clarkwgriswold

Thanks to CBS and the NCAA for scheduling the national championship at 9:20 p.m. ET on a weeknight. Sounds like the same guys negotiated this that arranged the MAC weeknight football schedule.

I'm not sure that in the day of portal, the new transfer rules, NIL, etc. Calipari's Kentucky formula works any more. I heard him in an interview a while back talking about how when Dajuan Wagner and his parents came to him after his freshman season to tell him he was going to come back for his sophomore year. Calipari knew John Lucas and the Cavs were going to take him early if he declared and he told the Wagners he should not come and take the money and he tore up his contract documents right in front of them. Wagner than went on the Cavs and experienced the intestinal issues that ended his short career. That's Calipari's experiential basis to push kids to leave early when they can. He uses that same philosophy to draw kids with promises they can move on quickly to the pros. As a result, he's now sending inexperienced 18 and 19 year olds onto the court to face experienced men some of who are now 23 and 24 years old and he has not adjusted. That adjustment may now happen at Arkansas.

Agreed. They have 8 national championships since 1948 but expect one every year.

Makes me wonder when the NCAA investigation of Kentucky basketball will become known. LOL. He's really good at bailing right before the storm.

That's really what it's about- the atmosphere and experience. The entire area around the game is electric, almost a festival of college basketball feeling to it. There's a buzz in all of the restaurants and public areas. I remember walking the streets with my son in Indianapolis before the Florida/UCLA national championship game and we saw a small crowd starting to gather in front of a hotel and wandering over to see what was up to end up watching the Florida team come out of the hotel. I told my son then and there they would win as I'd never seen a calmer and more confident looking team going into a big game.

I've been to National Championship games in the old RCA Dome and Ford Field. The experience is really cool but the actual watching of the game isn't great unless you are somehow near the floor, which is unlikely for most.

Yikes, looks like Gheorghe Mureșan procreated.

I suspect Bronny is entering the draft for the purposes of getting a full evaluation of his game. I do wonder though if he'll get an honest assessment. My assessment- very good perimeter defender but otherwise not an NBA talent, at least yet. To his credit, his recovery from the cardiac event is impressive and he's done a great job of dealing with the pressures of being Bronny since he was a kid.

Diggs was very talented but I can't vote for anyone whose own conduct took them off of the court.

As for Dawson I see he references being a grad transfer. That's great new if he got his degree. As I recall, he initially was delayed in starting his Zip career due to some academic issue. As for Bronny, it's not happening. If somehow it did, he'd have the talent to do well in the MAC (though I don't think he's an NBA talent) but he'd have to buy into the Groce way. Also, the media train that would bring could be a huge distraction.

Word on the street is that VonCameron Davis has opted to return to PCCC.

It's the power of the Clarkie Collective!

My buddy pointed out the obvious question- what happened between Senior Day when he had decided to stay and today when he decided to leave?

Jihad entering the portal leaves just one player of the 20 from the All-MAC teams. I wish Dawson the best. Seems like a good kid. Any shortcomings in his game were not the result of a lack of effort as he always played hard.

He may have been the most mature freshman I have seen. Seems like a great kid and a fine basketball player but if he actually wants to play in college he would be much better served to go to one of those last 4 programs listed.

Funny, the guy from the All-MAC teams I like might to get the most is one of the two guys that hasn't entered the portal- Basheer Jihad.

2 out of 20 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention team MAC players left now after graduation and the portal. 10% (23% using PCCC math).

Depends on the type of chirping. His chirping was a "look at me" and "I could be doing this for you" chirping, not a competitive chirping.

..and that's what I like about Groce. It is about talent AND culture fit. I suspected that a guy who would chirp at the opposing coach, even in a friendly way, might not be a fit in this program.

I'm very much enjoying watching NC State throttling Duke.

I'm just happy they made it from Toledo to Youngstown without stopping to see what we have at UA.

The transfers to the major basketball programs from the smaller programs has been going on for some time. The transfer portal and the "no sit" rule just accelerated it. I first really noticed it was in 2015 when the Lewis kid transferred to Louisville from Cleveland State.

It has become the NCAADL.

Toledo has already accepted their invitation to the 2025 CBI Tournament.