Davis = Lavin

If you read my blog, you know I'm not a Davis fan. I think he is a nice guy, but he is in way over his head at IU. He did a nice job stepping in as an interim coach for one year, but IU made a fatal mistake not opening the job up to the most qualified applicants. Instead they gave Davis HUGE money and he is a marginal coach at best.

Yet every game the announcers shower praise on Mike Davis as the next Coach K. Come on, I didn't just start watching basketball last week. Although even if I had, I think I could watch a week full of games on ESPN and ESPN2 and Davis wouldn't be in my top 30 coaches.

So last night I was at the game, and thankfully didn't have to listen to the announcers, although my uncle did an adequate job of praising Davis. Yet this morning, I have 3 different co-workers comment on Lavin providing a Davis Love Fest. Then I go to IndyStar.com and an article was written about Lavin praising Davis. When did an announcer's opinions become a news story? Does the Star feel like they have to convince me that Davis is a great coach? This is disgusting!

Lavin impressed with Davis - Indy Star

ESPN television analyst Steve Lavin, a former head coach at UCLA and Purdue assistant, said he's seen enough of Davis this season to believe his job with the Hoosiers should not be in jeopardy.

"I've now seen eight practices the day before (Indiana) games, and eight walkthroughs on game days, and I've always been impressed with Indiana's preparation, their scouting reports and their thoroughness," Lavin said. "So I've never really understood this perception or consensus that Mike Davis isn't a good coach.

"When you add that he's 17-8 (actually 17-9) in March, he's 6-3 in the NCAA tournament, he's been to a Final Four, and he has this outstanding recruiting class coming in and great nucleus returning, I just don't know what people expect. I think Indiana needs to realize that it has a pretty good basketball coach in Mike Davis."

That makes me want to PUKE! First off, there is a reason Lavin isn't still coaching at UCLA. He was a good assistant that could recruit, but couldn't coach a lick once he became "The Man!" Hmmmm... does that sound familiar? Maybe Lavin is seeing a little of himself in Davis and of course he thinks he is a good coach. Or maybe he is just like all the other Purdue guys that came by my cube on game day yelling "Go IU!" Then today stopped by saying"Give Davis a contract extension!"

I find it very interesting that all our rivals are wanting us to keep Mike Davis. Why could that be? Because they also can see that he can't coach a lick... sure seems like it.