Recent content by WestCoastWildcat

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    New NU President

    I’ll always regret NU losing one of my favorite coaches, Alex Agase to Purdue. Alex was an Evanston native who coached NU for when I was a freshman in 1971. He left NU for Purdue when then NU prez Strotz deemphasized fully supporting NU sports, with rumors at the time fomenting NU was...
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    New NU President

    https://dailynorthwestern.com/2026/05/18/top-stories/purdue-president-mung-chiang-named-18th-president-of-northwestern/ Impact on sports? Other alumni friends say the new prez is pro-sports, supposedly did a lot to promote & support college sports while at Purdue. Lots of money will need to be...
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    End of the Prime mystique

    Anyone remember Sociology Prof. Bernie Beck? I think he is still alive. NU’s Sociology Dept. was influential back in the day. Another entertaining class was with popular English prof Bergen ‘Bergie’ Evans which was always full. He had a connection writing for famous tv shows early on. It would...
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    Big Ten Payouts: O$U and P$U get paid the most, we’re in the $76-79M tier with Michigan

    I’ve seen other articles that also include the detailed budgets of the athletic programs for some of the other BigTen schools that even with the elevated flow of money coming in the programs are struggling to break even or are underwater like Rutgers. I think it is a sad side impact that even...
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    Flow of international players into college programs

    Over the years I’ve been impressed by foreign students in the academic settings I’ve been involved. Even in high school the exchange students we had from Italy and Germany were top-notch. The basketball players from abroad seem to be older, more mature, well-seasoned in the sport and more proven...
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    Flow of international players into college programs

    https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/2025-migration-report-highlights-ongoing-surge-in-international-transfers Found this link about the increase of international flow of both men and women basketball which is setting records. It demonstrates the rapid growth of the sport worldwide but is...
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    Pointsettia Bowl

    https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/04/18/san-diegos-poinsettia-bowl-reportedly-returning-to-postseason-college-football-lineup/ After a 10 year hiatus the Pointsettia Bowl is returning to San Diego. It will probably feature a team from the PAC12 vs a team from the WAC. It will be played...
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    Over/under 1.5 wins for Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State against Northwestern

    I think trajectory is a factor in Fitz’s chances of survival at MSU until the end of his 5 year contract. My sense is MSU fans expect immediate success with Fitz’s arrival but may be more patient if they see an arc of improvement. MSU alums are throwing big bucks at the program so they do will...
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    Over/under 1.5 wins for Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State against Northwestern

    Agree that MSU fan expectations are probably unreasonably high especially with the ton of money being thrown at the program. Some plus sides for Fitz like his BT background and prior success at NU but don’t see Fitz lasting his 5 year contract esp with his recent downtime from coaching he is...
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    So Finally a BIG National Champ in Basketball

    Right now college basketball (and football) are more popular than ever but the financials for most programs are not sustainable. Will fans tire of the same programs dominating year after year? The top teams poaching from other programs including recruiting international & established older...
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    NCAA tourney open thread

    UConn dominating Illini early. Reed is a monster inside. Illini is a balanced team and will be hard to beat. Want to see a Big Ten final.
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    Where the Roster Stands

    How much money does NU need to spend to bring the program back up to at least mid-range? It seems we we close to having a much better season with so many close losses but improvement is a moving target with all of the other BigTen programs maximizing their budgets so it’s a moving target. It...
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    Back to being noteworthy

    I saw this Last Minute segment on 60 Minutes tonight with Duke’s Coach K and thought I’d share the link (just hope it works.) Such a great coach/public figure whose influence reaches beyond sports.
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    NCAA tourney open thread

    Major choke job by Duke in the 2nd half. Congrats to UConn for the comeback but Duke’s 2nd half demise will be entrenched in Big Dance lore. I think Duke was the better team and slacked off in the 2nd half. Arizona and Nichigan are the 2 best teams. I wonder if the NCAA final four should be...
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    NCAA tourney open thread

    The #1 seeds Duke & Michigan playing now are being challenged. Both St. John’s and Bama are looking strong and could pull the upset. Michigan in particular didnt play well the last few minutes of the 1st half. Let’s see if they can pick it up in the 2nd half. Both games are tight.