I. Wish.
Five of ESPN's top hoop "gurus" ranked their Top 10 most underachieving basketball programs of the past 10 years. Georgia made three of the five lists. Dawgnoxious found the silver lining here:
At least people believe we're capable of being a better program. It would worse if they thought this was as good as we could be.Given the in state recruiting base and the brief moments of explosive results ('83, '90, '96, '02, and '03), it's hard to argue that there is big upside here. So I think the inclusion on this list is totally fair.
My own Top 3 Underachievers list for the same period:
- 1. Arkansas - How the mighty have fallen. A world class arena, all the Wal-Mart money and an elite tradition has gotten them John Pelphrey. Seriously? Pelphrey?
2. Michigan - Like Arkansas and Georgia, probation has been an anchor on the program. The other anchor being Tommy Amaker's offense, defense and recruiting.
3. Missouri - Fourteen Big 8 Regular Season and/or Conference Tourney titles and 21 NCAA appearances for this tradition rich program. Only one Sweet 16 trip in the past 10 seasons. Facilities include a new $75 million arena which opened in '04.
Others who achieve mind blowingly little despite their recruiting, conference, tradition, and/or facilities are UVA, South Carolina, St. John's and Purdue. I'll never understand how St. John's can accomplish so little in hoops.
See Also:
-- Bestwick on The future of UGA Hoops - GSB
-- UGA Hoops: If I only knew how to quit you - GSB ('06)
PWD