AustinOMfan

Well, interesting to see the posts on Elite Dawgs after Napier publicly announced he's not a candidate for the MSU job. Half the posters believe they're screwed and have no shot at a decent coach and the other half simply won't believe Napier isn't coming. Pretty funny stuff.

Here's a link to the quotes from Napier:

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Ole Miss and Missouri get B+'s
Arkansas gets a C

Florida State, Rutgers and Washington all get A's

What say you?

Here's a link to an ESPN article, indicating that Kiffin is zeroing in on Lebby for OC, plus other targets.

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From Fighting Irish Wire:

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Seriously?? Johnny, you have to be sober for more than an hour to really be sober!

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quote:

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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.

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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.

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ESPN flipped Maya Moore for Connecticut. It was not the first time they did this, nor the last. If ESPN had not formed in CT, do you really think Uconn (men or women) would enjoy the success they have enjoyed?

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Would love to see proof you have of this.

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Connecticut Huskies NCAA titles before ESPN formed = 0 VS Connecticut Huskies NCAA titles after ESPN formed = 21 (6) Men = 4 basketball + 2 soccer (15) Women = 11 basketball + 4 field hockey

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ESPN was founded in 1978, Uconn hired Geno in 1985 and Calhoun in 1986. They had everything to do with turning around their respective programs, not ESPN. The influence that ESPN had, at least for the men's team, was the exposure the got from the Big East television contract, which was somewhat revolutionary at the time and benefited every BE school, not just Uconn.

ESPN has nothing to do with it. Geno's the best coach, the best recruiter and the best at developing talent in woman's coaching. They have a strong family atmosphere with ex-players being involved and the best hs players want to go to Uconn to experience the success, just like many players want to go to Alabama for football and Kentucky for men's basketball.

Breon Dixon article from Rivals:

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Includes comments on last OV's to both schools. Also says he was planning to give each school an opportunity last night for a final pitch.

My bad....misread.