Mike Taylor skates -- for now

joepublic · 06-22-2007, 07:07 AM

Mid-Iowa Newspapers - Cyclones sticking with troubled Taylor

brianhos · 06-22-2007, 07:12 AM

Not a big surprise. If he was off the team it would have been done already.

nfrine · 06-22-2007, 07:22 AM

I am not surprised. The Clones could not afford to have Taylor leave the program due to the academics issues facing the MBB program. We are on pretty thin ice to keep from losing scholarships. Hopefully Mike will get serious about his grades, his behavior, and his basketball.

Is Mike going to sit out of any games? How would be appropriate?

SlyCy · 06-22-2007, 07:45 AM

That's too bad, my respect level just went down a little for McDermott.

Whitey · 06-22-2007, 08:04 AM

I have a feeling that there will be some games missed by Taylor. I don't think he's getting a free pass from McDermott. I wouldn't be surprised if it's as many, or a couple more, than Hubalek missed last year.

ornryactor · 06-22-2007, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Whitey

I have a feeling that there will be some games missed by Taylor. I don't think he's getting a free pass from McDermott. I wouldn't be surprised if it's as many, or a couple more, than Hubalek missed last year.

Agreed. I'm willing to bet that a big motivation in keeping him was to prevent the NCAA academics committee from getting suspicious and sniffing around to see if they can throw out some sanctions. I don't think Mike leaving for academic troubles would necessarily throw us under the bus by itself, but getting the NCAA interested in your program is never a good thing, even if nothing bad has happened. Smart move by Mac- as long as Taylor is getting punished.

gocubs2118 · 06-22-2007, 08:21 AM

I would expect him not to be playing until December.

psycln11 · 06-22-2007, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Whitey

I have a feeling that there will be some games missed by Taylor. I don't think he's getting a free pass from McDermott. I wouldn't be surprised if it's as many, or a couple more, than Hubalek missed last year.

No free pass!!! From the article...

"There will be some sort of suspension," McDermott said. "He won't play in games until I lift that suspension. That will be determined by him and how he acts between now and then."

ISUFan22 · 06-22-2007, 08:23 AM

I'm unsure of how I feel about this. Not just for the current situation, but for precedents for future issues. What message does this send? One that says "At ISU basketball, we stand by you through thick and thin" or "It's ok to get in trouble as long as you are a leading scorer". I think it's probably the former, yet each person will interpret it differently.

I do like the quotes from G-Mac and can appreciate what he's doing. My concern is what happens in January if Mike messes up again. Here we are in the heart of the season, likely with Mike back on the court and we'd suddenly lose him.

Of course, there's always the other side, Mike turns it around - pays his dues and becomes a true team player for us. He and the team are very successful and he winds up getting a spot at the next level (NBA highly unlikely yet Europe or NBADL not out of the question).

One good, clear thing about this situation is now there is no middle ground. The gauntlet has been laid down and it's obvious no other mishaps will be tolerated.

So...many intangibles here. Greg hasn't let us down yet so I'll trust his judgment until he gives me reason not to.

Oldgeezer · 06-22-2007, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

That's too bad, my respect level just went down a little for McDermott.

And my respect for SlyCy dropped a little. (Not that I ever had any, I don't know this guy) Just answer one question, SlyCy, What happens to Mike Taylor if he is thrown out at this time? I don't know Taylor's background, but a lot of kids growing up in the inner cities and gettos of America need a lot of help and guidance to succeed. Greg McDermott is in a position to help one of those kids. Taylor knows the rules now, he may not be able to follow them, but if he does, he and ISU basketball will both be better because of it.

CyCy · 06-22-2007, 08:55 AM

"He understands that his margin for error is zero" McDermott said. "He has to act in a certain way or the next step...is totally off the team".

I wish McDermott would have made that statement a little earlier in Taylor's ISU career.

SlyCy · 06-22-2007, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Oldgeezer

And my respect for SlyCy dropped a little. (Not that I ever had any, I don't know this guy) Just answer one question, SlyCy, What happens to Mike Taylor if he is thrown out at this time? I don't know Taylor's background, but a lot of kids growing up in the inner cities and gettos of America need a lot of help and guidance to succeed. Greg McDermott is in a position to help one of those kids. Taylor knows the rules now, he may not be able to follow them, but if he does, he and ISU basketball will both be better because of it.

Oh geez, where do I start with this?

So now ISU basketball is a charity for kids growing up in the inner cities and ghettos of America?

First of all we're not and shouldn't be a charity, second of all seems a little presumptuous to assume he is from a ghetto or the inner city....

Taylor knew the rules the first, second AND third time he was in trouble too. (and I didn't count the OWI which is debatable)

ISUFan22 · 06-22-2007, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

second of all seems a little presumptuous to assume he is from a ghetto or the inner city....

I don't know if it was considered the ghetto/inner city.

However it is fact that Mike didn't have a great or even good upbringing. Not that I find that a viable excuse for poor actions, just wanted to clarify that.

bmuff · 06-22-2007, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

Oh geez, where do I start with this?

So now ISU basketball is a charity for kids growing up in the inner cities and ghettos of America?

First of all we're not and shouldn't be a charity, second of all seems a little presumptuous to assume he is from a ghetto or the inner city....

Taylor knew the rules the first, second AND third time he was in trouble too. (and I didn't count the OWI which is debatable)

Really, what did the kid do that was so bad? Messed with a fire extinguisher in the dorms and stole some cough medicine? Sorry, but I did worse things in college and didn't get caught. I'm sure a lot of people did. Those things aren't worthy of getting booted. Taylor has been punished already and will have a suspension (I'm betting the 6 or so that Hubalik had last year). And if he screws up again, no matter when it is, he's gone.

I'm sorry, but we've come a long way since Vroman was getting pulled over with weed or Kenny Pratt was trying to get out of a DUI claiming he drank cough syrup. Hell, Sam Mack was cleared to play before he transferred. Now people get upset because a player isn't booted for stealing $10 worth of stuff and some minor vandalism? Please. Let GMac run his program.

ISUFan22 · 06-22-2007, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

Really, what did the kid do that was so bad? Messed with a fire extinguisher in the dorms and stole some cough medicine? Sorry, but I did worse things in college and didn't get caught. I'm sure a lot of people did.

If we go down that road again, this will turn ugly. Do you want a medal for doing worse than Mike and not having any repercussions for it? You're not the first to wave this excuse around and certainly won't be the last.

It is NOT a reason for poor behavior. Otherwise, I'd go rob a bank, cite some guy that did it in the past and got away with it and insist I am allowed to walk too.

Whether or not these offenses are serious or not - there were victims involved these crimes (there isn't a victimless crime). The fact that Mike hasn't exactly been a model citizen also comes into play.

Now, G-Mac knows Mike far better than any of us (with exception to one or two people here). He feels Mike is worthy of one last shot. While I won't question that, I also won't sit here and not refute some of the silly claims being made.