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Post by E-Villan on Apr 25, 2024 8:58:17 GMT -6
I am more than a little surprised how B-Hum has handled this. I don't fault him for wanting to spend his grad year in the Big 10. I get it, I think we all do. It's the quitting on the team before the final horn that bothers me. Marcus Wilson can chirp and claim he is "one of his guys" but Ragland is the one who coached him from a NAIA nobody to potential Big10/NBA player in one season. If not for Ragland taking a chance on him, I am not sure he would have ever made it out of Huntington. Did he have offers? I don't recall much more than an "eh" response from most of us last year when he was announced.
Whether he played or not, he should have went on the trip. He could have cheered his teammates on from the bench, provided advice, etc. Instead, he quit on his teammates, coaches and the fans who embraced him this year. The very people who built him a bridge from Huntington to Champaign. I would have never expected this from him, just like I never expected Marcus to use his agenda against his alma-mater to the level he has. There was a time I had a lot of respect for both of them.
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Post by evilleintentions on Apr 25, 2024 9:11:55 GMT -6
Amen to that. Unfortunately we live in different times today than my old school way of thinking. Today it’s ‘I’m gone get mine’. And everyone cheers.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Apr 25, 2024 9:15:06 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”.
Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”.
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Post by evilleintentions on Apr 25, 2024 9:43:42 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”. Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. Making my point about old school and new school thought process everyday. Oh, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand Ben has no shot at the NBA. Fairytales and Unicorns might work in your world, but it doesn’t mine.
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Post by deanwormer on Apr 25, 2024 9:53:38 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”. Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. I wonder if his teammates and coaches feel the same way? I also am curious if the fans who spent their own money to go down there and support the team understand that he couldn't be bothered to go so he could "focus' on his next move? What if CB3 and Toumi pulled the same thing? Did he withdraw from all of his classes this semester or will he be taking all of the credits? He quit early Larry.
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Post by 65pointgame on Apr 25, 2024 9:54:22 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”. Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. Making my point about old school and new school thought process everyday. Oh, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand Ben has no shot at the NBA. Fairytales and Unicorns might work in your world, but it doesn’t mine. I have to agree with AceLoverLarry on this one. Yes, it would of been nice for BHum to make the Daytona trip, but do we really know who made that decision? I am not going to get on a 5th year guy trying to get to the NBA --- and the scouts may of told him to get to a P5 school to help in the process. Not too many mid-major guys on the rosters of NBA teams.
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Post by evilleintentions on Apr 25, 2024 10:00:48 GMT -6
Making my point about old school and new school thought process everyday. Oh, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand Ben has no shot at the NBA. Fairytales and Unicorns might work in your world, but it doesn’t mine. I have to agree with AceLoverLarry on this one. Yes, it would have been nice for BHum to make the Daytona trip, but do we really know who made that decision? I am not going to get on a 5th year guy trying to get to the NBA --- and the scouts may of told him to get to a P5 school to help in the process. Not too many mid-major guys on the rosters of NBA teams. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
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Post by E-Villan on Apr 25, 2024 10:02:07 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”. Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. There is no need for the condescending School Marm bit. I stated my opinion and backed it up with my reasons. You are welcome to disagree with it, but is has zero to do with not comprehending crap. In short, my opinion will remain regardless of how many times you try to spin and justify otherwise.
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Post by evilleintentions on Apr 25, 2024 10:04:53 GMT -6
You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own set of facts. -Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Plenty of mid majors in the NBA. That is just not accurate. Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard just to name a few. If you can play, you can play. The NBA could care less where you played in college. Just ask Scottie Pippen.
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Post by 65pointgame on Apr 25, 2024 10:27:10 GMT -6
2023 D1 xfr portal -- 87% of the 1718 that entered committed to other schools (according to Verbal Commits)
2024 -- about 33% of the 1836 in the portal are committed as of today 4/25 -- lots of action still to take place.
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Post by ATP on Apr 25, 2024 10:28:16 GMT -6
Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. I don't agree that it was trivial. The presence of a teammate might have turned the Seattle game into a win. Did winning the CBI matter? Well, to me as a fan ... the consolation prize of winning something mattered. I won't go into excessive drama about how B-Hum let the team/city/fans/country down ... but there's also no reason to artificially support him by excluding everything that doesn't include "he's looking out for his future." Yeah, that's OK if he does that. If he claimed he's keeping his NBA options open, he is showing it in flying colors by accepting recruiting visits to B1G universities. I honestly bear no malice toward the guy. He's not bad-rapped anyone.
