Here's a portal tracker of Big 10 guards available now:

https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/big-ten-basketball-transfer-portal-tracker

Don't overthink this, Amir needs to be at Cal.

also AZ guard Kerr Kriisa entered the portal today

stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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Or perhaps a preference for AAR.

stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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I just don't understand the love for him.

UCSB is in the NIL game, UCSB has had no tourney success and really was not any better than Irvine or Fullerton in conference, Kelly went there and looked disinterested and out of shape most of the time with no real development of his game, and it's not like JP lit the world on fire with his recruiting.

Amir brings the juice, don't overthink this

stu said:

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IMHO bring in a stud PG is a plus but not a deal maker.

To me both AAR and JP sound like massive improvements over our last two "coaches". I'd be more than happy if we hired either but I don't have the information or the skills to rank one over the other.

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I agree that both AAR and JP are appealing choices. Both turned around programs that had only won six games in the season before they were hired and eventually took them to the NCAA tournament. Between AAR and JP, it is hard to say who would be better. A lot will depend on how they interview and their visions for the program. Either one would bring HOPE for Cal fans of a turnaround, and we are in desperate need of that.

BearSD said:

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SBGold said:

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stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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I just don't understand the love for him.

UCSB is in the NIL game, UCSB has had no tourney success and really was not any better than Irvine or Fullerton in conference, Kelly went there and looked disinterested and out of shape most of the time with no real development of his game, and it's not like JP lit the world on fire with his recruiting.

Amir brings the juice, don't overthink this

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You know, it's not necessary to start a brand new thread just to say this again and again. You could have just posted this stuff as a comment in your first pro-AAR thread.

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Maybe, but the OP was an absolutely correct point. It doesn't say whether JP or AAR is a better choice, just that the (rumored) ability to bring in one guy shouldn't make a difference.

I don't know enough to say whether JP or AAR is a better choice. But I want the guy who will make the program the best it can be in 2023-24 through, say, 2027-28. I don't think the hire should be based on whether Coach A can bring in Player X. That kind of decision is to lose the forest for the trees. Shocky has pretty clear indicated that his preference for JP is based on the ability to bring in Ajay, and I agree with the OP that this is bad thinking.

That doesn't mean JP isn't the right choice. And I seriously doubt that Knowlton will take the ability to bring in Ajay into the equation. Even if it was a good idea to hire Coach A because he can bring in player Y, I don't think Knowlton is knowledgeable enough about basketball to factor that in, so I'll bet Knowlton will ignore it.

In sum, the point of the OP is correct, but I don't think he needs to worry, I don't think that will be a factor for Knowlton, not because Knowlton is smart enough to exclude it, but because he doesn't know enough to think about factoring it in.

Cal8285 said:

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BearSD said:

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SBGold said:

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stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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I just don't understand the love for him.

UCSB is in the NIL game, UCSB has had no tourney success and really was not any better than Irvine or Fullerton in conference, Kelly went there and looked disinterested and out of shape most of the time with no real development of his game, and it's not like JP lit the world on fire with his recruiting.

Amir brings the juice, don't overthink this

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You know, it's not necessary to start a brand new thread just to say this again and again. You could have just posted this stuff as a comment in your first pro-AAR thread.

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Maybe, but the OP was an absolutely correct point. It doesn't say whether JP or AAR is a better choice, just that the (rumored) ability to bring in one guy shouldn't make a difference.

I don't know enough to say whether JP or AAR is a better choice. But I want the guy who will make the program the best it can be in 2023-24 through, say, 2027-28. I don't think the hire should be based on whether Coach A can bring in Player X. That kind of decision is to lose the forest for the trees. Shocky has pretty clear indicated that his preference for JP is based on the ability to bring in Ajay, and I agree with the OP that this is bad thinking.

That doesn't mean JP isn't the right choice. And I seriously doubt that Knowlton will take the ability to bring in Ajay into the equation. Even if it was a good idea to hire Coach A because he can bring in player Y, I don't think Knowlton is knowledgeable enough about basketball to factor that in, so I'll bet Knowlton will ignore it.

In sum, the point of the OP is correct, but I don't think he needs to worry, I don't think that will be a factor for Knowlton, not because Knowlton is smart enough to exclude it, but because he doesn't know enough to think about factoring it in.

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Yes, this is correct 100%.

4thGenCal said:

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SBGold said:

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stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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I just don't understand the love for him.

UCSB is in the NIL game, UCSB has had no tourney success and really was not any better than Irvine or Fullerton in conference, Kelly went there and looked disinterested and out of shape most of the time with no real development of his game, and it's not like JP lit the world on fire with his recruiting.

Amir brings the juice, don't overthink this

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As have been stated earlier, Andre's Mom credits Joe P with "saving my son's life". Many other issues going on besides his performance on the court. AK also gives credit to JP for caring about me and supporting him. Look at JP's record as well over the past 5 years when he took over a bottom dweller program.

