[Rosiak's Blog] MU notes

[ToddRosiakSays]

MU notes

Tom Crean is about as supportive as a coach can be when it comes to his players' outside endeavors.
But he and his staff are having a hard time trying to keep track of sophomore guard David Cubillan, who's spent much of the summer playing abroad for the Venezuelan National Team.

Internet searches reveal Venezuela went 0-6 in the recently completed Stankovic Cup, which was held in China, but box scores were non-existent. As a result, Crean has been relying on Cubillan's roommate at MU, Lazar Hayward, for updates.

"We heard he's starting, but it's very, very tough to find any information," said coach Tom Crean. "According to Lazar and Jerel (McNeal) he's been playing and that's a positive thing. You can't text him or get him on the phone; it's been more by instant messenger. I'd like to be able to have more knowledge."

Cubillan will return to the U.S. later this month along with the Venezuelan team and take part in the 10-team FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas. Venezuela's first game will be against the U.S on Aug. 22, a game Crean is planning to travel to watch.

Depending upon how Venezuela fares in Las Vegas, there's a chance Cubillan might not be able to take part in MU's Labor Day trip to Vancouver, British Columbia for a series of four exhibition games.

"I think (he may miss the trip), but at the same time we're also prepared for him to come right to us from Las Vegas," Crean said. "We'll just play that by ear. He's done such a good job in school, I'm not overly worried about that. If he's not with us, we know he's playing. If he's playing at that point, we know his team is playing well."

The schedule has MU leaving on Aug. 31 and then playing two games each of the next two days before returning to Milwaukee on Sept. 3.

On Sept. 1, the Golden Eagles will play the Douglas/Vancouver All-Stars at noon and University College of Fraser Valley at 8 p.m. On Sept. 2, they'll play Douglas College at 10 a.m. and the University of Victoria at 8 p.m.
MU has four of its NCAA-allotted 10 practices remaining, and Crean is planning on using them just prior to leaving for Vancouver.

"We won't do anything until school starts, and they'll be with the whole team," he said. "We'll do four within the five days - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, possibly move one of them to Friday morning before we leave that afternoon. That's all we have left and that's how we timed it. It worked out perfect."

Blackledge update: It's beginning to sound more and more like forward Lawrence Blackledge will be back with the Golden Eagles for his senior season.

Blackledge had been on shaky ground after being declared academically ineligible by MU late last season, but apparently turned things around with a solid performance in the classroom over the summer.
When asked about his status, Crean sounded optimistic.

"He finished the last week of summer school," said Crean. "He's done a good job to this point. No real issues there."
Remembering Skip: Crean was understandably shaken by the July 26 death of Wake Forest coach Skip Prosser, who succumbed to a heart attack while jogging on a track at his school's campus.

"I was with him the day before he passed away at the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando," said Crean. "That morning I was with his son (Mark), who's an assistant at Bucknell, in the concession line and for the National Anthem. I've known him for a long, long time. It's a tough thing to put into any sort of perspective."

"One of my recollections is how healthy and young he looked," said Crean. "He was a very young 56 but obviously something in his body was not, with his heart. He was one of the first guys who really gave me the time of day when I was coaching at Mount Pleasant High School and Alma College," he said. "We developed a really good friendship at that point."

As a head coach, Crean matched wits with Prosser three times, twice when Prosser was at Xavier and once after he moved to Wake Forest. The Golden Eagles' 68-61 victory over the Demon Deacons at the Bradley Center in February, 2003 was one of their most impressive of the season as they made their march to the Final Four.

Still looking: Aside from the home-and-home series that Alabama turned down earlier in the off-season, MU had discussions with a number of other notable teams regarding a similar setup.

Most notable were Gonzaga, Maryland and Texas. Gonzaga wanted to play a home-and-home that would have taken place this season in Chicago and next season in Seattle, but MU wasn't interested unless this year's game was played at the Bradley Center. Maryland and Texas both wanted MU to open up the series there, something the Golden Eagles weren't willing to do considering they're already playing in the Maui Invitational and at Wisconsin, not to mention the nine Big East road games they'll now be playing.

MU was also a candidate to play Washington State in the Pete Newell Classic and explored a series with Tennessee as well.

Shooting around: Former assistant coach Jason Rabedeaux has returned from his personal leave of absence and is now serving in his new role of director of basketball operations...

