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NIL
Jan 3, 2024 15:38:53 GMT -6
Post by ATP on Jan 3, 2024 15:38:53 GMT -6
Marcus locked his Twitter account and made it private. That’s why the tweet is no longer visible. I'll be happy to not hear from him anymore, but all this really means is that he can promote away our best players under the radar. Wilson is still on a mission. You can take that to the bank. Given that the world has been populated by petty people for centuries, I am assuming every program has a nemesis -- that burr under the saddle. Until lately, the only derision was some guy who kept claiming the Walt McCarty hire was a terrible one. Turns out, on that ....... but that's no longer important. At the moment, whatever damage Marcus Wilson can do to Ragland's program has probably been done. The players aren't going to be directed by a X-twitter comment or two when the reality is either in front of them or something they've already experienced. If Wilson steers 285 players away from UE, he needs to remember that UE only needs three or four new ones every year. The others were probably headed somewhere else anyhow. The trick for Wilson now is to not be the jerk he is at least pretending to be. Respect isn't easily retained in a cutthroat world that NIL will eventually become -- provided it wasn't always that. But that all being the case, I would sign any petition that moves to have his jersey taken down from the rafters and replaced by the one Gage Bobe is wearing. In the end, who's on first?
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Post by daddysboy on Jan 3, 2024 18:55:05 GMT -6
Right now, with this current group, Marcus is an asset. Players who are close to him still talks to him, he still encourages, gives pointers and make sure they stay focused on the main thing. The distractions a player has as a young adult is overwhelming (then add all the losers who goes into the players DMs and complain about a bad beat), Marcus helps gets them focused. He can talk to them in a way a coach can’t. When 3-5 players ultimately leave, he won’t have that influence. He’s bringing an issue to the forefront. Fans may not think about it, but players are constantly thinking about how much or little money they have. And when you know you have a limited time and opportunity to cash in, you take it, period. Players have friends who they played AAU ball with or just crossed paths from teams anll across the conference and country. They hear about the money they’re getting, even in small conferences and they don’t see anything at UE. Especially with the multiple transfer rule into effect. So, Marcus elevating an issue so a collective can actually get going to help and keep players…well done!
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Post by aceloverlarry on Jan 3, 2024 19:41:20 GMT -6
Right now, with this current group, Marcus is an asset. Players who are close to him still talks to him, he still encourages, gives pointers and make sure they stay focused on the main thing. The distractions a player has as a young adult is overwhelming (then add all the losers who goes into the players DMs and complain about a bad beat), Marcus helps gets them focused. He can talk to them in a way a coach can’t. When 3-5 players ultimately leave, he won’t have that influence. He’s bringing an issue to the forefront. Fans may not think about it, but players are constantly thinking about how much or little money they have. And when you know you have a limited time and opportunity to cash in, you take it, period. Players have friends who they played AAU ball with or just crossed paths from teams anll across the conference and country. They hear about the money they’re getting, even in small conferences and they don’t see anything at UE. Especially with the multiple transfer rule into effect. So, Marcus elevating an issue so a collective can actually get going to help and keep players…well done! Great post. I agree I don’t think there was any malicious intent by Marcus in his post and some of our fans reaction to it online has been a bit out of line imo. I hope Ziggy understands the urgency on the issue and is working to get funds in place. We’ll never be able to compete with P5s, but there is no reason we shouldn’t be on the same level as Bradley, ISU, etc. and they all have shown very public displays of NIL money. Bradleys collective is very active and markets itself well. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a semi well organized collective that is putting on golf outings, paid team dinners, etc. to generate funds. You could have an Aces assist club golf scramble and an NIL collective one and most people would opt to participate in both. Not that those will generate enough money in and of themselves to keep players, but it’s an easy $15-20k left on the table if the events are done right and marketed to the right groups of people.
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Post by daddysboy on Jan 3, 2024 19:52:05 GMT -6
The problem is the system. Our guys are hearing from their buddies who play elsewhere and they’re letting them know…they get regular checks, Christmas money, NIL deals, etc….they want in on the action. They can’t say that. Coaches can’t say that. Marcus can say that. I don’t agree with everything Marcus says, but in this instance and most, he’s trying to help not hurt the team.
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Post by aceloverlarry on Jan 3, 2024 20:25:24 GMT -6
Coaches can’t say it publicly, but I hope they are at least saying it privately to the AD and the big donors for the program. Having opendorse and a NIL collective website means nothing if the collective isn’t actively trying to raise funds and get them to athletes.
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NIL
Jan 3, 2024 20:44:10 GMT -6
Post by klinky on Jan 3, 2024 20:44:10 GMT -6
I recall an interview, last spring, between Chuck Bailey and his father. They asserted that Chuck was receiving NIL support to come to UE.
I also see UE players advertising Accelerator Energy drink on social media. Apparently some deals have been made to support the athletes.
