http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/100808aab.html


Sporting News has:

1) Harden on the cover of it's College BBall Preview issue
2) Harden in the preseason 1st team (along with Curry, Hansbrough, Griffin from OU and Daye from Gonzaga)
3) ASU at #15

10/9/2008 10:48:50 AM

https://www.streetandsmiths.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.covers&catid=4&year=2008

10/9/2008 10:56:50 AM

and....

10/9/2008 11:05:01 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/boivin/2008-10-21-sendek_N.htm

Sun Devils happy to have Sendek

All job openings on Tobacco Road should be accompanied by a Surgeon General's warning: Coaching here may be hazardous to your mental health and induce premature departures and rabid expectations.

Really, North Carolina State fans? This is the coach you were so anxious to see leave, the one that has the Arizona State men's basketball team in most preseason Top 25 polls? If this is your idea of a castoff, well, where should the Sun Devils send the thank-you bouquet?

In only two seasons, Herb Sendek has made ASU basketball relevant again. It has opened practice under the watch of a national eye thanks to a 13-win turnaround from seasons 1 to 2 and a sophomore guard, James Harden, who is projected to be an NBA draft lottery pick.

Perspective is a funny thing. ASU athletic director Lisa Love looked at Sendek in 2006 and saw a coach who had run an impeccable program, who was known as one of the sport's few remaining gentlemen and who had averaged 21 victories and posted consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in his last five seasons with the Wolfpack.

N.C. State fans saw a coach with a losing record against Duke and North Carolina and a demeanor that was a far cry from the Wolfpack's most recognizable mentor, the late Jim Valvano.

When Sendek took the ASU job, Orlando Wright, the father of then-recruit Chris Wright, now with Georgetown, told reporters Sendek's treatment by N.C. State fans was the equivalent of "a modern-day lynching."

None of that matters to Sendek anymore, and he is too polite to speak negatively about the experience. These days, he barely resembles the Sendek that was portrayed in Raleigh.

His conversations aren't effusive, but they're thoughtful. He can be open and funny, sometimes when he doesn't mean to be.

"He's big on old-school jokes," said Drake coach Mark Phelps, a longtime Sendek assistant. "They're the type that would be hilarious back in 1960, but now they're funny just because he's telling it."

People forget Sendek was only 33 when he took the Wolfpack job. More than a decade has passed. He is constantly tweaking and refining.

Those who criticized Sendek for his deliberate offense with the Wolfpack might be surprised to know the Sun Devils will pick up the pace this season.

When Sendek was offered the ASU job, Phelps tried to talk him out of it. N.C. State was coming off a 22-10 season and sported a strong recruiting class. Yet Sendek saw potential in a Tempe program that was often an afterthought in a Pac-10 Conference dominated by its Arizona neighbor just two hours south.

Was he entering another tempest? Maybe not. Sendek already is 2-2 vs. the rival Wildcats and has posted three victories vs. ranked teams. In the previous 11 seasons, ASU had gone 2-28 against ranked teams at home.

One thing he hasn't changed is his eye for detail.

"When you present an idea to Herb, and you have fought through it from every angle and you give it to him and you're feeling good that you've covered it all, you can be guaranteed he'll find some holes," Phelps said. "That's what makes him great."

"Put it this way," Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg said. "I've been in league meetings with Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski, and Herb is the brightest guy in the room."

Does Sendek, 45, think he's changed?

"I'd like to think I'm different," he said, "but without forsaking any last chance of humility, it's difficult to answer. I've done my best to continue to learn."

ASU fans hope he doesn't change too much. There was a lot to like at N.C. State.

10/22/2008 12:16:39 PM

Say what you want about Sendek, but he is GREAT at building programs. Can he take that next step? Who knows because he didn't here, but what he has done at Arizona State so far is nothing short of remarkable...

10/22/2008 12:22:04 PM

Quote :

"Really, North Carolina State fans? This is the coach you were so anxious to see leave, the one that has the Arizona State men's basketball team in most preseason Top 25 polls?"

I forgot that being preseason top 25 gets you an automatic bid to the tourney

We've all moved on from Herb (except ncstatetke of course) why can't the media just fucking let it go?

[Edited on October 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM. Reason : .]

10/22/2008 12:37:59 PM

They did. Until we had one of the most miserable seasons I've ever witnessed in any sport as a Pack fan...

If we win, it stops. If we suck balls with high expectations, it stays.

Pretty simple, really...

10/22/2008 12:40:35 PM

Especially if ASU stays competitive on the court and with recruiting. If Harden goes in the lottery, he'll have kids knocking on his door that can't qualify for other PAC 10 schools.

10/22/2008 12:43:28 PM

Lowe had us in the preseason polls last year after 1 season of coaching fwiw.

10/22/2008 12:44:18 PM

What was our record?

