So, before we get starting dissecting last night, a brief history lesson.
In 1985, Nolan Richardson took over at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks had gone 22-13 and made the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Eddie Sutton’s final year. Richardson went 12-16 in his first season; by his third year, the Razorbacks were back in the NCAA Tournament, and by his fifth year they were in the Final Four.
Jud Heathcote’s last team at Michigan State (1994-95) went 22-6. His successor, Tom Izzo, went 16-16 in his first year; by his third year, they were a Sweet 16 team, and he won a national title in his fifth year.