Today’s column from CBS Chicago …
(CBS) Jim Phillips expected more from Northwestern this season.
I’m not sure why. But he did.
“The program is going to be better. Bill has assured me of that,” NU’s athletic director vowed last spring while announcing head basketball coach Bill Carmody would return for a 13th season despite his Wildcats having missed the NCAA Tournament yet again.
No matter Carmody’s assurances, things aren’t better in Evanston with the team 13-15 overall and caught up in an ugly five-game losing streak. In fact, they’re worse. And as a result, it’s high time for Phillips to assure Northwestern’s fan base that he actually cares about winning.
He needs to cut the cord with Bill Carmody. Then, if NU’s AD is as smart as NU’s student body, he’ll make every effort to replace him with Duke associate head coach Chris Collins, a prodigal North Shore son who would fit Evanston like a winter glove.
During his lengthy tenure at NU, Carmody has compiled a meager overall record of 191-201 (.487 winning percentage) and a Big Ten record that’s even worse at 69-145 (.322). He has led NU to four consecutive NIT appearances, admirably lifting the Wildcats from abysmal to mediocre. But he also has zero NCAA Tourney appearances, proving he’s not the guy to take Northwestern to the next level.
After all, if Carmody was, he surely would have done it by now.
Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …