UTEP has signed a couple of nice recruits:

Michael Haynes, a brawny 6'6" PF who likely would have gone to Duke if he had qualified there, and Rashanti Harris, a 6'9" C who was a 4* recruit in 2009 but failed to qualify after signing with Georgia State.

Luckily UTEP lets just about anyone in academically, and if we got Caracter to qualify I imagine we'll be able to get these guys the grades as well. I like seeing Floyd go after some fairly big names and manage to reel them in. Hopefully this is just the start of us being a real player with major recruits.

UTEP has signed a couple of nice recruits:

Michael Haynes, a brawny 6'6" PF who likely would have gone to Duke if he had qualified there, and Rashanti Harris, a 6'9" C who was a 4* recruit in 2009 but failed to qualify after signing with Georgia State.

Luckily UTEP lets just about anyone in academically, and if we got Caracter to qualify I imagine we'll be able to get these guys the grades as well. I like seeing Floyd go after some fairly big names and manage to reel them in. Hopefully this is just the start of us being a real player with major recruits.

Harris has been a constant soap opera since he signed with Georgia State. Curious to see if he makes it at UTEP, but from what I hear, there is some creative grading at UTEP if he is eligible.

Our SID has said that Floyd wouldn't have offered the guys if he didn't think they would be eligible, so we'll see what happens...

Our SID has said that Floyd wouldn't have offered the guys if he didn't think they would be eligible, so we'll see what happens...

And maybe playing for Floyd at UTEP will motivate him more. My impression was that when he was at GSU he just didn't care.

I understand that ex-UNO coach Floyd is battling ex-UNO coach Buzz Williams for Pat Swilling, Jr., son of the NFL linebacker, from my alma mater Brother Martin HS. These are the things I have to be interested in now that UNO basketball will be ceasing to exist. I hope Tim wins this battle.

Interesting. The first link a quick Google search on him pulls up is an article from last September saying he was going to concentrate on football. Is that out of date?

Dola-

Ah, just found this...

Pat Swilling, Jr. weighs college basketball options (http://www.neworleans.com/blogs/printblog.html?index_php?view=article&id=374356&tmpl=component&print=1)

His father was an excellent professional football player. Pat Swilling, Jr. is not too bad himself on the prep gridiron as a linebacker and defensive back for Brother Martin. But the hardwood appears to be where the younger Swilling's athletic future lies.

Seven schools including hometown Tulane are on the list for Swilling (6-3, 215) to choose from as places to continue his basketball career.

Two head coaches with ties to New Orleans are trying to sway Swilling. Marquette's Buzz Williams and UTEP's Tim Floyd, both former UNO head coaches, are recruiting the son of the former New Orleans Saints star defender. Ole Miss, St. Joseph's, West Virginia and Georgia Tech are also on the shooting guard's short list.

Swilling was the Class 5A Top 28 Tournament MVP in leading the Crusaders to the state basketball championship last month.

It would be nice to snag a guard to go with the three big men we've signed.

A lot of chatter out there that Oregon is going to hire Terry Porter as head coach.

Also, deep reserve F Clarence Trent is transferring from Washington to Seattle U. after giving Husky Football a brief try this Spring. Trent is a very good athlete and will have a much better chance for a lot of playing time with the Redhawks than he would've with the Huskies. Him transferring means there are two open scholarships for 2011 and a lot of speculation that Terrence Jones and Terrence Ross will commit to Washington...

Bit of a surprise here. TV contract has been finalized. NCAA tournament is expanded to 68 teams (4 play-in games instead of 1). No 96 team expansion at this point.

NCAA reaches 14-year deal with CBS/Turner for men's basketball tournament - Campus Rivalry: College Football & Basketball News, Recruiting, Game Picks, and More - USATODAY.com (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/04/ncaa-reaches-14-year-deal-with-cbsturner/1?loc=interstitialskip)

All games will be available on live TV instead of CBS switching back and forth.

This is freaking spectacular news. Well done CBS/Turner/NCAA. Instead of expanding to 96 we keep the tourney essentially the same as it is now and get all games televised!

I actually like that move. Gets a few more teams in, without getting too ridiculous with the 96-team format.

Excellent, excellent news!

SI

Wow... almost too good to be true. This may actually be a win-win scenario.

Wow - internet rumors fail once again.

I agree that everything about this is good. The tournament could use a modest expanding, there are far more DIV-I teams than there was when they went to the 64-team format.

I never understood why Jim Boheim is so obsessed with the larger tournament idea. He's always quoted in these articles. I think if it was up to him, we'd have a 256-team tournament.

Wow - internet rumors fail once again.

Eh, kind of hard to dismiss this one as pure internet rumor, as the AP wire copy points out

Less than four weeks ago, turning the NCAA's signature event into a 96-team field seemed like all but a done deal.

During the Final Four, NCAA vice president Greg Shaheen talked extensively about plans to go to 96, saying the three-week event would start two days later and eliminate the play-in game. But more games would have been added to Week 2, and that caused concerns about how much class time the athletes would miss.

It might have been speculation but it was one based on very public statements by an NCAA vice president.

Eh, kind of hard to dismiss this one as pure internet rumor, as the AP wire copy points out

Less than four weeks ago, turning the NCAA's signature event into a 96-team field seemed like all but a done deal.

During the Final Four, NCAA vice president Greg Shaheen talked extensively about plans to go to 96, saying the three-week event would start two days later and eliminate the play-in game. But more games would have been added to Week 2, and that caused concerns about how much class time the athletes would miss.

It might have been speculation but it was one based on very public statements by an NCAA vice president.

Good point, I guess I'm just getting a little weary of the internet rumors with this big 10/college coaching movement stuff. The amount of "done deals" reported in those two areas is just astounding.

Just for fun, since it'll start coming up next year as the tournament starts to get close

There are 114.9 million TV households in the US (incidentally, approximately 1% of US households are not TV households)

Estimated availability for the Turner Networks
TBS -- 100 million (87%)
TNT -- 99 million (86%)
Tru TV -- 92 million (80%)
(data from the Cable Ad Bureau network profiles as of Oct 2009)

I'm ok with 4 play-in games instead of a 96-team field. I would've even been ok with 8 play-in games (4 each for the 15 and 16 seeds). 96 was a bit too much.

I wasn't a fan of the proposed expansion to 96 teams, but if it's going to eventually get to that size and we get all the games live as a tradeoff, sign me up.

I'm okay with adding the three extra play-in games. Always seemed like if there was gonna be one, there ought to be four.

I'm iffier on TBS getting involved, especially if that removes the look-ins. Isn't TBS basic cable?

I'm iffier on TBS getting involved, especially if that removes the look-ins. Isn't TBS basic cable?

Really? CBS is unbelievably bad about switching games. For some reason they completely got rid of doing a split screen when two games are in the final seconds at the same time, they give us postgame handshakes of teams that aren't even local instead of switching to the final 2 minutes of games going on(BYU/Florida was the worst example this year, not even a local market to me but i watched random BYU/Florida postgame for a number of minutes even though there were other games on). i forget which game but there was one game this year where CBS switched AWAY from a game as the ball was being inbounded for a last second 3 point attempt... You'd rather have this, plus all the fun of being forced to watch your local teams to the bitter end even if there is a 45 point margin and a classic going on somewhere else, instead of multiple networks??

Give me all the games live and I'll figure it out for myself.


Also, as Jon mentioned above, all of the TBS networks, even TruTV, are available in 80-90% of homes in the US.

Isn't TBS basic cable?

Well it's forerunner, WTBS, is generally considered the "original" Basic Cable Network but frankly I'm not even sure that there's any absolute definition for what is "basic cable" anymore.

I mean, every provider has a different lineup in their "basic/limited basic" package vs their "expanded basic", and then within providers those networks vary from market to market.

I'd say it's generally considered a "basic" but in a number of places that's really "expanded basic" or some similarly named package upgrade.

Ooh, Radii's post made me think of something else ... wait'll we start trying to figure out the blackout restrictions for cable, satellite, and all the other hooey that goes with pretty much every sport on cable networks.

Really? CBS is unbelievably bad about switching games. For some reason they completely got rid of doing a split screen when two games are in the final seconds at the same time, they give us postgame handshakes of teams that aren't even local instead of switching to the final 2 minutes of games going on(BYU/Florida was the worst example this year, not even a local market to me but i watched random BYU/Florida postgame for a number of minutes even though there were other games on). i forget which game but there was one game this year where CBS switched AWAY from a game as the ball was being inbounded for a last second 3 point attempt... You'd rather have this, plus all the fun of being forced to watch your local teams to the bitter end even if there is a 45 point margin and a classic going on somewhere else, instead of multiple networks??

Give me all the games live and I'll figure it out for myself.


Also, as Jon mentioned above, all of the TBS networks, even TruTV, are available in 80-90% of homes in the US.

Well, the thing is, I don't even have basic cable. I don't watch enough TV to justify it. I've got OTA broadcasts, and that's it. CBS, I can access, even if their switching policy is sometimes infuriating. If the "good" games wind up on TBS, I'm boned unless I wanna go to, like...Buffalo Wild Wings, or something.

Well it's forerunner, WTBS, is generally considered the "original" Basic Cable Network but frankly I'm not even sure that there's any absolute definition for what is "basic cable" anymore.

I mean, every provider has a different lineup in their "basic/limited basic" package vs their "expanded basic", and then within providers those networks vary from market to market.

I'd say it's generally considered a "basic" but in a number of places that's really "expanded basic" or some similarly named package upgrade.

But the short and skinny is that while you can quibble over its cable status, the bottom line is that it IS cable, and not OTA.

Ooh, Radii's post made me think of something else ... wait'll we start trying to figure out the blackout restrictions for cable, satellite, and all the other hooey that goes with pretty much every sport on cable networks.

See? Another reason to be iffy on TBS getting involved, even if it's not for the same reasons as my own iffiness!

wow, this is great great news! yay for no 96 team tourney, that makes me so fkn happy@!!!! just worried about waht games I'll get. at the moment here in Hawaii we do not get trutv or TBS (I think, gonna have to check that)

But the short and skinny is that while you can quibble over its cable status, the bottom line is that it IS cable, and not OTA.

Sadly, my honest advice is "get used to it", another 10 years and I'm not sure there'll be much left on OTA. Sooner or later at least one, possibly more, of the existing networks are going to abandon the affiliate model & shift most of their focus to the more lucrative cable marketplace. As far as sports goes, your best hope is eventually going to be for internet coverage.

FWIW, I largely agree with you on this being problematic, at least in terms of whether something "feels right". Although it was used differently in the thread, my personal point in mentioning the cable network penetration was to show how much of the country was being cut out of the games altogether, not to praise how good the coverage of those networks was.

The reality is though that they can sacrifice 10-20% of the country and still make more money from the rights fee that networks are willing to pay to get them. Turner desperately wants to be relevant as a national sports player & they're willing to take a loss if they have to, and I'm pretty sure that CBS was relieved to find someone willing to share that burden since they actually lost money on this year's tournament, a genie would have stayed out of the bottle since costs were due to escalate over the rest of the existing deal. At this point we're pretty much watching networks bid on many major sports events based largely on ego & perceived value rather than any actual fiscal sense.

Sack, I would think the biggest profile games would remain on CBS because of the larger audience to pull from.

UTEP has signed a couple of nice recruits:

Michael Haynes, a brawny 6'6" PF who likely would have gone to Duke if he had qualified there, and Rashanti Harris, a 6'9" C who was a 4* recruit in 2009 but failed to qualify after signing with Georgia State.

Luckily UTEP lets just about anyone in academically, and if we got Caracter to qualify I imagine we'll be able to get these guys the grades as well. I like seeing Floyd go after some fairly big names and manage to reel them in. Hopefully this is just the start of us being a real player with major recruits.

Harris only came because Floyd had to hire away his old coach that lured him to Georgia State.

Leopard can never change his spots

Sack, I would think the biggest profile games would remain on CBS because of the larger audience to pull from.

Would hope so. I don't mind watching the games on internet streaming, but the picture is smaller there than a regular CBS broadcast.

I just have this feeling that we'll start seeing the 13/4 and 12/5 matchups landing on TBS - you know, the games people are *interested* in watching in the first weekend - and that, yeah, CBS would end up showing your Duke/Texas matchups in the Elite Eight or whatever.

