I am very interested to see how this B ball team comes together. The main thing I hope they do is run run run this offseason and condition themselves like crazy so that they can play up and down the floor. They all say they like that style so hopefully they condition for it properly and run like crazy.
The whole basketball thing is a bit of a quandry for me. I am from the 60’s where I remember that athletes came and played for the University for the sheer joy of it. Going to the pros was second or third in their minds.
Patrick Beveryly, Ronnie Brewer, Joe Johnson and others are now in the pros. Good for them…I guess. My opinion used to be that they came and played and graduated…so now..I am evolving around to ..”just bring them in, give them PAY and don’t be under an illusion that they are playing for the Hogs or the people in the state.” I guess I am also evolving to the point that I just dont care about college basketball any more. Just call them Pros in training…and why be proud of something like that.
I know people will disagree with me, but that’s just one of the reasons why I with they (the universities) wouldn’t allow True Freshmen to play.
It may not help the problem that much, but at least we could provide our kids with some help in realizing that being a millionair isn’t everything.
With as many problems as we face today in our ever-eroding society, our ever-increasing desire for money helps nothing.
Instead of tyring to implement ways of improving self-disapline, and the things that are most important in life, we give them more of an excuse to take the easy way in life.
There has to be more to life than bouncing, throwing, catching, hitting or running with a ball.
Ron, LOL don’t need any prozac…I am just thinking out loud. Beverly’s whole intent as well as MOST of the modern B ball players is to try and go pro and make the money..so I am one of those that say…drop the pretenses..pay them like what they are Pros in Training. No offense meant to anyone on this site or elsewhere.
Gotta love that attitude. He REALLY likes Arkansas. With him, Michael Washington, and Delvon Johnson (a more mature guy from JUCO), who knows we might make a splash this season.
Thanks man ! You just sounded like you were in need of a pick me up !
Players go to college to learn a profession. Become employable. Unfortunately, there is sooooo much money in sports that this becomes their focus and they look past the rest. I dont blame em. I blame the pro’s. They could say, Get your education then lets talk. But they have become so fixcated on finding the next Kobe or Lebron they dont care where you fall if you arent the “Next”.
When I was young I too had dreams of playing Baseball for a living. A torn ACL and MCL ended all that my soph yr in college. So if they can get in now I guess I cant totally blame the kids. But I do wish the NBA would adopt the Drafting criteria the NFL has.
The NCAA used to have that rule where you couldn’t play as a freshman. That all changed and here we are !
Gonzo, I got on my soap box on the Freshmen Playing subject several weeks ago. I believe that this is related to the Title 7, 9 or 13 thing of equal opportunity regardless of gender. This is where the Congress passed a law requiring equality but failed to define it. Most school went out and put together a separate sports program for females, but with the same total number of scholarships. Along the way, they cut back on the mens basketball and football scollies in order to make this more affordable. Also, some schools dropped other sports. With the coaches yelling to high heaven, they decided to let freshmen play football and baskerball.
Then the NCAA got a black eye because of the high number of these kids going pro and dropping out of college. It made the colleges look like a minor league program for the pros. That’s when the NCAA came up with this APR thing.
I wish someone like Richard or Otis or whomever would publish an article on it.
You just gave a very accurate discription of one of the reasons why the NCAA has become too big for it’s britches.
They helped create the problem with their legislation of letting the kids play as Freshmen, but then when it created a bigger problem with the kids taking school less and less seriously, they came up with the APR rule that penalizes the school.
That kind of unrational thinking reminds me of when Congress’s members voted to give themselves a raise because the cost of living went up.
I wonder who helped pass the laws that led to those increased living exspenses?
I wish I had the authority to “pass the buck” on to someone else everytime I made a bad decision. Wouldn’t life be grand?
The idea was to let the kids have a year on campus to make adjustments in their lives and mature. They played a much reduced frosh schedule, usually about 5 or 6 games.
Another problem is that if you are thin at a position, and have a discipline problem with a kid at that position, you can’t afford to set him down without jeopardizing your job.
