MBB: Great South Athletic Conference

[old_lion]

[In short, he makes his teammates better.  That's why, if you look at the season stats of most teams, it's almost always the "straw that stirs the drink type players" that lead them in minutes played.  His coaches, and his teammates, don't like it when he's not on the floor ... guys don't want to play instead of this type player ... they want to play with him.

Reminds me of a funny story ...

A few seasons back we had a very good, senior 2 guard, Mike Adams, who understood this "straw that stirs the drink" concept well.  It was in the waning minutes of a close game, when apparently Mike felt that our PG was being rested a little too long ... so he decided to show some "senior leadership." As he ran by the bench, he commented rather loudly (OK, actually he screamed) ... "Why the F&*k isn't Green in the game?"  That may not be an exact quote, but, if it isn't, it's really close ...     

To Coach Glenn's credit, he took Mike's suggestion well ... and immediately rectified the situation.   

[scotswin]

Interesting article from the DePauw paper...


http://media.www.thedepauw.com/media/storage/paper912/news/2009/02/20/Sports/Scac-Looks.For.Ways.To.Cut.Costs-3641137.shtml

I wonder if the GSAC is more acceptable than they were before the current economic situation.

I don't think so Ralph.  Both the SCAC and GSAC appear to try and keep together what they have already.

Maybe nothing will come of this.  But, I did hear that some of the eastern SCAC schools sent letters to the conference stating that they could not sustain the current travel arrangements and they would be withdrawing if things did not change.  I can only assume that this sparked the committee that the article discusses. 

I heard another completely unsubstantiated rumor that there is interest in making the SCAC a super conference with east and west conferences (not divisions).  Each conference could have enough schools to qualify for post season independently, but cost would be saved by having one administration.

Time will tell.

[Pat Coleman]

There's a politics board for that sort of thing you just posted, old_lion.

[wilburt]

Interesting article from the DePauw paper...


http://media.www.thedepauw.com/media/storage/paper912/news/2009/02/20/Sports/Scac-Looks.For.Ways.To.Cut.Costs-3641137.shtml

I wonder if the GSAC is more acceptable than they were before the current economic situation.

I don't think so Ralph.  Both the SCAC and GSAC appear to try and keep together what they have already.

Maybe nothing will come of this.  But, I did hear that some of the eastern SCAC schools sent letters to the conference stating that they could not sustain the current travel arrangements and they would be withdrawing if things did not change.  I can only assume that this sparked the committee that the article discusses. 

I heard another completely unsubstantiated rumor that there is interest in making the SCAC a super conference with east and west conferences (not divisions).  Each conference could have enough schools to qualify for post season independently, but cost would be saved by having one administration.

Time will tell.

The ASC talked about that as well.  They can be two separate conferences for certain sports and one super conference for other sports.  But much like the Division IV discussion in the past I see nothing but talk and no real action.

[wilburt]

For you UT fans:  Asst. Head Coach Tony Jones may become the new head coach at Tennessee State. 


http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/mar/12/jones/?partner=RSS

[Ralph Turner]

Interesting article from the DePauw paper...


http://media.www.thedepauw.com/media/storage/paper912/news/2009/02/20/Sports/Scac-Looks.For.Ways.To.Cut.Costs-3641137.shtml

I wonder if the GSAC is more acceptable than they were before the current economic situation.

I don't think so Ralph.  Both the SCAC and GSAC appear to try and keep together what they have already.

Maybe nothing will come of this.  But, I did hear that some of the eastern SCAC schools sent letters to the conference stating that they could not sustain the current travel arrangements and they would be withdrawing if things did not change.  I can only assume that this sparked the committee that the article discusses. 

I heard another completely unsubstantiated rumor that there is interest in making the SCAC a super conference with east and west conferences (not divisions).  Each conference could have enough schools to qualify for post season independently, but cost would be saved by having one administration.

Time will tell.

The ASC talked about that as well.  They can be two separate conferences for certain sports and one super conference for other sports.  But much like the Division IV discussion in the past I see nothing but talk and no real action.

Wilburt is right.

The late Fred Jacoby, founding commissioner of the ASC, tried to get there back at the beginning of the decade, but we lost Texas Wesleyan in their exploratory year going from D-II thru D-III and onto the NAIA.  UDallas left to go independent, waiting by the phone for the SCAC to call.  Austin College was finally picked to join the SCAC when RHIT left the SCAC.

He strongly recommended that there be 2-3 schools above the minimum to avoid one school being able to hold the rest of the conference hostage on threat of leaving.

[MCScotsFan]

I added Bo before Raul because I had so much to say about Raul.

I know ... I was just kidding about that ... sort of.  That was always a pet peeve of mine ... the pure PG (Killer, Green, Baize, etc.) Vs. the volume shooter (Bo) who happened to be playing the lead guard position ... IMHO, they don't even belong in the same conversation.  But, when he got hot, Bo could shoot ... I'll give him that.  And, he was going to keep shooting until he got hot ... so consequently, he scored a lot and , IMHO, he got more recognition than he deserved.  His shooting %s were always pretty poor ... he scored more than the typical PG, because he shot a lot, period.  Just my opinion ...

"the straw that stirs the drink" type player "- I guess you'll have to explain that one to me, if you would. i have no idea what that means. Glad I did it, but don't know what I did. 

