College basketball is no more.
- Thread starter wobycat
- Start date
Lock'em Up
Sorry to say one of my favorite Photoshop sites (FreakingNews.com) is shutting down April 15.
Enjoy while you can and go download some images if you want. Great Art is hard to find.
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edit: FreakingNews.com has been saved!!!
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Oh, so that scholarship worth $50,000 don't count? GOTCHA Einstein!
So it's the NCAA fault these athletes piss away free education? Exploited? Lol
I have no issue with players leaving early and while I agree college basketball isn't as good of a product as it once was, I get times have changed and it is the reality of it so when I say what I am about to say, it nothing to do with that. I have no issue with top talent leaving early and going pro. My issue is when kids are encouraged to seek their dream when they realistically have zero shot at it. I understand you cannot make kids stay and they are going to make their own decisions, again I am fine with that. However, it doesn't mean you cannot shake your head when a kid makes a bad decision..... and we are starting to see more and more of those across college basketball
Outside of Kentucky, I don't watch college basketball at all. NBA is a much better product and much better game. It's officiated better, there's not 1 and 1 bonus, and there is a much better flow. And with so many former UK guys in the league, it's even better than before. If you want to sit around on a Big Monday and watch Iowa State vs. TCU, knock yourself out. But all these guys leaving doesn't make the system "broke".
but its only college athletics. not about wins, its about the betterment of the student athlete. amateurism!
isnt that the point to college? so whats the big deal if they have a bad year.
I agree with this also. The landscape of college basketball has changed, but the NCAA has not changed with it.
It's not the same game we grew up with, but so what? These players make the University and networks so much money and I'm glad they are finally getting some freedom. I'm just as excited every March when Kentucky has a chance to win it all.
Would you like it to go back to the old days when you could not watch every game on clear HD television or only be able to listen on the radio? We have access to these players like never before and in some ways its better.
Would you like it to go back to the old days when you could not watch every game on clear HD television or only be able to listen on the radio? We have access to these players like never before and in some ways its better.
You can also go to UNC and get one for free (with scholarship) without going to classes.
so teams today dont play with team effort? team effort only occurs if you are an amateur? lol ok. maybe the problem isnt college basketball...maybe its you.
So what? I like the old Taco Bell!
79, 89, 99 cent menu. Now I have to try to understand what they did with a basic damn taco. I've got to figure out how they wrap it, what odd sauce they've put on it, and how much liquid cheese is on it.
College basketball sucks right now.
Have you not been invested enough to watch the last few years when we win 30 games nearly every year?
I agree with the OP. College basketball is a mere shell of what it once was and the ever increasing numbers of kids we are seeing go pro after one season is a critical factor. I just don't particularly care for the state of college basketball today and I don't enjoy it like I once did. I still watch UK games and I root for my team. But I'm no longer the college basketball junkie I once was. Looking back to 20 years ago, I'd be salivating come November. I'd watch every game I could. I really loved college basketball. Now, I pretty much just watch Kentucky. And I don't enjoy it like I once did. College basketball today just feels cheap....diminished, from what it once was. I now follow and enjoy college football far more than college basketball. At least with football, the best players hang around through their junior seasons, unlike the circus that has become college basketball.
I actually agree with him on this point about being invested. Growing up, I enjoyed watching a guy like Mashburn for 3 years, Kenny Walker for 4 years and Tony Delk for 4 years. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy the success we have nowadays or root on my Cats any less, I just enjoyed following the best players for 3 and 4 years.
This is me in a nutshell nowadays. I don't think I watched any college games for more than 10 minutes that did not include UK (outside of the NCAA Tournament). I used to watch games all the time. I also made the switch to college football and will watch other games outside of UK.
I'd be a little more hesitant to embrace the OAD culture at Kentucky if Cal was bringing in questionable kids who weren't performing in class or were in the news for one misdemeanor after another, ala Kansas. But that hasn't happened. Cal has brought in quality kids who have been accepted into the big blue nation and they love their time here.
Sure college basketball is different than what it was 10, 20, or 30+ years ago but what sport isn't different over that period of time? What part of society isn't different over that period of time? I don't like all the changes that have come about but I've learned to stand firm on those principles that I believe are critical to mine and my families well-being but I've also learned to adapt to those things that are primarily entertainment. Nothing stays the same, it's just a fact of life.
Sure college basketball is different than what it was 10, 20, or 30+ years ago but what sport isn't different over that period of time? What part of society isn't different over that period of time? I don't like all the changes that have come about but I've learned to stand firm on those principles that I believe are critical to mine and my families well-being but I've also learned to adapt to those things that are primarily entertainment. Nothing stays the same, it's just a fact of life.
This is gonna sound snarky, but I mean it. Go follow UL or UNC or Villanova if you can't stand seeing kids pursuing their dreams earlier than you would like.
Actually the two teams in the Final game were mainly experienced college players. Yes, Kentucky almost beat UNC but even for us it was frequently the experienced players that were coming through. When was Hawkins ever that good before? Willis was not clutch most of his career and helped contribute to the Indiana loss last season. This year as a Senior, different story at the end. Sure, our Freshman played great and again that combination almost led to winning it all.
It's just different. I hate this jumping to the NBA and other pro leagues or it feeling like a failure if you don't do it right away. No one here actually thinks Briscoe made a good decision long-term by leaving. But, he likely next year will earn more money that most of us, so a short-term good decision for him and yes even the D league players that left too soon are earning a decent living and still can improve and get to the high paying NBA. The sad part is these are really young kids and miss out on experiences and maturity by the lure of the money.
It's too bad the NCAA can't have college football and basketball rules similar that prevents early jumping, but again it's how it is. So, I still enjoy every Kentucky basketball game, and we all live and breath recruiting now because of how things are. The quality of team play is of course diminished but individual talent still makes it exciting to watch.
