Recent Comments

Ok, maybe it's just a semantics thing.  I meant canned in its definitional sense of "prepared in advance" not in some inauthentic, half-assed kind of way.

I believe the last one still matters. It's a formulaic response to a formulaic interview process (i.e behaviorial/STAR), so showing up unprepared for these questions is like showing up in a t-shirt.  It's ritualistic, and if you don't do it, you get bounced.

I don’t doubt that on the whole, hiring managers choose the candidates who dress up, stay off their phones, and have canned answers ready to go.  So if you want a job, you do those things.  If you work in a field where your craft is gab – and there are several – it probably matters that a candidate can quickly whip up some tale about leading a team through some perilous journey in Uganda or something. (And make sure you throw in somewhere that you delivered the team ahead of schedule, as this is a critical piece of nonsense.)  

But in my experience in the transportation sector, we have been just as successful hiring quirky types and candidates who are willing to say “I don’t know” in an interview.  The correlation between good interview and good worker has been nearly non-existent for us, so lately we’ve just been over-hiring and then booting the people we don’t like over the ensuing weeks and months.  Anyway, we wouldn’t much care if candidates/employees were on their phones.  If they can do that and still be listening/productive, then good for them. That’s multitasking, I guess.         

What happens if, as expected, the B1G expands toward the mid-atlantic?  The natural response would be to put Indiana in the West, right?  Depending on who is added, the East could become even more top heavy. 

AHOO AHOO AHOO

The Wooden Award might be riding on Trey's performance today. Should be a fun game.

Too many teachers get into the profession for moral reasons, and as such, they are wiling to accept far less to work. This grossly distorts teachers' market value.  The good news is, the push to "run schools like a business" should help to get rid of some of the bleeding hearts, as many still strongly believe that cut-throat competition doesn't really belong in K-12 education.  The incoming crop of business-like teachers will certainly bring something different to the table, but they will also likely demand higher wages for the job they do.  Anyway, it'll be interesting to watch it all play out.

This is why people root for mid-majors.

I want to know how many of those bunnies Morgan hit.

Michigan doesn't have a skilled big. Sadly, we're relying on players that no one else wanted (Horford, Morgan) or a true freshman.  Michigan is generally doomed once the ball goes into Zeller, Payne, Berggren etc; They can either help out and leave Hulls, Harris or Brust open for three, or sit back and watch those big dudes repeatedly make bunnies.  Needless to say, when M throws the ball in to Morgan, Horford or McGary, Stauskas won't be left open for the kick out.

Obviously, there are other problems, but this one seems like the most glaring. 

Well, as long as we're being scientific, I don't think we can assume these two events are independent.

These things are always political, and it's a good play by the military. 1) They get people to "feel" the budget cuts and hate it, and 2) It's a nice response to the "flyovers are a blatant waste of taxpayer money" crowd. Cutting any other 90 seconds of flight time, or simply doing fewer flyovers, would be seriously underplaying their political hand.

/end politics

Oh. So that's what an oxford comma is.

Catonio?

I'd like to see them implement a 10 game conference schedule and add an FCS/cupcake exhibition game.  Both teams get a nice payday, players get eased into the season, redshirt-bound freshman/depth players get to play, and conference games are maximized. If conferences keep expanding, they'll have to do something, and this is probably more feasible than lengthening the regular season or forgoing revenue.

Mine crashes if I try to select a post.  Design is sharp, though.

because the Nebraskans and Iowans used up all the white? 

I understand them getting a small bump (or holding steady) from a good showing on the road.  What I don't understand is why they seemingly aren't dinged for their close wins. As I see it, MSU has 3 quality wins (KU, OSU, Wisc). But their resume is 8 points away from being total garbage.  That just seems unusual for a top-5 team, especially one with 4 losses.  

Either would be a great pick up for Coach Bielien.

PG: Derrick Walton, So.  /  Spike Albrecht, So.

SG: Nik Stauskas, Jr.  /  Caris Levert, So.