MU hopes to have 6-foot-10 big man Frank Ben-Eze of Bishop O-Connell High School in Arlington, Va. in for an official visit sometime before the end of the month...

Diamond Taylor, a 6-3 junior guard from Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph's, made an unofficial visit to MU last Monday. On Thursday, 6-4 junior guard Joseph Bertrand from Sterling (Ill.) and 6-5 sophomore forward Marquis Mason of Madison East were on campus, and took part in pickup games following a Golden Eagles practice...

Crean said that senior forward Ousmane Barro was contemplating an invitation to play for the Senegalese National Team, but wasn't sure he'd ultimately accept...

Crean recently attended the weddings of former players Steve Novak and Brian Barone. He said all but two members of the Final Four team attended Novak's wedding and all but three members of MU's 2005-06 team (Novak's senior year).

http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2007/08/12/mu-notes.aspx

[77ncaachamps]

As a West Coaster (Nor Cal), this really wet my pants:

MU was also a candidate to play Washington State in the Pete Newell Classic and explored a series with Tennessee as well.

The Pete Newell Classic is a SWEEEEEET venue!

Caught the Stanford-Duke game (when Casey Jacobsen hit the game-winner and Tiger danced on the sidelines) and the Cal-UNC game in the Newell Classic!

[mu_hilltopper]

Most notable were Gonzaga, Maryland and Texas. Gonzaga wanted to play a home-and-home that would have taken place this season in Chicago and next season in Seattle, but MU wasn't interested unless this year's game was played at the Bradley Center. Maryland and Texas both wanted MU to open up the series there, something the Golden Eagles weren't willing to do considering they're already playing in the Maui Invitational and at Wisconsin, not to mention the nine Big East road games they'll now be playing.

So .. the Gonzaga thing  .. wonder why they didn't want to play at the BC?

But what's the deal with turning down Maryland and Texas?  From that quote, it seemed like we'd need to go to their house first .. and we turned that down?   

Seems rather inflexible to turn down a H&H just because you don't go first.  Yeah, it makes your road schedule tougher this year, but next year, you get 'em at home.  Plus, this year's team should be plenty tough.  Who knows if all 3 Amigos will be back for 2008-9. --  The reason stated was @UW and @Maui .. well, since we seem to try and play a pre-season tourny every year now .. it's not like there's an "easy" year to ever have an away H&H versus a powerhouse. 

Hmm!

[The Lens]

But what's the deal with turning down Maryland and Texas?  From that quote, it seemed like we'd need to go to their house first .. and we turned that down?   

Seems rather inflexible to turn down a H&H just because you don't go first.  Yeah, it makes your road schedule tougher this year, but next year, you get 'em at home. 

As a season ticket holder I would be livid if I had to watch 9 Big East games, UW and Texas all at the BC next season...just livid.

/sarcasm off

[mu_hilltopper]

...especially if the Texas game bumped out the big Savannah State game.    Livid.

[Marquette84]

But what's the deal with turning down Maryland and Texas?  From that quote, it seemed like we'd need to go to their house first .. and we turned that down?   

Seems rather inflexible to turn down a H&H just because you don't go first.  Yeah, it makes your road schedule tougher this year, but next year, you get 'em at home.  Plus, this year's team should be plenty tough.  Who knows if all 3 Amigos will be back for 2008-9. --  The reason stated was @UW and @Maui .. well, since we seem to try and play a pre-season tourny every year now .. it's not like there's an "easy" year to ever have an away H&H versus a powerhouse. 

Hmm!

Don't forget--it wasn't just MU that turned down the deal if they didn't get the home game first---Texas and Maryland made hosting the first game a condition of the deal, and both apparently turned down the series unless they got the home game first.  They obviously feel they're superior to MU and think can dictate the terms of the engagement.  Well, their fans now miss out on a quality opponent, too.

Second, I think there's the very real possiblity that the other schools would have bought out the return game.  By insisting on the home game first, MU is assured that we'll definitely get a home game out of it.  If I recall that's what happened with UNC a few years back.  

[Chili]

Most notable were Gonzaga, Maryland and Texas. Gonzaga wanted to play a home-and-home that would have taken place this season in Chicago and next season in Seattle, but MU wasn't interested unless this year's game was played at the Bradley Center. Maryland and Texas both wanted MU to open up the series there, something the Golden Eagles weren't willing to do considering they're already playing in the Maui Invitational and at Wisconsin, not to mention the nine Big East road games they'll now be playing.

