It's summer and we're talking...basketball?
by Mike Breese on May 17, 2010 3:27 AM CDT
in Basketball
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PrintSahly goes all investigative on us and tries to get the bottom of NIU's recruiting process. Here's what I got out of it: Recruiting 101...Todd Townsend is a great recruiter...then it's Ricardo Patton quote time:
"The stereotype of the players being style of substance, I don't know that I've heard that. Uncoachable, OK. Selfish, pampered. If I were writing this, I would eliminate, I don't know that they're pampered," Patton said. "Uncoachable, selfish, maybe. Style over substance, not sure that I (agree with that)."
It sounds like he's actually talking about how CPS players are "uncoachable" rather than just talking about perceptions.
"If you print that, I'll tell you what buddy, we're done," Patton threatened last Friday. "You cannot be trusted."
So I guess that's it. No more coverage of NIU basketball...? I can actually live with that.
"I think what's a more interesting story is he named just about every Division I program in the state and talked about there being a larger NCAA presence," Patton said. "To me, that's telling. This doesn't appear to be a Ricardo Patton/Northern Illinois problem. If I have a cough, and I'm the only guy in the room with a cough, then I'm the only guy in the room with a cold. But if we all start coughing, then we've all got the same problem. That's a bigger story.
He just described what happened to people that watched NIU basketball games last year.
"I don't think anybody has to repair anything with Ricardo Patton," Patton said. "I don't take anything they say personally and the reason I don't take it personal is because they don't know me. For anyone to come out and believe that Ricardo Patton is in this business to screw kids, doesn't know Ricardo Patton."
That's not one, not two, but THREE references to himself in the 3rd person. He should really win some kind of award for this.
In other news, everybody's favorite point guard Mike DiNunno will transfer to Eastern Kentucky University. He'll have to sit out a year, giving me time to erase these reoccurring nightmares I still have of him launching up airball three-point shots. I might need therapy. Also, I had no idea EKU's mascot was Colonel Sanders. Oh and even though the basketball season has been over for months now, here's the season wrap-up. Huh?
Akron's point guard Anthony Hitchens has also left his team, presumably because of family issues. Apparently a transfer is going to take his place, doesn't that sound familiar...
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A couple of thoughts.
My first impression was that Coach Patton was the definition of arrogant. Then I read the articles linked and I have a different opinion.
Now, I’m not a Patton fan. I’m pretty much done with him. But this whole Patton vs. the CPL is ridiculous. Neither side is innocent.
The way I see it, the CPL coaches demand to have their collective asses kissed or you aren’t getting players. Patton seems to have obliged for a while, then he realized that the CPL players aren’t really as good as the CPL coaches would have you to believe. I think this section speaks volumes:
Of the Rivals.com top 25 prospects in Illinois for the 2008 recruiting class, 12 called Chicago home. NIU got two of those players – DiNunno and Hall – and have lost one. Hall has been inconsistent, injured and ineffective in two seasons while DiNunno is transferring.
Of the 12 Chicago kids, 10 came from the CPL. Five still are with their original program. Three have announced they will transfer. One player – Simeon’s Kenyon Smith – failed to qualify academically but this year signed again with Illinois State. One, Ryan Hare, was dismissed from Southern Illinois following a charge of battery.
Only Stan Simpson and Steve Goins, both of whom reportedly are transferring and saw little to no playing time at their respective schools, have been to the NCAA tournament.
The two Chicago Catholic League players went to Oregon and announced they will transfer after the Ducks fired coach Ernie Kent this year.
I think Patton just does a worse job than maybe some other area coaches at hiding his distaste of the CPL coaches. Unfortunately, schools like Illinois and Northwestern don’t have to rely so heavily on the city. NIU (and DePaul) have to lean a little more heavily on the city since it’s such a big talent bed (not necessarily a rich bed) and the CPL coaches know that and know that they can take shots this way.
Anyway, my stance on Patton is lessening a little. Maybe realizing he needs to recruit away from the CPL is a good thing no matter what those coaches say about you.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
CPL coaches
One of the major problems with CPL coaches (beside they expect to have their ass kissed) is what they expect for getting their kids to come to your program. There have been many stories over the years of coaches expecting some kind of kickback to push a kid toward a certain school. I’m sure most coaches are innocent of this but it happens. It seems like some coaches can hold a school hostage. I believe the previous post is correct and both sides are probably at fault.
On another topic – is there any word on who is on the schedule this winter? Any good games to look forward to, home or away?
Thanks
But he’s talking about the basketball schedule. Of which I have no idea.
Last year it was released August 19th, so we have a ways to go.
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
by Mike Breese on May 19, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
On the topic of schedules
Would you rather NIU plays a gauntlet of tough opponents like last year or a bunch of cupcakes?
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
schedule
I’d like to see a mix. Last year was ok. They mixed in some cupcakes (like MD-Eastern Shore, Tennessee St., SEMO St., N. Dakota) but there were in state rivals and tough opponents as well. Unfortunately, they lost some of the games they should have won (SEMO). It was great to see teams like Temple and Bradley at the Convo but our fan turnout was disappointing. There were just as many fans of Bradley as our own.
Seeing some good teams at the Convo Center this season would be great. We need a statement win this season though so I’d rather not see a team that stomps us. Hopefully, they schedule some good teams for here and our team is good so some fans show up.
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