Out Coached and Out Smarted

[gobirds85]

I will always support the Birds but that doesn’t mean I’m going to drink the kool aid and sit on my hands as the university provides us with a product that is barely watchable.

I was thrilled when we hired Dan as I thought we finally have someone who could lift us out of this funk. I want Dan to be our coach for the next 30 years as that would be a clear indication that we are WINNING. But let’s look at where we are...we couldn’t beat a depleted Drake team on Friday after struggling to beat a horrible Eville team.

We finished 9-9 in the 17th best conference in America. Today’s championship has a team under .500 in the finale. Today’s winner will surely be a 15th seed.

We got shit kicked st home by SDSU, Ole Miss, Valpo, and bu. Add blow out losses to uic, Georgia, and bu again, etc. We are seven years in and we have seen a regression of epic proportions.

Calling out someone’s fan card simply because they choose to be critical of a product they are paying for is absolutely assinine.

 

[Rdbirds93]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

I call bullshit on a lot of the article.

Ranked No. 2 in the MVC Preseason poll, Illinois State had every tool necessary to make this season special.

Every tool? FALSE. No point guard, among many other deficiencies.

Looking ahead, Illinois State now faces new leadership in returners Zach Copeland, Rey Idowu, Matt Chastain, Josh Jefferson, Isaac Gassman and Matt Hein while newer faces in Dedric Boyd, Keith Fischer, Jaycee Hillsman and Taylor Bruninga look to see the court for the first time next season.

FALSE. Bruninga has played games on RA floor.

A tight knit and talented senior core in Keyshawn Evans, Phil Fayne and former MVC Newcomer of the Year Milik Yarbrough all were poised to be elite forces within conference play.

Instead, they finished their careers with individual success and potency, rather than keeping the glue that stuck together throughout the season.

There's no one to blame and there's no one to point fingers at, it just didn't happen. From half-court buzzer-beating losses to routine weekly blowouts, we were all wrong and that's the story that will be written until tip-off next fall.

Which is it? Selfish seniors or no one to blame?

This is Muller’s program and although tensions and frustrations are at an all-time high, a sudden head coaching change will not fix the problem.

Not even near my all time frustration high.

 

[Hamdonger]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

This is a bit of a low blow because the kid is a student but he IS the sports editor.

That was not a well-written article. Much like our basketball team...pound your craft this spring&summer, kid, and come back much improved.

 

[Trey_Guidry4three]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

This is a bit of a low blow because the kid is a student but he IS the sports editor.

That was not a well-written article. Much like our basketball team...pound your craft this spring&summer, kid, and come back much improved.

You didn't like because there was too much truth in there? Are you a journal editor?

 

[gobirds85]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

This is a bit of a low blow because the kid is a student but he IS the sports editor.

That was not a well-written article. Much like our basketball team...pound your craft this spring&summer, kid, and come back much improved.

You didn't like because there was too much truth in there? Are you a journal editor?

All you negative nellies aren’t real fans!!! How dare you question Larry and Dan’s supreme wisdom and ultimate vision for Redbird b-ball. Thursday Night will be renamed the Dan Muller Invitational for awhile. Sorry, lil jimmy worth less but there’s a new sheriff in town.

 

[jwa123]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

This is a bit of a low blow because the kid is a student but he IS the sports editor.

That was not a well-written article. Much like our basketball team...pound your craft this spring&summer, kid, and come back much improved.

. :naughty:

It wasn’t a bad article and he hit the nail on the head.

 

[Hamdonger]

Well written article. As usual it’s in the Vidette and not the Pantagraph.
http://www.videtteonline.com/sports/barlas-isu-s-season-rooted-in-adversity-expectedly-ends-in/article_81814bfa-4293-11e9-9a1a-83c19ddf5c6c.html

This is a bit of a low blow because the kid is a student but he IS the sports editor.

That was not a well-written article. Much like our basketball team...pound your craft this spring&summer, kid, and come back much improved.

You didn't like because there was too much truth in there? Are you a journal editor?

My college ath admin background was focused heavily on journalism. Send that article out to any media relations peep or sports anchor and he'll tell the kid, from a professional standpoint, bring me something better.

Yes it's still a college newspaper but he is the sports editor and I'll betcha even Josh would say the same. It was not a well written article. It's not a blog - it's a professional newspaper environment. If he wasn't editor I'd cut him more slack.

 

[ricohill]

So we are going to be more critical of a college journalist than Dan making 600,000 playing on Thursday in the worst MVC ever, Larry Lyons that has achieved around 5 percent of his goals, or President Dietz that is clueless on what needs to be done to give men’s basketball and football the resources it needs to compete.