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I did and I am not impressed. It's not like their success and his recruiting has set the world on fire.

Moot point?

Abdur-Rahim is not believed to be a serious candidate for the Cal job. But it would still behoove KSU to get him locked up to a new deal. https://t.co/sOIvuw6ETJ

— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) March 22, 2023

BC Calfan said:

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Moot point?

Abdur-Rahim is not believed to be a serious candidate for the Cal job. But it would still behoove KSU to get him locked up to a new deal. https://t.co/sOIvuw6ETJ

— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) March 22, 2023

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It's BS

"Not BELIEVED to be a serious candidate...", by who? Anyone who matters?

Pittstop said:

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"Not BELIEVED to be a serious candidate...", by who? Anyone who matters?

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It only matters if Knowlton or anyone who can influence him believes someone is a serious candidate.

Probably propaganda from KSU. While it's possible he failed his interview at Cal, if given the option between the Pac-12 and whatever league KSU is in that would be a no-brainer (lifestyle, pay, resume, etc)

Gkhoury2325 said:

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Pasternak has a history of being a great recruiter at Cal and Arizona. He has a pipeline to Prolific Prep and the Oakland Soldiers. He has a better recruits and team at UCSB than Cal does now. He has over .500 record. He also has some donors who want him and is very familiar to the UC system for admissions. This is not my opinion these are facts. He is a seamless fit for Cal.

AAR I'm sure can do well and may even have a higher ceiling, but has a much lower floor if it does not work out. He has no proven WC ties to recruiting. I actually like him and he is endorsed by you, J. Brown and His brother. He appears to be a great person and loves his players. He is someone to be admired.

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Pasternack is not actually credited with directly recruiting many players to Cal or Arizona according to the 247 recruiting database. Yet Miller made him Associate Head Coach. The guys that did the recruiting of the players testified under oath that Pasternack arranged the payments. His contacts were supposedly at a higher level. Shoe companies. AAU coaches. Prolific Prep. Arizona boosters. Which is to say, if true, he could be a really effective program builder as the Cal HC in the NIL era.

touchdownbears43 said:

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Probably propaganda from KSU. While it's possible he failed his interview at Cal, if given the option between the Pac-12 and whatever league KSU is in that would be a no-brainer (lifestyle, pay, resume, etc)

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KSU is supposed to be moving up to a bigger league and AAR might actually prefer the lifestyle in the area where he grew up. But if he did interview he's interested.

... said:

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...
Abdur-Rahim has had one good season and has a .378 win percentage in 4 years at Kennesaw State, he is 29 games below .500. He was impressive but has only one good season. Doesn't have the west coast ties, especially in California, which is critical to success at Cal. Plus, has not had to deal academics like Pasternack has.

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AAR started with nothing and did better each year. His trajectory is a lot more impressive than his cumulative record.

Nothing against JP, all of his UCSB teams have done well and he has a longer track record.

dan1997 said:

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We need the best fit for Cal and it's Pasternack. In 6 seasons at UCSB, he has a .714 win percentage and set a school record with 27 wins this season. He's been to NCAA Tournament 2 of last 3 years. He is extremely versed in the NIL landscape and has had to deal with tough admissions. He has recruited to a high level at both Cal and Arizona, plus beat high majors for recruits at UCSB. Most importantly for Cal, he engineered the greatest turnaround in the history of college basketball, inheriting a 6-win team and won 23 games in his first season at UCSB.

Abdur-Rahim has had one good season and has a .378 win percentage in 4 years at Kennesaw State, he is 29 games below .500. He was impressive but has only one good season. Doesn't have the west coast ties, especially in California, which is critical to success at Cal. Plus, has not had to deal academics like Pasternack has.

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In what way is he "extremely versed in the NIL landscape"?? He has studied it? Whatever UCSB has done in terms of NIL, it is insignificant compared to what would need to be done at Cal.

Let's face it, NIL is just getting started, and really, NOBODY is "extremely versed in the NIL landscape" yet. Starting to get it figured out? Sure. And it is different to "embrace" NIL versus understanding it.

In that respect, all we need is someone smart enough to understand and figure it out as best as anybody can figure it out. Any intelligent coach, whether Pasternack or AAR or someone else with brains, can get enough help to figure out how to navigate the NIL landscape, as long as they are interested in doing so. If power conference NIL had been around for 10 years, I might say we want someone who has been at a power conference school to understand NIL. Which still could be Pasternack or AAR or someone else. But since it is still in its infancy, neither Pasternack nor AAR has power conference experience with NIL, which is more important than mid-major experience.

West coast ties are very helpful in hitting the ground running, but I care more about the long term, a good coach will build west coast ties fast, plus, with the right assistants, there will be some west coast ties right away.

The best argument for JP in your post is experience with academic issues.

