2017-18 Media Love Thread

[ShockTalk]

Somebody reads Shockernet.

Just to be clear, yes, I certainly read SN. No, I don't tweet, but somebody must like my handle.

[WuShock Reaper]

"Season in review: Mid-majors" - Sports Illustrated

by Molly Geary
Wednesday June 21st, 2017

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/06/21/mid-major-review

"...Most important thing we learned: Outside of Gonzaga, those outside the power conferences didn’t get a ton of respect -

Gonzaga’s No. 1 seed was a testament to the fact that it is a mid-major in name only, but Selection Sunday brought some peculiar seeding to those in smaller conferences. The most egregious decision was giving Wichita State a No. 10 seed, spurring a discussion about the value of analytics vs. resume. The analytics were highly favorable to Wichita State—which was ranked No. 8 on kenpom.com, but its lack of any marquee wins (its lone top-50 wins were over conference foe Illinois State) appeared to severely hurt it in the eyes of the committee.

The Shockers were matched up with another team that was arguably under seeded, No. 7 Dayton, in a first-round game that SI.com’s Pete Thamel later argued “never should have been played.” Wichita’s No. 10 seed had a ripple effect that could’ve dramatically altered the tournament—not only did Dayton have an unfair matchup, but No. 2 seed Kentucky couldn’t have been thrilled to have to face the Shockers in the second round. The Wildcats held on—barely—but it’s a reminder of the fickle effect seeding can have on the tournament, and why Wichita State has since bolted for a stronger conference in the AAC. While that was a boon for both the school and the AAC, it was a dagger to the Missouri Valley Conference, which will struggle even more to be respected in the future....

Biggest surprise: Wichita State

Wichita State having a strong season isn’t in itself a surprise. The Shockers entered the season riding five straight NCAA tournament appearances and seemingly being an annual mid-major contender. But the 2016–17 Shockers had to overcome the graduation of four-year duo Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, and an upstart Illinois State was threatening to dethrone them in the Missouri Valley Conference. How did Gregg Marshall’s team respond? After a Jan. 14 loss to the Redbirds seemed to shake up the status quo in the MVC, Wichita State ripped off 12 straight wins to close the regular season (including a 41-point revenge rout of Illinois State), then rolled through Arch Madness to stand at 30–4 heading into the Big Dance.

Unfortunately for the Shockers, the NCAA Selection Committee put a lot of weight on their lack of top-25 wins and handed them a controversial No. 10 seed, despite a top-10 kenpom.com rank. Wichita took down No. 7 seed Dayton in the first round before nearly topping No. 2 Kentucky, taking the Wildcats to the wire in a 65–62 loss. But it was a successful season for the Shockers, who weren’t quite as good defensively as they were a season ago but featured an improved offense behind Markis McDuffie, Landry Shamet, Darral Willis Jr. and Shaquille Morris...."

[WuShock Reaper]

"Bowen Relishes Passion of Tigers’ Fan Base, Supports Tubby" - Memphis Daily News

By Don Wade
Friday, June 23, 2017

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/jun/23/bowen-relishes-passion-of-tigers-fan-base-supports-tubby/

"...In the second part of Bowen’s discussion with The Daily News, we talk about Wichita State joining the American Athletic Conference, conference realignment, men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith, the strong opinions people have here about Memphis sports, and the passion the city has for the Tigers....

Part 2

TDN: Want to get into conference realignment with you, but know you were part of the committee of athletic directors The American formed to consider Wichita State for membership. What was so appealing about them?

Bowen: Their president, their AD, and their coaches are magnificent examples of how you can continue to build your program and be successful and do it the right way. Tremendous community. Play in a tremendous arena. It seemed like a natural opportunity for us to put a 12th team in, non-football related, to put some balance in our scheduling. And it’s an old rivalry for Memphis. It fits in our footprint very well, their budgets are like our budgets. Their salary structure is like our salary structures. Quite frankly, it was a pretty easy decision...."

[ShockingButTrue]

Somebody reads Shockernet.

No kidding. Just where does one get a link to this prognostication? :excitement:

[ShockingButTrue]

"Bowen Relishes Passion of Tigers’ Fan Base, Supports Tubby" - Memphis Daily News

By Don Wade
Friday, June 23, 2017

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/jun/23/bowen-relishes-passion-of-tigers-fan-base-supports-tubby/

"...In the second part of Bowen’s discussion with The Daily News, we talk about Wichita State joining the American Athletic Conference, conference realignment, men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith, the strong opinions people have here about Memphis sports, and the passion the city has for the Tigers....

Part 2

TDN: Want to get into conference realignment with you, but know you were part of the committee of athletic directors The American formed to consider Wichita State for membership. What was so appealing about them?

Bowen: Their president, their AD, and their coaches are magnificent examples of how you can continue to build your program and be successful and do it the right way. Tremendous community. Play in a tremendous arena. It seemed like a natural opportunity for us to put a 12th team in, non-football related, to put some balance in our scheduling. And it’s an old rivalry for Memphis. It fits in our footprint very well, their budgets are like our budgets. Their salary structure is like our salary structures. Quite frankly, it was a pretty easy decision...."

That's a classy and educated reply.

That dead weight he dropped will fit in real good up North. More no-character guys that when the going gets tough look for their shots rather than hittin' the boards.