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Post by Incognito on Jan 4, 2024 8:50:05 GMT -6
Right now, with this current group, Marcus is an asset. Players who are close to him still talks to him, he still encourages, gives pointers and make sure they stay focused on the main thing. The distractions a player has as a young adult is overwhelming (then add all the losers who goes into the players DMs and complain about a bad beat), Marcus helps gets them focused. He can talk to them in a way a coach can’t. When 3-5 players ultimately leave, he won’t have that influence. He’s bringing an issue to the forefront. Fans may not think about it, but players are constantly thinking about how much or little money they have. And when you know you have a limited time and opportunity to cash in, you take it, period. Players have friends who they played AAU ball with or just crossed paths from teams anll across the conference and country. They hear about the money they’re getting, even in small conferences and they don’t see anything at UE. Especially with the multiple transfer rule into effect. So, Marcus elevating an issue so a collective can actually get going to help and keep players…well done! Wilson lost his sainthood on the issue several tweets ago when he played the whiny my guys/their guys card. He wasn't trying to "elevate" anything but himself. I'll trade Wilson for DJ any day of the week. Good riddance to him and please, ESPN+, do not put Wilson in front of the camera for UE games. That dog don't hunt anymore.
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NIL
Jan 4, 2024 10:19:14 GMT -6
via mobile
austinace likes this
Post by municup14 on Jan 4, 2024 10:19:14 GMT -6
Marcus was here a short time,but he was a huge asset for UE.He brought some players to UE to help us get over the losing humps we see in a 10-4 record. So this should show future recruits that UE can be a winning program again.
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NIL
Jan 4, 2024 10:30:16 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by daddysboy on Jan 4, 2024 10:30:16 GMT -6
Right now, with this current group, Marcus is an asset. Players who are close to him still talks to him, he still encourages, gives pointers and make sure they stay focused on the main thing. The distractions a player has as a young adult is overwhelming (then add all the losers who goes into the players DMs and complain about a bad beat), Marcus helps gets them focused. He can talk to them in a way a coach can’t. When 3-5 players ultimately leave, he won’t have that influence. He’s bringing an issue to the forefront. Fans may not think about it, but players are constantly thinking about how much or little money they have. And when you know you have a limited time and opportunity to cash in, you take it, period. Players have friends who they played AAU ball with or just crossed paths from teams anll across the conference and country. They hear about the money they’re getting, even in small conferences and they don’t see anything at UE. Especially with the multiple transfer rule into effect. So, Marcus elevating an issue so a collective can actually get going to help and keep players…well done! Wilson lost his sainthood on the issue several tweets ago when he played the whiny my guys/their guys card. He wasn't trying to "elevate" anything but himself. I'll trade Wilson for DJ any day of the week. Good riddance to him and please, ESPN+, do not put Wilson in front of the camera for UE games. That dog don't hunt anymore. If you don’t like Marcus fine. But the main responsibility of an assistant coach is to find players who can compete and contribute. Look at their Bios, they all list the talent they were able to bring to their previous or current position. So Marcus bragging about the guys he recruit is par for the course. For all future opportunities he may seek, he has to highlight that fact. I’m sure someone else would take credit for Ben if he didn’t. I actually didn’t know he was the one who got Ben to come. DJ may be great for culture and his future is bright, but getting players and basketball IQ….a downgrade.
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NIL
Jan 4, 2024 11:03:37 GMT -6
Post by ATP on Jan 4, 2024 11:03:37 GMT -6
Regardless of whether Wilson aided the program, it's clear that after a year with UE, the team is better. That's as far as I go with connecting him to any success, new or forthcoming. I do think he's a bit off base by putting comments on Twitter that obviously invoke enough controversy that he shuts down the exchanges. I would be more than happy to support Wilson if he maintained a persona that shows he's interested in improving the game in general. His comments about what players are worth in the NIL marketplace don't seem appropriate. Maybe in the end, nobody cares. UE doesn't need a distraction like this from a person who has personal connections with the people he wants to gab about. If UE has to replace its entire roster every year, well ... crap, that's what we get for participating. I don't know who's out there to replace Bailey or Cuff or Hum or Hughes -- the old saying about quitting your job: I was looking for work when I came here.