So .. the Gonzaga thing  .. wonder why they didn't want to play at the BC?

But what's the deal with turning down Maryland and Texas?  From that quote, it seemed like we'd need to go to their house first .. and we turned that down?   

Seems rather inflexible to turn down a H&H just because you don't go first.  Yeah, it makes your road schedule tougher this year, but next year, you get 'em at home.  Plus, this year's team should be plenty tough.  Who knows if all 3 Amigos will be back for 2008-9. --  The reason stated was @UW and @Maui .. well, since we seem to try and play a pre-season tourny every year now .. it's not like there's an "easy" year to ever have an away H&H versus a powerhouse. 

Hmm!

It is not just another road game but rather the loss of a home date which means less revenue to run the athletic dept. When the BE expanded to an 18 game schedule, MU's scheduling flexablity became very little. They can truly only afford one road NC game a year.

[The Lens]

But what's the deal with turning down Maryland and Texas?  From that quote, it seemed like we'd need to go to their house first .. and we turned that down?   

Seems rather inflexible to turn down a H&H just because you don't go first.  Yeah, it makes your road schedule tougher this year, but next year, you get 'em at home.  Plus, this year's team should be plenty tough.  Who knows if all 3 Amigos will be back for 2008-9. --  The reason stated was @UW and @Maui .. well, since we seem to try and play a pre-season tourny every year now .. it's not like there's an "easy" year to ever have an away H&H versus a powerhouse. 

Hmm!

Don't forget--it wasn't just MU that turned down the deal if they didn't get the home game first---Texas and Maryland made hosting the first game a condition of the deal, and both apparently turned down the series unless they got the home game first.  They obviously feel they're superior to MU and think can dictate the terms of the engagement.  Well, their fans now miss out on a quality opponent, too.

Second, I think there's the very real possiblity that the other schools would have bought out the return game.  By insisting on the home game first, MU is assured that we'll definitely get a home game out of it.  If I recall that's what happened with UNC a few years back.  

SJS, we're not living in CUSA anymore, we're a ranked school in the Big East.  If they tried to buy us out only a handleful of teams would ever agree to schedule them again.  They would be setting a horrible precedent.  We're not Dayton.  Texas and Maryland are not big time enough to big time us (nor am I saying we are big time enough to big time them).  You should have some faith in the heirarchy that Coach Crean has placed us in...

[mu_hilltopper]

.. and indeed, in the contract, wouldn't you make the buy-out stupendously expensive, to stop that from happening? .. You'd make the buy-out the same $$ as your home-date's revenue.  It'd actually work out pretty well, making it into a buy-game road game with the same revenue as a home date.

.. and to the comment about needing the revenue, sure.  But in addition to the UW H&H, I think it's reasonable to expect ONE additional H&H.   The budget can't be stretched so thin ONE away game every other year is going to strangle the program.

[Chili]

.. and to the comment about needing the revenue, sure.  But in addition to the UW H&H, I think it's reasonable to expect ONE additional H&H.   The budget can't be stretched so thin ONE away game every other year is going to strangle the program.

but one year without that revenue is not a good thing. it is a big loss and one the athletic department would not want (nor would i). what they need to do is to better schedule the H & H series so they can start a series on the road.

[Dish]

Most notable were Gonzaga, Maryland and Texas. Gonzaga wanted to play a home-and-home that would have taken place this season in Chicago and next season in Seattle, but MU wasn't interested unless this year's game was played at the Bradley Center. Maryland and Texas both wanted MU to open up the series there, something the Golden Eagles weren't willing to do considering they're already playing in the Maui Invitational and at Wisconsin, not to mention the nine Big East road games they'll now be playing.

So .. the Gonzaga thing  .. wonder why they didn't want to play at the BC?

$$$, that's why. It's why Gonzaga is playing U Conn in Boston this year, and playing Tennessee in Seattle as well. Next year U Conn will be playing Gonzaga in Seattle and Tennessee most likely in Nashville.

