Bearvision

Sorry to hear Majerus' health is not well and it's preventing him from continuing his coaching career for you guys. I'll send some thoughts his way; get well soon Coach.

Nice win...you guys look tough to start the year.

Regular season game, so it counts in their record, but thankfully not against the team RPI.

The documentary was great. Thanks for the links to the follow ups by the way. Only comment I thought was regrettable was the Uncle Tom one. That saying has a pretty dark meaning to most. Even if Jalen was stating what he meant as a 17 y/o it would have been good to state he didn't feel that way now, or something like that (preferably not say it all). When I think of the Fab Five, I think of the style they played with, not their greatness. They never were that good, and I knew they had a game in that tourney they were lucky to win. UCLA flat out choked against them, or this story would be far less compelling. UK from last year was far better than the Fab Five freshman team.

Clock, can't disagree with anything you say. Haven't seen the ego thing, but I'm also immersed in the cultured and might take it differently (observer bias). I love the rivalry personally, though I have expected a little more success from SLU with all the resources expended on basketball. Only thing I get touchy with is the insinuation that Missouri State is a poor education. The University has come a long since the "fog and mirror" days of the 80's. Hopefully, the two Universities will see a continuation of the series in coming years, though putting myself in SLU shoes, I can see how your fanbase would be less than thrilled with MSU over next years game situation.

I would say that this is the best course of action.

Yes, that's what I was referring to with having respect for Kwamain as a player, and then stating that Missouri State played the team that SLU put out there. It's not like MSU went all Tonya Harding on him (as far as we know). The game was double digits, and while we can play the if game all day for many different variables, the fact remains that the game was played, and on that day, the scoreboard favored MSU.

Clock (on phone and post was too long to quote and reply in my limited screen capacity). I don't really disagree with what you're saying per se, but the fact of the matter is, MSU merely played the team you had out there. To take anything away from that is putting subjective metrics into an objective discussion. Missouri State played SLU last year, on their home floor, and won by double digits if I remember correctly. There's no doubt that SLU is a better team with Kwamain on the court (tremendous respect for him as a player), but the if can be played so much in a sporting event, it's hardly a factor worth considering. This is a factor I wish Missouri State fans would let go of regarding SLU's last victory over MSU (clock fiasco). I continuously hear "if" SLU had it linked properly...well, "if" Chaney or Lamberth makes their free throws it wouldn't matter. The game was played with the players put out there. This year, MSU was w/o their best defender due to injury, but it isn't brought up much by MSU fans because they won. I have no doubt my fellow MSU brethren would be banging the injury drum as well if Jett had gone crazy and MSU lost this year, so it's not a phenomenon unique to one fanbase. I'm not privy to inside dealings with our scheduling, so I can't comment much on the game next year, but to suggest that MSU is somehow coercing SLU to play during a time that is advantageous to them alone just comes off a little bit by tin foil hat paranoia to an outsider, ya know? I've enjoyed the discussion, and the civility with which it's taken place. This is your home, and I understand and respect that.

I agree it's a debate on who is the better team between Georgia and Missouri State, but the RPI is generally accepted as the standard for "good" wins and losses etc. so it was used for the purpose of this debate. Plus, MSU did beat SLU by 16 points, while the Georgia game was much closer (comparative scores are a tricky thing admittedly). Only thing I'd disagree with you about is that SLU raises the profile of the MVC. What has SLU accomplished to feel this way? I feel SLU would be an asset due to ancillary factors they'd bring (market, academic quality, facilities are solid), but the quality on the court isn't out of line with what is seen in many leagues. I don't want to get off track though. It feels as though the OP is insinuating that there isn't anything to gain by playing good teams from non-BCS leagues. Either that, or he just doesn't personally like the matchup. SLU's RPI over the past five seasons have been: 175, 81, 129, 136, 137. Decent numbers, but over this timeframe, a win doesn't really do any good, and a loss would be considered a "bad" loss every year but one. In a time when BCS teams do not want to play decent non-BCS teams except on their terms, regionally solid teams available to do home-and-home series should be considered golden, but it isn't always perceived that way by all of a fanbase I suppose.

Few things that hopefully won't be construed as trolling: The A-10 is much better than the Valley, and that is not debateable. I know it, and that's fine. That said, the A-10 isn't better than the Valley because of SLU. The A-10 is better because of Temple, Xavier, and Dayton being consistently good teams. Xavier is probably the one mid-major that consistently gets NBA guards somehow. The scheduling thing with the Valley has been overblown for some time, as some sort of way to discredit the Valley in a very good 2006 season. Look at Illinois State and a few other schools to show that there isn't some sort of scheduling mandate that artifically pumps anything up. 2006 was just full of really good teams, who played and beat some good teams. The Valley this year; they played some good teams and got worked. They played the Mountain West challenge and lost 8-1. They went 3-7 in Bracket Busters. The conference simply wasn't great this year. Missouri State was pretty good this year, and won the league in a not great year. Creighton is traditionally a very solid program, and one that resembles SLU pretty closely. However, to use them as an example to denigrate Missouri State isn't a great example. Missouri State has now beaten them six straight times after all. Missouri State is not going to be as good next year, and I acknowledge that. However, Missouri State has beaten SLU something like 8 of the last 9 times they've played (this is from memory, so this is not stated as fact, but to show that it's quite a few with only one loss). That spans a lot of seasons and a lot of different players. The evidence just really doesn't support MSU being scared of SLU. That's not a slam, that's just facts. MSU may truly have had a handshake deal with SLU to play next year, and may have broken that deal, I don't know. If they did, it isn't because they're scared of a loss. There isn't a bluff to call against Missouri State. They already made the decision to not play the game. It's done. If SLU doesn't want to continue the series after this year, that is their prerogative. It seems like it would be cutting off their nose to spite their face though. Over their past two seasons, they have been the #2 non-con opponent for 2011 (Duke), and 2010 (Notre Dame) for SLU, and will actually schedule a home and home with them, unlike the teams rated above them.

