Is Billy Donovan underrated?

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
Seeing some of 99gator's posts today made me think of this. It seems like he gets overlooked a lot. Considering what he's accomplished, does he get the credit he deserves?
 
#2
#2
Freak said:
Seeing some of 99gator's posts today made me think of this. It seems like he gets overlooked a lot. Considering what he's accomplished, does he get the credit he deserves?
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Doesn't get the credit deserved in my opinion. Coach squid gets a lot of the spotlight in the SEC, but Billy D is a great coach. I personally hate Florida, but I have nothing but respect for him as a coach.
 
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#3
#3
I think he probably is slightly underrated if that's possible. Nobody ever really mentions him with the likes of Pitino, Calipari, Kryzewski, Boeheim, Izzo, Hoffman etc, but those two national titles put him in rarified air.
 
#4
#4
There's never been a doubt in my mind that he's one of the best coaches in the NCAA. There's a reason why he was Kentucky's first choice when they was looking for another coach.
 
#5
#5
GAVol said:
I think he probably is slightly underrated if that's possible. Nobody ever really mentions him with the likes of Pitino, Calipari, Kryzewski, Boeheim, Izzo, Hoffman etc, but those two national titles put him in rarified air.
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Does that change if he wins it this year?
 
#6
#6
Freak said:
Does that change if he wins it this year?
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I don't know. I think the people that pay attention already think of him as top tier, but there will always be a segment that just know he's a coach in the SEC at a place other than Kentucky.
 
#7
#7
GAVol said:
I think he probably is slightly underrated if that's possible. Nobody ever really mentions him with the likes of Pitino, Calipari, Kryzewski, Boeheim, Izzo, Hoffman etc, but those two national titles put him in rarified air.
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Probably true to a large degree.

Out of that list you mention those guys are the most important people on their campus.
BD is behind whoever the football coach is, good or bad.
 
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#8
#8
After going undefeated this year in the SEC on top of many of his other accomplishments I think it is time to consider him in that elite tier 1 class of coaches. I fully expect Florida to make the Final Four this year.

I think Beecher makes a strong point about how basketball is second fiddle in Gainesville. I don't think Florida has as passionate a fan base as the other coaches on his level and that could be why it seems he is underrated, because he doesn't get the exposure.
 
#9
#9
Freak said:
Does that change if he wins it this year?
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Billy had a stretch of mediocrity after the two titles that caused many to attribute his success to one good recruiting class. He's always been accused of having "soft" teams during that stretch. But there's no denying the last 3 years have been at a very high level. If he wins a 3rd title I don't see how he is kept out of the conversation of the elite.

He is already better than Cal, should he win a 3rd he is above self, Williams and boheim IMO. Not many better x/o guys.
 
#10
#10
BeecherVol said:
Probably true to a large degree.

Out of that list you mention those guys are the most important people on their campus.
BD is behind whoever the football coach is, good or bad.
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Good point. I can't really think of another "second fiddle" coach that's elite.
 
#13
#13
Freak said:
Seeing some of 99gator's posts today made me think of this. It seems like he gets overlooked a lot. Considering what he's accomplished, does he get the credit he deserves?
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BRING BACK BRUCE!!

He's the Donovan slayer!!!

In all seriousness--sure, I do think Donovan is underrated....but also think we need to bring back BRUCE, too....Can I be right on both???? :salute:
 
#15
#15
I think Hardwood brought up a great point. With the highly successful NBA careers of Horford/Noah and then the mediocrity after the b2b titles, his shine wore off unfairly. Remember he has a 2000 title appearance also.

I think he's a great coach.
 
#16
#16
MikeVol44 said:
BRING BACK BRUCE!!

He's the Donovan slayer!!!

In all seriousness--sure, I do think Donovan is underrated....but also think we need to bring back BRUCE, too....Can I be right on both???? :salute:
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Seriously? Turning this into a Pearl thread.
 