I mean, whatever - I guess that would make Jon happy - but while I follow the entire tournament, my primary interest is in those first weekend matchups, any game Missouri is involved in, and any "Cinderella" stories as double digit seeds advance in the tournament.

Put another way, I watched as much of the championship as I could get away with (since I was working while it was airing) because Butler was involved, but if it would've been, like, Duke/OSU? I'd not have bothered.

Would hope so. I don't mind watching the games on internet streaming, but the picture is smaller there than a regular CBS broadcast.

I just have this feeling that we'll start seeing the 13/4 and 12/5 matchups landing on TBS - you know, the games people are *interested* in watching in the first weekend - and that, yeah, CBS would end up showing your Duke/Texas matchups in the Elite Eight or whatever.

I mean, whatever - I guess that would make Jon happy - but while I follow the entire tournament, my primary interest is in those first weekend matchups, any game Missouri is involved in, and any "Cinderella" stories as double digit seeds advance in the tournament.

Put another way, I watched as much of the championship as I could get away with (since I was working while it was airing) because Butler was involved, but if it would've been, like, Duke/OSU? I'd not have bothered.

Actually I imagine 13-4 could end up on truTV at times depending upon whether they reconfigure the schedule some. But even that doesn't seem likely to end up happening for more than a few years, since TBS is assured of the Final Four in 2016 and alternating years after years. Sooner or later (and I suspect sooner) Turner will getting some decent (ratings prospect wise) games, looks like around a 65-35 split based on how many finals they'll get in the life of the deal.

Beginning with the 2011 championship, opening- , first- and second-round games will be shown nationally on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. CBS and Turner will split coverage of the regional semi-final games. CBS will provide coverage of the regional finals, as well as the Final Four® including the National Championship Game through 2015. Beginning in 2016, coverage of the regional finals will be split by CBS and Turner with the Final Four and the National Championship game alternating every year between the CBS Television Network and Turner’s TBS.


The other thing I noticed was the wording of the digital rights content portion of the agreement.
Under the new rights agreement, NCAA March Madness on Demand®, the Emmy Award-winning video player that provides live streaming video of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, will continue to be launched from NCAA.com and CBSSports.com. Turner has also secured the rights for any Time Warner digital property. The player will be operated and developed by Turner and have enhanced digital rights allowing the NCAA to deliver content for multiple Turner and Time Warner platforms.

I read that as not only do we have 4 networks to worry about but also two different video players & separate streaming locations.

This FBI and IRS investigation of the Univeristy of Kansas ticket office seems like it grows new legs on a daily basis. Yet another 'money is the root of all evil' example.

KU ticket scandal involves big money and goes back years, attorney says - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/22/1896851/ku-ticket-scandal-involves-big.html)

Yeah, and it turns out that you know who really likes money at KU? Our a-hole AD. I'd love to see this bring Lew down but it won't and the damage has already been done because they'll keep the Williams fund and the damn ticketing system even if he's out on his ass. It turns out that you raise more money for the athletic department when you basically open the best basketball seats up to practically ebay-style bidding for millionaires.

SI

Yeah, and it turns out that you know who really likes money at KU? Our a-hole AD. I'd love to see this bring Lew down but it won't and the damage has already been done because they'll keep the Williams fund and the damn ticketing system even if he's out on his ass. It turns out that you raise more money for the athletic department when you basically open the best basketball seats up to practically ebay-style bidding for millionaires.

SI

http://www.tigerboard.com/uimages/user4521_307.jpg

Yeah, and it turns out that you know who really likes money at KU? Our a-hole AD. I'd love to see this bring Lew down but it won't and the damage has already been done because they'll keep the Williams fund and the damn ticketing system even if he's out on his ass. It turns out that you raise more money for the athletic department when you basically open the best basketball seats up to practically ebay-style bidding for millionaires.

SI

SI,

I hate to bag on you man, but you're way off base on this one. For starters, this has been going on for years which means it was going on well before Lew Perkins came to Kansas. This has likely been going on since the late 90's under Bob Frederick. Perkins arrived at Kansas in 2003.

Secondly, the University of Kansas did not make any money on these seats. These seats were sold by two or more individuals within the department to pad their personal income. The seats that were being sold are ones that are put aside for guests, recruits, etc. So these are not tickets taken from the season ticket holders.

Is Lew Perkins responsible indirectly? Certainly since this also occurred under his watch. But most successful managers are not micro-managers. Perkins and other previous AD's put their faith in the wrong people and got bitten by it. It certainly isn't a fire-able offense as you're suggesting.

I understand you don't like Lew Perkins for whatever reason. I personally think he's helped KU athletics quite a bit. There's a chance Bill Self leaves KU after the national title game for more money and better facilities at Oklahoma State. The revenue raised by Lew Perkins is what enabled Bill Self to be one of the highest paid coaches and to renovate Allen Field House, Jayhawker Towers, etc. You may not like the arms race in the NCAA's, but it's how the game is played. If you want the best coaches and best players then you better have the facilities to support it. I'm one of those who had their prime time seats displaced because of the priority points. But I realize it's good business. I'd rather have average seats to see a great program than great seats to see an average program. But maybe that's just me.

This FBI and IRS investigation of the Univeristy of Kansas ticket office seems like it grows new legs on a daily basis. Yet another 'money is the root of all evil' example.

KU ticket scandal involves big money and goes back years, attorney says - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/22/1896851/ku-ticket-scandal-involves-big.html)

Seriously MBBF? Do we honestly need to nitpick everything KU does? Why not give us updates on the recent "cotton balling" in Columbia? That's about as on topic as this is.

Just another reason for Mike Anderson to want to leave the University of Missouri.

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/02/26/cotton-balls-scattered-front-mus-black-culture-center/

Wow, that is just the kind of thing that would cause recruits to think twice about going to a school. That can't be good for their program. I really hope someone steps up and addresses this before the situation spirals out of control.

I especially like the fact that MBBF never once reported this incredible news from Columbia especially given all his inside sources. I'd love to know what Mike Anderson thought about that situation. He'll scour the net for days trying to dig up dirt on KU, but something like this slips right past him? I'm shocked I tell you!

Honestly, who spends all day trying to dig up dirt on another program? Just stupid. If MBBF is really interested in talking about this KU ticket scandal then there are plenty of discussions ongoing at various KU forums that I'm sure he visits. Go there and he can get all the facts. It's definitely a black eye on KU athletics, but I'm not really sure on why he wants to discuss it in the FOFC college basketball thread.

but I'm not really sure on why he wants to discuss it in the FOFC college basketball thread.

In fairness, if it were a program like say Kentucky that was caught in the same mess & he posted that, nobody would have said boo to him.

Dirty dealings - financial, recruiting, player conduct, etc - are part of the college sports landscape & they're perfectly legitimate topics in a general college basketball thread like this one.

In fairness, if it were a program like say Kentucky that was caught in the same mess & he posted that, nobody would have said boo to him.

Dirty dealings - financial, recruiting, player conduct, etc - are part of the college sports landscape & they're perfectly legitimate topics in a general college basketball thread like this one.

I would have said boo to him for the same reason as I'm saying boo to him on Kansas. If he were to start topics on Missouri being in a mess with a potential hate crime on the MU campus then I would see your point. But he'd rather avoid those topics when it involves his program. So rather than actually wanting to discuss a topic he's basically trying to smear a program. That's my issue with it. My hope is that this thread stays on topic rather than becoming a MBBF bitch fest.

The Texas Longhorns get a verbal from one of the top PG's in the 2010 class, Cory Joseph. A very good pickup at a position of need for the Longhorns.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Cory-Joseph-84075

I had forgotten that he hadn't committed at the same time Tristan Thompson did. Not a surprise that he signed, it was pretty much expected he would. Still not sure what they are gonna do next year with 3 or 4 point guards on the roster.

I would have said boo to him for the same reason as I'm saying boo to him on Kansas. If he were to start topics on Missouri being in a mess with a potential hate crime on the MU campus then I would see your point. But he'd rather avoid those topics when it involves his program. So rather than actually wanting to discuss a topic he's basically trying to smear a program. That's my issue with it. My hope is that this thread stays on topic rather than becoming a MBBF bitch fest.

{gigantic shrug} You want 'em discussed, then bring 'em up. He hates KU, I get that, BFD afaic. I hate UGA the same way & if they fuck up you can bet your ass I'll make mention of it if the mood strikes. Whether he mentions some halfassed prank on the Mizzou campus has absolutely zero to do with whether the ticket deal at Kansas is a valid topic.

Truth is, I've gotten to the point where I'm more sick of the people who perpetually troll MBBF than I am of his forays into inane babbling ... and he's a guy I once suggested needed to have some sense bitchslapped into him, so I don't think I qualify for any leadership role in his fan club. But the amount of obsession that some on this board have for him has gotten worse than any obsession he has about KU.

I had forgotten that he hadn't committed at the same time Tristan Thompson did. Not a surprise that he signed, it was pretty much expected he would. Still not sure what they are gonna do next year with 3 or 4 point guards on the roster.

Who are all the point guards on the roster? Balbay and Brown are two of them right?

Who are all the point guards on the roster? Balbay and Brown are two of them right?

Yep, and if Bradley changes his mind and doesn't actually enter the draft, he'd be a 4th.

{gigantic shrug} You want 'em discussed, then bring 'em up. He hates KU, I get that, BFD afaic. I hate UGA the same way & if they fuck up you can bet your ass I'll make mention of it if the mood strikes. Whether he mentions some halfassed prank on the Mizzou campus has absolutely zero to do with whether the ticket deal at Kansas is a valid topic.

Truth is, I've gotten to the point where I'm more sick of the people who perpetually troll MBBF than I am of his forays into inane babbling ... and he's a guy I once suggested needed to have some sense bitchslapped into him, so I don't think I qualify for any leadership role in his fan club. But the amount of obsession that some on this board have for him has gotten worse than any obsession he has about KU.

I guess I just see a difference between flaming vs discussing a valid topic.

Where would you make mention of the UGA screw up? Here or on a UGA/Tennessee forum?

Just because I'm interested to hear your take, do you truly believe throwing cotton balls all over a black culture center is a "halfassed prank"? It certainly wasn't an act of violence thankfully, but I don't know that I would classify it as a prank let alone a "halfassed prank".

Yep, and if Bradley changes his mind and doesn't actually enter the draft, he'd be a 4th.

Do you think Bradley might switch to SG if he returns?

Do you think Bradley might switch to SG if he returns?

Sure, it would be a possibility. He did play quite a bit at SG this season.

Sure, it would be a possibility. He did play quite a bit at SG this season.

I was thinking he had played some SG, but I couldn't recall how much given the injuries to the other PG. Any rumors on Bradley's draft status?

{gigantic shrug} You want 'em discussed, then bring 'em up. He hates KU, I get that, BFD afaic. I hate UGA the same way & if they fuck up you can bet your ass I'll make mention of it if the mood strikes. Whether he mentions some halfassed prank on the Mizzou campus has absolutely zero to do with whether the ticket deal at Kansas is a valid topic.

Truth is, I've gotten to the point where I'm more sick of the people who perpetually troll MBBF than I am of his forays into inane babbling ... and he's a guy I once suggested needed to have some sense bitchslapped into him, so I don't think I qualify for any leadership role in his fan club. But the amount of obsession that some on this board have for him has gotten worse than any obsession he has about KU.


Big +1

Get over him guys, he's a homer who give's a fuck?

Where would you make mention of the UGA screw up? Here or on a UGA/Tennessee forum?

Here, without question or hesitation. I might take a random cheap shot on the local newspaper site but that'd be hit & run posting at most, strictly in the hopes of irritating at least one mangy mutt. But if it's notable enough or there's any desire for any discussion at all, I'd put it here at least for informational purposes.

Just because I'm interested to hear your take, do you truly believe throwing cotton balls all over a black culture center is a "halfassed prank"? It certainly wasn't an act of violence thankfully, but I don't know that I would classify it as a prank let alone a "halfassed prank".

I just skimmed the story but from what I read of it, yeah, I'd put it on the order of halfassed prank. Somebody looking to fuck with some folks a little bit, nothing I'd see as a legitimate threat or anything of that nature.

I guess I just see a difference between flaming vs discussing a valid topic.

Where would you make mention of the UGA screw up? Here or on a UGA/Tennessee forum?

