Andy Kennedy said it...

[T-TownDawgg]

I have no interest in echoing an ole miss coach's gripe, but watching last night's post game, I find myself agreeing with every word he said. Why? It's what's wrong with college basketball, and it's why coaching it is unbearably frustrating. What is it about this sport? Are there too many avenues available to these players to get where they want, and are always looking over the fence at greener pastures? We've seen this in happen in Starkville as well.

At some point, a young man of character must make his mind up to put aside his ego and play for something; your team. If not your team, your coach. If not your coach, your family name. He called out his players, and good for him.
"You're facing adversity? Suck it up pussies, it's life. You don't like me? Tough ****, morons. When you get out of school, it only gets worse. Have you no pride in yourself, or the name on your jersey? Couldn't hit a layup. 17ing surrendering brats." (I paraphrased)

Mr. Howland, on Saturday, finish them.

 

[maroonmania]

I have no interest in echoing an ole miss coach's gripe, but watching last night's post game, I find myself agreeing with every word he said. Why? It's what's wrong with college basketball, and it's why coaching it is unbearably frustrating. What is it about this sport? Are there too many avenues available to these players to get where they want, and are always looking over the fence at greener pastures? We've seen this in happen in Starkville as well.

At some point, a young man of character must make his mind up to put aside his ego and play for something; your team. If not your team, your coach. If not your coach, your family name. He called out his players, and good for him.
"You're facing adversity? Suck it up pussies, it's life. You don't like me? Tough ****, morons. When you get out of school, it only gets worse. Have you no pride in yourself, or the name on your jersey? Couldn't hit a layup. 17ing surrendering brats." (I paraphrased)

Mr. Howland, on Saturday, finish them.

AAU effects and the transfer issue are a lot of what has diminished fan support for college basketball. Can you imagine how bad it will be if they start allowing all players in all sports to transfer at will with no sitting out a year. It will absolutely be a deathblow to college sports in general. Would be like every player being a free agent every year in the NFL.

 

[msstate7]

Wait... AK is the main guy pursuing transfers year-in, year-out

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

It sounded like he was trying to rally the players by questioning their manhood. That team will either come out with their hair on fire Saturday or they will pack it in. We’re the better team playing at home so it shouldn’t really matter either way.

 

[KurtRambis4]

I've always

been indifferent of Andy.

I wish he'd stay at OM because I just don't think he's that great of a coach (he isn't terrible, though).

However, last nights post-game press conference was awesome.

He hit the nail on the head.

It's party of the reason Howland struggled so much at the beginning of the year.

These players come from a different culture these days.

None of them want to fight.

They all have this sense of entitlement, and at the first sign of adversity, want to quit, and give up.

Peters personified this. However, he seems to have made some huge strides, lately.

 

[anonymous.sixpack]

Wait... AK is the main guy pursuing transfers year-in, year-out

40% of D-1 basketball players who enter as freshmen depart the school they signed with by their sophomore year. Its hardly an Andy Kennedy issue.

But as the OP alluded to, the greener pasture syndrome starts way before college. It seems like so many players switch AAU team and high schools as often as they switch their tennis shoes.

Eli Wright is a prime example. From the end of his junior year to the time he graduated from HS, he transferred three times.

 

[mstateglfr]

AAU effects and the transfer issue are a lot of what has diminished fan support for college basketball. Can you imagine how bad it will be if they start allowing all players in all sports to transfer at will with no sitting out a year. It will absolutely be a deathblow to college sports in general. Would be like every player being a free agent every year in the NFL.

Perhaps college athletics will go back to being a secondary to education for a lot of schools. The money in a select few of college athletics is disgustingly high and has completely ruined what most loved about college athletics. What you are bitching about isnt a deathblow, it would be the final nail in the coffin. The final nail isnt what killed **** and its comical you cant see that money and the constant push for more is what is killing the entire system.

Get the 17 back to coaches making half a million instead of 16x that. Get the 17 back to it costing $150 for a family of 4 to spend a day at a football game.

I absolutely love Drake University being right near me- i can take my girls to a volleyball or basketball game, see some seriously talented play from great seats while getting food, and leave only $40 poorer.
They arent some powerhouse university, but have solid women's programs and great value.

Cant say the same of D1 college football.

 

[msstate7]

40% of D-1 basketball players who enter as freshmen depart the school they signed with by their sophomore year. Its hardly an Andy Kennedy issue.

But as the OP alluded to, the greener pasture syndrome starts way before college. It seems like so many players switch AAU team and high schools as often as they switch their tennis shoes.

Eli Wright is a prime example. From the end of his junior year to the time he graduated from HS, he transferred three times.

They have 4 transfers (Burnett, Crawford, Stevens, and olejnizcak) out of 13 scholarships. That is 31% of his roster