Guys, I've said all of this before, but all of the "We can get really good by doing _____ or hiring _______" sounds terrific in theory. In reality, a LOT of things must come into place and timing and luck play way larger roles than anyone wants to admit.
Although Fox had some moderate success, Georgia was in a worse position than most of the SEC by 2018-19. Nearly all SEC rosters were stronger. In Fox's final season (2017-18), he had Yante Maten, a senior star who led the SEC in scoring. Georgia could only go 18-15 (7-11). A mere two years later, Tom Crean obtained a freshman star in Anthony Edwards to pair with other freshmen (Wheeler and Camara) and a nice junior in Hammonds who he inherited. That inexperienced squad went 16-16 (5-13). The season ended on a win in the SEC Tourney when everything shut down due to COVID-19.
Although Fox was obviously fired because it was clear that things were trending downward while the rest of the SEC lapped Georgia, Crean was vilified just two years later for achieving basically what Fox did while counting heavily on freshmen and some inherited upperclassmen guards with limited skillsets. That team lost numerous close SEC games that almost surely would've been wins had Claxton not entered the draft. But social media didn't care. Irrational fans didn't care. Crean was basically on thin ice at that point.
Tasked with turning a school that has almost never been a true factor in basketball into a consistent winner within a couple of years when the rest of the conference was already in far better position is as irrational as it gets. Crean's third season actually did show improvement, but again, it seemed like nobody cared. "We still didn't make the tournament," they said. His hot seat got even hotter.
And then in April 2021, the NCAA changed its transfer rules to allow players to transfer anywhere with immediate eligibility. Total chaos ensued. Some schools benefited from the free agency. Others were hurt badly. It can't be that everyone benefits. Georgia, without significant basketball history and perhaps without having added another star piece to keep players engaged, is devastated. Again, it is all Tom Crean's fault according to most fans and media. Social media is brutal. Crean was responsible for acquiring said players in the first place, so he has to be the only reason that they are now leaving -- How does that make sense?
I'm not defending the recent unraveling related to the locker room fight between assistants or the bizarre Zoom snafu. Obviously, Crean will not be retained.
But the irrational mindset of so many helped get us here. Georgia can possibly be good. I understand that non-traditional powers have risen, and that Georgia feels like it should be able to do the same. Pearl's record at Auburn in his first three years was virtually identical to Crean's at Georgia. Questionable recruiting tactics aside, I guarantee you that Pearl would've had a more difficult time making the leap in years 4-5 had the transfer rule been in place then.
Although Fox had some moderate success, Georgia was in a worse position than most of the SEC by 2018-19. Nearly all SEC rosters were stronger. In Fox's final season (2017-18), he had Yante Maten, a senior star who led the SEC in scoring. Georgia could only go 18-15 (7-11). A mere two years later, Tom Crean obtained a freshman star in Anthony Edwards to pair with other freshmen (Wheeler and Camara) and a nice junior in Hammonds who he inherited. That inexperienced squad went 16-16 (5-13). The season ended on a win in the SEC Tourney when everything shut down due to COVID-19.
Although Fox was obviously fired because it was clear that things were trending downward while the rest of the SEC lapped Georgia, Crean was vilified just two years later for achieving basically what Fox did while counting heavily on freshmen and some inherited upperclassmen guards with limited skillsets. That team lost numerous close SEC games that almost surely would've been wins had Claxton not entered the draft. But social media didn't care. Irrational fans didn't care. Crean was basically on thin ice at that point.
Tasked with turning a school that has almost never been a true factor in basketball into a consistent winner within a couple of years when the rest of the conference was already in far better position is as irrational as it gets. Crean's third season actually did show improvement, but again, it seemed like nobody cared. "We still didn't make the tournament," they said. His hot seat got even hotter.
And then in April 2021, the NCAA changed its transfer rules to allow players to transfer anywhere with immediate eligibility. Total chaos ensued. Some schools benefited from the free agency. Others were hurt badly. It can't be that everyone benefits. Georgia, without significant basketball history and perhaps without having added another star piece to keep players engaged, is devastated. Again, it is all Tom Crean's fault according to most fans and media. Social media is brutal. Crean was responsible for acquiring said players in the first place, so he has to be the only reason that they are now leaving -- How does that make sense?
I'm not defending the recent unraveling related to the locker room fight between assistants or the bizarre Zoom snafu. Obviously, Crean will not be retained.
But the irrational mindset of so many helped get us here. Georgia can possibly be good. I understand that non-traditional powers have risen, and that Georgia feels like it should be able to do the same. Pearl's record at Auburn in his first three years was virtually identical to Crean's at Georgia. Questionable recruiting tactics aside, I guarantee you that Pearl would've had a more difficult time making the leap in years 4-5 had the transfer rule been in place then.
