The 1995 and 1996 basketball teams were the best basketball teams we have had in modern history. We have been looking for that formula ever since and it looks like we finally found it.

Richard Williams was a really good basketball coach. Structured. Disciplined. Preached defense and toughness. His offenses were good when he had players and tough to watch when the talent level decreased. The down side of Williams was that he hated recruiting. Williams had to have a guy that could do the lionshare of that part for him. In the early years of his tenure he had John Brady handling most of that for him and that brought us our first SEC basketball title in 28 years in 1991. Once Brady left he brought in Rick Standsbury as his main recruiting guy along with Robert Kirby. Those guys brought in the bunch that led us to the great teams of 95 and 96

Exit Williams and Stands gets promoted to HC. He and Kirby continue to scour the lands for players and did pretty well. However, losing the quality coaching of Williams hampered the program from achieving previous heights. They were able to add another SEC title to the rafters but unfortunately wilted each March.

It's been another 29 years now since 1996 with us being unable to revive that magic until now. State has found their coaching/recruiting combo this time in one guy. A guy that has the X's and O's game but also has the vision and drive to bring in the players to make that vision happen. Enjoy what we are watching this season fellas. It's been awhile.