MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[augiefan]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

[AndOne]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

Many knowledgeable CCIW fans thought Augie came up with a top prize when Augie landed McDonald. Last year, he was the best HS PG that I saw play all season. With Jack Jelen, a good assist guy, but someone I've never seen either score much or play much defense, as his chief competition, I
personally thought he would take over the starting spot for Augie by about Christmas. However, rather than attaining this level of play, we all saw his PT falling off lately.

At any rate, I know Coach G loved the kid, worked hard to land him, was overjoyed when he did, and gave him plenty of opportunity in the early going this season. As augiefan said above, maybe he is a prima donna, or maybe GG yelled at him too much. McDonald was certainly entitled to quit anytime he wanted to. However, it has been reported in the media that he did so by means of an e-mail. While it seems many kids (showing my age here but I don't care) today have substituted learning how to converse verbally for learning how to do so by typing, the bottom line seems to be that, especially with all the work Coach G put in recruiting him, and the opportunity he afforded him, that if McDonald wanted to quit, he should have at least had the guts to go to the Coach, and do so in person. JMHO.

[WUPHF]

The Quad City Times story from last summer was of the player had bigger, better options but was looking for the right fit variety.

Augustana was not a good fit after all.

I'll say, I do not fault a player for moving on for reason related to basketball or any other reason.

You only get four years in college; might as well make the most of it.

I like Jack Jelen as a player and if I knew him personally, I would say for him to use this as a reason to work even harder, knowing that his hard work is even more likely to pay off.

[petemcb]

The Quad City Times story from last summer was of the player had bigger, better options but was looking for the right fit variety.

Augustana was not a good fit after all.

I'll say, I do not fault a player for moving on for reason related to basketball or any other reason.

You only get four years in college; might as well make the most of it.

I like Jack Jelen as a player and if I knew him personally, I would say for him to use this as a reason to work even harder, knowing that his hard work is even more likely to pay off.

I'm with you on this one, WUPHF.  I spent the majority of my career working in a high school guidance department and to think that all (or even most) 17/18 year olds really know what the best choice is for the next four formative years of their life is not a good bet.  It's entirely possible that Jack McDonald's experience of Augie didn't match his understanding of the place from the comfort of his home in Geneva, IL.  If he has recognized that he made a wrong choice (for him) and is seeking to correct course, kudos to him for figuring that out in four months or so.  Some people don't figure that out in four years (or forty!). 

[lmitzel]

Due to the weather, NCC/Carroll is getting moved up to 4pm tomorrow.

[Gregory Sager]

NPU @ Elmhurst is also going to be a 4 pm start.

Carthage @ Wheaton is the only 7 pm start.

Augustana @ Millikin has been moved to 4 pm Sunday.

[cardinalpride]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

Many knowledgeable CCIW fans thought Augie came up with a top prize when Augie landed McDonald. Last year, he was the best HS PG that I saw play all season. With Jack Jelen, a good assist guy, but someone I've never seen either score much or play much defense, as his chief competition, I
personally thought he would take over the starting spot for Augie by about Christmas. However, rather than attaining this level of play, we all saw his PT falling off lately.

At any rate, I know Coach G loved the kid, worked hard to land him, was overjoyed when he did, and gave him plenty of opportunity in the early going this season. As augiefan said above, maybe he is a prima donna, or maybe GG yelled at him too much. McDonald was certainly entitled to quit anytime he wanted to. However, it has been reported in the media that he did so by means of an e-mail. While it seems many kids (showing my age here but I don't care) today have substituted learning how to converse verbally for learning how to do so by typing, the bottom line seems to be that, especially with all the work Coach G put in recruiting him, and the opportunity he afforded him, that if McDonald wanted to quit, he should have at least had the guts to go to the Coach, and do so in person. JMHO.

AO,
You'd be surprised at how many kids quit programs via text or email. By leaving the program now as opposed to the end of the year, he really does Augie a favor. It can speed up the development of another kid at same position and they can set their sites on another high level PG in this years HS class!

[Greek Tragedy]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

As a prized recruit and, apparently, someone GG really made an effort to get, I would think any kid would know the reputation of the coach enough that, "he might yell at you". Come on, if that surprised him and it hurt his feelings, that's kind of Jack's own fault.

