This board is toxic

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

We have a new coach, guys hustling through a regime change, a great recruiting class, talk of a new stadium, one of the true greats of MU basketball on the bench and there are a couple guys attacking players day after day after day.

Is this really what this board is about? It is disappointing and tiresome.

[tower912]

Light a single candle, or curse the darkness.
Become the change you want to see.
Remember that we all are Marquette and our Jesuit education should mean something.
Post as if your 8 year old is looking over your shoulder.  (hint:  when I start using big words, he actually is)
These are just kids and this is just basketball.   We all love it or we wouldn't be here.  
You never know which player's parent is reading what you just posted. 
This board can get toxic, but it can also generate some of the best conversation, the best one-liners, the best camaraderie of any MU board.  
There are good basketball minds here.   Use them.  
Accept that others are going to disagree with you.  I know the voices in my head don't agree most of the time, so why should I expect everyone else to.  
It's a disagreement.   It isn't combat.  
We are.....Marquette.  

[bamamarquettefan]

I agree. I know a lot of times people say, "I'm sure the players don't read posts," but why take a chance?

I had extremely low expectations and have been thrilled with every game except Omaha.

We found out the NJIT win was actually a nice one after they beat Nebraska, we beat Tennessee Martin by more than Nebraska did in Tennessee Martin's only other loss, we have wins over an SEC and ACC opponent on neutral courts. I am actually particularly happy with the fight in our three losses against Top 15 Big Ten teams. By the way, if anyone gives me 11 1/2 points on Marquette on any game the rest of the year I'm taking it since all three of those were lost by exactly 11 points.

To gut it out every game with noone over 6-foot-7, I think the kids deserve a ton of credit.

[PGsHeroes32]

I agree. I know a lot of times people say, "I'm sure the players don't read posts," but why take a chance?

I had extremely low expectations and have been thrilled with every game except Omaha.

We found out the NJIT win was actually a nice one after they beat Nebraska, we beat Tennessee Martin by more than Nebraska did in Tennessee Martin's only other loss, we have wins over an SEC and ACC opponent on neutral courts. I am actually particularly happy with the fight in our three losses against Top 15 Big Ten teams. By the way, if anyone gives me 11 1/2 points on Marquette on any game the rest of the year I'm taking it since all three of those were lost by exactly 11 points.

To gut it out every game with noone over 6-foot-7, I think the kids deserve a ton of credit.

Small nit pick but NJIT won at Michigan not Nebraska. But overall what you said is exactly correct.

This season of college basketball as a whole has teams losing left and right to "sure fire wins". So while I wish we didn't lose to Omaha, if there was ever a year to do it...this is it.

This team is fun to watch duke it out and learn. Way more than last years team. I get excited on gamedays to watch this team play. Last year I just hoped they didn't piss me off for 2 hours.

[Tums Festival]

We have a new coach, guys hustling through a regime change, a great recruiting class, talk of a new stadium, one of the true greats of MU basketball on the bench and there are a couple guys attacking players day after day after day.

Is this really what this board is about? It is disappointing and tiresome.

Not to mention those accusing the coach of dastardly deeds and demanding his contract be bought out. Unrealistic expectations are a b1tch.

[classof70]

Agreed.  I visit this board less and less because of the vitriolic silly posts, many of which are probably attributable to frustration and the safety of anonymity.  

[Shark]

If everyone was possitive this board would probably be a lot more fun too.

[MU82]

More positive would be better. However ...

I refuse to temper anything I write, good or bad (and it's mostly good) because a player or his parent or his uncle or his agent might happen to be reading.

A. If you read a fan site and take anything on it seriously, you get all the pain you deserve.

2. I believe we still have a right to free speech here in the U.S. of A., though I haven't checked lately with the reframers of the Constitution.

[Groin_pull]

More positive would be better. However ...

I refuse to temper anything I write, good or bad (and it's mostly good) because a player or his parent or his uncle or his agent might happen to be reading.

A. If you read a fan site and take anything on it seriously, you get all the pain you deserve.

2. I believe we still have a right to free speech here in the U.S. of A., though I haven't checked lately with the reframers of the Constitution.