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Post by aces44 on Apr 25, 2024 10:39:58 GMT -6
This is the interesting thing about the NIL, bc in fact as it stands, it’s Pay for Play, not anywhere close to NIL.
And at that point, bc it’s Pay for Play, the donors likely do have a reason to be upset, bc they paid for a player to play the games on the schedule.
I get why Rags would error on the side of caution w a player like Ben, but I also will be hesitant to write the next check if as a major donor if all we are is a jumping off point for a players next move. UK fans had enough of that act with Cal and asked him to move along in favor of someone more UK centric. How long does the UE base go before leaning UKish?
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Post by aceloverlarry on Apr 25, 2024 10:40:31 GMT -6
I know this is hard for some on here to comprehend, so I’ll explain it again. Lots of guys declare for the NBA draft because you can get feedback from scouts & teams and still maintain your eligibility. Ben sat out to focus on getting healthy for workouts with NBA teams for this process. He’s exploring his options in the transfer portal because he’s likely getting feedback from scouts to play another year and work on his game in college. That was obviously the most likely outcome, but I’m sure the feedback from scouts was a lot more specific than just “go back to college”. Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. There is no need for the condescending School Marm bit. I stated my opinion and backed it up with my reasons. You are welcome to disagree with it, but is has zero to do with not comprehending crap. In short, my opinion will remain regardless of how many times you try to spin and justify otherwise. I wasn’t talking about your post specifically with the not comprehending part, more the people that seem to think him taking college visits means the NBA stuff was not/is not happening. The two aren’t mutually exclusive and he could still opt to go to the G League if he wants or stay in the draft. The second paragraph obviously was about your post, and you’re right everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I just think we’re reaching for reasons to justify being upset about him leaving. We could’ve opted out of the CBI and never had an issue with him not playing, and I think everyone that is upset with him would still be finding reasons to justify it.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Apr 25, 2024 10:48:07 GMT -6
Ben did nothing wrong besides not making the trip to Daytona with the team, which is a pretty trivial thing to be upset about. If Ben didn’t make the trip to Daytona but never entered the portal, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about him not “coaching and supporting his teammates”. I don't agree that it was trivial. The presence of a teammate might have turned the Seattle game into a win. Did winning the CBI matter? Well, to me as a fan ... the consolation prize of winning something mattered. I won't go into excessive drama about how B-Hum let the team/city/fans/country down ... but there's also no reason to artificially support him by excluding everything that doesn't include "he's looking out for his future." Yeah, that's OK if he does that. If he claimed he's keeping his NBA options open, he is showing it in flying colors by accepting recruiting visits to B1G universities. I honestly bear no malice toward the guy. He's not bad-rapped anyone. I disagree on Ben being on bench having any impact on the Seattle game. Ben playing and we could’ve won, but I don’t think him supporting the team on the bench would’ve changed the 16-2 run in the second half. We suffered plenty of similar runs in MVC games when he was injured and on the bench. The rest of the post is a very reasonable response to the Ben situation imo. There is a middle ground between blindly defending him like I have been and needlessly bashing him like others have and you worded that position well.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Apr 25, 2024 10:54:20 GMT -6
This is the interesting thing about the NIL, bc in fact as it stands, it’s Pay for Play, not anywhere close to NIL. And at that point, bc it’s Pay for Play, the donors likely do have a reason to be upset, bc they paid for a player to play the games on the schedule. I get why Rags would error on the side of caution w a player like Ben, but I also will be hesitant to write the next check if as a major donor if all we are is a jumping off point for a players next move. UK fans had enough of that act with Cal and asked him to move along in favor of someone more UK centric. How long does the UE base go before leaning UKish? UK fans complained about one and done and NBA guys, but if Calipari was still dominating like he was from 2010-2016, he’d still be the head coach. Donors and fans will stay excited as long as the wins keep coming. I see NIL & the transfer portal just leading to shorter leashes for coaches, but the fans will keep coming back once the new excitement of a new hire comes around again. The real solution to all of this is to just turn it into a contract sport. There needs to be more oversight, NCAA regulation, and contracts. Quit pretending we’re paying kids for marketing deals and get them multi year performance contracts. Amateurism is dead and it’s time to operate like a real professional league instead of whatever you call the current state of the NCAA
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