UW staff at Madison Memorial tonight for open gym with Vander Blue

Chasing Vander Blue

Jim Ganzer:

UW staff at Madison Memorial tonight for open gym with Vander Blue

Chasing Vander Blue

If he chooses someone over UW, he is going to be hated in his own hometown. This is a very different situation than someone who just commits to a different school. In some ways I feel bad for him. In other ways it seems that he is at least partially to blame.

FunDmentals:

Jim Ganzer:

UW staff at Madison Memorial tonight for open gym with Vander Blue

Chasing Vander Blue

If he chooses someone over UW, he is going to be hated in his own hometown. This is a very different situation than someone who just commits to a different school. In some ways I feel bad for him. In other ways it seems that he is at least partially to blame.

Hated in his own hometown?  Isn't that a little strong?  Give the kid a break.  He's what 18 years old and still in HS.  I don't blame him for not knowing where he wants to play.  I didn't know a whole hell of a lot when I was 18 either.  Does anyone?

 Do people in Madison hate Wes Matthews? Or people in Milwaukee hate Marcus Landry?

badger4life34:

 Do people in Madison hate Wes Matthews? Or people in Milwaukee hate Marcus Landry?

They didn't commit and then change their minds. I don't care how old you are, if you make a commitment you should stick to it. If he thought he could get a 'better offer' he never should have made a verbal anyways. The NCAA needs to change that whole process, because it is ridiculous. Verbals mean NOTHING. So why even have them?

FunDmentals:

I don't care how old you are, if you make a commitment you should stick to it.

C'mon, are you really surprised a high school senior changed his mind?

Also, it's not like UW couldn't have pulled the scholly as well.  They could have.  It happens all the time.

FunDmentals:

If he thought he could get a 'better offer' he never should have made a verbal anyways. The NCAA needs to change that whole process, because it is ridiculous. Verbals mean NOTHING. So why even have them?

Glad you realized verbals mean nothing.  Since you know they mean nothing I must ask, why are you getting your panties in a bunch over something that means nothing?

Since when does the NCAA have anything to do with verbals?  The only time they get involved is once a LOC is signed, or there's evidence rules were broken in the recruiting process.  Neither has happened with Blue-UW to date so there's no need for NCAA involvement.

FunDmentals:

badger4life34:

 Do people in Madison hate Wes Matthews? Or people in Milwaukee hate Marcus Landry?

They didn't commit and then change their minds. I don't care how old you are, if you make a commitment you should stick to it. If he thought he could get a 'better offer' he never should have made a verbal anyways. The NCAA needs to change that whole process, because it is ridiculous. Verbals mean NOTHING. So why even have them?

Not to mention the ranking and recruiting of 8th graders who have yet to hit puberty. Ya, that makes total sense...

"I don't care how old you are, when you make a commitment stick to it"

Vander Blue was 15 when he committed, 16 when he backed out. He won't turn 18 until next July. How can you possibly hold a 15 year old kid to a commitment that spans the next 6 years of his life?

Why have a verbal if it means nothing? To give the kid some breathing room. Yes, some schools still recruit kids hard after they committed elsewhere, but most of them back off. When a kid is recruited, he is constantly hounded by coaches, fans and writers - especially website writers. Once a kid commits, while some schools may still call, the websites don't. Being recruited can be fun and exciting, but when you are a top recruit - it can be one big pain in the butt. Ask Brian Butch how it all went for him - his family had to change their phone numbers because it never stopped. Said alot of them called when they knew you were home - in the middle of the night!

If the NCAA could do anything, they would prevent coaches from offering early, but they would find ways around it. Also, basketball isn't like other sports. Kids that play football usually commit during or after their senior season. In basketball, the majority commit before they ever play one minute as a senior, many during their junior years. It is a chance that all coaches take when they are recruiting kids at such a young age.

thebiga:

FunDmentals:

I don't care how old you are, if you make a commitment you should stick to it.

C'mon, are you really surprised a high school senior changed his mind?

Also, it's not like UW couldn't have pulled the scholly as well.  They could have.  It happens all the time.

FunDmentals:

If he thought he could get a 'better offer' he never should have made a verbal anyways. The NCAA needs to change that whole process, because it is ridiculous. Verbals mean NOTHING. So why even have them?

Glad you realized verbals mean nothing.  Since you know they mean nothing I must ask, why are you getting your panties in a bunch over something that means nothing?

Since when does the NCAA have anything to do with verbals?  The only time they get involved is once a LOC is signed, or there's evidence rules were broken in the recruiting process.  Neither has happened with Blue-UW to date so there's no need for NCAA involvement.

Where did I say I have my panties in a bunch? My panties are relatively unbunched thank you very much ;)

I don't really care. No matter who Ryan recruits, the Badgers are competitive. I'm just saying public perspective is going to be that he ditched out on the good guys for the bad guys.

The NCAA needs to ban coaches from contacting kids before they are juniors in high school. I think that should extend to summer camps.

