By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com Publisher
I have something to get off my chest this morning.
These thoughts concern Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville and Missouri legend Norm Stewart.
Both men are very accomplished. Both men are very respected. Both men also need to learn when to keep their mouths shut.
We get it guys. We understand that you think the new Big 12 is destined to fail. Your opinions are totally legit as there is some substance behind them. But isn’t this how we got into the realignment mess in the first place? Here is how I remember it. The Big Ten announced that they were looking into expansion last winter. Wasn’t Missouri the school that tried on every dress in the shop in attempt to attract a new mate, being a conference in this scenario?
At that point, within the league, feelings became sore toward the Tigers and rightfully so. When the dust settled, Mizzou basically had no other choice than to remain with the Big 12 and here we are today. We’re all one big happy family right? Not really.
"I think there is some concern," Stewart recently told the Des Moines Register. "Financially, when there is so many inequalities, you may have difficulty maintaining that."
"Tom Osborne just beat everybody to the draw. The good-looking girl just winked at the other guys, but the quarterback won the battle."
Again, I agree with you Norm. This situation makes me feel a little bit on the queasy side too. But why say this out loud? How does this help the problem? Remember that Missouri is widely known as the one current Big 12 school that nobody is really comfortable with. Sure, others are a bit uneasy with Tech and Texas A&M, but Missouri makes me sweat bullets.
Why toss gas on the fire right now?
Think these thoughts Mr. Stewart. But don’t say them!
Then there is Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville.
"I don’t think this conference will last long because there is too much disparity between all the teams. In the SEC, for instance, Vanderbilt makes as much money in the television contract as Florida. Everybody is good with it. Everybody is on the same page. Everyone gets the same votes."
That is a quote that Tuberville gave Rivals Radio a few weeks ago. He was later reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference. After this, the backlash was fairly predictable. The media piled on Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe because simply put, he is an easy target. I will go another way on this one.
I appreciate Beebe throwing down a warning. If you let double-T get away with this, come October, won’t everybody start taking cheap shots at your league whenever they can?
My point today is that attitude matters. I’m only 26-years old, but one thing I have learned during my time on earth is that things are what you make of them. If you go into something with a positive attitude, you’re much more likely to be successful than if you act like a negative Nancy. Nebraska and Colorado haven’t even left yet and people are already griping at each other. How is this going to work if guys like Stewart and Tuberville keep running their traps?
They have a right to their opinions. But they need to keep those opinions out of the media.
YMCA Cap City League Recap
I attended the championship game of Des Moines’ YMCA Capital City League last night. Diante Garrett and Bubu Palo were a part of a championship team that defeated Melvin Ejim, Anthony Booker and Eric McKnight. I’ll have more details on this in the coming days, as I had an opportunity to interview three Cyclones at the event.
Here are a few notes that I took last night.
– Melvin Ejim was named League MVP for the regular season. Bubu Palo was named the Tournament MVP.
– Eric McKnight probably won’t be a high impact freshman for Iowa State next season, but he has a ton of upside. I say that because from what I’ve seen and heard, McKnight is a tireless worker. He didn’t play much last night but when he was in there, hands down, McKnight’s motor was running faster than anybody else on the court.
– I am just amazed at how Big 12-ready Melvin Ejim’s body is.
– It seems odd to me that there wasn’t a whole lot of buzz when Anthony Booker signed with Iowa State via Southern Illinois around a month ago. From what I have seen, of all the newcomers, Iowa State could use him the most next season. There isn’t a lot of flash with Booker but the dude is a brick house down low. Watching him last night made me even more excited for 2011.
Uthoff decision today?
Rob Howe of HawkeyeInsider.com reported on Twitter last night that Cedar Rapids Jefferson forward Jarrod Uthoff will be making his college announcement sometime today. The fact that Rob Howe reported this does not look good for Iowa State. Everything that I have been able to throw together since 7 p.m. yesterday does not look positive for Iowa State. Maybe we’ll be in for a surprise.
Fennelly snags KC commit
As we first reported yesterday morning, Bill Fennelly picked up his third commitment in the class of 2011 on Saturday. Brynn Williamson of Staley High School in Kansas City pledged to become a Cyclone. Williamson stands 6-feet tall and is an all around athlete. I’ll try to catch up with her early this week for an update.
