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re: Miss State womens basketball
Posted on 1/14/17 at 8:45 am to Cheese Grits
Posted on 1/14/17 at 8:45 am to Cheese Grits
quote:
The rivalry between the Huskies and the University of Tennessee Lady Vols extended to Auriemma's relationship with Volunteers counterpart Pat Summitt, who retired in 2012 and died in 2016. The two, through print and broadcast media, were often at odds. In 2007, Summitt, who believed Auriemma had used less-than-honorable tactics in his successful recruitment of Maya Moore, canceled the yearly game between the two programs. Conversations with UT staff from the time and some confirmation from some ESPN folks who would not go on the record. It later came public but the was watered down and Connecticut was found guilty of a secondary violation and not punished for the ESPN trip and tour. Die was cast that the NCAA would not pursue ESPN interference so they have been doing so ever since at the benefit of some schools and the detriment of others. Was at a Final Four sitting next to several ESPN folks and learned a top WBB player at the time had worked for ESPN for all 4 years of college. Was shocked as it had never been mentioned on ESPN of said arrangement. Was intrigued and leaned over to ask why it had not been made a public story and they all shut up for the rest of the game. Clearly obvious they had not meant to spill the beans which made the arrangement suspecting my view. Player was well known and a program changer. Lost much faith in impartiality of ESPN after this incident and several "flips" with suspected undue ESPN influence observed since.
I hardly call that proof, more like hearsay.
Uconn women had 7 games scheduled on ESPN channels for this season. Notre Dame 8 and Tennesse 8. Doesn't seem like ESPN is favoring Uconn.
Again, I don't doubt that Uconn has received more play over the years on ESPN. You're right that in the beginning, ESPN put anything they could on the air and Uconn benefited from that. Woman's basketball is in the news because of their dominance, having won 90 in a row (again) and 137 of their last 138 games. I don't care what sport you talk about, a feat like that just doesn't happen and for them to win 90 games in a row twice now, is news worthy.
As far as the men's team goes, ESPN didn't help them in recruiting very much. If you look over the years, they rarely got any Parade All American players to play at Uconn. Calhoun started with CT recruiting and has stated that keeping Chris Smith from leaving CT was probably the turning point. He then expanded to dominating New England recruiting and as success continued, started reaching out nationally and even internationally. But, they never could compete with the players that Duke, NC, Kansas or KY brought in year after year. Calhoun did it with less talented players and a system that allowed them to compete at the highest level.
My heads not in the sand, yours is, because you've correlated everything to ESPN influence. Give credit where credit it due. Geno and Calhoun are the reason Uconn basketball is on the map and in the news.
1
Posted on 1/14/17 at 10:02 am to AustinOMfan
quote:
I hardly call that proof, more like hearsay.
How long have you been following the sport?
quote:
Give credit where credit it due.
I give both coaches credit as being high end coaches, always have.
Where I disagree is after following the sport since the 70's I have seen too much exposure to some and to little exposure to others to not believe there is inherent bias created by ESPN. As stated above I am less likely to attribute this to conspiracy and more likely to attribute it to comfort zone of those in front of the cameras and those behind them making executive decisions based on what they know.
Does it help UNC and the ACC that Skipper @ Disney is a UNC grad? One thing about the LHN is that if it survives it will be producing the next generation of high level ESPN executives as they move up the food chain.
Why did ESPN not build the SECN studios in Atlanta or Nashville where plenty of future media talent can be developed from the local advantages? Instaed they put the studio in the heart of ACC country because that is where they have been drawing their labor pool from in the past. If sports are national why has ESPN not moved out of Bristol in favor of a Top 20 media market?
You notice this behavior in corporate headquarters and how they influence and are influenced by the communities they call home. If the president of a Fortune 50 (which Disney is) resides in your town along with their HQ it is a good bet they will demand better schools, entertainment, dining, parks, and other assorted amenities in that community. I have observed this behavior for over half a century and can assure you it exists.
As example, imagine if ESPN had been formed in Palo Alto, California. Stanford already has a very good women's basketball program but with ESPN as their corporate parent can you not see Tara and Geno reversing their respective careers?
Both are top coaches but incubated with media advantages you gets different results. In my previous example, does Wooden go on the tear he did without Sam Gilbert?
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