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Post by E-Villan on Jan 4, 2024 11:47:33 GMT -6
Wilson lost his sainthood on the issue several tweets ago when he played the whiny my guys/their guys card. He wasn't trying to "elevate" anything but himself. I'll trade Wilson for DJ any day of the week. Good riddance to him and please, ESPN+, do not put Wilson in front of the camera for UE games. That dog don't hunt anymore. If you don’t like Marcus fine. But the main responsibility of an assistant coach is to find players who can compete and contribute. Look at their Bios, they all list the talent they were able to bring to their previous or current position. So Marcus bragging about the guys he recruit is par for the course. For all future opportunities he may seek, he has to highlight that fact. I’m sure someone else would take credit for Ben if he didn’t. I actually didn’t know he was the one who got Ben to come. DJ may be great for culture and his future is bright, but getting players and basketball IQ….a downgrade. With the NIL, there is a new career position and that is as a college power broker, or agent as they are called in the pros. IMO, Marcus is setting himself for that. There's no reason those NIL deals can't have percentages shaven off for representation. We have always had the Kenneth Roys slithering around, but now it will be out in the open and an accepted practice. At this point, it isn't about whether we fans think Marcus is a saint or want his banner removed. Daddysboy is 100% correct, he has and will continue to have contact with players he developed a relationship with. Even if he doesn't get in their ear about greener grass elsewhere, you can bet someone else will. Like I said, the era of the college agent is here. What are we doing to attract and keep our guys? We will never be able to go dollar for dollar against the Kentucky's, but how are we keeping up with our peers? We know they are handing out Chevrolets in Terre Haute and there are multiple fundraisers in Peoria but seems like all we have here is a nice intro video zooming over the skyline. I would really like to see Anthony talking to Ziggy and Pres P about this. Hopefully there is some behind the scene stuff in place. I will say I am in the group that has been disappointed in Marcus' tweets and actions going back to the Bol situation. If he wasn't willing to get his son to give his employer and alma even a courtesy glance, you can't expect him to show a lot of loyalty for us with others. My gut tells me that is where the riff began and Ragland, Ziggy etc weren't too happy with the blatant snub an assistant coach was giving the university.
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NIL
Jan 4, 2024 12:18:59 GMT -6
Post by hoofhearted on Jan 4, 2024 12:18:59 GMT -6
It's pretty sad that the basketball practice facility was donated by somebody who has NO ties to UE in the Meeks clan. Here's a novel Idea! instead of complaining about ISU players getting Chevy's somebody can pick up the phone and give ol' Ronny Romain a jingle. Have him shift some of that cash he sends to the far west side higher learning center a little closer to home. But face the real fact, UE doesn't have an alumni base with the pockets to contribute on the scale for NIL to make a difference to pay 3 or 4 star players that even other Valley schools can let alone biggger schools. University of UTAH just gave all their football, Mens and Womens basketball and Gymnastics athletes their choice of a Dodge Ram truck or a Grand Cherokee. Let that sink in, what Alum of Evansville can pull that off for even just the basketball teams. NONE!
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Post by 65pointgame on Jan 4, 2024 12:20:08 GMT -6
I am over it now, but my initial reaction to the tweet (do will still call it a "tweet") pissssed me off. Most of us on here have stuck with the Aces through some tough times over the past 5 years (and only a few good years since '99) -- and it appeared like Marcus was calling us out for not supporting the team enough. Give $ or else,"I am going to shop your players," was the underlying message. Daddysboy and Evillan are right though, this is the nature of what the NCAA has created with NIL and the transfer portal.
If Marcus is going to be the one making it all about money, instead of an education and 4-year experience at a quality university, then good riddance. Hopefully that is not the case and he still has some love for his alma mater, but with his cryptic actions over the past year it seems he is the one saying goodbye to his UE family.
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NIL
Jan 4, 2024 12:39:23 GMT -6
Post by ATP on Jan 4, 2024 12:39:23 GMT -6
Wilson is of course not the only former Aces player who could at least give verbal support to the program. The reason we know he's talking is because we're (some of us) are following him on social media. I do believe that the eras matter. If NIL had come along in 1965, where would the jackpot be for Aces basketball? We might even still have football and for sure we'd have a fieldhouse that would be rented out to others.
Competing with our peers is a nice approach, as was stated. To some degree, we need to identify our peers and become part of that organization. Who's coughing up the cash in the Valley, for which sports and how much? Wes Carroll can turn the baseball Aces into a juggernaut with the right connections. Women's basketball, conversely, is an untapped well of wealth -- but they have to get out of Meeks before the fish will bite on that.
In the future, the players who are only showing up for the money will reap their own harvest. The demands will be pretty great on them and, scholarship aside, being "fired" from your college education is a concept I can barely fathom. If you are a coach, you have to decide -- do I keep this me-first jerk or cater to the people who paid to get him here? I have heard stories of coaches being told some players were being recruited outside the white lines. These are guys who are still too young to buy a legal beer. The zeal of the NIL supporters is laughable in some ways.
Even if you win, nobody remembers a year later.
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Post by Incognito on Jan 4, 2024 14:08:26 GMT -6
Call me easily amused, but I laugh at those who think that Ziggy and Ragland have moved the program forward quicker than first imagined, yet somehow believe that the need to find NIL money hasn't entered their minds and it took a wise sage like Tweety Wilson to not only raise the issue but specify dollar amounts. Gimme a break. I don't think that Ziggy is too shy to call the Big Wallets he's met here and ask for help. He doesn't have a shy bone in his body. UE is not known for sharing their business with the plebes. What is the extent of "day to day" Ben's injury and when will he back? I wouldn't expect them to tell me. Have they directly told any of you "insiders?"
IMHO, Wilson can stop armchair managing revenue. I think Ziggy can handle it. I have a suspicion that once we know that they already have a NIL plan, Wilson will step in to take credit for it. I would expect no less.
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