courtside

I can be more specific later....but approximates are these: MLS salary cap per team is in the 1.8 to 2.1 million category. Meaning on most teams maybe a couple of 200k guys...maybe a few 300k guys...that is it. Landon Donovan makes 900k as top player, then Freddy Adu at 500k. In 2004: Dipsy Selouwane made 26k in Chicago Taylor Twellman made 115k up from low 100's Steve Rlaston made over 200k. Pat Noonan made 50k up form 39k...and I believe 72k for 2005 Chris Klein made in low 145k range Brian McBride made 341k These are all base salaries. Twellman and Noonan received big raises again in 2005.(and are superstars who are closing in on 200k) McBride went to EPL world's best league...for its level of play, prestige, and a lot more money. barely make the team guys or developmental guys make 25k-40k. Usually approx 18 players per MLS team....top 4-8 players make wide six figure range, then another 4-5 make 50k range and up...then the rest make 20's, 30's 40's.. Comparing some of the top world teams and leagues mentioned is like comparing high school ball to the NBA....or low level minor leagues to MLB. You can't ven begin to comapre. The VERY BEST MLS players....very few...could play in world's top leagues....and some do. Not long ago zero MLS players could make a team let alone start and be a top player like a MCBride or Claudio Reyna. Players also can receive bonus money...and receive additional money if the train with and play with the U.S. National team. A good upper tier MLS player can make 6 figures...very few make more than that...meaning top players on their teams...and those guys can get up to 200k 300k.....these are proven National team players and superstars. Players in world's top leagues can make 7 figures and up. David Beckham ...mentioned above signed a 4 year $41 million deal with Real Madrid in 2004. Off the field with endorsements etc...he makes closer to $40 million PER YEAR. .....as opposed to the $10 million a year or so for just playing. SLU grad Brian McBride...went fro m341k in Columbus to almost signing with Blackburn od EPL(English Premier League)...but if Blackburn was relegated..(which means sent down to next highest division league)...the bottom few teams do this each year in the EPL)...Blackburn wanted to void his contract.,..McBride didn't like that clause ...he would have made $1.1-$1.5 million a year at Blackburn...he instead signed a two and a half year deal with Fulham of EPL, at $1.8 million per year. The guy he replaced transferred to Manchester United for a fee of $20 million. The EPL is sort of like Major League baseball money-wise...some Yankees and some teams that can't buy players. I believe Manchester United's team worth is $ 1billion for example. When MLS league players, go to EPl to play...for example....the league gets paid a fee for someone like McBride leaving. I believe the fee paid to MLS for McBride was $2million. McBride has been terrific and extremely popular for Fulham. Don't kid yourself...a LOT of MLS guys just trying to make rosters are making $25k-$40k. If they become elite team then league players their pay goes up steadily. You prove yourself after a couple of years to be a steady sound player...and you make more. Big differences in what people can make. Wynn would make around $26k to start, my guess, if he makes it. Most D-I college players don't even get that chance.

Thank you. Good for him...and a built in STL comfort zone in New England...with: Taylor Twellman(SLUH, Maryland) Pat Noonan(DeSmet, Indiana) Brian Ralston(Oakville, Florida International) I really think he landed in a favorable spot. Wynn has a lot of upside as a speedy wing back defender.

I have long thought the rims at Savvis are among the worst in college hoops. Not kidding.

It was reported this week that Derrick Whittenburg has been frustrated with his kids play...and has them practicing now at 6am every day. Chaney at Temple has long done the 5 am practice thing at times...

Pretty good Kappy.

I think Schasz has it. Sometimes people get caught up in expectations based on talent. ...or based on prior year's success. IMO When evaluating a coach, you have to look at whole package of results. It is a results oriented business. Look at what he inherited, where he has gone since, and where he is going...after a certain number of years, results expectations increase. I think it is very fair if SLU doesn't make the NCAA next season, to have Soderberg highly scrutinized the next year to make it...and if not he wouldn't then return. Why complicate it so much...he got off to slow start...part others fault, part his...has had one class...optimists want to believe, are dying to believe....but really the bottom line is the overall....after this season SLU has TWO seasons to make the NCAA's. If they do not in the next two years, and Soderberg is still coaching at SLU, there would be a serious problem with lack of accountability all the way around. Others might want to say next year or bust...but I honestly question SLU's ability to do it next year...and if the team improves a lot, gets in on better recruits...he'll get that year after...but I can't see more than that if no tourney these frosh' junior year. SLU's track record is being patient with coaches.