This is bad all the way around. It is flawed beyond belief.
The NCAA is at fault 100%. A player should not be eligible until the spring semester of his senior year, regardless of the sport. And then the NBA, AFL, NFL, NHL, and MLB needs to cap all salaries. No one is worth the amount they are being paid…look at their attitudes and actions. I realize there are also some very good individuals, that both in their life and service to others, that should be promoted heavily.
Lavunce Askew got in trouble a few weeks ago. I see where Khiry Battle was picked up again. No doubt there are others to be added.
What can a coach do with these kids? Can he accomplish the appropriate disciplinary action within the program? Or does he have to kick them off the team? Can he afford to do this without jeopardizing the accomplishments of this season’s team? And his job? Clearly he has to do something that makes a clear statement.
At what point do you give the kid another opportunity or remove him from the team?
Tell a kid upfront….your expectations of behavior on and off the field. Tell them the consequences…loss of scholarship. The lack of discipline in our society is what is creating havoc with these kids. It’s time to quit pandering to them….one is not pandered in a job in the real world.
There is no question the fairly new APR has a lot of flaws. The 3 year rule like football is the best compromise. Go pro out of high school if you like (because this is America and you have an opportunity to make a living), or go to college and stay at least 3 years. Again, all the arguments against a player turning pro is to protect the colleges. It is all about economics and the individual player or person must be protected because many if not most come from poor economic backgrounds. I hate the whole situation because I love college sports, but if I had a son, grandson, or nephew who was talented enough to play pro and make millions I would still want him to experience college. But in doing so would jeopardize his career with injuries and so forth. Very tough question, but it is not just up to the NCAA. The NBA, players association, NCAA, and parents all weigh in. In every other walk of life, you have right to pursue a job if you are qualified and capable. And, remember, going pro even at 18 you could say they are spending 2-3 years as an apprentice. Anyway, trying to fight the pro thing to help the college system just isn’t going to work. It is here to stay as long as there are millions of dollars at stake for the individual and his family. It is the agents, handlers and hangers on that make the situation so bad for everyone.
Who has best camps? I read a post 3 weeks ago where a gentleman in this forum asked “How does our camp compare? Im just curious if we can compete.” The answer is “YES!” We have had 5 kids on tour from Arkansas, UNLV, USC, UCLA, All Poly Camp (in Utah), Fresno St, BYU, etc.
Best coaching? Keith Williams at Fresno St (WRs). Coolest coach is Petrino. Best facilities – Arkansas hands down. The kids all said that the dorms at all other camps “Sucked! Arkansas dorms are bigger, etc.” Who knows what dorms were used. USC campus is old and in the worst part of LA. remember Damian Williams? Not Fab 5 Springdale Damian Williams. Im talking Florence and Normandie where Reginald Denny was bricked by Damian Williams during the Rodney King riots. Speaking of Damian. I saw him and he was enjoying his west coast life. I met Taylor Mays (#2 USC). I wouldnt want to go across the middle on this guy. He is a giant that runs 4.3 forty. UCLA has the best campus and great location – Unless you are visiting when the King of Pop Michael Jackson decides to pass on to a better life. We were caught in Satelite truck and Helicopter hell. Coach Neuheisel will turn that program around with those facilities and he greeted us like no other coach has ever greeted us. We were on a phone call as he came out for his camp. He stood and waited…Finally walked away about 50 feet. I hung my phone up and he jogged back over and smiled and said “Im Rick Neuheisel…Nice to meet you.” Shaking my hand with both of his hands. Thats a recruiting face if I have ever seen one. Utah is one shade. BYU is great and pretty country. UNLV has subpar facilites and you just dont know what coaching you are getting there when the home team is racking up a 2-7 record and renewing coaching contracts. No stadium = second and third tier recruits. I do think that Arkansas may wait a little too long to offer players and UTAH and UCLA are too quick. Having said that, Petrino is a winner and we will see. I just know two huge recruits being offered by USC, Texas Tech, AZ, LSU and UCLA – that said they would consider Arkansas since they have been offered by LSU and love the SEC. Coaches need to realize that these kids on the west coast grew up or have family in the south and may want to be in a safe town.