Just because I'm interested to hear your take, do you truly believe throwing cotton balls all over a black culture center is a "halfassed prank"? It certainly wasn't an act of violence thankfully, but I don't know that I would classify it as a prank let alone a "halfassed prank".

LOL. A few months ago I put myself into an argument about KU and the black-white football-basketball brawl and ended up looking like a jackass because I had no real details outside of mass media articles on the subject. (Either you, dataking, or sterlingice gave me the real story and I admit I was completely biased didn't have the real story and the information changed my mind) This cotton ball incident has gotten a bunch of play by local press for months and basically is just two fucking retarded guys that are most probably racist and have a pathetic sense of humor. How this is big news or an indictment of the city of Columbia is beyond any sort of comprehension. Please explain. Is there some huge secret society that funded these two idiot teenagers $4.99 Walgreens bill for cotton balls? Did this secret society provide so much cover for these guys that theywere caught for a crime that maybe 0.1% of the population gets caught doing (We call it TPing or toilet papering here)? Is this secret society going to go from cotton balls to murders or is there a middle step? If two idiots in Lawrence go on a shooting spree does that say anything about the whole town or the university? You are really grasping at straws here. Really grasping. Why? To nail MBBF who you claim to care so little about.

LOL. A few months ago I put myself into an argument about KU and the black-white football-basketball brawl and ended up looking like a jackass because I had no real details outside of mass media articles on the subject. (Either you, dataking, or sterlingice gave me the real story and I admit I was completely biased didn't have the real story and the information changed my mind) This cotton ball incident has gotten a bunch of play by local press for months and basically is just two fucking retarded guys that are most probably racist and have a pathetic sense of humor. How this is big news or an indictment of the city of Columbia is beyond any sort of comprehension. Please explain. Is there some huge secret society that funded these two idiot teenagers $4.99 Walgreens bill for cotton balls? Did this secret society provide so much cover for these guys that theywere caught for a crime that maybe 0.1% of the population gets caught doing (We call it TPing or toilet papering here)? Is this secret society going to go from cotton balls to murders or is there a middle step? If two idiots in Lawrence go on a shooting spree does that say anything about the whole town or the university? You are really grasping at straws here. Really grasping. Why? To nail MBBF who you claim to care so little about.

That was exactly the point Panerd. It's not the University of Missouri's fault hence why I didn't post it until MBBF's flames yesterday. It was two racist clowns who thought they were being funny during Black History month. There is a reason my Mike Anderson comment was eerily similar to MBBF's Beal predictions. I like to pull this little stunt any time MBBF pulls out his trolling card. If you recall I did this as well when the female Missouri basketball player punched the male cheerleader. If MBBF wants to be a troll then I can troll as well. If he wants to have an honest to goodness discussion then that would be a miracle.

I don't know if it was posted or not, but Arkansas' Courtney Fortson signed with an agent. Unless Pelphrey can pull something from his hat, I can't see this turning out well for him and the Razorbacks next season.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=121667.24898.133750&spID=5

That was exactly the point Panerd. It's not the University of Missouri's fault hence why I didn't post it until MBBF's flames yesterday. It was two racist clowns who thought they were being funny during Black History month. There is a reason my Mike Anderson comment was eerily similar to MBBF's Beal predictions. I like to pull this little stunt any time MBBF pulls out his trolling card. If you recall I did this as well when the female Missouri basketball player punched the male cheerleader. If MBBF wants to be a troll then I can troll as well. If he wants to have an honest to goodness discussion then that would be a miracle.

Or we could focus on the simple fact that there's a FBI and IRS investigation of the Kansas program that involved fraud by KU scholarship adminstration and major booster that will likely run into millions of dollars. They've already found 'hundreds of thousands' in transactions and they just got started. This isn't trolling. This is a real story and your efforts to avoid discuss that speak volumes. I think SI's assessment was a much more accurate assessment as to the general KU fan base. There's a lot of people that are getting REALLY tired of Lew's antics and it includes most of the KU boosters and fans.

I don't know if it was posted or not, but Arkansas' Courtney Fortson signed with an agent. Unless Pelphrey can pull something from his hat, I can't see this turning out well for him and the Razorbacks next season.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/sports_article.asp?aID=121667.24898.133750&spID=5

Oh, no. It will actually be better without him. His attitude was a big problem. Most fans are glad he's gone. He had flashes of brilliance, but his weaknesses (out of control, too many bad turnovers, not a good shooter, selfish) showed up way too often. Shame because the kid has huge potential.

Oh, no. It will actually be better without him. His attitude was a big problem. Most fans are glad he's gone. He had flashes of brilliance, but his weaknesses (out of control, too many bad turnovers, not a good shooter, selfish) showed up way too often. Shame because the kid has huge potential.

I agree with MJ4H. I can't see many ways where this is a bad development. He was a big reason why that team was so streaky.

Or we could focus on the simple fact that there's a FBI and IRS investigation of the Kansas program that involved fraud by KU scholarship adminstration and major booster that will likely run into millions of dollars. They've already found 'hundreds of thousands' in transactions and they just got started. This isn't trolling. This is a real story and your efforts to avoid discuss that speak volumes. I think SI's assessment was a much more accurate assessment as to the general KU fan base. There's a lot of people that are getting REALLY tired of Lew's antics and it includes most of the KU boosters and fans.

Per the article, this has been going on long before Lew Perkins arrived. So the fact you're trying to pin this directly on Lew Perkins in some way shows how ridiculous that argument is. There are people who don't like Lew Perkins and that's fine. He's definitely given some of those people a reason with all of the changes. But there aren't many BCS athletic directors who are loved by the fans for the same reasons (priority points, hirings, firings, etc).

This is about a couple of people within the ticket department who stole and then sold tickets illegally for an extended period of time. The fact you're not knowledgeable about this at all leads me to believe you're trolling. You pretty much posted this without reading the article in question. You then point fingers at people who aren't even directly involved and try to blame them for things that were likely out of their control. I would hope that you having experience with small businesses would understand at least that point. Imagine running a business with hundreds of employees.

When it's all said and done, there are going to be a couple of former KU employees who will be doing time in jail for this. Does it suck for KU? Sure. It's a black eye any time you get negative publicity like this.

If you're serious about discussing this then next time do a little research rather than just blindly pointing fingers at people. I'm always willing to discuss anything KU related. I just know that you have an agenda every time you post anything non-MU related and thus I've come to expect this stuff.

Oh, no. It will actually be better without him. His attitude was a big problem. Most fans are glad he's gone. He had flashes of brilliance, but his weaknesses (out of control, too many bad turnovers, not a good shooter, selfish) showed up way too often. Shame because the kid has huge potential.

Does Pelphrey have anyone in the pipeline that can replace him though? I just know that Pelphrey can't possibly survive another season of struggles. So this can't possibly help his chances can it?

Does Pelphrey have anyone in the pipeline that can replace him though? I just know that Pelphrey can't possibly survive another season of struggles. So this can't possibly help his chances can it?

Yeah, we will actually be guard heavy next year. We do have a player that transferred in that I think will run the point the right way. He sat out this year, but he played at Iowa two years ago. By all appearances he seems to be much more under control. The most encouraging thing, though, is that the attitude problems seem to have moved on, now. Pelphrey isn't the greatest coach in the world, but he sure has been dealing with his share of attitude from players. This will hopefully be a better year for team chemistry and attitude. At the very least, it will give Pelphrey a better chance to show what he can do in his 4th year with his own players, playing his own style, with the right attitudes. In other words, no more excuses. I'm happy with that either way. It either turns around, or bye. No more "well this and that." Bye.

We do have a couple of really good guards coming in and a sophomore PG returning (Nobles) who showed potential to run the point behind Fortson. Not to mention Clarke can run some point, too. I'm sure the job will be Jeff Peterson's out of the gate, though (the guy from Iowa). Personally, I'm not worried about the guard spots. We need a big man.

Dana Altman? At guess after butchering their search, it isnt the worst hire.

Any rumors on Bradley's draft status?


He declared, but hasn't hired an agent. One projection has him going around #19 or #20, but most others have him going later.

Dana Altman? At guess after butchering their search, it isnt the worst hire.

If they indeed land Altman, it's not a bad hire. I like Altman, but I was shocked when Arkansas nearly hired him a few years ago. I just don't know about Altman given his struggles at KSU. Oregon will be much easier to recruit to so it could be a nice fit.

I'll be very interested to see what Creighton does if Altman leaves.

He declared, but hasn't hired an agent. One projection has him going around #19 or #20, but most others have him going later.

Are you hearing whether he's staying in? I have to think with those projections he'll be back at Texas.

Are you hearing whether he's staying in? I have to think with those projections he'll be back at Texas.

That is what Barnes is telling him. He is all for guys making the jump as along as they are projected to go in the top 12.

Altman was a great hire in 2005. Now? The ill effects of reaching for the stars and missing the better coaches

Per the article, this has been going on long before Lew Perkins arrived.

So why exactly did it continue when Lew arrived? I think we all know why. Stop excusing the widespread fraud in the ticketing department. It's embarrassing enough as it is.

Altman was a great hire in 2005. Now? The ill effects of reaching for the stars and missing the better coaches

Just for the record, I said at the beginning of this whole soap opera that Oregon should focus on landing a good mid-major coach. I'm glad they finally came around to the correct way of thinking. My only question is whether he's better than the guy they fired?

I personally love Altman as a coach. I'm surprised that Oregon was able to get him away from Creighton given his previous comments after the Arkansas fiasco, but I'm guessing that the money was too much for him to pass up.

So why exactly did it continue when Lew arrived? I think we all know why. Stop excusing the widespread fraud in the ticketing department. It's embarrassing enough as it is.

Why did it continue? I don't know. Maybe because the people in charge of the ticket department were the ones doing it hence why it wasn't discovered under three different athletic directors. Should it have been caught sooner by any of the three athletic directors? Definitely. Why wasn't it? I'm guessing it's because these were the tickets set aside for guests and are likely easier to hide. It's easy to say Bill Self or Turner Gill gave these tickets to a charity event. Since your buddies with Mike Anderson I'm sure you can vouch for his ability to gift MU basketball tickets. The only thing KU can do put a system in place that can prevent it in the future.

How is it "widespread" exactly? Per the reports thus far only two people have been implicated. Please don't tell me you're getting all your info from Kevin Kietzman. Because he's not exactly the most reliable source when it comes to KU athletics (see the Scott Pollard fiasco not to mention the Doron Lamb and Josh Selby predictions).

I still honestly don't know why you're so up in arms about this (ok, I do know). It's one or two people who basically sold tickets illegally to ticket brokers and thus didn't pay taxes on it (hence why the Fed and IRS are involved). If there is more uncovered during the investigation then we'll discuss it then. But thus far it's a pretty simple matter of an individual (or individuals) stealing tickets from the University and using that to increase their personal revenue.

It is looking as if Iowa State's Greg McDermott is taking the Creighton job. This will be his second stint in the Missouri Valley Conference after a successful campaign with Northern Iowa from 2001-2006.

It is looking as if Iowa State's Greg McDermott is taking the Creighton job. This will be his second stint in the Missouri Valley Conference after a successful campaign with Northern Iowa from 2001-2006.

That'll make things interesting at ISU. They just got a commit from Eric McKnight over the weekend on an official visit. Less than 48 hours later, the coach heads elsewhere. In addition, Jeff Grayer had just signed on as an assistant to McDermott. It looked like a move to appease the fan base. The administration will likely want to keep Grayer on-board in some role.

the University of Kansas did not make any money on these seats. These seats were sold by two or more individuals within the department to pad their personal income. The seats that were being sold are ones that are put aside for guests, recruits, etc. So these are not tickets taken from the season ticket holders.

Yeah, and it probably happens at every University where basketball tickets are a valuable commodity.

Honestly, AD's deal with a lot of big, 7-10 figure issues, many of them have fundraising as their #1 duty (with raising hundreds of millions as a keep-your-job goal) so tracking a dozen tickets or less that the basketball office did not use is probably not big enough to show up on his radar.

And as long as the income is not going to athletes or recruits, this is not even a violation, just a case of a few people lining their pockets with (stolen) cash, and worse, not reporting it as income.