Kids get overexposed, start to think that their future is in NBA (at age 15), are surrounded by other young men making poor decisions, and concentrate on basketball rather than being a young person. Summer camps/tournaments are all about selling sneakers, and I would think there is more under the table/illegal stuff going on than the public is made aware of. Maybe then these kids could concentrate on school, so they could get actually reach a minimum score to get into college (which really takes very little effort/intelligence).

FunDmentals:

Where did I say I have my panties in a bunch? My panties are relatively unbunched thank you very much ;)

I'm happy for you.  I didn't get that from the tone of your posts.  Especially when it comes to the use of CAPS and statements like commitments should be honored no matter the age--an opinion that not even the law will recognize when it comes to minors, which Jim pointed out Vander is.

FunDmentals:

I'm just saying public perspective is going to be that he ditched out on the good guys for the bad guys.

To me, that's a reason not to go to UW.  Pardon my french, but f--k public opinion.  Vander should go to school where he wants to go to school.  If the public can't understand that, it's more proof that a person is smart and people are dumb.

FunDmentals:

The NCAA needs to ban coaches from contacting kids before they are juniors in high school. I think that should extend to summer camps.

Kids get overexposed, start to think that their future is in NBA (at age 15), are surrounded by other young men making poor decisions, and concentrate on basketball rather than being a young person. Summer camps/tournaments are all about selling sneakers, and I would think there is more under the table/illegal stuff going on than the public is made aware of. Maybe then these kids could concentrate on school, so they could get actually reach a minimum score to get into college (which really takes very little effort/intelligence).

Agreed.  But how are you going to enforce that?  The NCAA can have all the rules it likes, but they mean nothing if they're not enforced and the NCAA has shown time and again that it's not interested in becoming a law enforcement agency.  The NCAA just wants to make money.

badger4life34:

 Do people in Madison hate Wes Matthews? Or people in Milwaukee hate Marcus Landry?

Terrible comparison.

thebiga:

To me, that's a reason not to go to UW.  Pardon my french, but f--k public opinion.  Vander should go to school where he wants to go to school.  If the public can't understand that, it's more proof that a person is smart and people are dumb.

Valid point. That being said, I don't feel that people should commit to somewhere and then back out. I don't care what your age is, that's just not a quality in people I think sets a good example.

Personally, I don't care. Jerry Smith left, and the Badgers got Hughes, and I don't think they've missed out. I hope he stays in state, but if he doesn't, I will wish him good luck. I think that young people (and more importantly the people around them) need to make sure that when they make a COMMITMENT that they are sure of it.

FunDmentals:

Valid point. That being said, I don't feel that people should commit to somewhere and then back out. I don't care what your age is, that's just not a quality in people I think sets a good example.

I agree in general with your premise, but it's not a black and white one, especially in this instance.  

If the kid legitimately feels he'd be making a mistake by going to UW, then I have no problem with him going elsewhere.  He's kind of sitting on a winning lottery ticket with his ability.  He may make big $$ one day playing this game.  He owes it to himself to go wherever he feels his talent is best realized, and that takes precedence over any non-binding commitment, especially when you're Vander's age.  You're putting too much value on the verbal commitment.  It's far from an oath of office or marriage vow.  It's rather meaningless, as you yourself pointed out earlier.

FunDmentals:

thebiga:

To me, that's a reason not to go to UW.  Pardon my french, but f--k public opinion.  Vander should go to school where he wants to go to school.  If the public can't understand that, it's more proof that a person is smart and people are dumb.

Valid point. That being said, I don't feel that people should commit to somewhere and then back out. I don't care what your age is, that's just not a quality in people I think sets a good example.

Personally, I don't care. Jerry Smith left, and the Badgers got Hughes, and I don't think they've missed out. I hope he stays in state, but if he doesn't, I will wish him good luck. I think that young people (and more importantly the people around them) need to make sure that when they make a COMMITMENT that they are sure of it.

Dude, the kid was 15. Stop pretending at age 15 you never changed your mind. this goes beyond ridiculousness. ***, college kids transfer schools or switch their major. Should they not be allowed to do this?

And, what sort of people look to a 15 year old for a good example? Jesus H. Christ. Man, is it better to make a decision that you know is wrong and suffer for it...is that a better example example. "hey jimmy, see vander blue, yeah..he hated going to wisconsin, didn't get along with bo, he sucked, but you know....he is a good example cause when you commit you gotta stick with it.....so, jimmy, sure hope you don't eff up any of your decisions."

What about people that make a commitment before their friends, families, religious leader and god? Should they not be able to change their mind.

Maybe you are unaware of this, but the fundamental principle of this country is freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to bear arms, freedom to worship as you please..and the freedom to change jobs or do what you like.

P.S. I sure hope you are on your soapbox when a  recruit changes his mind and decides to forgo his verbal to attend wisco. Cause, fair is fair.

thebaumer:

badger4life34:

 Do people in Madison hate Wes Matthews? Or people in Milwaukee hate Marcus Landry?

 

Terrible comparison.

Does King Dbag have a better example?