[Gregory Sager]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

As a prized recruit and, apparently, someone GG really made an effort to get, I would think any kid would know the reputation of the coach enough that, "he might yell at you". Come on, if that surprised him and it hurt his feelings, that's kind of Jack's own fault.

I suspect that augiefan was being sarcastic, Tom.

I give augiefan credit for not using the word "snowflake" in his post. I'm almost as tired of that word as I am of "OK boomer".

[Hightops]

The Jack MacDonald situation is a unfortunate.  No one associated with Augustana would fault him for deciding that the school wasn't a good fit.  In fact, I believe they would wish him nothing but the best. Unfortunaltely, It appears they didn't get that chance since he notified them via text after he had left campus.  Tough situation for a 17/18 year old, and appears he might have been getting some puzzling advice from the homefront.  Hope the future holds bright things for him.

[petemcb]

NPU @ Elmhurst is also going to be a 4 pm start.

Carthage @ Wheaton is the only 7 pm start.

Augustana @ Millikin has been moved to 4 pm Sunday.

A shot at a CCIW doubleheader with those two Saturday games not being that far from each other.  Life is good!

[Greek Tragedy]

NPU @ Elmhurst is also going to be a 4 pm start.

Carthage @ Wheaton is the only 7 pm start.

Augustana @ Millikin has been moved to 4 pm Sunday.

A shot at a CCIW doubleheader with those two Saturday games not being that far from each other.  Life is good!

They obviously changed those game times because of the weather...driver beware!

[lmitzel]

NPU @ Elmhurst is also going to be a 4 pm start.

Carthage @ Wheaton is the only 7 pm start.

Augustana @ Millikin has been moved to 4 pm Sunday.

A shot at a CCIW doubleheader with those two Saturday games not being that far from each other.  Life is good!

They obviously changed those game times because of the weather...driver beware!

Yeah, I'm lucky in that I live 10 minutes from North Central (which probably doubles tomorrow). No shot I'd drive like 45 minutes to an hour from there to Wheaton in ice and snow.

Be safe tomorrow all!

[AndOne]

The defection of Jack McDonald is a real blow to Augie's future. He was considered the prize recruit in this year's freshman class and was getting quite a bit of playing time for a freshman in the CCIW. Seems like he might be a bit of a prima donna or maybe GG yelled at him too harshly.

Many knowledgeable CCIW fans thought Augie came up with a top prize when Augie landed McDonald. Last year, he was the best HS PG that I saw play all season. With Jack Jelen, a good assist guy, but someone I've never seen either score much or play much defense, as his chief competition, I
personally thought he would take over the starting spot for Augie by about Christmas. However, rather than attaining this level of play, we all saw his PT falling off lately.

At any rate, I know Coach G loved the kid, worked hard to land him, was overjoyed when he did, and gave him plenty of opportunity in the early going this season. As augiefan said above, maybe he is a prima donna, or maybe GG yelled at him too much. McDonald was certainly entitled to quit anytime he wanted to. However, it has been reported in the media that he did so by means of an e-mail. While it seems many kids (showing my age here but I don't care) today have substituted learning how to converse verbally for learning how to do so by typing, the bottom line seems to be that, especially with all the work Coach G put in recruiting him, and the opportunity he afforded him, that if McDonald wanted to quit, he should have at least had the guts to go to the Coach, and do so in person. JMHO.

AO,
You'd be surprised at how many kids quit programs via text or email. By leaving the program now as opposed to the end of the year, he really does Augie a favor. It can speed up the development of another kid at same position and they can set their sites on another high level PG in this years HS class!

Yes, most likely I would indeed be surprised. 🤷🏼‍♂️
And, nobody ever said McDonald or any other player couldn't leave for any reason anytime they wanted to!
But, being an older fart, I just think the better way to do it would be to man up and go in and tell the guy who believed in you, and put in a lot of time and effort in recruiting you, face to face. That's all. 

[AndOne]

NPU @ Elmhurst is also going to be a 4 pm start.

Carthage @ Wheaton is the only 7 pm start.

Augustana @ Millikin has been moved to 4 pm Sunday.

A shot at a CCIW doubleheader with those two Saturday games not being that far from each other.  Life is good!

You obviously posted this before Mrs. McB told you she doesn't need the stress of worrying about your safety, and that if you aren't home by 7:00 Sat night, your next honey-do list would take a week to complete.