Games of Interest (2015-16 Edition)

[_kai_]

[MoValley John]

With all due respect, it is comedy of the highest order to suggest that Barry was or is the current answer. He is a truly great man. I find it incredibly difficult to criticize him due to this fact. But it was time for him to go. And he isn't the answer now either. Is he an upgrade over the current guy? Yeah, I think so. Almost certainly. That really isn't saying much though. I am thrilled that he is having success in Carbondale. I wish him all the success in the world, save for two games each year. But it wasn't a mistake to let him go.

And to correct you on another point: I don't care what is said on BearNation, barring something crazy happening in the next three months Paul Lusk is gone at season's end. Very possibly a new individual will be selecting the next coach too. This stuff about him coming back and not wanting to pay the buyout is being leaked from people inside the AD. The simple fact of the matter is that the decision maker(s) in this case are the one(s) above the AD. If Paul somehow wins a lot of games in the new year then things could change. The only other thing that could change the equation is if several of our biggest donors decide that it isn't a go. And the latest I have heard is that they are no longer in the Lusk corner either.

Dude, I said it before and I'll say it again, you guys need to quit skipping leg day, you look silly.

dont_skip_leg_day_2014-04-13_21-40-14.jpg

[KC Shox]

I have a couple of thoughts on this one. Firstly, when we beat Okie Lite on the road a few weeks ago, ain't nobody on here mocking us for flirting with another conference. So let's be fair on that one.

But we are pretty bad. I'm not a basketball guy, but some knowledgeable folks I have talked to both inside and outside of the AD insist that this is the most talented team since 2011. They are very young though and the coaching is not great if we are being honest. Losing to SEMO is embarrassing no question about it. I do believe that SEMO is better than their record though. They have a great coach and will turn things around in the next few years. I think that we need a new coach in Springfield. I don't like advocating for someone's dismissal because there are families involved and he has been nothing but a great representative for the school and community off the court. However, it is becoming abundantly clear that we must go in a new direction. My hope is that we can find someone that can keep the promising underclassmen and try and build on that.

I'm glad you guys beat OK State, I love to see a P5 program go down regardless if they are in the bottom half of their league. However, lets keep it real. OSU's Phil Forte, their starting G, did not play in that game. Phil Forte is to OSU as FVV is to WSU, that is why you won, but I'll give you credit for taking advantage of the situation they were in. Lastly, SEMO is a horrible program and has had 11 sub .500 seasons since 2000. This year will make 12. Losses to crap teams like that not only demoralizes your fans, but MVC fans alike.

[moshock]

With all due respect, it is comedy of the highest order to suggest that Barry was or is the current answer. He is a truly great man. I find it incredibly difficult to criticize him due to this fact. But it was time for him to go. And he isn't the answer now either. Is he an upgrade over the current guy? Yeah, I think so. Almost certainly. That really isn't saying much though. I am thrilled that he is having success in Carbondale. I wish him all the success in the world, save for two games each year. But it wasn't a mistake to let him go.

And to correct you on another point: I don't care what is said on BearNation, barring something crazy happening in the next three months Paul Lusk is gone at season's end. Very possibly a new individual will be selecting the next coach too. This stuff about him coming back and not wanting to pay the buyout is being leaked from people inside the AD. The simple fact of the matter is that the decision maker(s) in this case are the one(s) above the AD. If Paul somehow wins a lot of games in the new year then things could change. The only other thing that could change the equation is if several of our biggest donors decide that it isn't a go. And the latest I have heard is that they are no longer in the Lusk corner either.

You guys might as well keep Lusk if you are not going to give his replacement some kind of recruiting budget.

[wusphlash]

In a game between two teams that will finish last in their respective conferences, TCU defeated Bradley 53 to 49.

Well, with MSU in play maybe I should say could finish last.

[wusphlash]

Oklahoma finding out how hard it is to play Hawaii down in the islands. Announcers give props to Hawaii for challenging WSU, led by Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, last year.

[WSUwatcher]

Getting back to the Ozarks...

This point has been made before, including by me, but I repeat: all the talk about MoState is a warning about football and its financial impact.

If you play in a mid-major conference and aspire to have an elite basketball program that stays elite once it achieves that status, you MUST have a way to avoid being a stepping stone for coaches. That takes money. Gonzaga, for example, has done it by finding the right guy in Mark Few, a successful coach and recruiter who wants to be there enough that he's willing to take a below market salary for a coach of his stature there instead of chasing big $$ elsewhere. But his below market salary is still considerable, and not having football as a financial drain helps them cover it.

WSU is doing it a slightly different way: also by finding the right guy, one who isn't predisposed to jumping for the next job -- that's a prerequisite -- and then treating him and his program well enough (and paying him enough) that he's in elite territory in terms of perks and thus doesn't need to worry about getting a better deal even if comes looking for him. It also helps that he's proven to himself and everyone else that he can legitimately compete for a championship here. WSU's approach is more expensive than Gonzaga's, but it's again made more easily affordable by not having to devote resources to football.

The folks in Springfield, unfortunately, don't have the benefit of that kind of singular focus on basketball as opposed to football -- and it shows -- and now we hear the talk of their moving to the FBS level, which would raise costs even more. That's not a recipe for sustained success in basketball at even a mid-major level, much less having an elite program. And, in fairness, maybe an elite basketball program isn't what MoSt wants. But I have to believe they'd at least like to aim higher than at present.

[DwShock]

In a game between two teams that will finish last in their respective conferences, TCU defeated Bradley 53 to 49.

Well, with MSU in play maybe I should say could finish last.

Lot of "freedom of movement" in that game.

[shockmonster]

Springfield doesn't have the support of the community to support a big time basketball and football program. Springfield's population is less than 300,000 and their community without Hammons support lacks the big time money that they need for this to happen. Springfield is probably closer to Topeka Kansas than they are to a big time urban university.

[moshock]

Springfield doesn't have the support of the community to support a big time basketball and football program. Springfield's population is less than 300,000 and their community without Hammons support lacks the big time money that they need for this to happen. Springfield is probably closer to Topeka Kansas than they are to a big time urban university.

There is enough $$$ in Springfield to pay a coach. The MSU administration is very small minded.

[WuDrWu]

UNI beat Washington State 63-59 late last night. It was painful to watch. There was little "freedom of movement" and both teams struggled against the others defense.


UNI avoided a rematch with a New Mexico team that throttled them in ABQ. Unfortunately, they get a BYU team that just beat that same UNM by 30. Would be a quality win for UNI. Other than coaching (which means a LOT) which is a HUGE Panther advantage, I don't see a lot of places UNI has the edge. Christmas day game if you're bored. 2:30PM

[shockmonster]

.......

[shockmonster]

There is enough $$$ in Springfield to pay a coach. The MSU administration is very small minded.

I would submit that they are paying their head basketball, baseball, and football coaches around 3/4 of a million dollars while we are paying 3.5 million to our basketball, and baseball coaches.

Their city demands very little while our donors and city demand a lot.

[Dan]

NM State getting destroyed by Baylor on Fox Sports Southwest

[shocktheheart]

NM State getting destroyed by Baylor on Fox Sports Southwest

I bet Baylor wins by about 15. My guess is 85-70