Remember Bz

My mind's my nine, my pen's my Mac-10...

For the second straight off-season, CU Hoops coach Jeff Bzdelik's name has been bandied about with an open NBA job.

This year, the Minnesota T-Pups and coach Bz have had "informal conversations."

Why wouldn't the NBA come calling to Coach Bz again, he did win 9 games up in Boulder last year?

We already went over his shortcomings as a coach and why the heck NBA brass would consider him for their openings. But by now, it might not be the NBAers who are driving these "conversations."

Bzdelik, although only two seasons into his CU tenure, might see the proverbial writing on the wall and is keeping his name in NBA circles. The coach and his staff have struggled in their two years, not only on the floor, but somewhat on the recruting trail, at the gate, and within his own athletic department.

Bzdelik may have to face the reality that he is in over his head in the Big 12. His couple years at the Air Force Academy didn't provide him with the depth of contacts in the borderline sleazy college hoops ranks. Guys are being targeted in middle school, and programs like Kansas, Texas, and Okie State know this, and they know the people to be in touch with. More importantly, those people listen when Bill Self calls. Jeff Bzdelik on the phone for you, coach. Who?

While running the same group of set plays with disciplined Academy players will work versus TCU, that high school junk won't fly versus Mike Anderson's defense at Mizzou. Players like Blake Griffin at OU are coached to stop that crap. When that falls apart for CU, they don't have the players who can freestyle or create. Bzdelik hasn't even come close to bringing one in.

While Bz might see he is limited on the floor and off, he may also see the CU AD not moving forward as fast as he would like to help him help himself. When he was hired it was all promises on both sides: new capital projects, better opponents, increased support, champagne, cavier, and bubble baths. The dreary Coors Event Center looks a year older, they played Western State last year, and you could roll a bowling ball down the aisles and not hit a soul.

Bz might not get a head coaching NBA gig when his days at CU come to end, but by keeping his name fresh in their heads, he could be primed for an assistant role, or even his strength, scouting. For now, enjoy the CU Hoops offerings. Plenty of tickets for the School of Mines game.

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