https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1768684244459536482?s=46&t=PXTiTKoGV0aVfWCl4sMW5Q
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Thatās a power move. Johnson seems like a decent coach. With Romar using his recruiting prowess, Iād expect LMU to bring in some impressive talent and get back to contention on short order.
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Interesting and a bit awkwardā¦like if Dick Davey were to join the USF or SMC staff.
I imagine the LMU - Pepp rivalry is not at itās most fervent as both programs have been moribund for the better part of the past ~20yearsā¦but still, awkward, especially when it is immediately after being let go by Pepp.
And it will really get weird if some of Peppās top talent transfers to LMUā¦Porter, Ajayi, Mallette.
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Also itās not like Romar has anyone who wants him as a D1 coachā¦ Johnson is a friend and is throwing the old man a bone. Itās not like LMU or Pepp is headed toward anything other than lower half WCC finishes. Both those programs look like they are dying to me.
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Pepperdine seems downright moribund, which is interesting since they have had big success in other sports (i.e., they seem to give a damn in some respects). They straight up won the college world series, and have been pretty good at baseball since (1992). Theyāve won the golf championship twice, as recently as 2021, with a wave near the top of the leaderboard today in the Players.
And they had their moments in basketball into the early 2000s. They desperately need a new gym, which they have saber-rattled about but never pulled off. I wonder if they have recruiting issues related to the religious nature of the school? Who knows.
Any way, strange they can field so competitive teams, especially in the late 90s to early 00s - there is a formula to have a winning AD there. But how to rekindle, I donāt know.
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Or is making a play to get a bunch of transfers from Peppā¦Iām guessing that there are at least 2-3 Waves portal guys who are loyal to Romar.
Perhaps, but even if LMU/Pepp formed an all-star team theyād probably finish 5th in the WCC.
Iād guess Mallett, Ajayi, and Porter have bigger sights than LMUā¦ they already know what the bottom of the WCC looks like.
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I usually just observe this, but I think that this is totally wrong. Yes, both teams finished low in the conference this year, but LMU was beat up by injury. Thereās just no chance that a LMU/Pepp super team of Mallette (Pepp), Harris (LMU), Ajayi (Pepp), Merkviladze (LMU), Porter Jr (Pepp) starting and Johnston (LMU), Moore (Pepp), Graham (LMU), Cooper (Pepp) off the bench would finish fifth in the WCC. Not saying LMU is gonna get all these guys, but thatās a scary team
You sound like an LMU fan. If so, good luck with that. Cheer hard while you can. Lots of contraction in terms of D1 athletics seems inevitable over the next 5 years. After that youāll probably need to find a new team to root for.
If showing basic knowledge of other teams in our conference makes me a fan of them so be it. I would take Romar on Herbs staff in a heartbeat. Imagine us with OāNeil, Tilly, Porter Jr, Ajayi. Whoās stopping that?
Romar on Herbās staffā¦ that would scare me, 2 guys who canāt use common sense to coach. Iām not sure SCU would ever get the ball across half court with those 2 coaches (we already canāt get it inbounds from under the basket). Trust me 1 of those guys is damaging enough.
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ā2 guys who canāt use common sense to coach. Iām not sure SCU would ever get the ball across half court with those 2 coachesā
Ok I laughed too hard, that took me out lol
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A rash of WCC transfers in the last few days, highlighted by LMUās Dom Harris, transferring a 2nd year in a row after transferring from GU last year.
Also, Moe Odum and Judson Martindale from Pacific, and 5 from Portland including part-time starting forwards Vasilje Vucinic and Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams.
Odum is an athletic and solid point guard, got to the rim on the Broncos fairly easily but not much of shooter. Martindale can shoot it but not much else. Yamanouchi is a fairly athletic forward who can shoot it from 3 but barely played at Portland due to injuries.
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Pacific hires Dave Smart. Texas Tech assistant. Formerly the longtime coach for Carleton U in Canada and won multiple national championships.
Seems like a good hireā¦better than I would have expected.
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Broncos assistant coach Scott Garson is one of four finalists for the head coaching vacancy at Fresno St.
The most recognized name of this group is former Indiana Hoosier, Keith Smart.
He was offered the Utah Valley job last year but his wife didnāt want to leave the Bay Area for Orem.
Mogbo allegedly entering his name into the draft to test the waters. Itās not super likely that he goes pro, in my opinion, but losing Mogbo would be a huge setback for the Dons if it came to pass.
Makes sense for Mogbo, no harm in doing so.
Heās got NBA written all over him. Athletic, rebounds, finishes strong at the rim, can defend multiple positions. Could be a Brandon Clark type high energy guy, doesnāt need to score a lot to make an impact.
He needs to develop a more reliable perimeter game, if not from 3, then be deadly from elbow, short corner, 15-17 ft. If he can do that then heād be a strong threat in pick n rolls.
Romar to LMU paying off for Johnsonā¦
Former 2024 Pepperdine commit, 3 or 4 start Marley Zeller, 6-5 wing, decommitted from Pepp when Romar was fired, reopened recruiting and just committed to LMU.
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