The Tubby Motive

Links (2)

Tubby and Saul
Published 6/18/2007 by JohnClay at Sidelines
... While I don't totally agree with a Sea of Blue's interesting take that a huge part of Tubby's leaving UK for Minnesota after last season was so that he could mentor his son, I do think it may have made played a role. (Still believe the Smith-Mitch Barnhart working relationship had more to do with Tubby's departure.) ...

Tubby's Motive: Family First?
Published 6/19/2007 by Ryan Ferguson at FanHouse
... has an intriguing take. It starts with Tubby's son, Saul Smith, taking up space on the Kentucky roster -- a space fans felt would be better utilized for a faster, more athletic, more talented player -- and ends with the younger Smith's move into the college basketball coaching ranks. Take it away, Truzenzuzex : Enter Minnesota with an offer on par with what UK was paying Smith. Now, Tubby could go to UM, hire his son, and as a bonus, remove all those little indignities he had been suffering over the years -- all for a very small pay cut. Tubby is not a young man anymore, and he knows more of his coaching days are behind him than ahead of him. So why would Tubby Smith leave legendary UK basketball for moribund Minnesota? Given all these factors, Smith's decision looked easy. Yes, he was taking a hit in status, but let's face it -- he never intends to leave UM to coach elsewhere -- his next gig will be on, in the w ...