Missouri State has won 9 of 11 in the series. That's a lot of different teams over a lot of different years. I don't think MSU would be scared to play SLU, even if SLU is going to be talented next year. They're talented this year as well, just young. Weems will most likely be conference pre-season POY, and Patterson should step right into Creekmore's spot. Get a couple of Juco's to replace Mallet and Leonard, and actually have a full slate of players, and they will be just fine. MSU is bringing in their best recruiting class under Zo, with three slots still to give (most likely to Juco's). Pickens back from injury to give them a perimeter defender. Since the team has only 10 scholarship players currently, and three of them are true freshmen, it wouldn't surprise me if next year's team is better than this year's. Add Reed, Mitchell, and your freshmen developing another year, coupled with the game being at home, and I think SLU would be favored to win that game for sure. I'm just saying I don't think MSU is in for the drop that many outsiders seem to think.

Former Fab 5 coach Steve Fischer has things rolling out in San Diego. UNLV looks to be good for a long time as well.

Gonzaga did just beat Baylor though, a highly regarded team with some NBA talent. The Zags are turning into the blueprint for mid-major teams, and a coaching hierarchy being established for a program to just plug and play if the previous coach leaves.

About a joke made? Not exactly an argument being made, but maybe you haven't read the whole thread. Or maybe this is why my Math portion of the GMAT was filled with questions like: X + 3 = 21, what is X.

Exactly. They were making fun of how stupid someone was, and then he mixed that up...in a post talking about how stupid I am, I figured it would be appropriate. Now, back to my meth lab!

It's true, SLU is a good school.

If you watch The Big Bang Theory at all, you'd have gotten the joke...

Prove there was a verbal contract then. Those tend to be a little tougher to prove valid. Even a person as stoopid as I am, with a lowly state school edumacation can figure out you're inferring it with your last comment, so you might as well make the comment. We get it, you're inferring that Missouri State is ranked below SLU, and is located in a smaller city. Respect for others will serve you well in life my friend. Emotional intelligence and respect for others will further your career quite a bit, especially if you have a valuable degree to go with it.

The future is bright for your Billikens. Jett is the real deal. He has legit high major speed, and is not afraid when he gets to the bucket- an underrated trait. He took our perimeter guys off the dribble all night, and when we didn't rotate, he finiedh strong. When we did, he made solid decisions with the ball for the most part. I liked him, and think he's a legit player for your future. McCall is a solid player as well. HE's not on Jett's level, in my completely small sample size opinion, but he can play as well. Great physical tools, and loved his length. Once he cleans his shot up some, he'll be even more of a threat. Loe has some skills, but needs to seriously gain some strength and understanding of defending in the post. He literally had no chance when we would dump it down to Creekmore or Patterson. If they missed, it was of their own volition for the most part. He does have talent, and normally a big man doesn't fully develop for two years. Cassity has improved from the last time I saw him. I like his game, and he seems to have improved his shooting. Good player. Obviously you don't need me to tell you that you're a different team with Reed and Mitchell, and that situation is tough. MSU only had two players really show up tonight, but they were enough to get it done. MSU didn't have their A game tonight, but Weems is that good, and willed the team to keep a safe cushion. I think your team has a bright future, and is a legit post man (defensively), from being a really good team (read: NCAA's). Good luck the rest of the year, and I apologize of behalf of the Missouri State fanbase, for any of our fans who might get a little out of line while posting on your board.

It was a return Bracket Busters game, and those games are bought out quite a bit. A little different situation. As much as it isn't fun, a handshake isn't a contract. I'm not trying to say what MSU is doing is completely right, as I know don't know the whole story yet. I'm a fan of the program, and not privy to the inner workings of their contracts. I doubt MSU will agree to a 2-1 with SLU, to answer an earlier question.

His name is MizzouMike, what makes you think he represents Bears fans?

Those comments were posted by a Mizzou fan. You have the wrong person. I believe his name is schrute.

It's not ideal, I concede that. The issue is that they had too many road games next year, and were hoping to be able to get out of the return game with Nevada next year, but they wouldn't let us out of our contract. Since the SLU game was the only road game without an actual contract, a tough decision had to be made. Coach Martin knows how much the series can mean to MSU, especially with as much as they recruit St. Louis, but the scheduling issues couldn't be resolved any other way. With the MOHELA money running out, MSU has to make some tough decisions financially, and this appears to have been one of them.

I suppose it's possible, but schools usually don't put out a presser for guys who are not enrolled in the school, but will be back in a few months. For SLU's sake, I hope they are.

Wanted to offer my condolences. As a huge fan of a team, I know what it feels like to feel like you just got kicked in the guts and have your heart ripped out. I imagine a lot of you are feeling that way now. Sucky to see the two kids go, and hopefully SLU finds a way to rally this year.