A ROTTEN GREG
Creighton made wrong move letting McDermott hang over players’ heads
THE first mistake was not immediately suspending Greg McDermott. The second is currently being made: Leaving the suspension without clarity.
Creighton owes it to its players to get this right. I’m not saying McDermott should be fired. But he should not coach again this year after his racially insensitive remark to his team following a loss at Xavier.
McDermott, a fine coach and bright offensive mind, told his players, “I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation.” I can’t imagine why he made such a callous comment that carries racist overtones of slavery. That’s besides the point.
But the school has handled this extremely poorly. It let him coach at Villanova, and predictably his team was a mess, falling behind by as many as 22 points in a 12-point loss. Smartly, Creighton suspended him after that game, although that had a lot to do with the negative backlash it received.
Now, it is uncertain how long the suspension will last. The Creighton players have handled this with class and maturity beyond their ages. They have expressed their feelings intelligently. They sure seemed relieved on Saturday not to have this issue hanging over their heads in a 20-point home win over Butler.
McDermott has said he offered to resign, but his players wanted him to coach. That may be true. It doesn’t make it the right decision.
The Bluejays shouldn’t have to keep answering questions about McDermott. They should, for the time being at least, be able to focus on making a big March run. Distractions, and yes the coach is one, have to be avoided at a time like this, for their mental well-being more than anything. This is a team, ranked 14th in the country, capable of reaching the Final Four, gifted offensively and deep in two-way differencemakers.
Bringing McDermott back this year would be a big mistake. Not stating the length of the suspension would be even worse.
Just take a look at what LSU did with Will Wade, and yes, usually following LSU’s lead in situations like this is a major mistake. But in March of 2019, LSU suspended Wade for the rest of the season after an FBI wiretap was released in which he reportedly appeared to be making an unspecified offer during the recruitment of a player.
Led by interim coach Tony Benford, the Tigers reached the Sweet 16. By suspending Wade, it enabled LSU to focus on basketball instead of the scandal involving its coach.
Creighton could do the same thing. Its players shouldn’t have to answer for their suspended coach. He acted inappropriately, not them. It’s up to the school’s administration to make life easier for their student-athletes instead of harder.
Scarlet fever
Steve Pikiell could never have another winning season. He could lose a lot more than he wins. It doesn’t matter. Pikiell will be a folk hero in Piscataway, for the rest of his days. He will be forever remembered as the man who did what most thought was impossible: Led Rutgers to the NCAA Tournament.
Saturday’s overtime win at Minnesota all but assured the Scarlet Knights of their first trip to the Dance since 1991, capping a second consecutive season in which they won double-digit league games. The last time that happened was 1989-91.
After 13 straight losing seasons, Pikiell has led Rutgers to consecutive winning campaigns, and, most important, Rutgers fans will see their team’s name called on Selection Sunday. They deserve it.
In fact, the Scarlet Knights may have to carry the local flag. Wagner, the top seed in the NEC, lost in the conference semifinals. St. John’s and Seton Hall need strong weeks in the Big East Tournament to get selected. While Rutgers hasn’t played very well of late — it has lost three of its last five games — it will enter the tournament without any pressure having already accomplished its goal. Maybe the team that started so strong — ranked as high as 11th — returns.