You have to wonder if any other high profile HOF players in any sport would coach for no compensation at small time program where losses are expected to be a premium. I am sure there are some out there though... Thanks for sharing the story.
Zeke team put up a decent effort tonight losing to the defending champ Tarheels on ESPNU tonight. Final score 88-72. I only saw the last 7 mins, but his FIU team looked scrappy out there playing a more taller North Carolina team. Not having a clue as to how the other teams play (or who they are) in the Sun Belt Conference, you have to hope that this perennial losing team puts it all together under his tutelage and wins a few games and shock a few folks...
Wow. 88-72 is a pretty strong showing vs UNC. It would be a great story to see Zeke's team in the big dance in March.
Somebody likes kicking people when they're down, even after they get back up: Florida International Golden Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels - Recap - November 09, 2009 - ESPN How does a no-name school losing by only 16 to the defending national champs mean that Thomas is in for a frustrating season? Some people just like to :deadhorse In this case the dead horse seems to be the idea that Isiah Thomas sucks at everything.
I'd bet the farm on the fact that over the course of this season, on MULTIPLE occasions, larger schools from bigger conferences with better players will lose to UNC by more than 16 points. Isiah has done some questionable things over his career but the dude is TRYING to make a fresh start. Zeke deserves a break.
Man...talk about small ball. Zeke only has two guys in his rotation over 6'6 (Gacesa and Otero). FIU got out-rebounded by UNC 42-21. It's going to take a couple of years at least for Zeke to put FIU on the map and recruit some decent bigs.
It's good to see former Piston and FIU alumn, Carlos Arroyo, back in the NBA, playing reserve PG for the Heat.
I see Zeke already has a verbal commitment from one of the top 10 PFs in the nation, Domineque Ferguson, a 6'9 PF out of Indianapolis. Ferguson is also being recruited by Duke. Let's hope Ferguson honors his verbal commitment and signs with FIU. Dominique Ferguson - Yahoo! Sports
North Carolina Central Eagles vs. North Carolina Tar Heels - Recap - November 11, 2009 - ESPN Now THIS is carnage. FIU's loss looks respectable now.
Does look like Zekes team gave the Heels a much tougher game. If you look in the right hand corner it looks like U of D and Robert Morris were also set up to lose as they too got blasted by 35+ points......I hope all three teams got a nice payday visiting those ranked teams and getting run off the courts.
And lets hope he does go there and learn from Zeke, help the program and he comes to the Pistons draft him (if he excels and puts on some weigth about 4 to 5 years from now.
It's nice to see that FIU was able to win a tough road game last night for Coach Thomas, while he was away in Chicago to be with his family. Zeke seems to be having some gradual success in turning FIU program around. After a rough start, FIU is 3-4 in conference play. Not bad, considering FIU had compiled a 30-87 record in conference play over the last 7 years, before Thomas was hired. And take a look at Zeke's recruiting class for next year. Not only has he managed to sign the #13 ranked PF in the nation, Ferguson, but he's been able to recruit several highly rated high school guards, as well as a couple more junior college transfers. Sun Belt College Basketball Recruiting 2010 - ESPN
