The SEC yesterday announced that former Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese is joining the conference as a special advisor to Commissioner Greg Sankey for men's basketball. Tranghese will provide advice and consultation to Sankey and Associate Commissioner Mark Whitworth for the purpose of enhancing the overall quality of competition. He will work with the SEC to develop and maintain a strategic plan for the sport, including the continuing development of scheduling guidelines and communications strategies (SEC). In Kentucky, John Clay noted for the "third time in three years just three teams -- this year none higher than a No. 3 seed -- were selected" for the NCAA Tournament. One of the three, Vanderbilt, lost to Wichita State last night in the First Four (KENTUCKY.com, 3/15). In Alabama, Matthew Stevens notes the SEC in the last three seasons "has had 11 total bids to the NCAA Tournament -- one less than the non-FBS conference Atlantic 10, which has no national TV contract, has produced." The SEC is "dead last among Power 5 conference schools in NCAA bids by a large margin." Former Commissioner Mike Slive in '12 "made a nearly identical move" to Sankey's by hiring former NCAA Senior VP Greg Shaheen (MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, 3/16). Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said the hiring is a "major step" for basketball in the SEC. Barnes said of Tranghese, "He brings a wealth of TV knowledge. He brings a wealth of knowing how to deal with college basketball coaches, officiating. ... He's going to be a major sounding voice and someone we're going to bounce a lot of things off" (Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL, 3/16).
COACH SPEAK: In New Orleans, Ron Higgins wrote if the SEC "wants to improve its basketball product and make it relevant again nationally, every athletic director needs to consider personality as part of a coaching resume when looking for new head coaches." In the SEC, "unlike football, basketball needs to be promoted heavily by the coaches." So if Tranghese "wants to jack up SEC basketball, he needs to reach far beyond juicing the non-conference scheduling and maybe vetting some of the incompetent whistle-happy officials that slowed games this season to almost a grinding halt." He "must play matchmaker for athletic directors looking for coaching prospects" (NOLA.com, 3/15).
