huge fluke to do anything. Talent isn’t there, toughness isn’t there, coaching isn’t there, fans aren’t there.

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My understanding is that the most viewed stories for both the LVRJ and Sun are UNLV sports, whether it’s MBB, Football, or when Lindy makes the NCAAT.

So the views are there and there isn’t any reason to hold back on CKK. Unless they were specifically told not to, if you wanted to start generating revenue off views that is how you do it. Look around the country and whenever a coach is doing bad, some beat writer is going to rattle off the list of problems and why a new direction is needed.

Last year the LA Times was pretty rough on Darvin Ham, ditto for when Robert’s choked in the playoffs for the Dodgers, until recently he’s been praised as a GOAT.

Perhaps the owners of the publications have vested interest in keeping UNLV AD happy or IMO they both know Lon Kruger and are doing him a favor. I do believe Lon is active behind the scenes to protect his son and results notwithstanding, Harper does NOT have a problem with CKK.

Rice and Menzies got heat early in their final seasons, this is year 4 and it’s going backwards. Not a peep from the media, guaranteed they are under a gag order.

When the season ends i just might take some vacation days just to watch thing unfold. It will be the most exciting UNLV related time i have had since maybe signing Thomas or after OTZ departure.

Anyone know if there going to do a signing day show?

Let’s start emailing Kevin Kruger every day and if he has resigned out of decency yet

Buffel said:

HE WAS OUR LEADING REBOUNDER WITH 8 AND HAD MORE ASST THAN OUR POINT GUARD SO NOT COMPLETELY WORTHLESS. HIS SHOOTING WAS TERRIBLE THOOGH.

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Between him and Hicks they have about 90% of our hustle/IQ plays on D!