Seems the topic has changed. My post was in reference to past and current recruiting, and not the ocaching of the current team. Those are two different subjects. I do not believe under ANY system with the current players that SLU would be more than an average .500 team. I do not beleive that ANY player on the team is being held back from doing more. I do think the team scales down to their offensive abilities at times. You are going to get up and down performances from talented Frosh, some wow great plays, and some total head-scratchers. The better the recruit, the more improvement over the course of their frosh year you will see. Kevin Lisch as a Frosh, right now is not good enough to just put it on the floor and take whomever he wants...not against the good teams. Not this year. It took him quite some time to frasnkly not looked lost out there. This isn't high school. Liddell for example, will finish those takes in future years, but it will not happen more times than not this year...sure he will dazzle with a game here or there, but more times than not he won't finish consistently. It isn't because he isn't a good player or good recruit. Lisch is a two guard, he better learn how to be a good shooter...as well as playing off the ball, and handling the ball. His future at SLU is at the 2. Soderberg? Well...I know a long time ago, I wasn't convinced of him as the answer for SLU when hired. Just being honest. I questioned his ability to coach offensively and recruit. You can do more things with better players. That is where it has to start. I would agree with Roy about his stubbornness. If this team pushed it more, imo turnovers would be even higher, and end result wouldn't be improved. And beleive me I do not enjoy the slow down games. The athleticism is not there imo. I think they would get run out of the gym by some teams. If SLU hypothetically were a veteran top 25 team, with better talent,...Lisch and Liddell would be praised more for being promising Frosh. Some people on here expect too much too soon from them based on their ability. An awful lot ask of Frosh. In some games you have to get the bulk of your offense elsewhere. Ultimately the experience will be valuable and level of play improved. I think it is ridiculous for anyone to think that SLU has all this talent, but can't show it because of the coach. People might not like the system, or style, or anything else, which is fine. But there is nothing stopping say, Dwyane Polk from hitting jumpers or getting into the lane more to create opportunities for his teammates...as an example. in any system. As for coaching, coaches go with what they know and where they learned it. Did anybody expect dramatic changes?

Roy...this is exactly what has been discussed over and over There is a HUGE difference/jump from high school to college ball. VERY few kids out there are immediate impact Frosh. They are the exception, not the norm. Expectations for year one of the two frosh were ridiculously overstaed by people on this board. I don't mean any disrespect to you. But after 18 games, we haven't seen Lisch yet? After 18 games we can easily evaluate his progress by saying he is a solid recruit and will eventually be a good player for SLU. I think even you can admit his learning curve probably surprised you a bit. It doesn't surprise me in the least. You can't do some of the same high school stuff in college. Ideally SLU would have better upperclassmen. They don't. That would have allowed a Lisch to come off the bench sometimes instead of starting. He has to start, and is getting needed experience and taking his lumps. I do believe he will be much improved next season, and a diffeence maker his last two years. That is my opinion based on his ability and the ability fo those around him. If you take away his age, and evaluate him, an objective bystander would say, doesn't handle it well enough consistently, doesn't get into lane often, inconsistent at best shooter, good size physically,...doesn't defend the three well at times...needs improved footwork, needs more aggressiveness in all phases of game. Game is often played too fast for him. Now...obviously you have to consider expectations, year in school etc...and Lisch will be fine if he works on those things which he will. Sure you will get glipmses of better than this at times. Liddell, more advanced than Lisch at this stage, and more potential due to athleticism. Both will work on their shooting, footwork...Lisch needs to improve his footwork imo, and adjust to the speed of the college game. Polk...wow...I don't think you can give up on him yet...but my solution is to recruit a better player and Polk either rides pine rest of career, or if he doesn't like that leaves. Polk so far is a bust...but can possibly turn it around. I personally doubt it...but who cares what I think? He is a pint size two guard. He is not a point guard. And, he can't shoot a lick. Sure he could spend all off-season working on his shooting or floor game at pt....and improve in one area...I however do not think he will improve enough in multiple areas. His speed is keeping him on the roster and in games. That is his value. He doesn't get into the lane, he can't shoot, doesn't create enough for others, isn't strong...that is a lot of things. Sure he can improve and be a productive team member...if he works like crazy, and still he might not improve enough. I am convinced a lot of people will go into next year thinking how great the team will be...when it will be an NIT team on paper...with always hope for more. I really think Lisch and Liddell will be difference makers their last two years...flashes of it before then. And of the rest of the recruiting does not improve, it won't matter. Because the development of those two also hinges on recruiting. This year, SLU is .500 club and everyone thought it would be. Next year, should be better...but the question is how much better? Some yes, a ton, ?