[Harrison]

I think you guys are losing focus to the fact that the other school may have been in the same boat.  Ie., they were looking for a home game and not a roadies to start the series due to their schedules as well.    A scenario like...Hey gary or Rick let's get together..great idea but right now as our schedule sits we are only looking to schedule with a team willing to travle in the first year ..we need to fill a home game,  that's too bad we are in the same boat.... Every year teams are willing to travel to start and others need a home game.  Often it comes down to simply matching up those teams not that one things they are bigger than the other. 
Also MU to agree to Play Gonzaga in Chicago is stupid.  Basically they want us to play a road game with a greatly greatly diminished "home" court so they can show case their program to the recruitng hot bed that is Chicago (PArgo).  meanwhile they play us back in Seattle.  WOW! talk about one sided!! Easy one to walk away from.
MU has already given up one home game to the BE schedule, they also gave up another home game by going to the preseason tourney every year, they are not in a position to give up a third home game.  Let us also not forget MU gave up millions to walk away from their C-USA NCAA units.   

[Harrison]

The Mu UNC game was a one game deal all along.  UNC would not agree to a home and home and Crean agreed to travel. 

[Dish]

I actually liked the Gonzaga/Chicago idea.

-This would help Marquette recruiting. Crean's targeting many Chicago area kids right now. Even though MU is only 90 miles up the road, this is still something to sell.

-This game would most likely have been between the 15th of December and New Years. If you've seen the MU faithful come out for a DePaul game, I think you'd see plenty of people give MU a home court advantage.

-This game would wind up on the ESPN family of networks.

-Assuming a 50/50 split in gate/concession/parking revenues, MU loses some this year, but they would get a similar 50/50 split in Seattle next year to compensate. You're borrowing from today for tomorrow, but not losing all the revenue of a true home game.

[77ncaachamps]

I actually liked the Gonzaga/Chicago idea.

-This would help Marquette recruiting. Crean's targeting many Chicago area kids right now. Even though MU is only 90 miles up the road, this is still something to sell.

-This game would most likely have been between the 15th of December and New Years. If you've seen the MU faithful come out for a DePaul game, I think you'd see plenty of people give MU a home court advantage.

-This game would wind up on the ESPN family of networks.

-Assuming a 50/50 split in gate/concession/parking revenues, MU loses some this year, but they would get a similar 50/50 split in Seattle next year to compensate. You're borrowing from today for tomorrow, but not losing all the revenue of a true home game.

It sounds enticing especially with a bigger crowd, possibly more revenue, and a more space for MU fans from the tri-state area.

But I'm with Harrison on this one: Gonzaga's only looking out for the money (and Chicagoland exposure) SANS the hostile and probably one-sided Bradley Center atmosphere. If Crean insisted on playing at the Bradley, he's only doing justice to his constituents. The season ticket holders would probably be happier driving 15-30 minutes into town for the homely confines than 1 1/2 hours to the cavernous dungeon that is the United Center.

[Chili]

I actually liked the Gonzaga/Chicago idea.

-This would help Marquette recruiting. Crean's targeting many Chicago area kids right now. Even though MU is only 90 miles up the road, this is still something to sell.

This also brings Gonzaga into Chicago. TC doesn't need much help in Chicago.

-This game would most likely have been between the 15th of December and New Years. If you've seen the MU faithful come out for a DePaul game, I think you'd see plenty of people give MU a home court advantage.

They would also need to rent out the UC.

-This game would wind up on the ESPN family of networks.

I would prefer CBS.

-Assuming a 50/50 split in gate/concession/parking revenues, MU loses some this year, but they would get a similar 50/50 split in Seattle next year to compensate. You're borrowing from today for tomorrow, but not losing all the revenue of a true home game.

You assumed wrong. Home team keeps all of the money in these cases. There is no sharing or payments. Also, you lose money if you generate the following year. It is called the Time Value of Money.

[Dish]

-A neutral site game standard contract is a 50/50 spilt on revenue streams, so I am not wrong about that. There is no "home team" for an MU/Gonzaga game in Chicago or Seattle. I mentioned "borrowing from today for tomorrow", so yes, I understand the time value of money.

-Most likely, a promoter would rent out the UC for this game, in exchange for a share of the revenue. MU would not be renting out the UC. Gonzaga does not rent out Key Arena for games they play there, a promoter handles that.

-Does TC need recruiting help in Seattle?

I like the idea, (I live in Chicago, so of course I like it), but as I mentioned above, Gonzaga is the one to make the most $$$ on this.

[mu_hilltopper]

.. I would be interested to hear a financial update from the athletic office.   The "we need $" drum has been beating for years.  