The phrase was attributed to Reggie Jackson ... not surprisingly, he was talking about himself.  As in, "I'm the guy that makes the Yankees go."

I think the phrase is much more applicable in basketball, than in baseball.  It refers to a "synergy guy" (usually a PG) who does all the things (some intangible) that enables his team to function better. In short, he makes his teammates better.  That's why, if you look at the season stats of most teams, it's almost always the "straw that stirs the drink type players" that lead them in minutes played.  His coaches, and his teammates, don't like it when he's not on the floor ... guys don't want to play instead of this type player ... they want to play with him.

Thanks for those explanations!

I think the world of Bo Mason so no comment there.

[RustCollege]

How about Rust College  joinin da GSAC cuz next season its goin 2 be so really good games between Maryville an Rust cuz how young both teams r

[wilburt]

How about Rust College  joinin da GSAC cuz next season its goin 2 be so really good games between Maryville an Rust cuz how young both teams r

I would think twice about that.  The GSAC does not have a great track record with its relationships with Black Colleges.

[scotswin]

How about Rust College  joinin da GSAC cuz next season its goin 2 be so really good games between Maryville an Rust cuz how young both teams r

I would think twice about that.  The GSAC does not have a great track record with its relationships with Black Colleges.

Even now that the school has wiped out the athletic department, you cannot see that this was a funding/commitment issue rather than a black/white issue?

[wilburt]

Scotswin:

1. I see that the GSAC has not had great relationships with Black Colleges.  That is a fact.  Can't you see that?

2. For the record, Fisk has not wiped out the entire athletic department. That is also another fact.

Good Luck to Rust College!

[RustCollege]

So how u gon say GSAC hav not had a great relationship wit black colleges wen u only had one in da GSAC so just let Rust College in cuz u will see sum great battles between Rust and Maryville wit a Pack house foe every game

Scotswin:

1. I see that the GSAC has not had great relationships with Black Colleges.  That is a fact.  Can't you see that?

2. For the record, Fisk has not wiped out the entire athletic department. That is also another fact.

Good Luck to Rust College!

[colincondi]

Wilburt,

You said that the GSAC has not had great relationships with Black Colleges (plural).  What other historically black colleges has the conference not had a great relationship with?  Spelman?  Any others?  You said it's a fact, so there has to be others, if that statement is true.  Please elaborate.

How many athletic teams does Fisk currently field?  I checked out their website and could only find men's and women's basketball, which is fine if that's what they want to do.  But it's not fine in terms of being a member of a conference. 

[wilburt]

Wilburt,

You said that the GSAC has not had great relationships with Black Colleges (plural).  What other historically black colleges has the conference not had a great relationship with?  Spelman?  Any others?  You said it's a fact, so there has to be others, if that statement is true.  Please elaborate.

How many athletic teams does Fisk currently field?  I checked out their website and could only find men's and women's basketball, which is fine if that's what they want to do.  But it's not fine in terms of being a member of a conference. 

Here we go again.

1.  Fisk and Stillman were former members of the GSAC.  Both were charter members of the GSAC that were encouraged to leave the conference.  Spelman is a current member that was put on some type of probation by the GSAC in recent years.  Whether they will be encouraged to leave soon remains to be seen.  Is that ironic, coincidence or a pattern? Rust College you tell me!

2. It depends on what type of conference you are talking about.  There are preliminary discussions for Fisk (TN), Philander Smith (Ark), Talladega (AL), Morris (SC), Voorhees (SC) and Allen (SC) to form a new NAIA conference of Black Colleges.  Is that enough elaboration for you colincondi?  I note that this was after an inquiry from someone affliliated with the NAIA TranSouth Conference to see if Fisk was interested in joining them after Crichton left them.

3.  I hope the GSAC does let Rust College in.  I will wait to see how the "GSAC powers that be" will welcome them with open arms. 

[RustCollege]

I no Fisk was wen was Stillman an Stillman move up 2 D2 and also Stillman had plans 2 go D2 a long time ago with Lane, LOC, Clark, Morehouse and 3 other schools I bet u didn't no dat...lol 

Wilburt,

You said that the GSAC has not had great relationships with Black Colleges (plural).  What other historically black colleges has the conference not had a great relationship with?  Spelman?  Any others?  You said it's a fact, so there has to be others, if that statement is true.  Please elaborate.

How many athletic teams does Fisk currently field?  I checked out their website and could only find men's and women's basketball, which is fine if that's what they want to do.  But it's not fine in terms of being a member of a conference. 

Here we go again.

1.  Fisk and Stillman were former members of the GSAC.  Both were charter members of the GSAC that were encouraged to leave the conference.  Spelman is a current member that was put on some type of probation by the GSAC in recent years.  Whether they will be encouraged to leave soon remains to be seen.  Is that ironic, coincidence or a pattern? Rust College you tell me!

2. It depends on what type of conference you are talking about.  There are preliminary discussions for Fisk (TN), Philander Smith (Ark), Talladega (AL), Morris (SC), Voorhees (SC) and Allen (SC) to form a new NAIA conference of Black Colleges.  Is that enough elaboration for you colincondi?  I note that this was after an inquiry from someone affliliated with the NAIA TranSouth Conference to see if Fisk was interested in joining them after Crichton left them.

3.  I hope the GSAC does let Rust College in.  I will wait to see how the "GSAC powers that be" will welcome them with open arms.