The following is what I wrote after the Xavier game...just reapply it as needed. SLU won fair and square. I rarely do the official talk, but will sparingly. And it isn't happening here. SLU won, tip cap...move on. I think it wouldn't be a stretch to say SLU surprised X with their tenacity and defensive effort. It's a dreaded Sunday night game at home for X, playing SLU....did they look past them...maqybe. Doesn't matter. Obviously if X matches the intensity of their opponent...most times in the A-10 they will win, including against SLU. SLU is going to get wins against better teams because of their effort. SLU also is going to lose games because of thier ability level, and inconsistency with less expereinced players, and with less talented players. That is just what they have right now. Throw in a game where SLU struggles with thier play and doesn't bring an "A" effort....people will cry Richmond or something else. Very small margin for error. When good teams match their intensity level, they will lose more games. It isn't the case on this thread...but I never undrstood why people get so up and down over one game....this team was supposed to be inconsistent and they are.

Bush may be a toolbox, and he is the softest media person ever. But at least he could read the names on a prompter and got more right than wrong. And he had a crisp moving, well produced sports cast.

A lot of cable operators nationally do not carry ESPN U. Not just the dreaded Charter. Satellite seems the way to go for sports in all categories imo. A lot of cable companies want to wait and see if ESPN U makes it before investing. March will mark one year anniversary for the channel.

I'd agree with that. But if it is good reporting from females, I also do not care if she is unattractive either. If you are going to be bad, or unimportant, you had better be attractive. I have seen quality people ripped because they were overweight or unattractive females. I don't really like or understand that either. Take that Lisa Dergen chick from Fox Sports...I have never heard her say a single word...but I know who she is/was on there. I have no interest in what she has to say....perfect for guys out at the bar, sound down looking for sports on tv. Gotta love Summer Sanders...she is well educated, jock from Stanford, almost nerdy type...and she openly rips the U.S. swim and dive chicks from past Olympics for posing naked and things like that....how there needs to be a standard...etc....then she proceeds to go on some dopey terrible sports list show wearing anything and everything tight to sex up her and the show. Priceless.

Erin Andrews comments...well...every time I see or think of her...I will not shake something I read about her. The power of message boards. Apparently previously Andrews did TB Lightning hockey coverage, and Turner sports in Atlanta after college graduation fro Florida...and being very young, etc...feeling good about herself...a little cocky...and she goes online and reads message boards ctitiquing evrything about her...she was bashed in ATL pretty bad...and not just for her work...many threads on when will she get that nose job and get it fixed etc...and she spent some time iin tears to come back to earth. I have heard that Andrews is in the jock sniffer category...mixing busiess with pleasure...the one thing that blew me away is that she calls a lot of players by their personal nicknames as close friends would. Hard to imagine a 24-25 year old being that close to some of them...it comes across rather awkwardly to me. I don't like sideline reporters. All the announcer has to do is get info off air from the reporter down on the sidelines without doing live shot, or stupid halftime interview. I am not above eye candy. Maybe others are. I just prefer mine in a different role than sideline reporter. Guerrero would get bashed by self important twits like Dan Patrick etc...who ripped her credibility...give me a break...your job is sports. Sure critique someone's lack of knowledge etc...but it is a sideline reporter...and their purpose in life is to be eye candy. Guerrero I assume is still with Scott Erickson enjoying the good life. I mean, do we really care what Erin Andrews has to say or what the interview is about? Andrews: "Hey Coach your team is down 21 points at half, how do you turn it around in 2nd half?" Coach: "We have to tackle better and get something going on offense." Andrews: "Thanks coach. Back up to you." Michelle Tafoya got hammered at a game and threw beer at people from luxury box...now we're talkin...