That'll make things interesting at ISU. They just got a commit from Eric McKnight over the weekend on an official visit. Less than 48 hours later, the coach heads elsewhere. In addition, Jeff Grayer had just signed on as an assistant to McDermott. It looked like a move to appease the fan base. The administration will likely want to keep Grayer on-board in some role.

Yeah, I'm not certain where ISU is going to go from here. I know the fans weren't high on McDermott and most on the ISU forums seem to be pretty happy that he's gone a year earlier than they expected. The Cyclones basketball program is a good program. They have a good fan base, solid in-state talent, and Hilton is a very tough place to play. Hopefully they'll have some quality candidates on that list.

Looks like J'Mison Morgan is transferring to Baylor.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/news/story?id=5138506

The weed must be good at Baylor

The weed must be good at Baylor

You hope that maybe being closer to home will straighten the young man out and get him back to being a productive player. I don't know if Scott Drew is the right guy to get him back on track though.

You hope that maybe being closer to home will straighten the young man out and get him back to being a productive player. I don't know if Scott Drew is the right guy to get him back on track though.

We shall see. It looked like he really enjoyed college and even though he sat a lot, he was always a great teammate as far as I could tell. The problem was that his potential was based on what was under all of his weight. When the weight came off, he didnt get much better. I read an article today saying that UCLA just wasnt the right fit for him because we didn't play enough zone defense for him. I can see why he didn't play much for Howland because after about the 5th game, we played zone almost exclusively and it's a shame that Bobo didn't even know that.

Saw that Billy Gillespie actually contacted Iowa State about their job opening. If they're going to consider Billy, they might as well just hire back Larry Eustachy.

Saw that Billy Gillespie actually contacted Iowa State about their job opening. If they're going to consider Billy, they might as well just hire back Larry Eustachy.

When it comes to having their life in order, I have a feeling that Larry is in much better shape at this point. Gillespie is probably the better coach/recruiter though. I just keep hoping that Gillespie turns things around in his life soon and gets back into coaching.

When it comes to having their life in order, I have a feeling that Larry is in much better shape at this point. Gillespie is probably the better coach/recruiter though. I just keep hoping that Gillespie turns things around in his life soon and gets back into coaching.

Yes, that was my point. Larry would be a much better hire than Billy. Eustachy still has good support in the ISU fan ranks. He's still a very good coach and has cleaned up his act. He's a good fit for that program.

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/114117/teague-calipari.jpg

Some of you will enjoy this one. There's a John Calipari impersonator on Facebook, who sent this (100% fake) message to Marquis Teague, the five star point guard and recent commitment to Kentucky.

Teague's response, though, is 100% honest and true. Which, to me, is hilarious. As fans of one of the last "honest" coaches in the NCAA, I thought some of you would get a kick out of it.[/I]

Why is it assumed his response is 100% honest and true?

UCLA lands 2011 4* SG from Arizona, by way of Indiana, Matt Carlino. He's going to reclassify and enroll this fall. He was also a one time verbal of Indiana

UCLA lands 2011 4* SG from Arizona, by way of Indiana, Matt Carlino. He's going to reclassify and enroll this fall. He was also a one time verbal of Indiana

So, Bug, what do you think of the thoughts of many at the UCLA boards (including an administrator/scout or two) who think Carlino is not a UCLA level player?

Speaking of TruTV (a few pages back) ... saw today (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/27/trutv-unveils-new-lineup-now-ranks-among-ad-supported-cable%E2%80%99s-top-10-networks-in-key-demos/49773) where they've ended up cracking the top 10 cable networks with 18-49, up from 16th place one year ago.

Fred Hoiberg to be Iowa State's next coach.

Hoiberg Next ISU Head Coach (http://www.myabc5.com/global/story.asp?s=12385805)

Fred Hoiberg to be Iowa State's next coach.

Hoiberg Next ISU Head Coach (http://www.myabc5.com/global/story.asp?s=12385805)

The guy was a great player for Iowa State.

Well done, ISU.

If he can surround himself with some capable, experienced assistants -- I like his chances to succeed and stick around for a long, long time.

Well done, ISU.

If he can surround himself with some capable, experienced assistants -- I like his chances to succeed and stick around for a long, long time.

There are a couple of things that bother me about this hire. First is that he has zero experience as a coach (that I'm aware of). Second is that if things don't work out then they'll be forced to fire one of their most popular and celebrated alums.

The major positive of this hire is that he is Iowa State to the core. So if he succeeds you'll never have to worry about him bolting for another job. It's not a bad gamble by Iowa State given the fans' frustrations with McDermott.

So, Bug, what do you think of the thoughts of many at the UCLA boards (including an administrator/scout or two) who think Carlino is not a UCLA level player?

As someone who saw Carlino in action back in his AZ days i dont get the hype...he simply didnt stack up with guys like Hawkins, Johnson, Woolridge, Stoglin, and Bejarano(all arizona guards committed to BCS schools in 2010 or 2011). Hes a solid player, sure, but i think he has a pretty hard ceiling. Now he could be a nice glue player, but hes not a guy I see carrying a team anywhere UCLA is accustomed to being. I simply dont see room for physical growth or maturation on that frame, and his play isnt electrifying.

There are a couple of things that bother me about this hire. First is that he has zero experience as a coach (that I'm aware of). Second is that if things don't work out then they'll be forced to fire one of their most popular and celebrated alums.

The major positive of this hire is that he is Iowa State to the core. So if he succeeds you'll never have to worry about him bolting for another job. It's not a bad gamble by Iowa State given the fans' frustrations with McDermott.

His bio mentions that he was briefly a coach with the Timberwolves and he had been working in their front office for several years, but your point definitely stands. I obviously don't know much about Iowa State, but I cannot imagine that their expectations are too, too high. I'd imagine that his name (particularly in the Midwest), experience, and NBA connections will have to help him out with recruiting, fundraising, and drumming up interest/tix sales. If he picked up some administrative ability working in an NBA front office, I'd have to think he is pretty well equipped to build that program up a bit.

His bio mentions that he was briefly a coach with the Timberwolves and he had been working in their front office for several years, but your point definitely stands. I obviously don't know much about Iowa State, but I cannot imagine that their expectations are too, too high. I'd imagine that his name (particularly in the Midwest), experience, and NBA connections will have to help him out with recruiting, fundraising, and drumming up interest/tix sales. If he picked up some administrative ability working in an NBA front office, I'd have to think he is pretty well equipped to build that program up a bit.

Sadly, ISU's expectations are lower now after McDermott's struggles (and Wayne Morgan before him). They've had some very good teams with Tim Floyd and Larry Eustachy at the helm. Hopefully this hire works out for the Cyclones.

As someone who saw Carlino in action back in his AZ days i dont get the hype...he simply didnt stack up with guys like Hawkins, Johnson, Woolridge, Stoglin, and Bejarano(all arizona guards committed to BCS schools in 2010 or 2011). Hes a solid player, sure, but i think he has a pretty hard ceiling. Now he could be a nice glue player, but hes not a guy I see carrying a team anywhere UCLA is accustomed to being. I simply dont see room for physical growth or maturation on that frame, and his play isnt electrifying.

No idea. Nobody seems that high on him, but he's being brought in to shoot the ball, not lead UCLA to another title. He'll likely be recruited over in the next class as well, so I dont see it as much of a big deal. There have been plenty of kids in Arizona that the in-states missed out on, so I dont see it as much of an issue. Hill, Haryasz, Cummard so time will tell. Ever since he committed to Indiana, he's been trashed in state so I cant blame him for wanting to get the heck out.

Oh i dont blame him at all for that, and I am not totally sure I have heared the same bashing you claim to have heared. I think a lot of AZ fans are frustrated Johnson transferred to Findlay Prep(even though I think its a nice move for the kid), but I never really heared too much whining over carlino choosing to head out to Indiana. I just dont think many fans here care about him much because of the high number of quality guards coming through the ranks locally. UofA pulled Bajarno, ASU got Hawkins, im not really sure where you heared that trashing is coming from.

So just for the record, Oregon turned down three coaches who had won a National Championship at another school who wanted the job because they weren't a good fit at Oregon. Instead of those three coaches (whoever they were), Oregon decided to hire Dana Altman.

At least that's what the lead man who hired Altman was trying to convince the press. Pretty humorous to hear the press keep asking about that point just to make sure they actually heard it right. This four minute clip leaves little doubt as to how deep the bullsh%$ runs with this guy.

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Jerry Tarkanian and Jim Harrick? :)

Who could be #3?

The ghost of Jim Valvano

Bobby Knight?

Jim Harrick and Steve Fisher were the other ones I could think might be possible.

Body language experts will tell you that guy is largely full of sh*t.

So just for the record, Oregon turned down three coaches who had won a National Championship at another school who wanted the job because they weren't a good fit at Oregon.

Only three? I'm shocked. I mean, this IS Oregon we're talking about here.

Boeheim, Izzo, and Coach K would certainly have wanted the job.
Wooden, Knight, and Smith had to be chomping at the bit.
And there's Richardson, Tarkanian, Fisher, Harrick, and Larry Brown.

He probably meant that there were only three that they deigned to grant an interview.

Speaking of Oregon though, I see where they also hired a new SID.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39065000/jpg/_39065561_saed203ap.jpg

5* forward CJ Leslie has apparently turned away Kentucky and UConn to sign with NC State.

local sports radio hilariously losing their minds, saying that anything but a top 3 finish in the ACC and winning at least 1 NCAA Tournament game would be a disappointment next year.

5* forward CJ Leslie has apparently turned away Kentucky and UConn to sign with NC State.
Hmm. That may be bad news for Washington - the thinking was if Leslie opted for Kentucky, that would push Terrence Jones to the Huskies.

2010 BIG 12/PAC-10 HARDWOOD SERIES
Saturday, November 27
USC at Nebraska

Thursday, December 2
Missouri at Oregon
UCLA at Kansas
Arizona State at Baylor

Friday, December 3
Kansas State at Washington State

Saturday, December 4
Oregon State at Colorado
California at Iowa State
Texas Tech at Washington
Sunday, December 5
Texas at USC
Oklahoma at Arizona

Saturday, December 11
Washington at Texas A&M

Tuesday, December 21
Stanford at Oklahoma State

5* forward CJ Leslie has apparently turned away Kentucky and UConn to sign with NC State.

local sports radio hilariously losing their minds, saying that anything but a top 3 finish in the ACC and winning at least 1 NCAA Tournament game would be a disappointment next year.

Why is that so hilarious?

Why is that so hilarious?

Probably because they haven't finished better than 9th since Sidney Lowe took over and they have only finished in the top 3 twice since Jim Valvano left.

5* forward CJ Leslie has apparently turned away Kentucky and UConn to sign with NC State.

local sports radio hilariously losing their minds, saying that anything but a top 3 finish in the ACC and winning at least 1 NCAA Tournament game would be a disappointment next year.

Why is that so hilarious?

Probably because they haven't finished better than 9th since Sidney Lowe took over and they have only finished in the top 3 twice since Jim Valvano left.

No doubt the expectations are going to be very high. The pressure was already there considering UNC and Duke's recent NCAA titles and State's continued poor seasons in the same timeframe. Even without Leslie, next year was viewed by the general fanbase (as opposed to our simpleton AD and wealthy donors--the ones who really call the shots) as a make-or-break year for Lowe. Landing Leslie just intensified things a bit more.

As for the sports radio chatter, I think they're just trying to stir things a bit. Even so, it's not too out of line given how things are changing in the ACC right now: Clemson, BC, and Wake are all breaking in new coaches, UNC is trying to find its way again, and VT, GT, and Maryland are expected to step back. Duke's the only clear-cut great team in the conference heading into next season, so a top half finish should be a very reasonable goal with Tracey Smith's return and all the stud freshman helping him shoulder the load. Top 3? I don't know. I've watched this team and this university's other athletics programs become mostly disasters over the last 20 years, so I'll believe that when it happens. However, a 9-7 or 10-6 season should be attainable and that should be enough to merit an NCAA spot. Then the bill comes due after the season in the form of Leslie jumping to the NBA, so Lowe better be prepared for that eventuality. Once Lowe gets to the NCAAs, the fans aren't really going to be keen on slipping back.

Top 3 wouldn't surprise me at all. At this point I have absolutely no idea what to expect out of either UNC or NC State. State finishing higher than UNC wouldn't surprise me either.