 

[Hamdonger]

So we are going to be more critical of a college journalist than Dan making 600,000 playing on Thursday in the worst MVC ever, Larry Lyons that has achieved around 5 percent of his goals, or President Dietz that is clueless on what needs to be done to give men’s basketball and football the resources it needs to compete.

Simply disagreed that it was a well-written article. No indictment on saying the individual doesn't perhaps have a bright future. Always rooting for a Redbird.

As far as our athletic dept, you and others think throwing a continued and repeated (and repeated) (and repeated) fanatical tantrum is the only way to express disappointment. Many of the tantrum throwers make good points, sometimes really good points - but the tantrums just make me, and I suspect quite a few others, roll my eyes all the way into my toes.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

So we are going to be more critical of a college journalist than Dan making 600,000 playing on Thursday in the worst MVC ever, Larry Lyons that has achieved around 5 percent of his goals, or President Dietz that is clueless on what needs to be done to give men’s basketball and football the resources it needs to compete.

I’m just watching on TV, ESPN+, or wherever, until I see a renewed commitment at all levels. If they aren’t trying, I’m not buying.

 

[SgtHulka]

So we are going to be more critical of a college journalist than Dan making 600,000 playing on Thursday in the worst MVC ever, Larry Lyons that has achieved around 5 percent of his goals, or President Dietz that is clueless on what needs to be done to give men’s basketball and football the resources it needs to compete.

Simply disagreed that it was a well-written article. No indictment on saying the individual doesn't perhaps have a bright future. Always rooting for a Redbird.

As far as our athletic dept, you and others think throwing a continued and repeated (and repeated) (and repeated) fanatical tantrum is the only way to express disappointment. Many of the tantrum throwers make good points, sometimes really good points - but the tantrums just make me, and I suspect quite a few others, roll my eyes all the way into my toes.

Aww. C'mon. I still lust to hear trouck reiterate that only ISU Football can take ISU Basketball where it needs to go. It never gets old 25 years in

 

[ricohill]

So we are going to be more critical of a college journalist than Dan making 600,000 playing on Thursday in the worst MVC ever, Larry Lyons that has achieved around 5 percent of his goals, or President Dietz that is clueless on what needs to be done to give men’s basketball and football the resources it needs to compete.

I’m just watching on TV, ESPN+, or wherever, until I see a renewed commitment at all levels. If they aren’t trying, I’m not buying.

I’m with you. I knew things were bad, but when I saw that the basketball budget has barely changed in the last 5 years, I know there isn’t a true commitment to winning.

Throw on top of that Dietz won’t put forth any university money for the indoor practice facility. If the University doesn’t care to win they won’t get my money.

 

[jbird]

I wonder why President Dietz isn't spending tens of millions of new dollars to improve Athletic Department facilities. For those of you suggesting that he doesn't give a rat's ass about Redbird sports, do you have inside information on which that conclusion is based?

I might not be vain enough to state that nobody loves Redbird athletic success more than me, but I think I can safely say that I am above the median line. However, I am not so clueless as to lack awareness that President Dietz is responsible for an entire university, of which the athletic department is one segment. While EIU and WIU were laying off faculty and were the subjects of serious discussions about whether they could keep their doors open, only the U of I (with its long line of wealthy and willing donors) and ISU (with next to none) safely navigated through the quicksand of the State's financial chaos.

Give President Dietz $60 million to $70 miliion dollars, and if he then stiffs the Athletic Department, I'll be willing to discuss his apathy about Redbird sports.

Until then, I will have to concede that I don't know as much about running an underfunded 21,000 student public unversity as he does.

 

[isuquinndog]

Post of the year thus far.

 

[ricohill]

I wonder why President Dietz isn't spending tens of millions of new dollars to improve Athletic Department facilities. For those of you suggesting that he doesn't give a rat's ass about Redbird sports, do you have inside information on which that conclusion is based?

I might not be vain enough to state that nobody loves Redbird athletic success more than me, but I think I can safely say that I am above the median line. However, I am not so clueless as to lack awareness that President Dietz is responsible for an entire university, of which the athletic department is one segment. While EIU and WIU were laying off faculty and were the subjects of serious discussions about whether they could keep their doors open, only the U of I (with its long line of wealthy and willing donors) and ISU (with next to none) safely navigated through the quicksand of the State's financial chaos.

