They're both worse than what Tennessee deserve(d)(s).From a standpoint of wins and losses though, I don't think anyone can argue the SEC is currently better than it was during Buzz's tenure. In my opinion, this neutralizes Cuonzo's better SEC record.
Comparing the records is moot when you look at the overall results. Zero Tournament appearances.
What you have to look at is their coaching prowess and I use that term loosely.
Buzz continued to change offensive and defensive philosophies ultimately detrimental to team chemistry. His game management was piss poor, case in point, January 20, 2004, the last Buzz coached Tennessee game I attended. Up by 3, all momentum going Tennessee's way and his inability to communicate to his team to foul allowed UK to score and tie for OT, eventually losing.
Cuonzo has poor presence in big games and as we are currently witnessing, head scratching moments that ultimately lose those games.
They are eerily similar in one aspect. Back in the day when Freak and I were doing the radio show, I referred to Buzz Peterson's style as "Option A" basketball. He was incapable of drawing up a play that had a second option if the first was well-defended. Cuonzo seems to have adopted the same philosophy. Past the drawn up "play" of getting it to one player (McRae against Mizzou, e.g.) the team had nowhere else to go.
Buzz got fired over it, Cuonzo? Who knows, but today's timeout with 3 seconds while the go-ahead basket is falling may be the death knell.