My reaction is based mainly on Wolfpack's description in the past of, using his words, their simpleton AD and wealthy donors and their seemingly unrealistic expectations year in/year out. Some legitimate outside hype seems like its going to create an impossible pressure situation for Lowe and his freshmen.

As long as UNC returns to normal next year, I will enjoy following it :D

Last year's standings:

Duke (will reload as always, fine)
Maryland (recruited pretty well, bring back good depth)
VaTech (bring everyone back)

FlaState (lose their best player, but bring back some talent)
Clemson (lose their best players, nothing special in recruiting)
Wake (lose everything)
GT (lose everything)
BC (overachieved)
NCSU (bring back their best player, had young players come on strong at the end of the year, and add three 5* recruits)
UNC (underachieved, great recruits)
UVA (lose everything, which wasn't much to start with)
Miami (lose their best players)

I see three teams that are favorites for those top three slots, with VT and Maryland having some major question marks. The only teams out of the next nine that I see as having any chance to move up are Florida State, UNC, and NCState. I would rank those three teams as follows: UNC, NCSU, Florida State (and don't really see how that could be all that controversial). With all that said, I'm not sure how it's particularly controversial to suggest that NCSU would move into the top three in the ACC. Saying it should be expected might be pushing it given that you have 5 teams (VT, FSU, UNC, NCState, Maryland) fighting for two spots, but if it happens it would be far from unexpected.

You're either missing my point or ignoring it to make your own about how the ACC looks next year.

My point wasn't that it is absolutely absurd to think that NC State could be a top 3 team in the league next year. My point is that after listening to Wolfpack talk about how NC State has imploded over the past 2 decades and put great emphasis on otherworldly expectations of the people in charge when they were filled with mediocrity, I cannot wait to see the explosion of crazy that occurs when there is legitimate hype of any kind. Its going to be a hell of a show, especially for someone local who has no ties to the program.

If reasonable expectations have NC State finishing with 10 wins in the league and in the NCAA tournament, there are going to be enough delusional people around who assume that NC State should now sweep duke and unc and make a final four instantly that its going to be immensely entertaining.


As for predictions for next year, once Singler decided to come back I think Duke is a serious threat to go 14-2 in the league, maybe State or Carolina steals one and they always seem to struggle in Tallahassee and with Virginia Tech whether they should or not.

Nothing else really matters after that. UNC will be a lot better but I can't see them being a national threat as long as Larry Drew is running the show. Maryland will suffer without Vasquez and underachieve. The ACC will get more teams into the tournament than they deserve to and all of them but one will lose in the first weekend.

2010 BIG 12/PAC-10 HARDWOOD SERIES
Saturday, November 27
USC at Nebraska

Thursday, December 2
Missouri at Oregon
UCLA at Kansas
Arizona State at Baylor

Friday, December 3
Kansas State at Washington State

Saturday, December 4
Oregon State at Colorado
California at Iowa State
Texas Tech at Washington
Sunday, December 5
Texas at USC
Oklahoma at Arizona

Saturday, December 11
Washington at Texas A&M

Tuesday, December 21
Stanford at Oklahoma State

In related news, the Oregon Minister of Information has just confirmed that Mike Anderson, national championship assistant coach, will be coaching in Eugene this December.

North Carolina State Wolfpack's Tracy Smith enters draft without agent - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2010/news/story?id=5148456)

NC State's leading scorer and rebounder last year, Tracy Smith, declares for the NBA Draft but has not hired an agent and may still return to school.

You're either missing my point or ignoring it to make your own about how the ACC looks next year.


Umm ... neither? I was responding to Swaggs, who made clear how he thinks its preposterous to even consider NCState as a Top 3 team next season.

Umm ... neither? I was responding to Swaggs, who made clear how he thinks its preposterous to even consider NCState as a Top 3 team next season.

Doh! My bad :)

Top 3 wouldn't surprise me at all. At this point I have absolutely no idea what to expect out of either UNC or NC State. State finishing higher than UNC wouldn't surprise me either.

My reaction is based mainly on Wolfpack's description in the past of, using his words, their simpleton AD and wealthy donors and their seemingly unrealistic expectations year in/year out. Some legitimate outside hype seems like its going to create an impossible pressure situation for Lowe and his freshmen.

As long as UNC returns to normal next year, I will enjoy following it :D

I think it should be clarified that it's the general populace that has higher expectations. If Lee Fowler had any sort of expecations let alone high ones, most of the coaching positions would have turned over a lot faster than they have. I'll give him a good mark for at least getting Kellie Harper hired to replace Kay Yow when all the sentimental pressure was to hire Stephanie Glance, which would have likely continued the steady decay of that program, but when just about every other revenue and non-revenue sport has been finishing at or near the bottom of the conference for some time now, Harper's hiring has the marks of a blind squirrel moment.

Regardless, there are those, I'm sure, who think this will make State instantly competitive next year, but I think that there are plenty more such as myself who are viewing things with guarded optimism more than anything. It's been mentioned more than once that State athletics generally has been a Lucy-pulling-the-football-away-at-the-last-second experience and it's going to take a while to restore confidence. Case-in-point would be Tracey Smith putting his name in for the draft. Most everyone was a little surprised that it came about, but could understand it since he's a rising senior and likely was doing so just to get some feelers from NBA insiders as to what his position is and what he needs to improve his senior year. However, were Smith to actually stay in the draft anyway, it'd anger a lot of fans and would continue to feed the "cursed" mentality that's out there.

Terrence Jones is about to announce his college choice. He's picking from among 6 different hats: Kentucky, Washington, UCLA, Oregon, Oklahoma and Kansas. His teammate Terrence Ross has already committed to Washington...

Terrence Jones is about to announce his college choice. He's picking from among 6 different hats: Kentucky, Washington, UCLA, Oregon, Oklahoma and Kansas. His teammate Terrence Ross has already committed to Washington...
And it's Washington!

And it's Washington!

Very nice pickup for Romar. He will give a lot of Pac 10 teams fits next year.

Very nice pickup for Romar. He will give a lot of Pac 10 teams fits next year.
Jones will have a great opportunity to take Pondexter's spot in the starting lineup next year. If both Jones & Ross qualify, this should be a great class for Romar, along with Desmond Simmons and Aziz N'diaye.

Staggering Start: Hofstra Coach Tim Welsh Charged With DWI -- NCAABB FanHouse (http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/04/30/tim-welsh-staggering-start-at-hofstra/)

Hofstra's new coach already suspended without pay after being caught on a DUI. Oops.

And it's Washington!
Hold the phone - apparently Jones hasn't signed his LOI yet. Coach Calipari reportedly called Jones right after his press conference announcement and laid him a major guilt trip, and Jones is supposedly going to take more time to contemplate his decision. He seems legitimately torn, and claims he didn't know which school he was going to pick until he grabbed the Washington cap at his presser.

Great pickup for Romar. He's essentially shutdown the NW, mostly from UNC and Arizona, and has done well. He should be the overwhelming favorite to win the PAC-10 next year.

This week in Raleigh is starting to reach surreal proportions. Let's see...we got four football players busted for marijuana-related charges to lead off the week. Then we find out we've got the biggest recruit to land at State since Julius Hodge and perhaps even further back when CJ Leslie re-commits. One day later, we find out Tracey Smith is testing the NBA draft waters. Now comes word that our AD (which I lovingly described as a "simpleton" upthread--trust me, among State fans, that's very polite) may in fact be on his way out the door and is trying to get the AD job at Mississippi State to avoid the appearance of being "fired".

Wonder what'll happen next at this point?

Hold the phone - apparently Jones hasn't signed his LOI yet. Coach Calipari reportedly called Jones right after his press conference announcement and laid him a major guilt trip, and Jones is supposedly going to take more time to contemplate his decision. He seems legitimately torn, and claims he didn't know which school he was going to pick until he grabbed the Washington cap at his presser.

You stay classy, Calipari........

Husky Men's Basketball Blog | Terrence Jones Still Hasn't Signed a LOI to Washington | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskymensbasketballblog/2011749480_terrence_jones_5.html)

It also looks as if he needs a little more time to make sure he made the right decision.

Nearly an hour after making his choice, Jones still hasn't signed his letter of intent to Washington. I posted on the Live Chat he didn't have a LOI to UW, but that information came from his aunt and it was incorrect.

There is a UW letter of intent here and it's unsigned at the moment.

And there's more.

Kentucky coach John Calipari called Jones after his announcement and Jones was on the phone for a very long time. About 15 minutes. Reading body language, Jones seemed pained.

He told me, "You hurt thousands of people just as much as you make people happy."

Jones' mother said if he hadn't chosen Washington, he was going to pick Kentucky.

Two more Kansas ticket staff administrators resign in the continuing FBI investigation of KU's ticket scandal.

Two more officials with connections to KU ticket office step down - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/30/1914823/two-more-officials-with-connections.html)

After failed drug test, Matt Shaw gone from UNLV men's basketball program - Las Vegas Sun (http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/27/shaw-042710/)

Props to Shaw for taking responsibility, but the NCAA's marijuana laws, are, like federal laws, absurd. Especially when other crimes are treated so leniently.

This does open a scholarship for Johnathon Lloyd from Bishop Gorman, a little, 5'8 speed demon, who would be a good pick up if we manage to grab him from Oregon... but I worry about the Runnin' Rebels lack of size.

Two more Kansas ticket staff administrators resign in the continuing FBI investigation of KU's ticket scandal.

Two more officials with connections to KU ticket office step down - KansasCity.com (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/30/1914823/two-more-officials-with-connections.html)

Seriously?

Seriously?
This surprises you?

You stay classy, Calipari........

Husky Men's Basketball Blog | Terrence Jones Still Hasn't Signed a LOI to Washington | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskymensbasketballblog/2011749480_terrence_jones_5.html)

What is he doing that's classless? The LOI date has passed and he hasn't signed. He obviously wants to be recruited

This surprises you?

Not really.

What is he doing that's classless? The LOI date has passed and he hasn't signed. He obviously wants to be recruited

I like Calipari and I think the guy is an excellent basketball coach and obviously an incredible recruiter, but I'm a little wary of this situation. I honestly don't know who initiated contact with whom so I'm not going to judge too harshly on Calipari. I'll be disappointed in Cal if he was the one who initiated contact. We don't know that so right now I'm still on the fence.

What is he doing that's classless? The LOI date has passed and he hasn't signed. He obviously wants to be recruitedNot only that, but it's being reported around Lexington that it was Jones that called Calipari and not the other way around. Also, the article was a bit misleading, which I assume is what prompted the massive guilt trip comment. "You hurt thousands of people just as much as you make people happy" was what Jones told the reporter, not what Calipari told Jones.

I like Calipari and I think the guy is an excellent basketball coach and obviously an incredible recruiter, but I'm a little wary of this situation. I honestly don't know who initiated contact with whom so I'm not going to judge too harshly on Calipari. I'll be disappointed in Cal if he was the one who initiated contact. We don't know that so right now I'm still on the fence.
Yeah, it really depends on who initiated the call, and if it was Calipari, did he initiate the call with the intention of trying to talk him out of his commitment? If that's the case, then yes - Cal was a slimeball. But otherwise, how can you blame him if in the process of talking to Jones he realized that Jones was still torn about his decision, and Cal continued recruiting him?

From everything I've seen and read about Jones, he comes across as a really nice kid that is having a really hard time deciding, and is conscious of letting people down with whatever he decides.

I think he's really enamored with Kentucky and their history. He probably also thinks Kentucky has a better chance at winning a title next year than the Huskies (he's won 3 straight state titles), and he may think Calipari is more able to prepare him for the NBA right away.

On the other hand, I think he really likes Romar as a person, likes the idea that at Washington, his family is just a 2.5 hour drive away from seeing him play, likes that he'd be honoring his aunt who taught him how to play basketball and was on the Huskies women's team back in the day, and really wants to continue playing with his long-time buddy Terrence Ross.

The factors that favored Washington won out in the moment he made his decision at his press conference, but once he got to talking with Coach Cal, all his feelings about Kentucky came back and he was torn again.

Who knows how it's going to end up. While I'd love to think badly of Coach Cal, in this case I just don't know enough about what exactly happened to feel like he did something slimy.

Not only that, but it's being reported around Lexington that it was Jones that called Calipari and not the other way around. Also, the article was a bit misleading, which I assume is what prompted the massive guilt trip comment. "You hurt thousands of people just as much as you make people happy" was what Jones told the reporter, not what Calipari told Jones.