#18
#18
I have a feeling he gets more respect outside the SEC. I still think he's one of the top 10 coaches in college basketball today and I've said that for well over the last 10 years.
 
#19
#19
I think he has become pretty recognized at this point as a top tier coach. His personality is very quiet and other than the lurching back and forth with the Magic some years back he's not said or done anything controversial, so he just doesn't get the face time that others have.

And he's not prone to histrionics, towards coaches, refs, or players, like a Knight or someone of that ilk. But he has quietly amassed a record that certainly seems HOF material to me.

He's 31-11 in the NCAA tourney, has the two national championships, plus another FF (NCAA runner-up in 2000), plus 4 other Elite Eights, plus four other Sweet 16s.

His win percentage is 72.5%.

My original gripe with him back in the late 90's and early 2000's was that I felt like he recruited in his own image. We had these four guard offenses that relied on the 3 point shot to be competitive. If we were on, we could play with anyone, but those kinds of teams just typically do not fare well in the NCAA tournament.

But he has figured that out, it seems, and since the '06/'07 team there has been a concerted effort on his part to recruit the 6'10" + guys , even if they aren't necessarily the pick of the litter, and he has made it work.

And the guy is only 48 years old. He could reach legend status pretty soon.
 
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#20
#20
MikeVol44 said:
BRING BACK BRUCE!!

He's the Donovan slayer!!!

In all seriousness--sure, I do think Donovan is underrated....but also think we need to bring back BRUCE, too....Can I be right on both???? :salute:
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This is the first year Tennessee has lost to Florida in two years. Not to mention, I don't think Pearl ever swept Florida in one season.
 
#21
#21
oh yea if you lay out what he's done at florida its very impressive with a team this yr that could possibly make it a 4th title game or final four appearance

plus he's doing it at FLORIDA not duke, kansas, or kentucky
 
#22
#22
Freak said:
Seeing some of 99gator's posts today made me think of this. It seems like he gets overlooked a lot. Considering what he's accomplished, does he get the credit he deserves?
Click to expand...

Yes, he is underrated.

No, he has never gotten the credit he deserves.
 
#23
#23
Hardwood_fanatic said:
Billy had a stretch of mediocrity after the two titles that caused many to attribute his success to one good recruiting class. He's always been accused of having "soft" teams during that stretch. But there's no denying the last 3 years have been at a very high level. If he wins a 3rd title I don't see how he is kept out of the conversation of the elite.

He is already better than Cal, should he win a 3rd he is above self, Williams and boheim IMO. Not many better x/o guys.
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Not to mention, he's done it all with a forehead bigger than all but manning. Must be a trait for success.
 
#24
#24
VolFreakJosh said:
Pearl has brainwashed everybody in VolNation.
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Brainwashed????

Just how much success has our current coach had against ANYBODY, not to mention Donovan's Gators.

Donovan is a GREAT coach--and has had some up and down years--but he's like a weeble--he will always rise to the top. I think Bruce is just as good and has proven it! Why is that brainwashing?

My point was very simple:

When Donovan had his BEST teams at Florida--Bruce found a way to beat them in the years the Gators won NCs...and had a VERY successful career against Donovan coached teams--and just about everyone else, too!

Tennessee 79 Florida 75 - Bruce Pearl Owns the Gators - Rocky Top Talk

Pearl was 7-1 against Donovan in 8 games over 4 years....(8-5 career) That's why I called him the "Donovan-slayer." What do you think Cuonzo's record is gonna be?

Am I trying to turn this into a Bruce discussion--NO! Just pointing out Bruce's elite status against one of the ELITE coaching talents in the SEC...

I really could care less about BB--but Pearl made me care--Cuonzo makes me wanna puke.

And--Is there ANY coach at TN over the last 30 years who has had that kind of success against the Gators in any sport? Is this not a VOLS website?

Good grief--it CAN only be VOLNATION that actually shoots their wounded when they actually PRAISE one of their most successful coaches against the Gators......:salute:
 
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