I don't know who the best choice is, I'm hoping those helping Knowlton can figure it out and persuade Knowlton. But I'm not sure it matters who the best choice is, because I'm not confident Knowlton will pick the best choice.

bearsandgiants said:

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stu said:

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touchdownbears43 said:

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Probably propaganda from KSU. While it's possible he failed his interview at Cal, if given the option between the Pac-12 and whatever league KSU is in that would be a no-brainer (lifestyle, pay, resume, etc)

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KSU is supposed to be moving up to a bigger league and AAR might actually prefer the lifestyle in the area where he grew up. But if he did interview he's interested.

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People often interview for leverage. If a zoom call with Cal can help double your salary at KSU, why not click the mouse and have a go?

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Good point. I hope that's why Miles is interviewing.

ducky23 said:

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SBGold said:

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4thGenCal said:

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SBGold said:

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stanfurdbites said:

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We get it. You don't want Pasternack.

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I just don't understand the love for him.

UCSB is in the NIL game, UCSB has had no tourney success and really was not any better than Irvine or Fullerton in conference, Kelly went there and looked disinterested and out of shape most of the time with no real development of his game, and it's not like JP lit the world on fire with his recruiting.

Amir brings the juice, don't overthink this

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As have been stated earlier, Andre's Mom credits Joe P with "saving my son's life". Many other issues going on besides his performance on the court. AK also gives credit to JP for caring about me and supporting him. Look at JP's record as well over the past 5 years when he took over a bottom dweller program.

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I did and I am not impressed. It's not like their success and his recruiting has set the world on fire.

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I have very similar concerns. Obviously none of us really have enough information to make an educated decision between the two.

But what confuses me with some on this board is this unrelenting belief that JP will automatically start bringing in 4-5 star guys. Where is the actual evidence for this?

I'm not impressed with his work at AZ since AZ more or less recruits itself. Yes he has all these so called connections, but where are the results from these connections? His classes at UCSB have been fairly whatever. He also doesn't strike me as an inspirational leader or father figure who would attract young black men. Yes I understand some donors are already lining up major NIL dollars if he's hired, but I'll believe that when I see it. As of now, there's nothing in his track record that convinces me that he's this no doubt ace recruiter.

Yes he may end up being the better choice over AAR. But I don't think it's this clear cut and obvious decision that many JP proponents make it out to be.

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When was the last time cal was I the dance 2 out of 3 years?

Who has ever had an all star class in the big west?

And yes, he recruited California for Miller and no, zona does not recruit itself.

dan1997 said:

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calumnus said:

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Gkhoury2325 said:

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Pasternak has a history of being a great recruiter at Cal and Arizona. He has a pipeline to Prolific Prep and the Oakland Soldiers. He has a better recruits and team at UCSB than Cal does now. He has over .500 record. He also has some donors who want him and is very familiar to the UC system for admissions. This is not my opinion these are facts. He is a seamless fit for Cal.

AAR I'm sure can do well and may even have a higher ceiling, but has a much lower floor if it does not work out. He has no proven WC ties to recruiting. I actually like him and he is endorsed by you, J. Brown and His brother. He appears to be a great person and loves his players. He is someone to be admired.

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Pasternack is not actually credited with directly recruiting many players to Cal or Arizona according to the 247 recruiting database. Yet Miller made him Associate Head Coach. The guys that did the recruiting of the players testified under oath that Pasternack arranged the payments. His contacts were supposedly at a higher level. Shoe companies. AAU coaches. Prolific Prep. Arizona boosters. Which is to say, if true, he could be a really effective program builder as the Cal HC in the NIL era.

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This is absolutely false in regards to Pasternack arranging payments. He was never under investigation and was fully cleared in investigations by NCAA and Arizona.

Pasternack was lead recruiter on players like Aaron Gordon, Stanley Johnson and Brandon Ashley at Arizona. Plus Patrick Christopher, Ryan Anderson, Harper Kamp, DeVon Hardin and Ayinde Ubaka to Cal, plus was heavily involved in landing Leon Powe.

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What I said is he isn't credited with recruiting those guys on the 247 database: Aaron Gordon and Brandon Ashley are credited to James Whitford while Stanley Johnson is created to Sean Miller and Emanuel (Book) Richardson. At Cal, there is no recruiter listed, but we know Braun, Raynaud also recruited, especially the local guys and the LA guys. They we not all tgst highly rated so if part of what Pasternack did was also scouting and identifying talent, great. But your "100

What I said was there was testimony under oath that Pasternack arranged the payments. I qualified my statements with "if true" but the rest is absolutely true.

Maybe 247 is wrong, maybe the others lied under oath, but what I wrote is not "absolutely wrong."

Pasternack "wasn't investigated" and "was fully cleared by investigations"? Which was it? Whichever it was, same goes for Sean Miller too, right? Point is, I don't care. I would take Sean Miller. If (I said "if") they did anything, it is pretty much legal now and is now a valuable skill. I think, if true, it shows Pasternack could be very effective at the new world of recruiting whike coordinating NIL payments to players from boosters.