For the first time since he got here, I have serious doubts about whether MA can or should get another year. The lack of defensive and rebounding effort two games in a row makes me question whether he’s lost the locker room.
At this point, the team is going to have to make its own momentum, because the fans are not going to turn out in numbers in February for this team. The scattered boos last night were troubling as well. MA could get the fans back for next season, provided the next eight weeks end reasonably well, but the team is pretty much going to be on its own in February. It’s hard to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
If there is a change, it likely won’t be without some issues. First, the odds of getting a proven winning HC from a power conference are lousy. Maybe we get lucky, but don’t count on it. Proven coaches at established powers don’t switch jobs to come to an SEC school not named Kentucky. So don’t expect Bill Self types to have any real interest in an opening at Arkansas for any purpose other than extorting more money out of their present school.
Second, don’t expect instant improvement, and don’t pronounce any new HC a failure/mistake if we lose several recruits, including guys who have already signed. That’s the way it usually works out when you make a coaching change. Since MA plays/recruits to his system, a new HC is almost surely going to need 2-3 seasons to get the roster transformed and get the program dialed in to the new system. Be patient.