it was me that asked. i really appreciate the feedback. i also hope that ar offers the kids on the west coast and that they do consider the hogs. hopefully you all will keep coming to the camps and to visit the campus. thank you again for the feedback i really appreciate it
Yeah they said that the food was the best at Arkansas too. LSU comes up July 19. You need to talk to the recruiting coordinator about getting a look at Jalen Grimble from Bishop Gorman Las Vegas co 2011. We saw him at USC last week and they offered him. He is visiting Coach McCarthy at LSU in July and said he would take a look at Arkansas too while in the South. I think your weight room would knock him off of his feet. His father expressed that he likes going to sleep at night knowing his kid is safe and I think fayetteville can live up to that.
I agree with you that we are missing out on the Southern Calif talent. I have looked at many profiles in that area and I feel there are lots of players we just dont even talk to.
Fayetteville is a nice size city where you can go for a walk with a date anywhere and feel safe.
Your right, heres a lot to be said for parents sleeping good at night !
We feel no one has better overall facilities. The new turf looks great. ( I wish the Hog was 40 yards long )
I hope you become a regular visitor here. I sure do enjoy your comments.
Im talking to Jalen Grimbles father today about going to see Mr Horton when he is in the area in a couple of weeks. He is in a Keith Jackson Jr body right now running a 4.8 at 265 lbs. His father and cousin are 6′6″. He is only 15 and has offers from the Elite out here and Tx Tech in the south.
Im talking to Jalen Grimbles father today about going to see Mr Horton when he is in the area in a couple of weeks. He is in a Keith Jackson Jr body right now running a 4.8 at 265 lbs. His father and cousin are 6′6″. He is only 15 and has offers from the Elite out here and Tx Tech in the south. I think he would kill there. Its just hard deciding on having a degree (no offense) that says USC or Arkansas or LSU on the parents eyes. When they come back “home” they (along with the rest of the world now) cannot find a job. But if Arkansas shows out in the next year, its a gate that can open fast because of what you have on campus.
Many of the kids from the West coast or out of state that have come to Arkansas have never left. They become state figures so fast and heros that they have open doors for jobs all over Arkansas once they graduate. So many of stuck around and are so well seen at games and events. On the radio and on TV. The Arkansas Business School is also top notch so the kids that go with the business major are going home with a great degree. Hopefully this year we really open the eyes of some of these recruits nationally to what is stirring down in AR under Petrino.
Grimbles looks like a serious top notch recruit with that combination of size and speed. I hope AR does recruit him and that when he goes to camp at LSU he is able to make a visit to the Hill.
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29 Responses to “Friday’s column”
Welcome to Arkansas Mr. Powell.
By bc on Jun 26, 2009 @ 12:57pm
I am very interested to see how this B ball team comes together. The main thing I hope they do is run run run this offseason and condition themselves like crazy so that they can play up and down the floor. They all say they like that style so hopefully they condition for it properly and run like crazy.
By blake on Jun 26, 2009 @ 1:20pm
We def need Powell… SIZE.
P.
By Portie on Jun 26, 2009 @ 2:57pm
The whole basketball thing is a bit of a quandry for me. I am from the 60’s where I remember that athletes came and played for the University for the sheer joy of it. Going to the pros was second or third in their minds.
Patrick Beveryly, Ronnie Brewer, Joe Johnson and others are now in the pros. Good for them…I guess. My opinion used to be that they came and played and graduated…so now..I am evolving around to ..”just bring them in, give them PAY and don’t be under an illusion that they are playing for the Hogs or the people in the state.” I guess I am also evolving to the point that I just dont care about college basketball any more. Just call them Pros in training…and why be proud of something like that.
By hog fan in florida on Jun 27, 2009 @ 2:56pm
hog fan in florida,
Sorry to hear that my friend. Want a prozac?
