Sylvia Hatchell out as UNC Head Coach
by RISteve (2019-04-19 04:40:08)

Stunning findings from this investigation. This program is reeling right now.

Per Raoul:

“North Carolina WBB coach Sylvia Hatchell has resigned after the investigation commissioned by the university "found issues that led us to conclude that the program needed to be taken in a new direction.””




Hundreds of male athletes take bogus academic classes
by ricf28  (2019-04-20 15:03:30)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

and the University does nothing. The NCAA says it doesn't have jurisdiction because the essentially non-existent academic program was open to all students.


Meh. Probably taking the bullet for the mens program. *
by supernd  (2019-04-19 22:30:40)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo
by joeyt28  (2019-04-19 11:13:38)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Could she re-open? To ND?


Could, Then See Who New Coach Is at NC....
by dillon77  (2019-04-19 13:06:21)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

..or circle back to the other finalist who was, oh-yeah, ND.

Three thoughts to mind:

- At this point, Malu is a defensive and rebounding specialist...which is perfect for a team that has Sam Brunelle coming to the high post (or beyond).

- How much does basketball play in her decision making?
It's hard to tell from this quote she gave on picking NC to her local paper:
"North Carolina is the perfect fit for me,” said Tshitenge. “With its prestigious academic programs and having the opportunity to play for one of the all-time great coaches, what more could I ask for?"

You could easily switch that around to ND and Muffet.

- How were things left between ND and Malu (and vice versa)?

Even though Malu initially chose NC, was everything kosher (hey, passover starts tonight) between the recruit and institution? If so, stay tuned.

If M T-M is allowed to reopen her commitment, that could give the Irish three other post options to explore: M T-M, Kylee Watson (currently on the left coast) and Sidney Cooks.


Hate to put you on the spot but
by maverick  (2019-04-19 14:32:52)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I am interested in your opinion on the order in which you'd like to them wind up in an Irish uniform. I would totally understand in you not wanting to rank them though. Love your posts


Interesting Exercise....
by dillon77  (2019-04-19 17:32:08)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

...which I thought about while exercising.

Here goes. If I was picking them from scratch for a pick-up game, I'd personally go with 1) Cooks; 2) Watson; and 3) Tshitenge-Mutombo.

However, picking them for the Irish is not done in a vacuum and as Doggie78 pointed out, they're coming in at different times and fulfilling somehat different functions due to that timing.

- If Tshitenge-Mutombo can be let out of her NC letter-of-intent (LOI), she could be here in the summer to work with this new team from scratch and could very well spell Mik Vaughn down low, offering defense and rebounding;

- Cooks would be a "normal" transfer and while she should try for a waiver (with the NCAA you never know what will happen), let's say she does not become eligible to play until 2020. However, she can work out with the team in 2019-20 and would be very valuable working with (and on) our other posts.

In 2020, I have no doubt she could then step right into a rotation and make a solid impact, much like she did in the NCAA's this March right here in South Bend. She wants to go pro and has the attributes to do so, with both inside moves, a nice jumper up to the elbow and excellent athletic ability.

- Watson would come aboard in 2020 and I think she'd be a great complement to Nat Marshall and would also work well with Sam Brunelle. HOwever, I don't think she'll see the floor much that year because Paterson will hopefully be having a kick-butt senior season

So, if you want some incremental help this year, hope for Mutuombo. But if you want some "behind the scenes help" this year and then get a solid payoff in 2020, hope for Cooks. And Watson will learn a lot in 2020-21, then be ready to contribute in 2021.


Very good explanation. I’d go for a 2020-21 run in sight.
by 2ndstreeter  (2019-04-19 21:33:44)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

The scenario with Cooks and Watson coming in then with Cooks having a year of working out with the team under her belt sounds like a winner.

This next season is a transition year no matter how you slice it imo.


Thanks, appreciate your insight/analysis *
by maverick  (2019-04-19 19:27:54)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


If MTM is let out of her LOI, she could play next year
by NDoggie78  (2019-04-19 15:26:57)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Watson is 2020
I believe Cooks would have to sit out a year so she would be 2020 as well


She would fit nicely *
by NDoggie78  (2019-04-19 12:30:18)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


A Couple of Thoughts on Resignation, Possible Successor
by dillon77  (2019-04-19 09:58:28)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Before getting into some meatier areas, did you notice they dropped this release just after midnight on Good Friday morning? Hope to escape the brunt of coverage on a holiday weekend. Geesh.

Thanks for posting. The points about racial insensitivity and possible pushing athletes to play despite injuries and/or before they were ready to come back have been floated. The third point in the release is the one that gets my attention because it shows that old school coaches need to adjust to societal changes (not the other way around):

"There has been a breakdown of connectivity between the players and Hatchell."


Many people feel Elon Head Coach Charlotte Smith was the heir apparent to this job. While doing some research, I was reminded that Charlotte Smith hit that game-winning shot in the 1994 National Championship game.

Smith seems to have done well as a head coach at Elon (NIT and NCAA appearnces) and certainly seems young enough (46?) to address that #3 criteria. I wonder if being affiliated with Coach Hatchell and/or NC would be considered a strength and/or fault. Or a little bit of both? My guess is that she 's been away from the NC program long enough to carry the good and not the bad. We'll see...

If not, maybe NC looks at two high-visibility, younger assistant coaches who are well-known for their ability to relate:
- Shea Ralph of UConn, with her North Carolina background and championship pedigree; and
- Niele Ivey of Notre Dame, also with championship pedigree and lay of the ACC.

While neither has been a head coach, perhaps NC is ready to take a shot. And they're ready to take a shot at leaving their respective alma maters' nests.

Stay tuned.


Good point on relating to players. *
by RISteve  (2019-04-19 17:34:15)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Another link (link)
by RISteve  (2019-04-19 04:41:29)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


An Analysis by ESPNw's Mechelle Voepel on UNC's Next Steps
by dillon77  (2019-04-19 18:14:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Story below brings up how UNC administration is at a crossroads with this hire. UNC has the resources (good arena, practice facilities) and there is a new ESPN-backed network coming up in August to show how good or not good the team is. Will they put up or shut up with the selection of the new coach and staff?

Voepel pointed out that any true UNC fan has to be ticked off that:
- Louisville and, in particular, Notre Dame, have just hijacked the league;
- Wes Moore's NC State team is now the triangle's best team, as opposed to UNC or Duke.

Big hire. This one's worth paying attention to...