Forgive me in that I haven't opened this link in a long time and have not scrolled back to catch-up, should I be repeating things in my response, but...

Didn't JS leaving open up the scholarship for Kirk to even come in the first place. Seeing how Butler played, wasn't that really a blessing in disguise for SP big picture? SP rolled the dice for two years without an apprentice at the PG position and quite frankly got burned with such risky recruiting. And if JS had stayed and Butler had been the apprentice preparing for next year, then you don't feel quite as confident as you do right now at the PG position for next season do you? Short term it may have hurt, but long term realizing this years team was more than JS away from contending, maybe a good thing?

Secondly, I'm not so sure JS didn't stunt the growth of other guys last year. Once Campbell went down, it appeared that other than Carter, he had very little confidence in many of his other teammates. Consequently, there was a ton of iso-ball and really led people who didn't trust the recruiting to think things like--JS is transfer and came in a manner SP doesn't prefer & TC was inherited from the previous coach--the rest of the guys are the future. When it's 1.5 (JS & Carter) on 5 in many games down the stretch, it made some fearful of what the supporting cast outside of a transfer that fell into our laps and a MAC Player of the Year that was inherited, had to offer?

I am not sure that I would be spending too much time polishing a ring that I had nothing to do with being awarded. He got to warm up in front of some ruckus, sold out crowds, he sure didnt get to play.
This past year has cost JS any chance he had at playing in one of the upper-level leagues in Europe. Guards are a dime a dozen scattered all over Europe. He will play for peanuts in one of the lower tier leagues for a year a two, then resurface around Dayton someplace.
I would like to know who was the person who had Jaaron's ear and made the terrible mistake of trying to convince JS that he could fit into Michigan's system of play. He had better be feeling very guilty for what happened to Jarron.

I'll be honest, I can't remember where I heard it or even who said it, but I recall someone around the program saying that when Jason Carter was being recruited, he asked Simmons point blank are you going to be here for two more years, and the answer Jaaron gave was yes.

Obviously that didn't happen.

Well, this is where we have a problem. Because many times what the outside world views as commonsense does not add up in the real world of recruiting.

My nonna said it before Tony did and Tony really meant the dead thing.

Not so fast my friend. Always put someone on the inbounds passer.

Epic fail for Houston. Miss 3 of their final 4 FTs. Both while up 2. Then don't put anyone on the inbounder (Hellooo Grant Hill and Christian Laettner say hi). When will these coaches learn?

I completely agree. He doesn't "deserve" this for leaving a program and coat-tailing his way to a Sweet 16.

It would do you all some good to let the bitterness go. Jaaron wont be the last great guard to dribble on the court in Athens. TK did well as a freshman. I’m looking forward to seeing him grow. Let’s put our positive energy toward next season and let go of the past. Go Bobcats!

Agreed.

When I read it and talk to people I don't see the "butt hurt" or "bitterness" folks are trying to imply here.

Seems like civil conversation has gone to polarity. Using the word deserves is bound to raise some hackles. He has earned his spot on the bench and the occassional court appearance by showing up to practice and being on the scout team everyday. Can't take that away from him. Just because someone comments does not make them a "hater". Many are indifferent and many understand that he made a choice that he felt was better. Some may even think he "deserves' the pine time vs finishing out as a MAC POY candidate with a little brighter future. Unless Simpson ends up in the NBA the choice does not make him look all that talented if you are evaluating his prospects.

There are folks who lament this thread that should probably just keep moving and ignore it if it upsets them. There are those who feel anyone who makes a comment is just old and bitter. Does not matter. The thread is here and it is what it is. As long as there are graduate transfers this is a discussion on every board where someone leaves. Jump around ....Ted has listed a link to other boards somewhere here....and see how others treat it. We are not unique. Whatever. If some interested kid with a year left decides he is considering leaving it will have some effect on his decision perhaps. Grass is not always greener and this thread illustrates that. There are some that support his decision and some who dislike it. Till the rule changes or the NCAA makes them stay to finish the Master's it is gonna be here.

I like peanut butter, some do not but those who don't and say why, I am not gonna label them as "bitter over butter". I will answer them in a civil manner and try not to use words that trigger a pissed off feeling or response. So. However you feel that is fine. Discuss it, please, without TRYING to piss people off and read it without lusting for a fight. We're all Bobcats....

borna said: "The thread is here and it is what it is."

OCF says: "The thread is here and it ain't what it ain't!" ;-)

Last time I talked to him he said it has been a great year at UM so I bet this run aint hurting his feelings.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/universi... /

The shot Poole hit to beat Houston was crazy.