Give President Dietz $60 million to $70 miliion dollars, and if he then stiffs the Athletic Department, I'll be willing to discuss his apathy about Redbird sports.

Until then, I will have to concede that I don't know as much about running an underfunded 21,000 student public unversity as he does.

My only argument would be if we are in such bad shape financially then should we be handing out a $3.6 million dollar contract to a coach that did not make the NCAA Tournament?

and I believe over the 7 years total it is closer to $4.1 million.

 

[SgtHulka]

I wonder why President Dietz isn't spending tens of millions of new dollars to improve Athletic Department facilities. For those of you suggesting that he doesn't give a rat's ass about Redbird sports, do you have inside information on which that conclusion is based?

I might not be vain enough to state that nobody loves Redbird athletic success more than me, but I think I can safely say that I am above the median line. However, I am not so clueless as to lack awareness that President Dietz is responsible for an entire university, of which the athletic department is one segment. While EIU and WIU were laying off faculty and were the subjects of serious discussions about whether they could keep their doors open, only the U of I (with its long line of wealthy and willing donors) and ISU (with next to none) safely navigated through the quicksand of the State's financial chaos.

Give President Dietz $60 million to $70 miliion dollars, and if he then stiffs the Athletic Department, I'll be willing to discuss his apathy about Redbird sports.

Until then, I will have to concede that I don't know as much about running an underfunded 21,000 student public unversity as he does.

Kidneys!

 

[Reggie Redbird]

I wonder why President Dietz isn't spending tens of millions of new dollars to improve Athletic Department facilities. For those of you suggesting that he doesn't give a rat's ass about Redbird sports, do you have inside information on which that conclusion is based?

I might not be vain enough to state that nobody loves Redbird athletic success more than me, but I think I can safely say that I am above the median line. However, I am not so clueless as to lack awareness that President Dietz is responsible for an entire university, of which the athletic department is one segment. While EIU and WIU were laying off faculty and were the subjects of serious discussions about whether they could keep their doors open, only the U of I (with its long line of wealthy and willing donors) and ISU (with next to none) safely navigated through the quicksand of the State's financial chaos.

Give President Dietz $60 million to $70 miliion dollars, and if he then stiffs the Athletic Department, I'll be willing to discuss his apathy about Redbird sports.

Until then, I will have to concede that I don't know as much about running an underfunded 21,000 student public unversity as he does.

My only argument would be if we are in such bad shape financially then should we be handing out a $3.6 million dollar contract to a coach that did not make the NCAA Tournament?

and I believe over the 7 years total it is closer to $4.1 million.

There is a difference though between athletic revenues and expenses and general university dollars. If Dan is doing his job, ticket sales are enough to cover the costs of the program, including his salary, and then be distributed elsewhere. As far as I know, MBB is the only program we have that makes money. W

ith a better performing program, MBB and other athletic programs would have more money at its disposal. The university is not subsidizing ISU MBB; it is subsidizing the other programs MBB revenue can't cover, especially through tuition waivers.

The university could probably come up with the funds to build an indoor, but then it wouldn't be doing the Bone Student Center renovations; keeping the Fine Arts building running; etc. The only way the "university" does the indoor is if the students vote to do so and pay a lot more in fees per credit hour. Considering they'll be paying off the Hancock renovations for a while, I don't think that will happen. I also suspect the millions towards Hancock the students are paying will then be switched back over to RBA when that needs costly renovations/repairs.

To get the indoor done, it will either take corporate sponsorships or philanthropy or enough private donors contributing the funds. Straight tuition dollars nor state funds are going to do it.

 

[ricohill]

I wonder why President Dietz isn't spending tens of millions of new dollars to improve Athletic Department facilities. For those of you suggesting that he doesn't give a rat's ass about Redbird sports, do you have inside information on which that conclusion is based?

I might not be vain enough to state that nobody loves Redbird athletic success more than me, but I think I can safely say that I am above the median line. However, I am not so clueless as to lack awareness that President Dietz is responsible for an entire university, of which the athletic department is one segment. While EIU and WIU were laying off faculty and were the subjects of serious discussions about whether they could keep their doors open, only the U of I (with its long line of wealthy and willing donors) and ISU (with next to none) safely navigated through the quicksand of the State's financial chaos.

Give President Dietz $60 million to $70 miliion dollars, and if he then stiffs the Athletic Department, I'll be willing to discuss his apathy about Redbird sports.

Until then, I will have to concede that I don't know as much about running an underfunded 21,000 student public unversity as he does.