Amen.

[hairy worthen]

The mods do a fantastic job of not being over bearing. The problem should take care of itself. If you don't like a tv show, you turn the channel. If you don't like a thread or post, don't respond, that's what fuels the fire. Eventually the topic will die.

Having said that, Tower is 100% dead on correct. Be the solution not the problem and have some class. Most of us could use that advice myself included.

[esotericmindguy]

Always use the 24 hour rule. Don't come on the board 24 hours after the a loss, or in recent history a transfer. After a day the flamers are usually gone.

[GooooMarquette]

Disagreements are fine, and I agree we shouldn't have to assume a player or parent is reading everything we write.  Still, I get appalled at some of the vitriolic attacks on certain players - especially when they get to the point of celebrating an injury.  Even if we aren't assuming the player or his parent is reading, we should remember that these kids are busting their butts to represent MU in a positive way.

[Loose Cannon]

I agree. I know a lot of times people say, "I'm sure the players don't read posts," but why take a chance?

I had extremely low expectations and have been thrilled with every game except Omaha.

We found out the NJIT win was actually a nice one after they beat Nebraska, we beat Tennessee Martin by more than Nebraska did in Tennessee Martin's only other loss, we have wins over an SEC and ACC opponent on neutral courts. I am actually particularly happy with the fight in our three losses against Top 15 Big Ten teams. By the way, if anyone gives me 11 1/2 points on Marquette on any game the rest of the year I'm taking it since all three of those were lost by exactly 11 points.

To gut it out every game with noone over 6-foot-7, I think the kids deserve a ton of credit.

 BRAVO.....On the money!

[NCMUFan]

This board probably just reflects our society on a whole.  People just need a thicker skin.  There will always be some people that see the glass as half empty.  You can choose to let that bother you or not.

[Loose Cannon]

More positive would be better. However ...

I refuse to temper anything I write, good or bad (and it's mostly good) because a player or his parent or his uncle or his agent might happen to be reading.

A. If you read a fan site and take anything on it seriously, you get all the pain you deserve.

2. I believe we still have a right to free speech here in the U.S. of A., though I haven't checked lately with the reframers of the Constitution.

  Voltaire said Hi.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

Rule:  Don't read threads with more than 2 pages of posts.   

[Sir Lawrence]

Always use the 24 hour rule. Don't come on the board 24 hours after the a loss, or in recent history a transfer. After a day the flamers are usually gone.

I follow this rule, and life is so much better since utilizing it.  Same thing happened when I gave up golf. 

[MUCam]

More positive would be better. However ...

I refuse to temper anything I write, good or bad (and it's mostly good) because a player or his parent or his uncle or his agent might happen to be reading.

A. If you read a fan site and take anything on it seriously, you get all the pain you deserve.

2. I believe we still have a right to free speech here in the U.S. of A., though I haven't checked lately with the reframers of the Constitution.

2. The constitutional amendment you referred to regarding free-speech doesn't apply to private institutions. Try walking into your nearest fine dining establishment, swear as much as you can, be loud and obnoxious, and we'll see how far free-speech gets you. The original framers of the constitution would tell you as much.

A. I completely agree that comments on players shouldn't be tempered by who may or may not be reading this board. However, the sense of entitlement that sone on this board have, to unabashedly throw one of their fellow alumni under the bus, is disgusting. These kids are, for the most part, future fellow Marquette graduates, giving their all for our university. They shouldn't be coddled and praised just for that fact, but they also shouldn't be subject to some of the absolutely worthless negative comments that are inspired by the anonymity of a message board screen name.

As PRN stated originally, it is disappointing and tiresome.

Remember, the kids that are on this basketball team are here because they had the courage to stick it out after Buzz left. For that reason alone, they earn my respect. I will continue to critique their play, but without the need to resort to petty and childish ad hominem attacks.

[willie warrior]

2. The constitutional amendment you referred to regarding free-speech doesn't apply to private institutions. Try walking into your nearest fine dining establishment, swear as much as you can, be loud and obnoxious, and we'll see how far free-speech gets you. The original framers of the constitution would tell you as much.

