Catastrophizing about Collins

[NJcatsfan]

He’s had an amazing run at NU, bringing us to the promised land 3x and gaining widespread national respect. He’s been here 12 years. His son is graduating from this spring. If there’s a time for him to bolt, it could be now. There’s some online chatter about Villanova. IU also looking around. I’m nervous.

On the other hand! His postgame comments made it seem like he’d like to stay/extend. Some interview quotes I saw in an article (SI maybe?) also seemed that way, to my eyes. He’s got some really impressive pieces coming back, including the conference’s leading scorer and an explosive young guard who just showed us what he’s capable of (assuming we lock them both in w $). And then there’s the really exciting incoming recruiting class. I’ve heard the program is ready to do some work in the portal (need bigs) and spend accordingly. Collins is building something here & the future looks bright.

My strong hope is that Collins uses outside interest and rumors as leverage to motivate NU brass to not just extend him generously…but also to provide assurances of $$$ for assistants and serious NIL.

We need Chris to stay home. Make it happen, NU.

 

[phatcat]

I understand that Villanova has a higher bball profile than NU (almost all major conf teams do) but if he leaves for money, that's ridiculous. NU should be swimming in athletics money from B1G media contracts

 

[macarthur31]

He’s had an amazing run at NU, bringing us to the promised land 3x and gaining widespread national respect. He’s been here 12 years. His son is graduating from this spring. If there’s a time for him to bolt, it could be now. There’s some online chatter about Villanova. IU also looking around. I’m nervous.

On the other hand! His postgame comments made it seem like he’d like to stay/extend. Some interview quotes I saw in an article (SI maybe?) also seemed that way, to my eyes. He’s got some really impressive pieces coming back, including the conference’s leading scorer and an explosive young guard who just showed us what he’s capable of (assuming we lock them both in w $). And then there’s the really exciting incoming recruiting class. I’ve heard the program is ready to do some work in the portal (need bigs) and spend accordingly. Collins is building something here & the future looks bright.

My strong hope is that Collins uses outside interest and rumors as leverage to motivate NU brass to not just extend him generously…but also to provide assurances of $$$ for assistants and serious NIL.

We need Chris to stay home. Make it happen, NU.

Regarding SI - I don't read that outlet anymore, as its a shell of what it was, but I'm guessing those quotes were pulled from his last post-game presser which is on YouTube. (I heard one of the questioners identify themselves as "SI") The way he fielded his question seemed sincere in that he blocks all that stuff out during the season, and it will be handled in good time. He also spoke of how much he and his family consider Northwestern home (however, if one was really trying to read something, I'd concede there could be a "past-tense" tone to that element.

I'm concerned, but trying not to panic about it - after all, if his heart wants to try a new journey, there's no stopping it. However, if it's a slowplay by NU (either by admin, or perhaps by Jackson himself who might be eager assert his role as AD and hire his guy), then I'm gonna be very surly.

There's chatter about "promote Lowery" or even "promote BMac." The former has shown his acumen in teaching and delivering a great defense, but to be determined if he's learned from his first stint coaching SIU (taking over for mentor Bruce Weber); the latter is a great narrative, and perhaps his proximity in age of the players may be a plus, but he's totally unproven and likely live through growing pains. Collins had been the top assistant to Coach K at Duke and USA Basketball, and he admitted in the presser that there were times he had no idea what he was doing in his first year.

Even if next year looks like to be a "rebuilding year" - I can't think of a better captain to set the culture like Nick Martinelli and Justin Mullins, and overall we're trending up. Would hate to start over.

 

[Catdude]

I don’t think he’d leave because of money but rather more because he feels he has a better chance of building a national title contender at Villanova. It is MUCH easier to succeed with Villanova in the Big East than with NU in the Big 10. I really hope Collins stays at NU but can see him leaving if he feels that he’s reached the ceiling. I don’t think he has but can understand if he feels that way.

 

[WildScott54]

I don’t think he’d leave because of money but rather more because he feels he has a better chance of building a national title contender at Villanova. It is MUCH easier to succeed with Villanova in the Big East than with NU in the Big 10. I really hope Collins stays at NU but can see him leaving if he feels that he’s reached the ceiling. I don’t think he has but can understand if he feels that way.

If Jackson allows Collins to leave and keeps Coach Joe, then we hired the wrong AD.