By Ron in Jordan on Jun 27, 2009 @ 4:19pm
hog fan in florida,
I know people will disagree with me, but that’s just one of the reasons why I with they (the universities) wouldn’t allow True Freshmen to play.
It may not help the problem that much, but at least we could provide our kids with some help in realizing that being a millionair isn’t everything.
With as many problems as we face today in our ever-eroding society, our ever-increasing desire for money helps nothing.
Instead of tyring to implement ways of improving self-disapline, and the things that are most important in life, we give them more of an excuse to take the easy way in life.
There has to be more to life than bouncing, throwing, catching, hitting or running with a ball.
By GonzoHog on Jun 27, 2009 @ 4:22pm
*wish*
By GonzoHog on Jun 27, 2009 @ 4:24pm
Ron, LOL don’t need any prozac…I am just thinking out loud. Beverly’s whole intent as well as MOST of the modern B ball players is to try and go pro and make the money..so I am one of those that say…drop the pretenses..pay them like what they are Pros in Training. No offense meant to anyone on this site or elsewhere.
By hog fan in florida on Jun 27, 2009 @ 4:55pm
Gotta love that attitude. He REALLY likes Arkansas. With him, Michael Washington, and Delvon Johnson (a more mature guy from JUCO), who knows we might make a splash this season.
By Ima Hawg on Jun 27, 2009 @ 5:47pm
hog fan in florida,
Thanks man ! You just sounded like you were in need of a pick me up !
Players go to college to learn a profession. Become employable. Unfortunately, there is sooooo much money in sports that this becomes their focus and they look past the rest. I dont blame em. I blame the pro’s. They could say, Get your education then lets talk. But they have become so fixcated on finding the next Kobe or Lebron they dont care where you fall if you arent the “Next”.
When I was young I too had dreams of playing Baseball for a living. A torn ACL and MCL ended all that my soph yr in college. So if they can get in now I guess I cant totally blame the kids. But I do wish the NBA would adopt the Drafting criteria the NFL has.
The NCAA used to have that rule where you couldn’t play as a freshman. That all changed and here we are !
By Ron in Jordan on Jun 27, 2009 @ 9:00pm
Gonzo, I got on my soap box on the Freshmen Playing subject several weeks ago. I believe that this is related to the Title 7, 9 or 13 thing of equal opportunity regardless of gender. This is where the Congress passed a law requiring equality but failed to define it. Most school went out and put together a separate sports program for females, but with the same total number of scholarships. Along the way, they cut back on the mens basketball and football scollies in order to make this more affordable. Also, some schools dropped other sports. With the coaches yelling to high heaven, they decided to let freshmen play football and baskerball.
Then the NCAA got a black eye because of the high number of these kids going pro and dropping out of college. It made the colleges look like a minor league program for the pros. That’s when the NCAA came up with this APR thing.
I wish someone like Richard or Otis or whomever would publish an article on it.
By bigfoot on Jun 28, 2009 @ 12:25am
bigfoot,
You just gave a very accurate discription of one of the reasons why the NCAA has become too big for it’s britches.
They helped create the problem with their legislation of letting the kids play as Freshmen, but then when it created a bigger problem with the kids taking school less and less seriously, they came up with the APR rule that penalizes the school.
That kind of unrational thinking reminds me of when Congress’s members voted to give themselves a raise because the cost of living went up.
I wonder who helped pass the laws that led to those increased living exspenses?
I wish I had the authority to “pass the buck” on to someone else everytime I made a bad decision. Wouldn’t life be grand?
By GonzoHog on Jun 28, 2009 @ 8:16am
Gonzo,
You are preaching to the choir!
The idea was to let the kids have a year on campus to make adjustments in their lives and mature. They played a much reduced frosh schedule, usually about 5 or 6 games.
Another problem is that if you are thin at a position, and have a discipline problem with a kid at that position, you can’t afford to set him down without jeopardizing your job.