WG: Zak Irvin, So.  /  Nik Stauskas, Jr.

PF: Max Bielfeldt, RS Jr.  /  Mark Donnal, So.  /  Zak Irvin, So.

C: Mitch McGary, Jr.  /  Jon Horford, RS. Sr.  

With McGary and Morgan potentially splitting time next year, there's a fair chance we see a 3rd year out of McGary.  Then if you consider the Freshman-Sophomore "jump" for Walton and Irvin, and the potential to add about 3 impact freshman (e.g. Devin Booker), I think you've got a contending squad.

I have to admit, if M loses all three to the draft, I think '13-'14 ends up a bubble year. 

non-burke ball handling is still a concern, and M's big dudes can't jump.  Other than that, there aren't many weaknesses in this team. I think Minnesota ends up the 3rd best team in the B1G. Quality road win tonight.

The MSU bball team is at a crossroad. If Izzo manages to land some viable depth in his 2013 recruiting class, and if everyone with eligibility returns, they might be the best team in the B1G in 2013. But if neither happens, they might not even make the dance.

He's the same guy that averaged 31.9 yards per punt this year. We'll need Wile for kickoffs and long field goals, and unless there is a massive chasm between Wile and Allen, I doubt the staff will want to throw him out there at punter too. 

Any chance M gets leapfrogged by Florida if they beat Arizona tonight?

He committed to Magnus's mom, I think.

Yeah, he angled hard for that job when Jones got it. If they paid him Jones-type money he's looking at a million dollar/year raise. He might hold out for something better, but I don't think his stock can get much higher (in his current position) than it already is.

I literally died reading this. Nice work everyone.

I saw Denard today. Someone asked how his arm was, and he said "it's doing good," but when that person stuck out his hand, Denard couldn't shake it without doing a wincing, dead fish thing. Hopefully he's able to take the field again, but my optimism took a serious hit today.

 I understand why Brandon wants to renegotiate, and from Michigan's standpoint, he has to try. But he's tried to reason, and UCONN said "no". He tried to bribe, UCONN said "no". Now he's using the media to ramp up pressure, and UCONN is still saying "no". What's next? Astroturfing dissent in Storrs? The guy's a shark, and I'm glad he's on our side, but he's in the no man's land between competent and shameless right now. Michigan's stupid for agreeing to it, and UCONN is probably stupid for not renegotiating. Call it a tie and play the game.  

Remember when we went to the moon? That was cool.

Yeah, It's weird.

Considering his strong year at Tennessee and MSU's receiving corps, I'm surprised DeAnthony hasn't made a move up the chart. He doesn't even get the courtesy "OR" designation. Yikes.

34-17 Good Guys

Because B1G season is MANBALL SEASON, not LONG-HAIRED GIRLY SEASON.

OP is a sparty. I'm sure that's partially why he posted it. And also why stopped listing BIG members at MSU.

FWIW, Indiana (#134) and Iowa (#169) also make the list.

Poor Nebraska.

Ha! I googled "shotput face,"  clicked on the first link and found this:

ON-TOPIC BONUS: Check out #38.

I know several families with that name, and some pronounce it QUIET-COW-SKI and others pronounce it KA-KUSKI. I was wondering which of the two Mike used, and it turns out the answer was behind door number three.

Telling an MSU fan that M is superior academically is simply stating a fact, and people who speak the truth should never be demeaned for doing so.  This statement didn't become "more true" since finishing my undergrad at CMU and attending grad school at M, it just remains fact. BTW, MSU has a boatload of non-affilliated fans, so if this Walverine thing isn't dead from sheer juvenility, it should die because the argument doesn't make any sense.

I think Rational Buckeye is hiding something, too.

who da fuck is dat!

MSU's 2013 recruiting is becoming something to watch.  They have, I think, 5 scholarships left, and they need basically all of them to be offensive or defensive linemen. Outside of Riley Norman, I'm not sure who of note they can get.  Dantonio is going to need some beneficial attrition and/or scouting miracles to compete in the trenches in a few years' time. I'm sure SPARTAN NATION believes he can pull it off, but it sure as shit would give me pause. 

