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Did Mizzou make the correct move?

It’s a little late for this discussion however let’s do it anyway. Mizzou decided to leave the Big XII for the SEC, the year of the move was 2011. A little history, there were financial considerations for the move, Texas was receiving a larger share of revenue than other members of the conference. Apparently, Mizzou’s received the bulk of criticism for the move however they had company Colorado, Nebraska and Texas A&M decided to move as well.

We don’t know if these schools made the move for financial reasons. Colorado moved to the Pac-12, Nebraska to the Big 10 and A&M joined the SEC along with Mizzou. The SEC plays some of the best football in the nation, on the other hand the basketball was a different matter. Kentucky was the premier basketball team in the conference however a change came about. Since 2011 the basketball in the SEC has picked up speed to the level making it among the best in the nation. What do you think, did Mizzou choose correctly with the move? It should be of note once again there is movement, Texas is leaving the Big XII for the SEC. Wonder if they are to receive increased revenue for this move?

Why do we ignore the obvious?

What year…it was 2017 when news first broke regarding Adidas and the connection to several college coaches and programs throughout the nation. Several schools were named in the probe but perhaps the biggest fish in all this was Bill Self and Kansas basketball. On September 23, 2019, Kansas basketball was cited with 5 Level 1 violations by the NCAA, Level 1 violations are the most serious offense a school can be cited. This is written February 22, 2022, and there is yet to be a penalty levied (other than talk) by the governing body of collegiate sports…the NCAA. Today I listened to a discussion on one of the local sports talk radio programs, the conversation centered on teams which could earn berths in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. One of the hosts said, “Oklahoma State won’t make the tournament because they are on probation” …which is true. It’s our understanding the school was permitted to play in the 2021 tournament while the NCAA investigation was being completed.

The investigation is now complete and OSU regardless of their won-loss record will not be allowed to participate. Wait a moment, didn’t the events at the school occur after 2019 and they are being punished now? All this while Bill Self and Kansas basketball go merrily along as if nothing has occurred of a questionable nature. In January 2022 came this, Kansas basketball along with the Big XII ask the NCAA for an alternative resolution, what exactly is alternative resolution you might ask? This entire proposal is far too complicated to attempt an explanation in this short space, let’s say there is no movement to punish Kansas at least to this point. In closing allow this bit of further information, we are going to be shocked when the NCAA ever decides on adequate punishment for Bill Self and Kansas basketball. Is it true, does the NCAA lay a heavy fist on lesser programs but allows some Power 5 schools to escape punishment? What is most interesting about this matter, the national and local media ignore this account as do most of Jayhawk Nation.

They are owed an apology

It’s too late for Connie Hawkins, Roger Brown, Doug Moe and others. College basketball experienced a point shaving scandal in 1961, the names above and others were accused by the authorities of “fixing” games. There were guilty parties, they admitted their part, and several were sent to prison. As for Hawkins, Brown and Moe they were prohibited from ever playing in the NBA. It was guilt by association rather than actual proof, we read years later Hawkins and Brown were acquainted with gambler Jack Molinas but assert they never shaved points. In the instance of Moe, he took $75.00 from Lou Brown another gambler but also claimed he never shave points. All three were tried and convicted in the court of public opinion rather than an actual jury trial, they were banned for life by the NBA.

All three would play in the American Basketball Association and Hawkins through his attorneys sued the NBA and won. Hawkins began play in the NBA as a 27-year-old rookie, by this time there was a great deal of mileage on his body. Brown was different, although his name was cleared, he preferred to finish his basketball career in the ABA. As for Moe he would play and later coach in the ABA and NBA. Of the three, Brown died in 1997 and Hawkins in 2013. Both players have been enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame as for Moe he is still alive and retired now but there is more to this story. The NBA should issue an apology to the families of all three basketball giants. A circumstance they endured is highly unlikely to occur in 2022 for a variety of reasons. The athletes were not permitted to play in the NBA although there was never proof presented indicating they shaved points.

Peer into the future

This is an impossible task when discussing the Lakers in the middle of the season. A fellow member of Laker Nation stopped by my desk today, he said; “What do you think the Lakers will look like next season”? This is a difficult almost impossible undertaking, but I tried to do my best. This is all speculative as you might understand it’s near the end of February. Russell Westbrook has to be gone; his numbers certainly are adequate however he’s not made the team any better. In addition, when LeBron and AD were injured during portions of the season, he appeared unable to save the team from falling into an abyss by his production. Next up is Anthony Davis who is supremely talented…his problem. AD cannot managed to remain healthy for a sizable portion of the season, it seems he is always sidelined with a major injury. AD is traded and hopefully the Lakers receive youth in return.

Dwight Howard when called on has been reasonably productive however the clock is ticking on him. Howard is 36-years old now and his game has begun to slide in the wrong direction. Trevor Ariza cannot help it suffering an injury which sidelined him for much of the season, he too is 36-years old and past his prime. Carmelo Anthony has played well coming off the Laker bench but at the age of 37 how much gas remains in the tank? If DeAndre Jordan becomes a free agent he can walk, Jordan buy his own admission says he’s not played well at times. Did I forget his age, he’s only 33 but doesn’t come close to his lob city days with the Clippers? Guards Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore are 34 and 32 years of age. The Lakers (along with the Knicks and Celtics) are the NBA, without a successful team disheartens. The roster has been cleared to draft or sign a number of free agents. The re-work becomes moot if the Lakers make a move(s) leaving me vulnerable to criticism. Oh well I am prepared for that possibility.