People who want the media to stop with this stuff have to understand that if we won like we were supposed to last year it would have. We saw NOTHING about Herb before the start of last year. It was all about how great a job Sidney Lowe did and the potential great season we were going to have...

Instead of the constant self-loathing and shift of blame (waaaahhhhhhh.. the UNC media bias is talking shit about us again!!! ) how about our program starts fucking performing like it should be? It LOOKS like Lowe is doing a bandup job on the recruiting trail but until that translates in to Top 5 ACC finishes and NCAAT appearances, the rest of the county won't and shouldn't take notice...

[Edited on October 22, 2008 at 12:48 PM. Reason : x]

10/22/2008 12:48:22 PM

Well, it won't be until the start of the 09 season, so everyone will have to endure another year of it at least.

10/22/2008 1:17:46 PM

Quote :

"Especially if ASU stays competitive on the court and with recruiting."

it's really irrelevant what he does at asu, b/c here's what he did at nc state in 10 years:

0 times acc season champs
0 times acc tournament champs
1 sweet sixteen

in 10 years. that speaks for itself, sirs.

10/22/2008 1:45:34 PM

The lack of NCAAT success is the only bad thing there.

Duke or UNC won the ACC Reg Season 8 of 10 years he was coach here. Duke or UNC won the ACC Tourney 9 of 10 years he was coach here. It's not like lesser programs were winning titles.

10/22/2008 1:52:40 PM

8-38 man. 8-38.

and don't say we're not allowed to beat duke and/or carolina, either.

10/22/2008 1:56:37 PM

Eh, that record doesn't bother me as much as most.

The Mets had a better record than the Phillies head to head this year. Do you think I wouldn't trade every single one of those wins for a playoff berth. Not even any wins in the playoffs but a CHANCE. That is what the NCAA Tourney berth is. A CHANCE.

I think Herb was run off mainly because of his record against UNC. I honestly don't think Lowe will be any more competitive against them. Have you seen the recruiting they are pulling in? Add to that the fact that Roy Williams actually stresses THIS rivalry as the biggest one to his team and it's going to be more of the same, sadly.

And nothing I think about this can change what is going to happen. I'm just prepared to deal with what I see is a reality. I hope fans don't run off Lowe because he can't beat UNC. Though Duke is more beatable the last 3 years than they were at any time Sendek was around...

[Edited on October 22, 2008 at 2:04 PM. Reason : x]

10/22/2008 2:03:07 PM

i'm not saying lowe will even have a winning record, but mark it down that he'll be more competitive than 8-38.

10/22/2008 2:07:20 PM

Again, there are more variables than just raw numbers. Surely you can't believe the '96-'97 - '05-'06 Duke teams are on the same level as the last 3 years?

Duke was the undisputed KINGS of college bball during that time. Now they are still above average but also more of a punchline.

[Edited on October 22, 2008 at 2:11 PM. Reason : x]

10/22/2008 2:11:10 PM

okay fine, how about this: sidney lowe will make nc state more relevant than herb sendek did.

mark it down.

10/22/2008 2:24:30 PM

10/22/2008 2:59:23 PM

Quote :

"Have you seen the recruiting they are pulling in?"

you do remember that the recruits we beat in 07 were more highly touted than the recruits they have now.

weren't Ty Lawson and Ellington #1 at the 1 and 2 out of high school? Thompson in the top 10, hansbrough a McDonalds All-American?

10/22/2008 3:05:27 PM

Quote :

"okay fine, how about this: sidney lowe will make nc state more relevant than herb sendek did. mark it down."

Really? So he will be like Chuck was? Put us in the spotlight and make high expectations building a fanbase that believes we are better than we really are? Chuck was no better than MOC.

10/22/2008 3:34:38 PM

Quote :

"sidney lowe will make nc state more relevant than herb sendek did."

I'd agree if you agreed that Herb Sendek will make ASU more relevant than they have ever been.

10/22/2008 3:44:29 PM

they're already more relavent than they've been in the past several decades

I mean, they had Eddie House, Ike Diogu, Byron Scott and others during that time, but they were never more than the warm-up game when opposing teams made the trip to the state of Arizona

10/22/2008 3:50:22 PM

Not much talk about ASU football these days, huh? WTF Rudy? Back to basketball, as someone who has hated UofA since the mid-90's, I wish Herb the very best and hope he takes away as many local guys from AZ as possible. I just hope he stays away from the L.A. area....

10/22/2008 3:57:40 PM

already got Jerren Shipp, James Harden and Derek Glasser (his dad is the creator and CEO of 7 Jeans) from LA

Renardo Sidney from LA (2009 Scout #2 PF, *****) has ASU as his number 1 school...but a lot of ppl are saying he'll go to Europe

one of his assistant coaches, Scott Pera, was Harden and Glasser's head coach at Artesia High. he has a great reputation around the LA area. great move bringing him into the coaching staff

10/22/2008 4:10:27 PM

Quote :

"I'd agree if you agreed that Herb Sendek will make ASU more relevant than they have ever been."

that's already done.

