Big-time college basketball is a tough business. Coaches are asked to travel around the country to court adolescents who are also being courted by dozens of other coaches. They are then asked to make sure those adolescents go to class, do well enough in class to stay eligible and then stay out of trouble at all times. Of course, coaches need to also get those players to help them win and win often, and it would be nice if they played a style that put fannies in the seats.

To be fair, it’s not like these coaches don’t know the drill when they accept the position, and they get very well compensated for all the hassles of the job. In some cases, as with St. John’s Norm Roberts, there is added pressure because of the stigma of the previous regime. Sex and pay-off scandals ruined Mike Jarvis’ tenure, and Roberts’ ability to put space between St. John’s basketball and the image problems of the early part of this decade has been laudable, and it has also given Roberts some leeway on the court.

Roberts is now in his sixth season and may be facing the most crucial on-court juncture of his tenure. A season that began brightly with a 9-1 record, including a strong performance in a loss at Duke and wins over Siena and Temple has now toppled over after the 15-point home loss to Providence on Sunday. The 0-2 Big East start has made thoughts of an NCAA Tournament appearance wistful, and now the question is whether Roberts will win enough this season to keep his job. Read More »