I've heard a mix of both. I've heard that Calipari did not directly contact Jones, but instead called Jones' coach. I've also heard that Jones initiated the contact himself. Nobody knows except for those people involved. Hopefully Jones will take the weekend or even next week to figure things out.

I've heard a mix of both. I've heard that Calipari did not directly contact Jones, but instead called Jones' coach. I've also heard that Jones initiated the contact himself. Nobody knows except for those people involved. Hopefully Jones will take the weekend or even next week to figure things out.
No, hopefully he sends his LOI to Washington tonight!

;)

No, hopefully he sends his LOI to Washington tonight!

;)

True, lol.

This surprises you?

Agreed. Nothing should surprise anyone when it involves Kansas.

Agreed. Nothing should surprise anyone when it involves Kansas.

It certainly won't surprise anyone on this board since you seem to post every single negative item.

Oh by the way, I can't believe Mike Alden let this happen at Missouri. MU fans should be ashamed that this kind of shady business is happening right under his nose. Because Mike Alden should just know when this stuff happens right? Kind of like Lew Perkins at Kansas right MBBF? Ooooh another scandal at MU. Ooooooh. Everybody look at me publicly humiliating the University of Missouri. I'm a big man on the internet! I have sources!

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/apr/29/mu-cop-resigns-after-investigation-into-child-porn/

:p

did he initiate the call with the intention of trying to talk him out of his commitment? If that's the case, then yes - Cal was a slimeball.

I don't get this. While there is so much in recruiting that is slimy, why is calling someone trying to convince them to come to your school (which is, you know, what recruiting is) slimy?

I hate Calipari, and look forward to the day where he misjudges his carefully orchestrated one step ahead of the law scheme comes crashing down, but don't see where calling someone who made a verbal is slimy. This (calling a recruit you thought you had after he verbals elsewhere, but before he signs) is something everyone does.

I don't get this. While there is so much in recruiting that is slimy, why is calling someone trying to convince them to come to your school (which is, you know, what recruiting is) slimy?

I hate Calipari, and look forward to the day where he misjudges his carefully orchestrated one step ahead of the law scheme comes crashing down, but don't see where calling someone who made a verbal is slimy. This (calling a recruit you thought you had after he verbals elsewhere, but before he signs) is something everyone does.

In basketball, when a player makes a verbal there's usually a gentleman's agreement to lay off actively recruiting that player. That's why you see a lot of younger basketball players giving a verbal as juniors and suggesting they do so to end the recruiting craziness, calls, etc. We don't know what Calipari did or didn't do in this instance so it's tough to say.

Football seems to be a different beast in that coaches continue to contact players up until signing day. A lot of schools contact Plan B players the week of signing day if Plan A doesn't pan out.

Yikes.

Kentucky basketball players have trouble making the grade(s) - Game On!: Covering the Latest Sports News (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/kentucky-basketball-players-have-trouble-making-the-grades/1)

In basketball, when a player makes a verbal there's usually a gentleman's agreement to lay off actively recruiting that player.

I don't think this happens.

I don't think this happens.

Agreed. That's not even remotely close to reality. The biggest names in the coaching ranks regularly pull this kind of stuff. It's just not that often that you see one of them called out for doing it by the media.

Yikes.

Kentucky basketball players have trouble making the grade(s) - Game On!: Covering the Latest Sports News (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/kentucky-basketball-players-have-trouble-making-the-grades/1)

Good lord -- what do you need to do to become academically ineligible (if a sub-2.0 doesn't do it)?

Hofstra's head coach resigned today after being suspended by the school for a DWI.

Reports are that he is interested in the Missouri coaching position, and the interest may be mutual.

Hofstra's head coach resigned today after being suspended by the school for a DWI.

You're missing the part where he's had the job for less than a month.

Hofstra's head coach resigned today after being suspended by the school for a DWI.

Reports are that he is interested in the Oregon coaching position, and the interest may be mutual.

Fixed.

I don't get this. While there is so much in recruiting that is slimy, why is calling someone trying to convince them to come to your school (which is, you know, what recruiting is) slimy?

I hate Calipari, and look forward to the day where he misjudges his carefully orchestrated one step ahead of the law scheme comes crashing down, but don't see where calling someone who made a verbal is slimy. This (calling a recruit you thought you had after he verbals elsewhere, but before he signs) is something everyone does.
He didn't just verbal, he held a news conference to announce his decision and presumably sign his LOI. To me, at that point you lay off the kid unless he himself initiates a conversation saying "Coach, I know I verballed to school X, but I'm having second thoughts..."

The reports coming out from the weekend are saying the Cal was calling everyone he knew that was at the press conference and asking them to put him on with Jones - his parents, his coach, the school's AD...

Well shit.

Loyd committed to Oregon.

Can't blame him, though. He gets PT right away with the Ducks whereas UNLV's so guard heavy he'd have to wait. And Oregon and UNLV were his two dream schools.

Still, this has been kind of a sucky recruiting season. First Joseph goes to Texas, now Loyd to Oregon.

Agreed. That's not even remotely close to reality. The biggest names in the coaching ranks regularly pull this kind of stuff. It's just not that often that you see one of them called out for doing it by the media.

So are you suggesting that Mike Anderson directly calls a player after they've given a verbal to another school? The guys I've talked to have said most of the time the coaches back off after a verbal, but will still keep in indirect contact either with the high school or AAU coach just to see if anything has changed.

He didn't just verbal, he held a news conference to announce his decision and presumably sign his LOI. To me, at that point you lay off the kid unless he himself initiates a conversation saying "Coach, I know I verballed to school X, but I'm having second thoughts..."

The reports coming out from the weekend are saying the Cal was calling everyone he knew that was at the press conference and asking them to put him on with Jones - his parents, his coach, the school's AD...

Seems like kindof a bitch move to me. If you have a giant press coneference and announce where you're going, that should be it. End of story.

SI

Seems like kindof a bitch move to me. If you have a giant press coneference and announce where you're going, that should be it. End of story.

SI

In all fairness, Jones should be taking some of the hit as well. Though I hate to say that about any young man making an important life changing decision. In hindsight, he would have been better off canceling his press conference if he was still undecided as it seems he is.

I've heard the same rumors as Dawgfan that Calipari called people close to Jones to either contact him or change his mind. No idea if those rumors are true.

Yikes.

Kentucky basketball players have trouble making the grade(s) - Game On!: Covering the Latest Sports News (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/kentucky-basketball-players-have-trouble-making-the-grades/1)

I just hope that the NCAA starts taking a closer look at the one and done rule. I know supposedly that's not the only issue for the grades, but it's definitely one of them.

I just hope that the NCAA starts taking a closer look at the one and done rule. I know supposedly that's not the only issue for the grades, but it's definitely one of them.

That was just for the fall semester; if you give all the players that are going pro (and not going to class anymore) F's in their classes the final team GPA would have to end up somewhere around a 1.00 for the year.

So are you suggesting that Mike Anderson directly calls a player after they've given a verbal to another school? The guys I've talked to have said most of the time the coaches back off after a verbal, but will still keep in indirect contact either with the high school or AAU coach just to see if anything has changed.

Absolutely. They usually don't call them while the kid is at the ceremony (that honor is reserved for Calipari), but there's no question that any coaching staff worth a lick usually contacts recruits who verbal to other schools within 24-48 hours. You're presenting a recruiting utopia that simply does not exist in college basketball at the major conference level.

Yeah, I'll agree with MBBF here. I follow a lesser program that has the pleasure of being in the toughest conference, and that presents the sort of pressure where you always need to recruit a kid. While I don't know if other schools go as far as Calipari did (playing up the whole "you disappointed thousands" angle), but it happens. You may not hear about it a ton in basketball because of the early signing period which allows players to cut off their recruitment.

It's a part of why football coaches are pushing hard to get something similar in that sport, and to me, the only reason it hasn't happened yet is because football recruiting is a bigger business and the recruiting services significantly benefit when more high profile players are in play later on. There are some kids who verbal but make it known they are still looking around, there are some who verbal and say nothing, and sometimes you get kids who verbal and make it clear to other coaches that they have no interest in still being recruited. From what I've seen with some early Rutgers verbals, most football coaches seem to respect that last approach.

And in related news, Mike Rice is leaving Robert Morris to take the Rutgers job. Pretty happy with the hire.

Absolutely. They usually don't call them while the kid is at the ceremony (that honor is reserved for Calipari), but there's no question that any coaching staff worth a lick usually contacts recruits who verbal to other schools within 24-48 hours. You're presenting a recruiting utopia that simply does not exist in college basketball at the major conference level.

Here's an article from bleacherreport that talks about the Eric Gordon situation (verbal to Illinois, but was then recruited by Sampson to Indiana). Basically it talks about the ethics in coaching and even suggests other coaches (Wainwright, Cronin, and Izzo) weren't too keen on a coach recruiting a player who had given a verbal commitment.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/205-what-good-is-a-verbal-commitment

Does it happen? I'm sure it does though I don't believe it's the norm as it is in football. Again, it's an ethical decision.

To me, at that point you lay off the kid...


Sure, but you have ethics and character, and thus would be a spectacular failure in college basketball recruiting.

Sure, but you have ethics and character, and thus would be a spectacular failure in college basketball recruiting.
And here's the rich part - Cal claims he doesn't recruit players after they've committed to another school:

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1080956

Oh really? So that wasn't you on the phone with Terrence Jones just minutes after he committed to Washington at his press conference in front of his family, friends, High School classmates and thousands more that watched via the web? You had nothing to do with Jones deciding not to sign his LOI and re-thinking his commitment to Washington?

Kentuck isn't really a college program. It's more semi-pro. The guys aren't really part of the school, just 1-year mercenaries. I understand alumni want to win, but that has to kill some of the fun from it.

You overestimate alumni.

Yahoo is reporting Calipari may have interest in the Bulls job. I wonder if he finally was fed up and wanted to go coach somewhere where he made roughly the same amount as the players?

Nick Saban will not be Memphis's next head coach.

Yahoo is reporting Calipari may have interest in the Bulls job. I wonder if he finally was fed up and wanted to go coach somewhere where he made roughly the same amount as the players?
Please no.

You overestimate alumni.

I'm with RedKingGold. I've seen Memphis and Kentucky fans do a complete 180 on Calipari since he left Memphis for Kentucky. Kentucky fans used to believe Calipari was a slimeball and Memphis fans adored him. Now it's exactly opposite for both fan bases. Every fan base will turn a blind eye to a successful coach.

And the plot thickens.......

Terrence Jones just decommited from Washington.

Aren't you glad that your job security doesn't rely on the whims of 17-18 year old kids?

Every fan base will turn a blind eye to a successful coach.

I dunno. I thought Kelvin Sampson was a slimeball from Day 1 at IU.

And the plot thickens.......

Terrence Jones just decommited from Washington.

Aren't you glad that your job security doesn't rely on the whims of 17-18 year old kids?
Link?

From everything I've read, there's been no real news since the aftermath of his news conference, which is he publicly picked UW but has yet to sign and send in his LOI, and has made no public statements since then. Indications are he's wavering between Washington & Kentucky, but his H.S. coach and reportedly his family still think he'll end up at Washington.

I dunno. I thought Kelvin Sampson was a slimeball from Day 1 at IU.

You're a good man/alien Kodos.

Link?

From everything I've read, there's been no real news since the aftermath of his news conference, which is he publicly picked UW but has yet to sign and send in his LOI, and has made no public statements since then. Indications are he's wavering between Washington & Kentucky, but his H.S. coach and reportedly his family still think he'll end up at Washington.

Terrence Jones has Decommitted from Washington:Updated (http://www.nationofblue.com/terrence-jones-has-decommitted-washington-update-3-1049/)

Various attributions & quotes there but this one covers what you're looking for if it's accurate
Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer finally got direct quote from Terrence Jones on his status: "I'm still not sure yet who I'm going to sign with." 5 minutes ago via web

I wonder if Jones could go with Coach Cal to the Bulls?

How much is Kentucky offering for Jones?

Rumor is Pelphrey's job will be safe no matter the outcome next year, even, if he manages to land 2 of the 3 big in-state recruits this year:

Aaron Ross
Ky Madden
Hunter Mickelson

Our in-state class is stacked next year, and these are all 3 big time guys that we will be wanting.