A. I completely agree that comments on players shouldn't be tempered by who may or may not be reading this board. However, the sense of entitlement that sone on this board have, to unabashedly throw one of their fellow alumni under the bus, is disgusting. These kids are, for the most part, future fellow Marquette graduates, giving their all for our university. They shouldn't be coddled and praised just for that fact, but they also shouldn't be subject to some of the absolutely worthless negative comments that are inspired by the anonymity of a message board screen name.

As PRN stated originally, it is disappointing and tiresome.

Remember, the kids that are on this basketball team are here because they had the courage to stick it out after Buzz left. For that reason alone, they earn my respect. I will continue to critique their play, but without the need to resort to petty and childish ad hominem attacks.

There are plenty here that take everything they post seriously.

[UticaBusBarn]

Rocky, one thing I do not understand is why the same five posters end up (pun intended) being the tail wagging the dog.

It is healthy to have a broad range of opinions; however, these five guys really do the board a disservice.

All of us know who they are. There is Mr. Negative Destructive Innuendo, who, with his claimed inside contacts, is an expert at lobbing neutron bombs. Another keen person is Eddie Haskell's evil twin who seems to be nice, but is actually always getting a personal dig into the coach, or one of the players. One must also identify Mr. Player who was second string on his junior high CYO team, which qualifies him to speak in never constructive absolutes about the game and its players. Then there is Mr. Half Empty-Glass, who in response to someone pointing out what a sunny day it is, always responds by repeatedly posting something about the impending setting of the sun and the resulting darkness that will soon be upon us. And, finally, there is Mr. Logic, who knows nothing, therefore, anything negative is possible. The more negative the more probable according to Mr. Logic. (I am going to skip Mr. Point Guard who is probably in a mental ward somewhere, refusing to take his medication.)

If these five guys were eliminated, it would be a great board, with an abundance of different opinions, and, one would conclude, much more enjoyable.

Have the courage to get ride of these five guys and do us all a favour.

[Goose]

Will say that this board has sucked my excitement out of Wojo, this season and next year's recruiting class. Had limited to low expectations for this season and they have been met. Believe the glass is half full until proven otherwise.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

One rule that I try to hold to is to not post anything that I would not say to a person's face. I realize its the internet but this rule helps me from going off too much. For example, I would never tell Derrick "you suck." I would say to him (if asked) "You ability to shoot the ball is WAY below average for a D1 PG." May seem like a slight difference but its an important distinction to me. One is an attack, one is an evaluation of a player's performance.

Its probably just me, but posting things on the internet about 18-23 year old kids that I wouldn't have the balls to say to them in person just seems kind of cowardly.

[bilsu]

This board often disappoints me. I love MU basketball as much as anyone and have been going to games since 1962. I have seen the best and the worst in that time. When I was younger I took losing worse than I do now. I love to win, but in my old age I realize it is just a game and it is not really as important as other things going on in the world. I figured this year would be hard, but I actually think it might not be as bad as I was originally expecting. I think ASU will be a key barometer on how we do the rest of the year. Lose that game and we might win only 1 or 2 Big East games. Win that one and finish non-conference 8-4 and I could see us going 9-9 in conference. I always felt (maybe wishfull thinking) that this team after floundering all year would win the Big East tournament. Just need to get hot at the right time. We seen Carlino put up 38 and Duane put up 30, so the potential is there to get hot and win the Big East tournament. Even if they do not win the Big East tournament I see brighter days ahead. a return to the NCAA tournament next year and a return to the elite 8 the year after that. Remember the bad days are what make the good days feel so good.

[keefe]

Try walking into your nearest fine dining establishment, swear as much as you can, be loud and obnoxious, and we'll see how far free-speech gets you. The original framers of the constitution would tell you as much.

Well, Thomas Jefferson never ate the sh1tty food at Mader's

[MU82]

2. The constitutional amendment you referred to regarding free-speech doesn't apply to private institutions. Try walking into your nearest fine dining establishment, swear as much as you can, be loud and obnoxious, and we'll see how far free-speech gets you. The original framers of the constitution would tell you as much.