There are two different things: Dry Campus, and no booze at games on campus. I know many campuses who have a campus bar or pubs...on campus, some even University owned serving booze. Some of these same places have on campus arenas and serve zero booze at games. As I said, most on campus places serve no booze of any kind at arenas...they aren't dry campuses...just at arenas. Let's see Midwest? You can get booze at Louisville, Marquette DePaul...off campus venues.....But go to bigger schools, or state schools...schools with on campus venues ....Mizzou, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan....etc...Illinois...no dice. The urban schools that have off camous venues are usually the exceptions. In fact it is unique to have venues that serve booze imo. Maybe some of the lcoal STL folk don't realize that they are definitely the minority at SLU games. ....and as we discussed, kids can't afford it anyway.

I am unfamiliar with Katie. Can't comment. I do however know that more and more women have gone into sports because it is easier for them to break in than in news. In local markets...I have seen many times where a sports chick(no offense in my terms, just trying to type)...moves over to news after a while after getting experience...that Naughton gal would ge an STL example. That happens a lot. Other younger, more attractive chicks like the attention and try to go national and eventually parlay it into entertainment career as well. Kelli Johnson formeerly of channel 5...not in that hottie category....she is former jock....has a god job with Comcast sports in Baltimore/D.C. area...perhaps Taj is a viewer or Steve? I had heard rumors, strickly rumors that she dated some Rams players and mgmt didn't like it. They are from reliable sources. I met her a few times and was always nice. Never saw her work though. So she could have been terrible or good. When channel 5 opening was available, Trey Wingo commented that it was a gold mine great job etc...etc...when asked the same thing, Matt Winer took the approach that he liked it much better doing ESPN national stuff, had no interest. Different strokes for different folks. There are a lot of ex ESPN guys around the country popping up more and more, because they don't like living in Bristol. ...either on local news in big markets....Brett Haber D.C NY, Mark Malone Chicago, Pat Boyle Chicago, Larry Beil San Francisco....and others who went the play by play rout like Charlie Steiner, Dodgers, previously Yankees....etc...a lot of different ones.

I don't know the rules...but most on campus arenas or football stadiums have not had beer for sale. Off campus yes. There is a difference between having a pub on campus and serving alcohol to 20,000 for hoops or 80,000 plus for football. I would definitely say I haven't been to an on campus football stadium that served beer, and I go to a lot of sporting events.

8 seems about right for Big East. If DePaul is in fact the 9th right now on paper(I haven't looked at it today)...DePaul isn't in imo....they have the opportunity to get some high quality conference wins and change that. They have lost a lot of close games....Notre Dame as well....I would say 8-8 in conference and not a first round Big East tourney loser....would get in with good ratings and non-conference wins. If today....I would say, Nova, UCONN, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Marquette, West Virginia, Cincy, Syracuse would get in....no particular order. Louisville has a lot of work to do and is not in if up to me....DePaul no, Notre Dame no. Rest of conference is Providence, S FLorida, St. John's, Rutgers Seton Hall....have zero shot for now. With that said, a team like DePaul, Louisville, or even Notre Dame could finish strong and go on a run...because Syracuse is down this year, Cincy has no depth and lost one of best players before Xavier game...Marquette is very young, ....it is still early...they all play each other and knock each other off...tough to win on road against anyone in that conference. But I would say 8 today....could go up or down imo. I think 9 is most they would get...this year And if Louisville is anywhere near, you just know they will take them in a heartbeat...even if their numbers don't stack up to others.