Quote :

"Really? So he will be like Chuck was? Put us in the spotlight and make high expectations building a fanbase that believes we are better than we really are? Chuck was no better than MOC."

what? this is basketball we're talking about. how good we "really are" is very easily measured. not to mention you kindof ran w/ what i said there.

10/22/2008 4:18:20 PM

l00t ol$on is gone

guarantee a recruit or two will jump ship....hopefully to Tempe

10/23/2008 1:40:51 PM

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/11056424


Oh My Goodness. Let the hype keep building

10/24/2008 5:20:48 PM

uh oh....first recruiting battle between Herb and Sid:

7'1" center from New Jersey

http://northcarolinastate.scout.com/a.z?s=178&p=8&c=1&nid=3857118

10/29/2008 4:22:39 PM

wouldn't it be easier to just keep a journal and then read it when you get bored?

10/29/2008 4:32:43 PM

i think the battle will be more over

http://arizonastate.scout.com/a.z?s=43&p=8&c=1&nid=3548705

10/29/2008 4:32:59 PM

Herb will definitely get one of the two...

hopefully the guy he gets will be better than Herb's last 7 footer


Adam "turnover machine" Simons

10/29/2008 4:35:42 PM

let me ask you a serious question. are you really pulling for asu in these, or any, recruiting battles?

10/29/2008 4:36:52 PM

without a doubt

there are 3 basketball teams that I follow closely: Wolfpack, Sun Devils and Billikens - in that order

if State gets Wall and/or Favors, I'll be stoopid excited

if ASU gets Renardo Sidney and/or one of the 5 centers they're going after, I'll be excited

if St. Louis gets Ivo Baltic, it'll be great


i am first and foremost a State fan. i have already requested off for all home games. i may not agree with the way shit went down, but State athletics are my first priority when it comes to college sports. yes, it was just recently that I became a big-time ASU basketball fan, but it's a lot of fun. I am a huge Herb fan and I have enjoyed watching what he is doing for that program. I have seen probably 20-25 of their games on TV since he started there and I am loving it. i'm excited to see how the recruiting is going and to see where their top-15 preseason rankings will take them

[Edited on October 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM. Reason : m]

10/29/2008 5:17:54 PM

what i meant was, are you pulling for asu in the recruiting values for these two centers, of which nc state is involved.

you answered my question though.

10/29/2008 5:28:20 PM

hell, I'd be fine if State got Mat

all I know is, ASU needs a center or two really really bad. Pendergraph is gone after this year, Boateng is a RS junior, Kraidon Woods is a soph, but got zero playing time last year because he was too skinny. when Jeff leaves, the cupboard is bare. they need to get a huge dude so bad

10/29/2008 5:37:52 PM

you're kindof sending me mixed signals here.

10/29/2008 5:42:21 PM

does State need a center....yes!
will I be happy if they get the guy that ASU is going after....yes!

does ASU need a center....more than State!
would I be happy if they got Mat....yes, but I'd rather he go to State (ASU is going after better Centers)

it's a win-win. hopefully he will commit to one of the two schools.

10/29/2008 5:47:05 PM

anybody watch SportsCenter this morning?

i missed it, but apparently Jay Bilas named his top-5 best college players for 08-09

who did he say was the 3rd best player in the nation?

11/12/2008 2:26:22 PM

James "Big Game" Harden

11/12/2008 2:31:10 PM

thanks

11/12/2008 2:34:24 PM

Pateev faxed his LOI to Herb at 4pm


to be 100% honest, I don't think he was the #1 guy, but you gotta take what you can get. he's just a 3-star and he hasn't been playing bball all that long

we'll see....

11/12/2008 4:42:26 PM

K, first game is a little more than 2 days away

first meeting of RHSFC followed by viewing party at my house. PM for details


check out this sexy SI cover:

11/12/2008 6:13:25 PM

Quote :

"wouldn't it be easier to just keep a journal and then read it when you get bored? "

11/12/2008 6:23:24 PM

It really must hurt some people to see the words "UNC" and "Duke" twice on the same cover along with Herb's recruit.

11/12/2008 6:34:04 PM

That is the cover I got today. I figured I'd get one with some freshman d-bag from UCLA on the cover...

11/12/2008 8:55:56 PM

tis beautiful

11/12/2008 9:02:33 PM

^^ You'll get a couple of those in late March and early April

11/12/2008 10:59:18 PM

nohijack

11/12/2008 11:02:38 PM

Lets not forget the curse of the cover!

11/12/2008 11:15:38 PM