 

[macarthur31]

He’s had an amazing run at NU, bringing us to the promised land 3x and gaining widespread national respect. He’s been here 12 years. His son is graduating from this spring. If there’s a time for him to bolt, it could be now. There’s some online chatter about Villanova. IU also looking around. I’m nervous.

On the other hand! His postgame comments made it seem like he’d like to stay/extend. Some interview quotes I saw in an article (SI maybe?) also seemed that way, to my eyes. He’s got some really impressive pieces coming back, including the conference’s leading scorer and an explosive young guard who just showed us what he’s capable of (assuming we lock them both in w $). And then there’s the really exciting incoming recruiting class. I’ve heard the program is ready to do some work in the portal (need bigs) and spend accordingly. Collins is building something here & the future looks bright.

My strong hope is that Collins uses outside interest and rumors as leverage to motivate NU brass to not just extend him generously…but also to provide assurances of $$$ for assistants and serious NIL.

We need Chris to stay home. Make it happen, NU.

A-ha - found that article you were refeerring to. I stand corrected - apparently, the author was able to get interview time with Collins and the quote he gets seems positive:

"I think we're positioned," Collins said. "I love what [Athletic Director] Mark Jackson has brought. I love his experience being at USC, being at Villanova, he gets it. And I think we're all on the same page to want to be competitive with the best of the best. I feel good. It's going to be a big offseason."

 

[IGNORE2]

He’s had an amazing run at NU, bringing us to the promised land 3x and gaining widespread national respect. He’s been here 12 years. His son is graduating from this spring. If there’s a time for him to bolt, it could be now. There’s some online chatter about Villanova. IU also looking around. I’m nervous.

On the other hand! His postgame comments made it seem like he’d like to stay/extend. Some interview quotes I saw in an article (SI maybe?) also seemed that way, to my eyes. He’s got some really impressive pieces coming back, including the conference’s leading scorer and an explosive young guard who just showed us what he’s capable of (assuming we lock them both in w $). And then there’s the really exciting incoming recruiting class. I’ve heard the program is ready to do some work in the portal (need bigs) and spend accordingly. Collins is building something here & the future looks bright.

My strong hope is that Collins uses outside interest and rumors as leverage to motivate NU brass to not just extend him generously…but also to provide assurances of $$$ for assistants and serious NIL.

We need Chris to stay home. Make it happen, NU.

There was a young football coach at NU that finessed his success and desirability into some big money and program enhancements.

Hope that’s the play for ccc too. More on the program enhancement front. But I believe ccc will sign a big extension this offseason or depart.

 

[Hkjb]

Regarding SI - I don't read that outlet anymore, as its a shell of what it was, but I'm guessing those quotes were pulled from his last post-game presser which is on YouTube. (I heard one of the questioners identify themselves as "SI") The way he fielded his question seemed sincere in that he blocks all that stuff out during the season, and it will be handled in good time. He also spoke of how much he and his family consider Northwestern home (however, if one was really trying to read something, I'd concede there could be a "past-tense" tone to that element.

I'm concerned, but trying not to panic about it - after all, if his heart wants to try a new journey, there's no stopping it. However, if it's a slowplay by NU (either by admin, or perhaps by Jackson himself who might be eager assert his role as AD and hire his guy), then I'm gonna be very surly.

There's chatter about "promote Lowery" or even "promote BMac." The former has shown his acumen in teaching and delivering a great defense, but to be determined if he's learned from his first stint coaching SIU (taking over for mentor Bruce Weber); the latter is a great narrative, and perhaps his proximity in age of the players may be a plus, but he's totally unproven and likely live through growing pains. Collins had been the top assistant to Coach K at Duke and USA Basketball, and he admitted in the presser that there were times he had no idea what he was doing in his first year.

Even if next year looks like to be a "rebuilding year" - I can't think of a better captain to set the culture like Nick Martinelli and Justin Mullins, and overall we're trending up. Would hate to start over.

I agree. On the coaching front, this is the staff we need. We've seen multiple players improve year on year with these coaches. Can't help but wonder if the treatment NU gets from the conference will figure into his thinking (e.g. can I continue to succeed here if the deck is stacked?) or even into the negotiations (e.g. expectation that NU gives the Bball program more air cover versus the conference).