But you've got to figure, the amount of cash rolling into the Al is growing by leaps and bounds these past years.  First, ticket prices have doubled in 5 years, and they've added hundreds of new season ticket holders .. avg. attendance has gone up 2500 over the past 3 years, sell-outs increasing .. excitement for the program at very high levels so re-seating donations have got to be very healthy ..  plus NCAA March Madness units for BE schools have got to be pretty nice .. and on top of that, ESPN and their BE television deal will bring a huge amount of revenue.

I'm not saying MU is swimming in cash, and I understand all sports are playing in the BE == more costs .. but .. have the new expenses of competing in all the other sports risen more than the (above) income sources have?  Dunno.

[ilovefreeway]

I actually liked the Gonzaga/Chicago idea.

-This would help Marquette recruiting. Crean's targeting many Chicago area kids right now. Even though MU is only 90 miles up the road, this is still something to sell.

-This game would most likely have been between the 15th of December and New Years. If you've seen the MU faithful come out for a DePaul game, I think you'd see plenty of people give MU a home court advantage.

-This game would wind up on the ESPN family of networks.

-Assuming a 50/50 split in gate/concession/parking revenues, MU loses some this year, but they would get a similar 50/50 split in Seattle next year to compensate. You're borrowing from today for tomorrow, but not losing all the revenue of a true home game.

but we get to show ourself in Chicago against DePaul.  Why let in an outsider to "our turf" if you don't have to?

[Dish]

Not in '07-'08 we're not. MU is only home against DePaul this year, no date in Chicago.

Everyone seems to not realize that while we would let Gonzaga on "our turf", you fail to forget that MU would also get to go on Gonzaga's "turf" as well.

With Crean starting to recruit more nationally, and considering that Seattle puts out some good basketball talent, I don't think this would have been a bad thing.

[StillAWarrior]

Basically they want us to play a road game with a greatly greatly diminished "home" court so they can show case their program to the recruitng hot bed that is Chicago (PArgo).  meanwhile they play us back in Seattle.  WOW! talk about one sided!! Easy one to walk away from.

I'm not saying that we should have taken this deal, but it is probably worth noting that Seattle is nearly 300 miles from Gonzaga's campus.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Not in '07-'08 we're not. MU is only home against DePaul this year, no date in Chicago.

Everyone seems to not realize that while we would let Gonzaga on "our turf", you fail to forget that MU would also get to go on Gonzaga's "turf" as well.

With Crean starting to recruit more nationally, and considering that Seattle puts out some good basketball talent, I don't think this would have been a bad thing.

Is Seattle a fertile recruiting mecca like Chicago is?   No


Hilltopper....MU is underwater financially for athletics.  The school subsidizes the department, I don't think any of that has changed in general terms, only the dollars have changed in terms of expenditures and revenues.  The dollar demands will only grow.  No football is the key reason as that is the cash cow for most universities.

[Dish]

Not in '07-'08 we're not. MU is only home against DePaul this year, no date in Chicago.

Everyone seems to not realize that while we would let Gonzaga on "our turf", you fail to forget that MU would also get to go on Gonzaga's "turf" as well.

With Crean starting to recruit more nationally, and considering that Seattle puts out some good basketball talent, I don't think this would have been a bad thing.

Is Seattle a fertile recruiting mecca like Chicago is?   No

Is Seattle/Pacific Northwest a good place to recruit? I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes. No, it's not Chicago, but I think you could come up with some talent from this list. Maybe it's just me, but it might be worth a look.

Spencer Hawes
Jon Brockman
Martell Webster
Micah Downs
Marcus Williams
Josh Heytvelt (police blotter aside)
C.J. Giles
David Pendergraft
Aaron Brooks
Brandon Roy
Nate Robinson
Kevin Love
Kyle Singler
Isaiah Thomas (no, not him)

Edit: I forgot to add Adam Morrison to the list too.

[The Lens]

Chicos is right in the sense that revenue is relative to expenditures...

I'm pretty sure Deane-o and KO didn't charter private jets for recruiting.

There are some big bills that need to be paid every month over at N 12th Street.

[Marquette84]

The issue I have with this topic is that both the MU and Texas/Maryland fans see this nearly-scheduled game the same way.  

MU Fans:  We should have just sgined on and played at Texas first.
UT fans:  Marquette should should have just signed on and played at Texas first.