Aaron Ross has been commited for awhile. Today, Hunter Mickelson committed. Hello John Pelphrey for the forseeable future.

It's great that we have an infusion of talent, but holy crap our athletic director is starting to piss me off*

*to be fair, this is only rumor, but it comes from someone I trust (he was saying the exact same thing I was in our previous little scuttle I talked about on this board--his source is solid).

Terrence Jones has Decommitted from Washington:Updated (http://www.nationofblue.com/terrence-jones-has-decommitted-washington-update-3-1049/)

Various attributions & quotes there but this one covers what you're looking for if it's accurate
Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer finally got direct quote from Terrence Jones on his status: "I'm still not sure yet who I'm going to sign with." 5 minutes ago via web
Here's a more complete article on the current status with Jones:

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2010/05/canzano_the_recruitment_of_ter.html

Here's the most relevant quote from Jones:

"I'm still committed to Washington," Jones said on Wednesday, "but I'm not willing to sign anything at this point."

How come the AD is so hell bent on Pelphrey? It seems odd that his job is so safe before the season even begins.

Heh. I'm going to refrain from commenting on Arkansas basketball until July.

Rumor is Pelphrey's job will be safe no matter the outcome next year, even, if he manages to land 2 of the 3 big in-state recruits this year:

Aaron Ross
Ky Madden
Hunter Mickelson

Our in-state class is stacked next year, and these are all 3 big time guys that we will be wanting.

Aaron Ross has been commited for awhile. Today, Hunter Mickelson committed. Hello John Pelphrey for the forseeable future.

It's great that we have an infusion of talent, but holy crap our athletic director is starting to piss me off*

*to be fair, this is only rumor, but it comes from someone I trust (he was saying the exact same thing I was in our previous little scuttle I talked about on this board--his source is solid).

Good pickups by Pelphrey, but I just can't imagine an AD giving him a free pass after the last two seasons. Maybe this year he gets things going back in the right direction and the patience from the AD pays off.

I will say it is possible. There are a lot of cancers to the team (from outside appearances) that just left the team. The ones that are left seem to be 100% on board and there are some good ones coming in. It could happen. I'm definitely open-minded about this coming season, but man, he really needs to show something AFAIC.

The Wear twins are looking to transfer from UNC and sadly, I think UCLA might be a destination :(

Oklahoma State had it star player accused of rape today, this could be a disaster for their season..

The Wear twins are looking to transfer from UNC and sadly, I think UCLA might be a destination :(

Well that's 6 points and 4 boards a game that UNC will just not be able to replace. :p


In all seriousness, I am totally indifferent here. I guess there was a little potential here, but they were both godawful last year. 6'10" stick figures who got run over in the paint and didn't want to be there in the first place. Both of them preferred being out near the 3 point line and offered no sort of inside presence at all. I could see them developing into decent players by their senior seasons but I'm perfectly happy having that happen elsewhere.

Does make your front court rather thin, no?

Well that's 6 points and 4 boards a game that UNC will just not be able to replace. :p


In all seriousness, I am totally indifferent here. I guess there was a little potential here, but they were both godawful last year. 6'10" stick figures who got run over in the paint and didn't want to be there in the first place. Both of them preferred being out near the 3 point line and offered no sort of inside presence at all. I could see them developing into decent players by their senior seasons but I'm perfectly happy having that happen elsewhere.

At UCLA (if that's where they end), they are a better fit for the outside game and the current roster, as UCLA needs players who are dangerous face up players and can be mismatches because of their height and skill at the 3 and 4. Actual post up guys at UCLA, already pretty deep there, with Reeves Nelson, Anthony Stover and the incoming Josh Smith. None of those guys are face up guys. Only face up 4 we really have now is Brendan Lane.

If the Wears do come to UCLA, I hope the use the season off to work on their strength and refining their skills and be ready to a big part of a good veteran 2011 UCLA team.

I suspect that the Wears will do better at UCLA. For one thing, it's my understanding that they weren't at 100% health last year with UNC.

Does make your front court rather thin, no?

Yeah, but as long as Larry Drew is the point guard UNC is irrelevant on the national scene anyway. I'd rather watch a couple walkons or go small and crazy athletic and forget size altogether. Can't win a title either way, so lets just have a fun to watch team.

note: its slightly possible that I have an irrational hatred of larry drew and cannot be reasonable in any way about any of this ;)

Yeah, but as long as Larry Drew is the point guard UNC is irrelevant on the national scene anyway. I'd rather watch a couple walkons or go small and crazy athletic and forget size altogether. Can't win a title either way, so lets just have a fun to watch team.

note: its slightly possible that I have an irrational hatred of larry drew and cannot be reasonable in any way about any of this ;)

Larry Drew = Reggie Ball ?

Larry Drew = Reggie Ball ?

I'm willing to admit that my extreme dislike of Larry Drew is at least a bit irrational. Reggie Ball earned every bit of hatred thrown his way by Georgia Tech football fans. Nothing irrational about it at all. :D

I'm willing to admit that my extreme dislike of Larry Drew is at least a bit irrational. Reggie Ball earned every bit of hatred thrown his way by Georgia Tech football fans. Nothing irrational about it at all. :D

After watching him play several times this past season, I'm not sure that hatred of LD is irrational at all.

Final Rivals recruiting rankings are out for 2010.

1. Memphis
2. Kentucky
3. Ohio State
4. North Carolina
5. North Carolina State
6. Missouri
7. Syracuse
8. Texas
9. Tennessee
10. Duke

PowerMizzou.com - Five teams enter team recruiting rankings (http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1082109)

I dont understand Rivals rankings at all

I think rivals is generally considered pretty poor at basketball. From what I understand Scout is preferred in basketball and Rivals is preferred in football.

Ya, I've always leaned that way as well. My issue isnt with the player rankings, but how they rank the teams?

I think rivals is generally considered pretty poor at basketball. From what I understand Scout is preferred in basketball and Rivals is preferred in football.

That was true 4-5 years ago, but not now. Scout's basketball staff has been heavily pillaged by Rivals for that reason. Rivals just added one of Scout's best basketball recruiting guys a few days ago (Eric Bossi). It was one more big blow to Scout to lose Eric.

Ya, I've always leaned that way as well. My issue isnt with the player rankings, but how they rank the teams?

It's always about the quality/quantity argument. What do you weigh more heavily?

As you mention, the individual rankings always even themselves out, plus you can use the Composite Index to get a good average ranking. That should be updated sometime in June 2010.

Ya, I've always leaned that way as well. My issue isnt with the player rankings, but how they rank the teams?

I have a lot of issues with that in both basketball and football. The formulas they use are more than a little suspect and reward things that don't contribute as much to a team winning as things they penalize. That's mostly about football, though.

Eric Bossi was solid, but not the best Scout writer.

I have a lot of issues with that in both basketball and football. The formulas they use are more than a little suspect and reward things that don't contribute as much to a team winning as things they penalize. That's mostly about football, though.

Sorry for the confusion, but I meant how they rank the recruiting rankings for teams.

Mizzou had it right, land 2 Top 150 kids, sign a bunch more, top 15 ranking just like that

Eric Bossi was solid, but not the best Scout writer.

Just out of curiousity, who do you consider the best over at Scout on the basketball front?

Sorry for the confusion, but I meant how they rank the recruiting rankings for teams.

Mizzou had it right, land 2 Top 150 kids, sign a bunch more, top 15 ranking just like that

Yeah I know that's what I was talking about.

Just out of curiousity, who do you consider the best over at Scout on the basketball front?

Bossi was a writer turned scout, like a lot of the guys in both networks start out doing. Dave Telep is the national editor for scout but started out as a scout. Hick's is probably the best scout, but he's based mostly on the west coast and doesn't do national scouting.

To be fair though, I consider Rivals trash for most of their stuff :)

So those are Rivals "final" rankings despite the fact that 5 of their top 150 players aren't listed as committed yet, including #13 overall Terrence Jones?

So those are Rivals "final" rankings despite the fact that 5 of their top 150 players aren't listed as committed yet, including #13 overall Terrence Jones?

Correct. Most recruiting sites wait for the final signing period to end and give it a week or two before assigning final team rankings. They'll still update when those teams sign, but they won't adjust the team rankings.

It should be noted that the article did mention that adding Jones at UK would likely have bumped them over Memphis.

It should be noted that the article did mention that adding Jones at UK would likely have bumped them over Memphis.
I'm a little surprised Washington didn't crack their top-25, and they most certainly should if Jones follows through on his commitment.

Final Rivals recruiting rankings are out for 2010.

1. Memphis
2. Kentucky
3. Ohio State
4. North Carolina
5. North Carolina State
6. Missouri
7. Syracuse
8. Texas
9. Tennessee
10. Duke

PowerMizzou.com - Five teams enter team recruiting rankings (http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1082109)

There will be blood this coming year in the Triangle. Probably going to be the best season in these parts since...what? The late 1980s?

Close call during an apartment fire for GT basketball player D'Andre Bell. Dangling from his fingertips off the balcony during an apartment complex fire, rescued by a passer-by who grabbed a ladder.
Fire Victim: 'I Was Hanging By My Fingers' - News Story - WSB Atlanta (http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23487793/detail.html)

Sorry for the confusion, but I meant how they rank the recruiting rankings for teams.

Mizzou had it right, land 2 Top 150 kids, sign a bunch more, top 15 ranking just like that

Well im not sure i totally agree with that arguement, Mizzou lands two top 61 kids and the #1 Juco in the nation, not many teams can match that. Ignoring the other 3 signings, thats a top 15 class by itself.

Well im not sure i totally agree with that arguement, Mizzou lands two top 61 kids and the #1 Juco in the nation, not many teams can match that. Ignoring the other 3 signings, thats a top 15 class by itself.

Missouri has a very nice class, but Bug is correct in that Rivals ranking puts an emphasis on quantity. They do the same in football where a team that has an average "star" rating of 3 with 18 players would be ranked worse than a team with an average "star" rating of 2.8 with 24 players. There's an argument for both sides. As we all know in the end all that matters is how the team performs on the court.

Oh. My. God.

http://vimeo.com/11582018

You're just jealous that you don't have Coach Self's moves. :D

Oh. My. God.

http://vimeo.com/11582018

Did he remove some of his hair plugs for that?

That video would make a great recruiting pitch for every school other than Kansas.

Never too early to start talking about 2010-2011. Here's some rankings after taking stock of who's staying in the draft.

Top 32.............

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/luke_winn/05/10/power.rankings.1/index.html#ixzz0nZ2qdMHX

Top 25..............

NCAA College Basketball News, Videos, Scores, Standings, Stats, Teams - FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/college-basketball-preseason-top-25-051010)

Dola.......and another Top 25.....

Andy Katz's Preseason Top 25: Defending champ Duke will start new season No. 1 - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=5179956)

So, Carolina has an utter disaster of a season (for them), barely squeak into the NIT field, rally together long enough to lose in the NIT final, and lose players left and right in the offseason. This, of course, means they're a borderline top 10 team next year.

Right then.

So, Carolina has an utter disaster of a season (for them), barely squeak into the NIT field, rally together long enough to lose in the NIT final, and lose players left and right in the offseason. This, of course, means they're a borderline top 10 team next year.


The high ranking in the preseason polls was bullshit last year too(though I assumed they were still a top 25 team that was overrated by being polled in the top 5, it was so much worse than that). And this year I guess a top recruiting class could be worthy of a top 25 ranking maybe, but #11 is laughable.

The high ranking in the preseason polls was bullshit last year too(though I assumed they were still a top 25 team that was overrated by being polled in the top 5, it was so much worse than that). And this year I guess a top recruiting class could be worthy of a top 25 ranking maybe, but #11 is laughable.

Harrison Barnes is going to be awfully good for UNC. Maybe my man crush on him is making me naive, but I definitely think he'll make UNC a top 25 team. Number 11? Stranger things have happened.

I definitely think UNC can be a Top 25 team. I know the media incessantly sucks up to UNC as part of the machine that spins the Duke/UNC rivalry as the greatest thing in college basketball, but I would have thought perhaps a more reasoned and cautious outlook would have been in order.

Then again, I've got more problems than UNC's rankings with all of this since NC State's got an equally good set of freshmen coming in and we hardly lost anyone that mattered from last year's team (Horner, maybe), yet we can't even get a mention in the "Others to Watch" categories on these polls, let alone any sort of Top 25 consideration.