It's just different. I hate this jumping to the NBA and other pro leagues or it feeling like a failure if you don't do it right away. No one here actually thinks Briscoe made a good decision long-term by leaving. But, he likely next year will earn more money that most of us, so a short-term good decision for him and yes even the D league players that left too soon are earning a decent living and still can improve and get to the high paying NBA. The sad part is these are really young kids and miss out on experiences and maturity by the lure of the money.
It's too bad the NCAA can't have college football and basketball rules similar that prevents early jumping, but again it's how it is. So, I still enjoy every Kentucky basketball game, and we all live and breath recruiting now because of how things are. The quality of team play is of course diminished but individual talent still makes it exciting to watch.
As some one said, college basketball has changed but, the NCAA has not changed with it. Perhaps, neither have some of you/us. We remember the 3 and 4 year players who were all about the love of the game/university and how it seemed they played with more heart. Today, many players still love the game/university but see a bigger picture, namely, the future. With the money floating around many see getting out there and getting what they can as early as they can. Who can really blame them. But, the end result has for us been similar to the years past. Still going to multiple final fours and winning a championship in the last 8 years. Not too shabby, I will take it.
I, along with millions of others will continue to watch and be happy watching like every year. You're more than welcome to start watching something else
I'm sure in the 70's and 80's people did not like all the dunking and speed in the game and it "wasn't the same". But the game was a lot better because African-American were allowed to finally play after being unfairly shut out of the game for decades.
The game changes with the times and its usually for the better. We will get used to it for sure. The one and done aspect just hits us hard because of Cal, but when we have a coach that is more conventional after Cal I'm sure we will all miss doing things like 4 Final Four's in a 5 year span.
The game changes with the times and its usually for the better. We will get used to it for sure. The one and done aspect just hits us hard because of Cal, but when we have a coach that is more conventional after Cal I'm sure we will all miss doing things like 4 Final Four's in a 5 year span.
I hope as you grow older than a teenager you grow more invested in things other than sports (family, job, religion, etc.) and this leaves less time to invest into college basketball being there are only 24 hrs in a day but that doesn't mean the product on the court has diminished. You can't watch UK vs UNC in december and tell that is a bad product.
whats funny about this statement its based on not liking the college game anymore because of OAD players. most of which come from UK...but you admit to watching only UK games and not other games/teams. yet the OAD thing doesnt really happen that much on other teams.
doesnt make sense really.
The NCAA topped 1 billion in revenue in 2014. That's billion, not million. Show me any organization that produces such a product that brings in that kind of money and allows for such incompetence and so much to be just left up to chance.
The NCAA has already proven it's overwhelming bias and corruption in many of it's rulings concerning much bigger issues than who wins a game. Why would they be beyond reproach when it comes to possibly tipping the scales for team A or B if need be? Do you think Duke and UNC getting favorable draws every year is by accident?
Just saying when so much money is to be made, I highly doubt so much is being left to chance.
I hardly call losing a game in the elite 8 by a last second shot that many considered the winner to be the favorite to win it all "flaming out". Humphries admittedly helped tremendously to put us in that situation for that game but Fox , a one and done, destroyed UCLA the game before. We were in as good of a position as any other team come tournament time and I would bet that will be the same case next season.
It makes plenty of sense. The quality of the game has gone down. People will watch their own team because that is who they support. But if you are dealing with a watered down product, you are going to be less likely to spend time watching other teams you have no vested interest in.
I always look at All-American teams to show just how much the game is a shell of it's former self. Here is a look at this years 1st team All American team compared to Honorable All American 25 years ago:
2017 1st Team All American
Lonzo Ball - Freshman
Josh Hart - Senior
Justin Jackson - Junior
Frank Mason III - Senior
Caleb Swanigan - Sophomore
1992 Honorable Mention All American
Anfernee Hardaway - Sophomore
Jamal Mashburn - Sophomore
Grant Hill - Sophomore
Allan Houston - Junior
Rodney Rogers - Sophomore
2017 1st Team All American
Lonzo Ball - Freshman
Josh Hart - Senior
Justin Jackson - Junior
Frank Mason III - Senior
Caleb Swanigan - Sophomore
1992 Honorable Mention All American
Anfernee Hardaway - Sophomore
Jamal Mashburn - Sophomore
Grant Hill - Sophomore
Allan Houston - Junior
Rodney Rogers - Sophomore
No one truly reads the original post.
I never once made reference to kids making wrong decisions or said that other teams do it better. On the contrast, I give cal credit for doing the best in this system but the product SUCKS! College basketball in general! Read the topic.
I watch UK because I am a big time fan...that's pretty simple. I'm not as invested in college basketball outside of UK because guys don't stay around 3 and 4 years like they used too, so the match-ups just aren't as intriguing to me.
People always say this when this topic shows up. I would love more Patrick Pattersons and Terrence Jones of the world. I have zero problem with guys leaving early. I might not agree with it, but I don't have a problem with it. You can't tell me there isn't one person on this board that would want to see a guy like AD, John Wall and KAT for 3 years. That's what people are saying. We miss the days where guys like that stayed for 3 years.
Yet we have a coach who has done this same thing numerous times and guess what...the team usually turns out decent.
...and believe me, I've also been critical of what appears to be an incomplete roster next year. However, I'm saying that from a perspective that UK is chasing national titles. Not just 25-win seasons. On that context, there's room to criticize Calipari, but in the context of "we are going to stink because the talent is based on a paper ranking" is unfounded.
If not for an NBA lockout Jones is probably 1 and done, and if Patterson weren't playing on crappy Billy G teams and injured his 2nd year, he doesn't last to a third season.
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