A. I completely agree that comments on players shouldn't be tempered by who may or may not be reading this board. However, the sense of entitlement that sone on this board have, to unabashedly throw one of their fellow alumni under the bus, is disgusting. These kids are, for the most part, future fellow Marquette graduates, giving their all for our university. They shouldn't be coddled and praised just for that fact, but they also shouldn't be subject to some of the absolutely worthless negative comments that are inspired by the anonymity of a message board screen name.

As PRN stated originally, it is disappointing and tiresome.

Remember, the kids that are on this basketball team are here because they had the courage to stick it out after Buzz left. For that reason alone, they earn my respect. I will continue to critique their play, but without the need to resort to petty and childish ad hominem attacks.

2. It's an Internet fan board, not a "private institution." I agree I go onto my company's Web site and write that my boss sucks, I will not be protected by any right of free speech. This is not that.

A. Glad we agree.

[Stretchdeltsig]

True.  Too many comments are too long and too negative.  A few years ago someone posted a report on how the Marquette recruits were doing statistically game by game.  With the great recruiting class, it would love to follow that report now.

[PGsHeroes32]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU

[mattyv1908]

A. I completely agree that comments on players shouldn't be tempered by who may or may not be reading this board. However, the sense of entitlement that sone on this board have, to unabashedly throw one of their fellow alumni under the bus, is disgusting. These kids are, for the most part, future fellow Marquette graduates, giving their all for our university. They shouldn't be coddled and praised just for that fact, but they also shouldn't be subject to some of the absolutely worthless negative comments that are inspired by the anonymity of a message board screen name.

This board is tame compared to some others I frequent.  A couple of Cubs message boards are brutal.  And while these players may be students, college basketball is a product making quite a bit of money with big time TV deals and merchandise sales.

[MUCam]

2. It's an Internet fan board, not a "private institution." I agree I go onto my company's Web site and write that my boss sucks, I will not be protected by any right of free speech. This is not that.

And you can be banned here. Constitutional protections don't apply.

We should debate this point to death until it rivals the Derrick - Dawson debate. Nevermind, that's impossible. Plus Keefe already "won" the debate; the Constitution would apply to message boards if the framers had had the misfortune of frequenting Mader's for a meal.

[Wojo'sMojo]

A message board is for people to share their opinion. Not everyone likes what they see all of the time and they should be free to voice their opinion. It's not called a "positive comments only" message board. Man, there's a lot of sensitive people on here.

[Eldon]

People complaining about Scoop's toxicity dislike the board, but don't dislike it enough to leave (and stay gone). Hence, I don't see the purpose in saying "Scoop is toxic" "Scoop sucks" on the Scoop board.

My advice is to stop comparing Scoop to this idealized notion of an MU message board that even you don't think enough of to create. Scoop is the best MU message board relative to all others and this is the benchmark you should use when judging Scoop's quality.

[brandx]

This board is tame compared to some others I frequent.  A couple of Cubs message boards are brutal.  And while these players may be students, college basketball is a product making quite a bit of money with big time TV deals and merchandise sales.

Exactly. This board has always been better than most.

And with Ners and Chicos gone, it's one of the best.

[jesmu84]

Exactly. This board has always been better than most.

And with Ners and Chicos gone, it's one of the best.

They're banned? Or merely haven't posted in a while?

[brandx]

They're banned? Or merely haven't posted in a while?

Either way is a win.

[MU82]

And you can be banned here. Constitutional protections don't apply.

If I ever get banned, I somehow will find ways to fill the void in my life.

Also, if I ever get banned, I'm thinking that at least 100 others will have been banned first. I'm not exactly Mr. Incendiary.

[4everwarriors]

On the other board, ya get banned for fartin' in your sleep, aina?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

People complaining about Scoop's toxicity dislike the board, but don't dislike it enough to leave (and stay gone). Hence, I don't see the purpose in saying "Scoop is toxic" "Scoop sucks" on the Scoop board.