This is bad all the way around. It is flawed beyond belief.
By bigfoot on Jun 28, 2009 @ 1:58pm
The NCAA is at fault 100%. A player should not be eligible until the spring semester of his senior year, regardless of the sport. And then the NBA, AFL, NFL, NHL, and MLB needs to cap all salaries. No one is worth the amount they are being paid…look at their attitudes and actions. I realize there are also some very good individuals, that both in their life and service to others, that should be promoted heavily.
By fb71 on Jun 28, 2009 @ 3:51pm
Lavunce Askew got in trouble a few weeks ago. I see where Khiry Battle was picked up again. No doubt there are others to be added.
What can a coach do with these kids? Can he accomplish the appropriate disciplinary action within the program? Or does he have to kick them off the team? Can he afford to do this without jeopardizing the accomplishments of this season’s team? And his job? Clearly he has to do something that makes a clear statement.
At what point do you give the kid another opportunity or remove him from the team?
By bigfoot on Jun 28, 2009 @ 6:24pm
Tell a kid upfront….your expectations of behavior on and off the field. Tell them the consequences…loss of scholarship. The lack of discipline in our society is what is creating havoc with these kids. It’s time to quit pandering to them….one is not pandered in a job in the real world.
By fb71 on Jun 28, 2009 @ 7:34pm
There is no question the fairly new APR has a lot of flaws. The 3 year rule like football is the best compromise. Go pro out of high school if you like (because this is America and you have an opportunity to make a living), or go to college and stay at least 3 years. Again, all the arguments against a player turning pro is to protect the colleges. It is all about economics and the individual player or person must be protected because many if not most come from poor economic backgrounds. I hate the whole situation because I love college sports, but if I had a son, grandson, or nephew who was talented enough to play pro and make millions I would still want him to experience college. But in doing so would jeopardize his career with injuries and so forth. Very tough question, but it is not just up to the NCAA. The NBA, players association, NCAA, and parents all weigh in. In every other walk of life, you have right to pursue a job if you are qualified and capable. And, remember, going pro even at 18 you could say they are spending 2-3 years as an apprentice. Anyway, trying to fight the pro thing to help the college system just isn’t going to work. It is here to stay as long as there are millions of dollars at stake for the individual and his family. It is the agents, handlers and hangers on that make the situation so bad for everyone.
By Ima Hawg on Jun 28, 2009 @ 8:53pm
Who has best camps? I read a post 3 weeks ago where a gentleman in this forum asked “How does our camp compare? Im just curious if we can compete.” The answer is “YES!” We have had 5 kids on tour from Arkansas, UNLV, USC, UCLA, All Poly Camp (in Utah), Fresno St, BYU, etc.
Best coaching? Keith Williams at Fresno St (WRs). Coolest coach is Petrino. Best facilities – Arkansas hands down. The kids all said that the dorms at all other camps “Sucked! Arkansas dorms are bigger, etc.” Who knows what dorms were used. USC campus is old and in the worst part of LA. remember Damian Williams? Not Fab 5 Springdale Damian Williams. Im talking Florence and Normandie where Reginald Denny was bricked by Damian Williams during the Rodney King riots. Speaking of Damian. I saw him and he was enjoying his west coast life. I met Taylor Mays (#2 USC). I wouldnt want to go across the middle on this guy. He is a giant that runs 4.3 forty. UCLA has the best campus and great location – Unless you are visiting when the King of Pop Michael Jackson decides to pass on to a better life. We were caught in Satelite truck and Helicopter hell. Coach Neuheisel will turn that program around with those facilities and he greeted us like no other coach has ever greeted us. We were on a phone call as he came out for his camp. He stood and waited…Finally walked away about 50 feet. I hung my phone up and he jogged back over and smiled and said “Im Rick Neuheisel…Nice to meet you.” Shaking my hand with both of his hands. Thats a recruiting face if I have ever seen one. Utah is one shade. BYU is great and pretty country. UNLV has subpar facilites and you just dont know what coaching you are getting there when the home team is racking up a 2-7 record and renewing coaching contracts. No stadium = second and third tier recruits. I do think that Arkansas may wait a little too long to offer players and UTAH and UCLA are too quick. Having said that, Petrino is a winner and we will see. I just know two huge recruits being offered by USC, Texas Tech, AZ, LSU and UCLA – that said they would consider Arkansas since they have been offered by LSU and love the SEC. Coaches need to realize that these kids on the west coast grew up or have family in the south and may want to be in a safe town.