Well...Knott did mispronounce Sutter's name...and he has mispronounced other names badly....as in all pro football players etc...if it were a one time thing...everyone makes mistakes. But he does have a pattern. Knott did go into Miklasz's post forum and apologized for the Sutter thing. His explanation was that he knew it was Sutter but sort of panicked at last minute...it was a weird explanation to say the least. Obviously he is not a local guy...but I have a big pet peeve when people don't call and ask the guy or the guy's rep for proper pronunciation of a name. No excuse. Knott had a prominent weekend job in Washington D.C. It is a head scratcher how he got it. He apologized for his commenst said he was new in town, and hoped to stay and raise his family here. HArd not to have sympathy for that, but there also needs to be a standard of some kind. STL is not a big market and it isn't national sports...so pick of the litter isn't the best...but I travel frequently and have lived in various markets, and to me STL is below avg for their mkt size and tv and radio sports. Just my opinion. There are other bigger markets with bad lcoal sports too. Some smaller markets with better. My pet peeve this year was one guy in a market where every time I was in town to catch his sports cast...he would repeatedly say Stevie Smith of Carolina...as if they were buddies and he called him that. My problem with local sports is 1) Weather gets WAY too much time. Weather needs to show me the next day's weather...and even though they can't predict further than that, show the 5-7 day week thing, and show a nationwide map for travel for people...all of this can be done in 60 seconds. Nobody needs more than that. If so, go to weather channel, which is a good channel. 2) Just show the highlights...I don't need to know what Tom from U.City thinks of this or that. Tom doesn't represent anybody but Tom. more highlights....and give all the scores of major sports. Cusamano, a "Don" like figure on this board....but his sportscasts are in a word bad. He is much better on radio. I do not agree with a lot of his college hoops opinions...I do think he is tuned in to SLU, which benefits this board, and he is the only SLU cheerleader in town...but definitely not tuned in elsewhere. He does work hard to get better guests than the others...and he is better than many others. The biggest problem with STL radio and tv sports? Laziness. If your job is sports, how much game film do you think these guys watch? Think of all the STL area dopes....this is their job. They know they can get away with it and they do. That is why they are local market not big market radio and tv dopes. There are always exceptions. Cusamano, Miklasz...etc...whether you like them or not, they do their job. But so many more sit in their radio studio and eat doughnuts...or in their tv studio....etc... A lot of the recycled veterans, are forever STL people who are lazy. They make decent cash and know they don't want to go elsewhere...so there isn't any pressure to produce.

There is a lot of assumption that SLU will get a fair honest look vs a bigger conference, bigger name school. Looking at SLU's schedule...16-12, based on 7-4...finishing worse than top 2 in conference....and somehow you think SLU has a chance to dance without winning conference tourney? Based on conference strength, non-conference results, other intangibles...I don't think so...just my opinion. We agree to disagre.. NIT with winning record...I'll buy that possibility.

“To separate yourself, you had better win some road games, you had better beat some of the top teams in your league, and you had better win some games against the RPI top 50. January is the starting gate. February has the dog days that make or break you.†-Jay Bilas. I cocncur. If you don't beat ANY of your tough non-conference opponents....it only helps strength of schedule position. I also never saw where it mentioned SLU has a remote chance of anything. SLU's hope is conference tourney run to WIN the conference tourney. If not to HOPEFULLY get an NIT invite. SLU's goal is to improve and get good matchups for conference tounrey to hopefully pull off multiple upsets in that tourney and win it. Then NIT. Their at large chances are none. Compare them to teams in other leagues etc... Let's at least get a reality check here folks. SLU has shown little to no signs of being more consistent...and even if somehow MIRACULOUSLY they ran the table in ALL or ALMOST all of their remaining games...not good enough. Their level of competition will not be good enough. How many other games are on road vs RPI top 50???? I can see SLU improving...but I do not see them avoiding multiple losses to come in conference. Just as people shouldn't overreact to a loss, shouldn't overreact to a win. There are a LOT of mysteries of the universe...such as Louisville being ranked this year...they aren't as good as other non-ranked teams from their own league let alone elsewhere.