My advice is to stop comparing Scoop to this idealized notion of an MU message board that even you don't think enough of to create. Scoop is the best MU message board relative to all others and this is the benchmark you should use when judging Scoop's quality.

I don't dislike the board. I dislike people complaining constantly about a short handed team with a new coach and players working their asses off to compete against teams that beat them on paper 9.5 of 10 times. This is a very likable team with an enormous future. Stop complaining. That Wisconsin game was a borderline heroic performance by our guys. We lost. They are better than we are. Get over it.

[brandx]

I don't dislike the board. I dislike people complaining constantly about a short handed team with a new coach and players working their asses off to compete against teams that beat them on paper 9.5 of 10 times. This is a very likable team with an enormous future. Stop complaining. That Wisconsin game was a borderline heroic performance by our guys. We lost. They are better than we are. Get over it.

Amen.

In reality, it's only a few guys that do that. I don't mind if they want to criticize the team or coach - it goes with the territory. But let 'em say their piece and move on to something else.

Like you, I am very happy with our guys so far. We all knew that with a new system and a short-handed team, it was going to be a work in progress. And we are absolutely seeing progress and growth in the team. That all we can ask for from players and coaches.

[keefe]

On the other board, ya get banned for fartin' in your sleep, aina?

I don't know about the other board but that usually resulted in a slap to the back which brought a quick end to my slumber...

 

[Tums Festival]

"True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty." - Fielding Yost

[mattyv1908]

I don't dislike the board. I dislike people complaining constantly about a short handed team with a new coach and players working their asses off to compete against teams that beat them on paper 9.5 of 10 times. This is a very likable team with an enormous future. Stop complaining. That Wisconsin game was a borderline heroic performance by our guys. We lost. They are better than we are. Get over it.

I'd be hard pressed to call anything sports related heroic, but certainly not losing by 11.  And was Nebraska-Omaha one of those teams that beat Marquette on paper 9.5 out of 10?

Getting on a message board and telling people to stop complaining is comical.  Nobody is forcing you to read anything you're not choosing to.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I'd be hard pressed to call anything sports related heroic, but certainly not losing by 11.  And was Nebraska-Omaha one of those teams that beat Marquette on paper 9.5 out of 10?

Getting on a message board and telling people to stop complaining is comical.  Nobody is forcing you to read anything you're not choosing to.

It's "comical" to point out that starting thread after thread attacking individual players is inappropriate, tiresome and affecting the tenor of this board?

[mattyv1908]

It's "comical" to point out that starting thread after thread attacking individual players is inappropriate, tiresome and affecting the tenor of this board?

You're well aware of what content 99.9% of Ners' posts are going to contain before even reading them.  I guess my question would be why even subject yourself to them if you obviously don't like them?

[Dr. Blackheart]

ZFB and some posters pick this:
http://youtu.be/LOZuxwVk7TU

Others pick this:
http://youtu.be/VJkuYkyj2Wk

I prefer to get drunk on our tears.

[keefe]

"True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty." - Fielding Yost

Go Blue!

[keefe]

It's affecting the tenor of this board?

Pavarotti is a Scooper??

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

You're well aware of what content 99.9% of Ners' posts are going to contain before even reading them.  I guess my question would be why even subject yourself to them if you obviously don't like them?

I've blocked him and I don't read them. Unfortunately, a great number of threads have taken the same tone or addressed the issues he's brought up ad nauseum.

How is pointing out that an over bearing level of criticism of individual college students "comical?"

Debate this or frame it any way you'd like as long as you'd like, but you're wrong.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Some thoughts (if anybody cares):

#1 There are some posters who use this board to vent. They visit after losses and rant and rave with no particular insight or facts. I guess there is nothing wrong with that, but maybe those people could just label those types of posts as: VENTING. If I know somebody is just venting, then we don't have to create a crappy debate about (insert player).

#2 I try not to type anything I wouldn't say to somebody's face. In theory, what is written here is basically a billboard for everybody to see.

#3 I try not to carry grudges against posters, but I have to admit that it does happen sometimes.

#4 I fully admit that I don't know everything, and my viewpoint is limited. Some others would be well served to do the same.