3/31: #1 seed, #1 ranked Duke, 31-5, in the national semifinal. They’re only 6-3 vs. ranked teams but they can play. This won’t be easy!
4/1: We fall behind early. Down 6 after 10.43-49 at the break. 15, 4 for Nate, 10, 4 for Harp but he has 3 fouls. We’re winning inside but losing outside. The difference is at the line where we’re down 8.
Down 5 with 10 left. Tied with 4 minutes to go.
100-102. They hit a 12 footer off a double screen at the buzzer. The difference was at the line. We were 5-12, they were 23-30.
4/3: #17 Kansas beats Duke for the title.
4/4: Awards: I am national and conf. COY. Marq Harp is conf. POY and 1st team along with Leon Nate.
4/9: Time to move on?
I’m visiting Ohio ST, Oregon, and Mississippi ST.
Going to Mississippi ST.
Starkville, MS isn’t all that far from New Orleans but it sure is different. Not a party town by any means. Still, MS ST offers me opportunities I could never have at New Orleans. Bigger budget is a huge factor. I took N. O. about as far as I could take them. I think I can take this team even farther, or move to an even better school to do that.
4/16: The assistants all stay and all of them are very good.
4/23: I ask for a facilities upgrade.
Yes. C+ to B!
34-5, Final Four. For 4 years at N. O., 123-23, .842. Pretty good!
On to a new beginning!
“Bobby Joe Smith, WMIS. I’m here with new coach of MS ST Bulldogs, Allie Cash. Coach, high expectations after what you did at New Orleans.”
“I welcome that. We plan to do big things. I’m inheriting a really good team and I think we can be pretty darn good right from the start.”
“Another step on the road to being the all time greatest?”
“That’s the plan!”