SLU won fair and square. I rarely do the official talk, but will sparingly. And it isn't happening here. SLU won, tip cap...move on. I think it wouldn't be a stretch to say SLU surprised X with their tenacity and defensive effort. It's a dreaded Sunday night game at home for X, playing SLU....did they look past them...maqybe. Doesn't matter. Obviously if X matches the intensity of their opponent...most times in the A-10 they will win, including against SLU. SLU is going to get wins against better teams because of their effort. SLU also is going to lose games because of thier ability level, and inconsistency with less expereinced players, and with less talented players. That is just what they have right now. Throw in a game where SLU struggles with thier play and doesn't bring an "A" effort....people will cry Richmond or something else. Very small margin for error. When good teams match their intensity level, they will lose more games. It isn't the case on this thread...but I never undrstood why people get so up and down over one game....this team was supposed to be inconsistent and they are.

No offense to Xavier...but because of their league this year...non-conference quality wins are very important. And I am sure it is tough for them to schedule too. They have ZERO margin for error in conference and conference tounrey. If X keeps sprinking in more of these losses, and has an ordinary conference run, they aren't dancin. Iowa and UNC get to play in the rigors of tougher conferences, where you find out just how good a team is or isn't, as long as their conference is having a decent year. They can lose a few more, if they throw in quality wins. If some other A-10 schools were having better seasons, and more importantly had they beaten some ranked opponents non-conference, X would have a better shot. IMO, X's recent tourney success as well as their tradition, will help them when on the bubble. If, given their results this year...their name was more garden variety...I wouldn't have a lot of confidence with tourney hopes. Those RPI numbers etc...will be making some big changes for people good and bad.

People listen to Slaten because over the years...every other local sports talk show is a snooze fest. It is as if they are all catered to the very casual sports fan. There haven't been any decent alternatives. Fortunately for me I am not in STL on a daily basis where it is one of my few alternatives. I get some of those shows in very small doses. My best advice would be to listen to music...not the radio. It will make you a much happier person. Or if in a car, books on tape is an alternative. For me personally...the quality of hosts isn't up to par for what I seek. But with the infrequency I can catch anything, I will flip something on to see if I am missing anything of value. The other thing in the Lou, compared to some...not all other markets...is the amount of commercial time is much much higher vs show time. When you live in other markets over the years, especially bigger ones, where the commercial time is much less...you can at least feel some fluidity to a show. I really struggle to keep attention and tuning in to STL radio, unless I am on a long drive in or out of the area. I never understood why a host would take calls. Reading e-mails and faxes sure...makes sense...but taking calls kills a show. I just think often times in STL, they just take callers, let em ramble on to fill time. Brings down the quality of the program when more hustle could have been done to get better guests.

SLU has to root for Xavier to win ball games. Xavier did win at Charlotte, but Charlotte ins't good this year. Their one "big" win was the OT win over a depleted Cincy team who had just previously lost Kirkland. But their timing of that game was very good...I think later in the year, Cincy's rating may have been sliding with Kirkland out. The last thing you want to see is Xavier falling back. I can't imagine Xavier losing very many more ball games. This really hurts Xavier's tourney hopes. I don't see more than two from A-10. Without many quality non-conference wins for X, they need to dominate the league and conference tourney. I actually think Iowa is in same boat...not strong non-conference, so they need an upper Big Ten showing, and get another Illinois type win or two. Of all of SLU's opponents, UNC may be in best spot, but certainly a bubble team as well. Their nme, being last year's champ...they will get some benefits of the doubt. If season ended today, which it doesn't, I would say in order of possibility to get in...UNC, Iowa, X. It unfortunately will be difficult for SLU because of opponent quality remaining. Winning most of the remaining games is all they can do.