By Anonymous on Jun 28, 2009 @ 11:22pm
it was me that asked. i really appreciate the feedback. i also hope that ar offers the kids on the west coast and that they do consider the hogs. hopefully you all will keep coming to the camps and to visit the campus. thank you again for the feedback i really appreciate it
By blake on Jun 28, 2009 @ 11:39pm
Yeah they said that the food was the best at Arkansas too. LSU comes up July 19. You need to talk to the recruiting coordinator about getting a look at Jalen Grimble from Bishop Gorman Las Vegas co 2011. We saw him at USC last week and they offered him. He is visiting Coach McCarthy at LSU in July and said he would take a look at Arkansas too while in the South. I think your weight room would knock him off of his feet. His father expressed that he likes going to sleep at night knowing his kid is safe and I think fayetteville can live up to that.
By Anonymous on Jun 29, 2009 @ 12:26am
Welcome back Anonymous,
I agree with you that we are missing out on the Southern Calif talent. I have looked at many profiles in that area and I feel there are lots of players we just dont even talk to.
Fayetteville is a nice size city where you can go for a walk with a date anywhere and feel safe.
)
Your right, heres a lot to be said for parents sleeping good at night !
We feel no one has better overall facilities. The new turf looks great. ( I wish the Hog was 40 yards long
I hope you become a regular visitor here. I sure do enjoy your comments.
By Ron in Jordan on Jun 29, 2009 @ 6:10am
Im talking to Jalen Grimbles father today about going to see Mr Horton when he is in the area in a couple of weeks. He is in a Keith Jackson Jr body right now running a 4.8 at 265 lbs. His father and cousin are 6′6″. He is only 15 and has offers from the Elite out here and Tx Tech in the south.
By Anonymous on Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:50am
This is a pretty good article concerning young athletes and college vs Pro.
http://wholehogsports.com/nwat/77769
By Ron in Jordan on Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:52am
Im talking to Jalen Grimbles father today about going to see Mr Horton when he is in the area in a couple of weeks. He is in a Keith Jackson Jr body right now running a 4.8 at 265 lbs. His father and cousin are 6′6″. He is only 15 and has offers from the Elite out here and Tx Tech in the south. I think he would kill there. Its just hard deciding on having a degree (no offense) that says USC or Arkansas or LSU on the parents eyes. When they come back “home” they (along with the rest of the world now) cannot find a job. But if Arkansas shows out in the next year, its a gate that can open fast because of what you have on campus.
By Anonymous on Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:52am
Thanks Anonymous !
By Ron in Jordan on Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:59am
Many of the kids from the West coast or out of state that have come to Arkansas have never left. They become state figures so fast and heros that they have open doors for jobs all over Arkansas once they graduate. So many of stuck around and are so well seen at games and events. On the radio and on TV. The Arkansas Business School is also top notch so the kids that go with the business major are going home with a great degree. Hopefully this year we really open the eyes of some of these recruits nationally to what is stirring down in AR under Petrino.
By blake on Jun 29, 2009 @ 9:48am
Grimbles looks like a serious top notch recruit with that combination of size and speed. I hope AR does recruit him and that when he goes to camp at LSU he is able to make a visit to the Hill.
By blake on Jun 29, 2009 @ 9:50am
Is Jalen the brother or relative of Xavier who is committed to USC?
By blake on Jun 29, 2009 @ 11:39am
i wish they would put somthing new on this MF’ER
By Big Boi on Jun 29, 2009 @ 4:38pm