You're right, you're allowed to make judgments about collegiate players. And I'm allowed to criticize your judgments about Jaaron Simmons for being embarrassing. You're reacting like a high schooler who just got dumped; nitpicking flaws, pointing out lack of accomplishments, etc. And why? Because somebody graduated from Ohio Iniversity and made a decision about the next step in his life that you disagree with.

Your attitude towards Simmons says far more about you than it does about him.

You're right, you're allowed to make judgments about collegiate players. And I'm allowed to criticize your judgments about Jaaron Simmons for being embarrassing. You're reacting like a high schooler who just got dumped; nitpicking flaws, pointing out lack of accomplishments, etc. And why? Because somebody graduated from Ohio Iniversity and made a decision about the next step in his life that you disagree with.

Your attitude towards Simmons says far more about you than it does about him.

I am little confused, if Simmons had declared for the NBA, would people be so upset? How about if he went to Europe in exchange for big money? I mean, these young men are one injury away from the end of their playing careers, so what is available to you and how do you make the best of it? Why wouldn't a kid from the MAC, who has the talent, go play for one of the major conferences? If Simmons performs well there, he has made a great move. If not, he can join a majority of players who will need to make their money in a different profession. If he stays at Ohio, how does that benefit his possibility of moving up in basketball?

As for Saul, his job is to win games. Period. That also includes winning MAC championships, if, in fact, that elevates the program. Coach Solich elevated the program by merely coming to Ohio due to his already legendary status in the College Football world, so he is probably the only one who can get away with not winning a MAC championship. However, even his tenure seems to be wearing thin as evidenced by some of the grumbling over on the football message board.

The only chance that this MAC team has of being relevant outside of Southeastern Ohio is to play better as a team than any one individual, and to start playing some of these national powerhouses on their own courts and beating them. This program will never improve as long as they are playing people that they should easily beat, especially when they don't end up beating them.

PS: "Don't hate the player, hate the game." [/QUOTE]I'll take a stab at this.




You're drawing a false equivalency, leaving Ohio University to play professional ball (NBA/Europe) is not the same as leaving to play for another university. The difference should be obvious.



There are lots of reasons. I'll name a few:
- You can achieve your goals in the MAC.
- This isn't football, the divide isn't as large.
- What about all this talk about brotherhood, and commitment to each other and the team? What about the coach giving you the keys to the program and letting you do whatever you want, while praising you effusively every chance he gets? Doesn't that count for something?



Ask Tony Campbell. If given the chance he's coming back for one more year. And unlike Simmons, Campbell is considered a legitimate NBA prospect. The MAC and Ohio University aren't going to prevent a player who is good enough to play in the NBA from doing so. Don't take my word for it though, ask Mo Ndour.



And?



you want a tougher OOC. So does Saul, he's working on it.


[QUOTE=Maddog13]
PS: "Don't hate the player, hate the game."

Have you read this board today? Most folks seem to feel the way I do about this decision. And I can't help the fact that his last play in the green and white was dribbling out the clock against Kent State. That's what most people will remember...fair or not. And Michigan won't get this kid to the NBA. 99% of people here know that's not going to happen. If DJ Cooper can't make it, #2 won't either.

If anybody thinks Simmons is going to Ann Arbor to get a "Master's Degree" you probably also thought you could keep your doctor. This is about the NBA/his pro career period.

I'd bet my house he doesn't finish that degree - and additionally that he doesn't even ATTEMPT to. It's a complete and total sham. Biggest question will be what fake degree program he decides to enroll in.

Not his fault the rules are terrible.

I don't know how the NCAA fixes it though. I support the idea that a kid who graduated and honestly wants to attend a different grad school (and subsequently play athletics there - though how many honest grad students have the time to play collegiate athletics....aren't they usually stuck in a lab doing research, taking courses, publishing and you know, getting an advanced degree? But I digress.) shouldn't be punished for that decision. At the same time - it's become a loophole the size of our southern border. But I don't know how the NCAA can know whether they will be honest students or use it as a sham BEFORE they let it play out.

Maybe the answer truly is make them sit a year too. Most master's degrees are 2 year deals so it's not like the guy would already have finished his master's degree in the year he had to sit out.

I have read the board today. In fact I started out here by disagreeing with the overall sentiment. I'm not sure appealing to the authority of crowds does you much of a favor here.

As for the NBA, I've already been clear on where I think Jaaron ends up. I also, for what it's worth, don't think he'll finish his Master's. My point is simply that he'll make progress towards one while also improving his professional basketball prospects whether in the NBA, China, or Europe. That's a win-win, and it's hard for me to find much reason to be upset by that. You disagree and think this tarnishes what Simmons did on the court here. You're welcome to think that, but it's a plainly emotional reaction that puts what you, as a fan, want ahead of an OU student's right to do what he thinks is best. It's fine to debate the finer points of whether or not it's actually for the best; it becomes embarrassing when instead you attack a 22 year old kid because he hurt your feelings, or whatever. With fans like you, why would he stay here?
[/QUOTE]Bravo!

[/QUOTE]And some of these comments are exactly why I refuse to listen to sports talk radio - irrational fans (not all of them but way too many for my tastes). In the end, this isn't about any of us but the young man. He made a career decision just like we all have made career decisions. Some turned out well and some didn't. Isn't that what growing up and getting a degree is all about - learning to make decisions and accepting the consequences?

Does winning MAC player guarantee improved NBA prospects: NO
Does playing in the NCAA Tournament guarantee improved draft prospect: NO
Does winning a MAC Tournament Championship guarantee improved draft prospects: NO
Does winning a MAC Regular Season Championship guarantee improved draft prospects: NO
Are you overly bitter about the decisions of a 22 year old you've never met: YES

If an Economics major at OU graduated and chose to purse a Masters at Michigan instead of OU, nobody would nitpick about a test he failed, or publicly criticize him. These are either student athletes or they aren't.

If anybody thinks Simmons is going to Ann Arbor to get a "Master's Degree" you probably also thought you could keep your doctor. This is about the NBA/his pro career period.

I'd bet my house he doesn't finish that degree - and additionally that he doesn't even ATTEMPT to. It's a complete and total sham. Biggest question will be what fake degree program he decides to enroll in.

Not his fault the rules are terrible.

I don't know how the NCAA fixes it though. I support the idea that a kid who graduated and honestly wants to attend a different grad school (and subsequently play athletics there - though how many honest grad students have the time to play collegiate athletics....aren't they usually stuck in a lab doing research, taking courses, publishing and you know, getting an advanced degree? But I digress.) shouldn't be punished for that decision. At the same time - it's become a loophole the size of our southern border. But I don't know how the NCAA can know whether they will be honest students or use it as a sham BEFORE they let it play out.

Maybe the answer truly is make them sit a year too. Most master's degrees are 2 year deals so it's not like the guy would already have finished his master's degree in the year he had to sit out.

More and more about belief and medi's, and moral victories. I'll try a different angle on this: May I kindly suggest you move on from typing this stuff? Everyone who's on here at least once a week is well aware of your wonky "help the players believe" opinions. Just let it be. Please. You're not selling anyone on it if you haven't already.

As for Jaaron, and beating out Simpson, it's something I also wondered about, and that we'll get to see play out.

Agree with you Graff on the let them sit out a year theory. I've got no problem with guys transferring, even in this case. I have a problem with them being immediately eligible, other than specific situations, such as coaches leaving.

I don't know if the grad transfers have an affect on APR or not, but I'd imagine they do. Taking a hit to APR is something that should happen if a grad transfer doesn't make what we'd call normal progress to the degree.