My only argument would be if we are in such bad shape financially then should we be handing out a $3.6 million dollar contract to a coach that did not make the NCAA Tournament?

and I believe over the 7 years total it is closer to $4.1 million.

There is a difference though between athletic revenues and expenses and general university dollars. If Dan is doing his job, ticket sales are enough to cover the costs of the program, including his salary, and then be distributed elsewhere. As far as I know, MBB is the only program we have that makes money. W

ith a better performing program, MBB and other athletic programs would have more money at its disposal. The university is not subsidizing ISU MBB; it is subsidizing the other programs MBB revenue can't cover, especially through tuition waivers.

The university could probably come up with the funds to build an indoor, but then it wouldn't be doing the Bone Student Center renovations; keeping the Fine Arts building running; etc. The only way the "university" does the indoor is if the students vote to do so and pay a lot more in fees per credit hour. Considering they'll be paying off the Hancock renovations for a while, I don't think that will happen. I also suspect the millions towards Hancock the students are paying will then be switched back over to RBA when that needs costly renovations/repairs.

To get the indoor done, it will either take corporate sponsorships or philanthropy or enough private donors contributing the funds. Straight tuition dollars nor state funds are going to do it.

I agree with all of this. That is why a 7 year contract should not be given out to someone that hasn't made the NCAA Tournament. Bradley winning yesterday is going to bring in millions to the University and athletic department, even if they get destroyed in the NCAA Tournament. Winning in basketball is crucial for the athletic department.

However, where I get upset is the indoor facility is huge for the entire athletic department, but there seems to be no direction how to get it done. The plans seem to change every 6 months. At first it was a full indoor facility, now it may be a bubble (which solves football, but not the other sports).

I think if Dietz and ISU were serious ISU would come out, have a plan, and put their full weight behind it. I could be wrong, but I have never heard Dietz say a word about the indoor facility publicly. I did a search and didn't find anything online. The only person I hear pushing for it is Lyons. Dietz doesn't have to get the funding through ISU, but he should be out in front pushing to make it happen.

ISU has shown it is capable of raising money (see Redbirds Rising), but I have a hard time trusting they are truly committed to it when I don't see it as a priority outside of Larry Lyons.

 

[gobirds85]

My only argument would be if we are in such bad shape financially then should we be handing out a $3.6 million dollar contract to a coach that did not make the NCAA Tournament?

and I believe over the 7 years total it is closer to $4.1 million.

There is a difference though between athletic revenues and expenses and general university dollars. If Dan is doing his job, ticket sales are enough to cover the costs of the program, including his salary, and then be distributed elsewhere. As far as I know, MBB is the only program we have that makes money. W

ith a better performing program, MBB and other athletic programs would have more money at its disposal. The university is not subsidizing ISU MBB; it is subsidizing the other programs MBB revenue can't cover, especially through tuition waivers.

The university could probably come up with the funds to build an indoor, but then it wouldn't be doing the Bone Student Center renovations; keeping the Fine Arts building running; etc. The only way the "university" does the indoor is if the students vote to do so and pay a lot more in fees per credit hour. Considering they'll be paying off the Hancock renovations for a while, I don't think that will happen. I also suspect the millions towards Hancock the students are paying will then be switched back over to RBA when that needs costly renovations/repairs.

To get the indoor done, it will either take corporate sponsorships or philanthropy or enough private donors contributing the funds. Straight tuition dollars nor state funds are going to do it.

I agree with all of this. That is why a 7 year contract should not be given out to someone that hasn't made the NCAA Tournament. Bradley winning yesterday is going to bring in millions to the University and athletic department, even if they get destroyed in the NCAA Tournament. Winning in basketball is crucial for the athletic department.

However, where I get upset is the indoor facility is huge for the entire athletic department, but there seems to be no direction how to get it done. The plans seem to change every 6 months. At first it was a full indoor facility, now it may be a bubble (which solves football, but not the other sports).

I think if Dietz and ISU were serious ISU would come out, have a plan, and put their full weight behind it. I could be wrong, but I have never heard Dietz say a word about the indoor facility publicly. I did a search and didn't find anything online. The only person I hear pushing for it is Lyons. Dietz doesn't have to get the funding through ISU, but he should be out in front pushing to make it happen.

ISU has shown it is capable of raising money (see Redbirds Rising), but I have a hard time trusting they are truly committed to it when I don't see it as a priority outside of Larry Lyons.

If it's in Larry's hands then we are golden. No worries. Probably picking up those private donor checks as we speak. I'll just sit back and wait for the announcement. Hard to control my enthusiasm right now.