[WuShock Reaper]

"Marching to Madness Episode 126: ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg" - ESPN Podcast

by Blake Lovell
June 5, 2017

http://collegehoopswatch.com/2017/06/05/marching-to-madness-episode-126-seth-greenberg-espn/

"In this episode of Marching to Madness, hosts Blake Lovell and Ken Cross welcome back ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg.

Topics of discussion include: the roster shakeups at North Carolina and Louisville, why the SEC could be the deepest league in the country next season, the Iron Bowl of basketball with both Alabama and Auburn on the upswing, Arizona’s national title potential, how Wichita State will impact the AAC, and so much more."

WSU/AAC begins around the 13:00 mark and ends around the 15:00 minute mark.

[SHOCKvalue]

Just to be clear, yes, I certainly read SN. No, I don't tweet, but somebody must like my handle.

I actually didn't even notice the twitter handle same as yours. I just thought it was funny because that caveat showed up on SN via @Stickboy46: like 24 hours prior to the tweet.

[Stickboy46]

I actually didn't even notice the twitter handle same as yours. I just thought it was funny because that caveat showed up on SN via @Stickboy46 like 24 hours prior to the tweet.

I actually got it from the tweet (and also realized 247 had the same ranking). So it just went full circle.

[WuShock Reaper]

"California bans state-funded travel to eight states; does it affect college hoops?" - NBC Sports

By Rob Dauster
June 27, 2017, 1:25 PM ED

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/06/27/california-bans-state-funded-travel-to-eight-states-does-it-affect-college-hoops/

"...The next question then becomes whether or not regular season travel will be allowed. Earlier this year, Cal dropped out of talks with Kansas about a potential home-and-home series due to this law, and if regular season travel is not allowed, it would mean that Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville and Wichita State, along with Kansas, are not allowed to be visited by California public schools that need state funding to travel. A request for a clarification on the legality of college sports teams traveling to those states has been filed with the Attorney General by Fresno State, whose football team is headed to Alabama for a game this year...."

Not really a positive article, other then getting grouped with the Blue Bloods, but it does shows we have arrived on the national scene with some staying power.

[another shocker]

"California bans state-funded travel to eight states; does it affect college hoops?" - NBC Sports

By Rob Dauster
June 27, 2017, 1:25 PM ED

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/06/27/california-bans-state-funded-travel-to-eight-states-does-it-affect-college-hoops/

"...The next question then becomes whether or not regular season travel will be allowed. Earlier this year, Cal dropped out of talks with Kansas about a potential home-and-home series due to this law, and if regular season travel is not allowed, it would mean that Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville and Wichita State, along with Kansas, are not allowed to be visited by California public schools that need state funding to travel. A request for a clarification on the legality of college sports teams traveling to those states has been filed with the Attorney General by Fresno State, whose football team is headed to Alabama for a game this year...."

Not really a positive article, other then getting grouped with the Blue Bloods, but it does shows we have arrived on the national scene with some staying power.

man, how did you find that?

good job. again.

california better pull its head out of its @ss

[Steeleshocker]

"California bans state-funded travel to eight states; does it affect college hoops?" - NBC Sports

By Rob Dauster
June 27, 2017, 1:25 PM ED

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/06/27/california-bans-state-funded-travel-to-eight-states-does-it-affect-college-hoops/

"...The next question then becomes whether or not regular season travel will be allowed. Earlier this year, Cal dropped out of talks with Kansas about a potential home-and-home series due to this law, and if regular season travel is not allowed, it would mean that Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville and Wichita State, along with Kansas, are not allowed to be visited by California public schools that need state funding to travel. A request for a clarification on the legality of college sports teams traveling to those states has been filed with the Attorney General by Fresno State, whose football team is headed to Alabama for a game this year...."

Not really a positive article, other then getting grouped with the Blue Bloods, but it does shows we have arrived on the national scene with some staying power.

And think about all the teams that weren't even mentioned...

And not to get sucked into politics but this seems like a reach from California. This is essentially bullying other states into enacting or removing legislation. I'm not particularly in favor of the legislation these states have approved, but I don't think it's appropriate for a state to financially cause harm to another and challenge that state's sovereignty.

[jocoshock]

man, how did you find that?

good job. again.

california better pull its head out of its @ss

Great. Kansas has joined the Confederacy....

[another shocker]

Great. Kansas has joined the Confederacy....

some people have to have it all their way. you see it every other day of the week. that will never end.

[Fairgame]

man, how did you find that?

good job. again.

california better pull its head out of its @ss

I don't think just pulling its head out will be enough for California.

[CBB_Fan]

"California bans state-funded travel to eight states; does it affect college hoops?" - NBC Sports

By Rob Dauster
June 27, 2017, 1:25 PM ED

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/06/27/california-bans-state-funded-travel-to-eight-states-does-it-affect-college-hoops/

"...The next question then becomes whether or not regular season travel will be allowed. Earlier this year, Cal dropped out of talks with Kansas about a potential home-and-home series due to this law, and if regular season travel is not allowed, it would mean that Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville and Wichita State, along with Kansas, are not allowed to be visited by California public schools that need state funding to travel. A request for a clarification on the legality of college sports teams traveling to those states has been filed with the Attorney General by Fresno State, whose football team is headed to Alabama for a game this year...."

Not really a positive article, other then getting grouped with the Blue Bloods, but it does shows we have arrived on the national scene with some staying power.

I have absolutely no idea how that could be Constitutional. That's about the most obvious breach of the Interstate Commerce clause I can imagine on short notice.