I definitely think UNC can be a Top 25 team. I know the media incessantly sucks up to UNC as part of the machine that spins the Duke/UNC rivalry as the greatest thing in college basketball, but I would have thought perhaps a more reasoned and cautious outlook would have been in order.

Then again, I've got more problems than UNC's rankings with all of this since NC State's got an equally good set of freshmen coming in and we hardly lost anyone that mattered from last year's team (Horner, maybe), yet we can't even get a mention in the "Others to Watch" categories on these polls, let alone any sort of Top 25 consideration.

That's just the usual media bias. They are going to give the benefit of the doubt to UNC given their history vs NC State. The great thing about the pre-season basketball polls is that they don't mean anything when it comes to crowning a champ. NC State will have plenty of time to prove themselves next season.

The 2009-2010 attendance numbers are out.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/8753820042742b01b8b6be967b4a3893/Awide_Mbkbattlists.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=8753820042742b01b8b6be967b4a3893

The 2009-2010 attendance numbers are out.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/8753820042742b01b8b6be967b4a3893/Awide_Mbkbattlists.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=8753820042742b01b8b6be967b4a3893

But is that turnstile count or tickets sold? And does it take into account all of the people at the club level where they serve alcohol?

You really cannot rely on these numbers. For instance, Kansas counts everyone within 5 miles of the fieldhouse on gameday while Missouri only counts those who stayed for the whole game and drank 3 beers, ate one brat and brought a child under 5 to the game.

But is that turnstile count or tickets sold? And does it take into account all of the people at the club level where they serve alcohol?

Actually, you left out a method. The three acceptable forms of reporting attendance per NCAA rules are as follows.......

1. Actual tickets sold.
2. Actual number of people through the turnstile.
3. Estimate by staff member of athletic department attending the event.

You really cannot rely on these numbers. For instance, Kansas counts everyone within 5 miles of the fieldhouse on gameday while Missouri only counts those who stayed for the whole game and drank 3 beers, ate one brat and brought a child under 5 to the game.

And yet again, we have another discussion about Missouri when no one supposedly wants to talk about Missouri. Hard to take the complaints as legitimate when the people complaining are the ones that keep restarting the discussion.

Oh boy, here comes the martyr syndrome. Get a grip. Here's a clue: people aren't discussing Mizzou, they are discussing your ridiculous posting history.

lol

Oh boy, here comes the martyr syndrome. Get a grip. Here's a clue: people aren't discussing Mizzou, they are discussing your ridiculous posting history.

There's no martyrs here. I'm happy to discuss Mizzou all day long.

lol

I'm guessing your source told you to laugh?

Oh boy, here comes the martyr syndrome. Get a grip. Here's a clue: people aren't discussing Mizzou, they are discussing your ridiculous posting history.

Exactly.

But I also like talking about Mizzou basketball, especially their accomplishments in the Tournament. Let me list them:









.

:D

I haven't seen it confirmed via a news service, but it's being said that Texas A&M recruit, Tobi Oyedeji, was killed in a car accident after his prom. Awful news if true for a talented young basketball player.

It looks as if it's been confirmed. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this young man who died way too young.

http://www.kbtx.com/local/headlines/93893324.html

I haven't seen it confirmed via a news service, but it's being said that Texas A&M recruit, Tobi Oyedeji, was killed in a car accident after his prom. Awful news if true for a talented young basketball player.

It looks as if it's been confirmed. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this young man who died way too young.

http://www.kbtx.com/local/headlines/93893324.html

Mizzou had the same thing happen a couple of years ago. Kid in that situation was a top 50 national talent who decided it would be a good idea to try to pass someone on the shoulder of the road. This incident sounds like bad decision making as well. Such a shame.

Despite offseason of activity, MWC basketball powers appear strong - Las Vegas Sun (http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/18/mwc-updates-051810/)

Las Vegas Sun article assessing the MWC powers. Figured BYU 14, MacroGuru, and the other BYU fans on the board would be interested if nothing else. Sorry, Dark Cloud, no Wyoming. :D

I don't see UNLV as the favorites for the Mountain West. I'd give the nod to SDSU, who has all 5 starters back and an actual frontcourt worth mentioning, unlike the Cougars and the Runnin' Rebels.

Terrence Jones is supposedly going to sign with either Washington or Kentucky tomorrow according to a report in the Oregonian. Jones is quoted as saying he "was definitely going to sign tomorrow".

Oregonian blog entry on Jones (http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/5660787737075235271/terrence-jones-recruiting-jefferson-star-says-he-is-definitely-going-to-sign-tomorrow/)

There are few people on the UW fan boards reporting that Jones was supposedly spotted on campus today with Romar. If true, doesn't necessarily mean he's signing with the Huskies - could be that he drove up from Portland to give Romar the courtesy of giving a last-minute in-person pitch.

But I'd guess he sticks with his commitment from his news conference and signs with Washington.

Terrence Jones is supposedly going to sign with either Washington or Kentucky tomorrow according to a report in the Oregonian. Jones is quoted as saying he "was definitely going to sign tomorrow".

Oregonian blog entry on Jones (http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/5660787737075235271/terrence-jones-recruiting-jefferson-star-says-he-is-definitely-going-to-sign-tomorrow/)

There are few people on the UW fan boards reporting that Jones was supposedly spotted on campus today with Romar. If true, doesn't necessarily mean he's signing with the Huskies - could be that he drove up from Portland to give Romar the courtesy of giving a last-minute in-person pitch.

But I'd guess he sticks with his commitment from his news conference and signs with Washington.

The way Terrence was so easily swayed to reconsider his commitment makes me believe that he's best served staying around home. Kentucky and that program would likely be a huge culture shock for him. I'm not sure how well he would do. Hopefully he commits to Washington.

Welcome to Kentucky, Mr. Jones.

Well, Washington fans are understandably feeling pretty jerked around right now. I'd guess that a lot of Husky fans wouldn't be terribly welcoming if, say, Jones switched to the Huskies down the road if Calipari does indeed jump to the NBA.

Apparently Jones and Knight both just have signed Financial Aid paperwork with UK and not LOI's which binds UK into offering them schollies but doesn't mean they have to sign there.

Seems like a shrewd move though this is all news to me that this is even possible. Take it for a grain of salt though I have seen a couple people reference this in different places.

I dont think Jones' heart was ever with Washington. Once Oregon effed up their hire, he was left in the dark a little bit

Apparently Jones and Knight both just have signed Financial Aid paperwork with UK and not LOI's which binds UK into offering them schollies but doesn't mean they have to sign there.

Seems like a shrewd move though this is all news to me that this is even possible. Take it for a grain of salt though I have seen a couple people reference this in different places.
No salt needed, it's true. It gives these guys a cleaner out of Calipari decides to jump to the NBA. I would expect that more and more high level recruits are going to go this route in the future.

I dont think Jones' heart was ever with Washington. Once Oregon effed up their hire, he was left in the dark a little bit
According to his H.S. coach, he was swayed by the "glitz and glamor" of Kentucky. I'll leave that to others to interpret...

Does it really need any interpretation?

this is all news to me that this is even possible

It hasn't been prevalent, but it's been going on since at least late 2002. Charlie Villanueva verballed to Illinois then, but Self advised him not to sign the NLI, because he was in talks with Kansas at the time. When Self left, Villanueva was free and clear to go anywhere he wanted instead of dealing with NLI and transfer rules.

Apparently Jones and Knight both just have signed Financial Aid paperwork with UK and not LOI's which binds UK into offering them schollies but doesn't mean they have to sign there.

Seems like a shrewd move though this is all news to me that this is even possible. Take it for a grain of salt though I have seen a couple people reference this in different places.

This is actually a really common move for those that decide after the late signing period. Linas Kleiza did the same thing at Mizzou when he committed during the summer.

According to his H.S. coach, he was swayed by the "glitz and glamor" of Kentucky. I'll leave that to others to interpret...

For sure. He was looking for a reason to leave UW and found one

According to his H.S. coach, he was swayed by the "glitz and glamor" of Kentucky. I'll leave that to others to interpret...

Is that what kids are calling briefcases of cash these days?

SI

Paul did move by his own choice. The staff asked him to reconsider for a couple of days, but he still decided to transfer in the end. He'll be a good player for someone.

Stone had some attitude issues that the coaches weren't very happy with despite his potential. Neither side was interested in continuing their relationship.

Based on quotes from Stone's mother, it looks like Stone was forced out by Mike Anderson. The article paints Anderson in a bad light, but I honestly don't blame the guy. I'm more upset about the fact that Stone is forced to transfer, but still must sit out a year. That is ridiculous. There should be a ruling that allows the athlete to immediately be eligible if both the player and school permit it.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/24/1966414/revoked-scholarships-surprise.html

Based on quotes from Stone's mother, it looks like Stone was forced out by Mike Anderson. The article paints Anderson in a bad light, but I honestly don't blame the guy. I'm more upset about the fact that Stone is forced to transfer, but still must sit out a year. That is ridiculous. There should be a ruling that allows the athlete to immediately be eligible if both the player and school permit it.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/24/1966414/revoked-scholarships-surprise.html

As I mentioned before, there were some severe attitude issues with Stone. His mother has been shopping around her complaints to media outlets for a few weeks trying to get someone to bite. I suppose Anderson could have come out when he was released and noted that he had some attitude and work ethic issues, but that seems far worse than just letting him go and wishing him well. By stirring this up, the mom isn't helping her kid one bit.

As for the transfer rules, that's the way things go. The average number of scholarship players that transfer during college is 22%. It happens all the time. There's plenty of reasons why the transfer rules are set up how they currently stand.

As I mentioned before, there were some severe attitude issues with Stone. His mother has been shopping around her complaints to media outlets for a few weeks trying to get someone to bite. I suppose Anderson could have come out when he was released and noted that he had some attitude and work ethic issues, but that seems far worse than just letting him go and wishing him well. By stirring this up, the mom isn't helping her kid one bit.

As for the transfer rules, that's the way things go. The average number of scholarship players that transfer during college is 22%. It happens all the time. There's plenty of reasons why the transfer rules are set up how they currently stand.

I'll be honest, you're the first person I've heard suggest Stone had attitude issues. Maybe you know the guy or maybe you're making it up. I don't know. I definitely don't trust your sources since they are usually wrong (Beal).

There may have been attitude issues, but that doesn't discount the fact that Anderson was already recruiting two additional players with zero available scholarships throughout the winter. It's not coincidence that Stone transfers two weeks before MU secures verbals from two JUCO players. That means Stone's rumored (your rumor since I haven't seen it posted anywhere else) attitude issues weren't enough to get kicked off the team during the season, but was enough to lose his scholarship . Either way, Anderson pushed him out. No need to defend Anderson as a number of coaches recruit over players all the time.

The transfer rules were set up to for a different intent. Certainly not for this. There should be an option where a school can release the player without penalty so long as their grades are in order.

I'll be honest, you're the first person I've heard suggest Stone had attitude issues. Maybe you know the guy or maybe you're making it up. I don't know. I definitely don't trust your sources since they are usually wrong (Beal).

There may have been attitude issues, but that doesn't discount the fact that Anderson was already recruiting two additional players with zero available scholarships throughout the winter. It's not coincidence that Stone transfers two weeks before MU secures verbals from two JUCO players. That means Stone's rumored (your rumor since I haven't seen it posted anywhere else) attitude issues weren't enough to get kicked off the team during the season, but was enough to lose his scholarship . Either way, Anderson pushed him out. No need to defend Anderson as a number of coaches recruit over players all the time.

The transfer rules were set up to for a different intent. Certainly not for this. There should be an option where a school can release the player without penalty so long as their grades are in order.


The staff was unhappy with his attitude and work ethic before conference play even started and it was the worst kept secret in Columbia. We had literally no inside depth at the end of the year due to injuries, but Stone never left the bench because his attitude sucked. It was a clear demonstration to the rest of the players by Anderson that kind of attitude wouldn't fly if you wanted to see the floor. In addition, Paul had mentioned to the staff long before the end of the season that he may consider transferring. Just because the transfers aren't announced before the end of the season doesn't mean that they didn't decide until then. The dominoes were in place long before that point. It's accurate whether you choose to believe it or not.