Only 14,318 more to go!

Smart of them to buy multipurpose coolers

but not in the way that you think.

Once they turn 18, let them go pro whenever they want and in any sport. Let's end the charade.

I assume you are talking about the SG position? Jabari Parker is 6-7 or 6-8 (and possibly still growing) and bouncy. He's a 3 or a small 4. IME, the four guys you list could potentially all be on the floor at the same time.

after watching Obi Ezeh wait and wait and wait and then zoom in the wrong direction you mumble to yourself "minus 3."

It needs a maize and blue custom paint job.

Trey would have to sit a year because of transfer rules, so he doesn't solve the immediate need for another guard.

Does Chuck have the moves like Jagger?

Ahhh, thanks.  I was wondering what he was doing.

That's a shame considering Hatch is reportedly a very good friend of Russell Byrd.

133% funded plz

Welp, see you again in 2015.

Beilein has already mentioned that McLimans won't be getting a fifth year.

Poggi is committing today, per TPR

DeLacouture will visit for Texas Christian Spring Game

KenPom will wish he was you

How does your spreadsheet/database categorize multiple transfers (e.g. FBS->Juco->FBS)?  These are probably somewhat common for the "academic rehab" sorts.

and bring back the pic of you chillin' in THE PARTY ROOM

The whole afternoon? He's got THAT going for him too?

This is good for bubble teams, no?

Serious question: Does he have any basketball skills?

Putting the BTN in populous, far-flung places is the chief priority.  Pitt would be a lock if the school uprooted and moved to New York City.

When the Wolverines took off from State College at 4:35 p.m. following their 71-65 win over the Nittany Lions, MSU was winning 22-9 and “we weren’t very optimistic.” When they landed at Willow Run Airport and switched on their phones, they saw Ohio State’s deficit was “manageable,” Beilein said by phone tonight.
The bus ride featured a group watching on Josh Bartelstein’s phone linked through his Slingbox while the coaches watched on a cell phone video feed – a maddening few seconds behind the other group.
Once they got to Ann Arbor and the PDC, they raced inside and watched the final five minutes together – including OSU wing William Buford’s game-winner with a second left – and exploded.
“It was tremendous,” Beilein said a few hours later, clearly still buzzing.

 

196

This is a good move for all parties.  Temple always felt they were too cool to be in the MAC -- even though they weren't especially good at football -- and the Big East needed to add somebody. Finding a BCS-level football program was going to be a tough sell for the Big East, so they did the next best thing by adding a good basketball school from their core geographic footprint. The MAC won't miss them, and Temple gets in where they feel they rightfully belong.

I spent over 120 seconds putting this together, so I'm certain I've made no mistakes.  The only explanation is that DGB was swapped with Burbridge when the team was routed through the monkey bread.

We all were swimmers once.

/gross

It is important to remember that the youth football development system in his hometown is terrible and that his coaches are working with players that come from families with bigger concerns than football.  I was on the Manual football coaching staff, and I know his coaches. They understand and can teach the game.  But I agree with Magnus, though, LTT isn't yet ready to be a M-level starter.  This is mostly for reasons beyond his control. Kids from his neighborhood have been told "they can't" for their entire lives. Some lose hope, and others respond with a giant "fuck you, hater."

read more good

Or does it behave like CF overtime, where taking your opponent's punch early (going second) gives you the opportunity to gameplan an appropriate response?

I think MSU makes a compelling choice for grad students, especially for those who are headed for lower-paying fields.  If you aren't lucky enough/smart enough/connected enough to get funding, saving 30-50 grand in unsubsidized loan debt (at 7% interest) by virtue of attending MSU instead of M is a serious scale-tipper.

This Sugar Bowl trophy is great and all, but it is awkward and heavy. And where will we store it? Did anyone think of that?

Please tell me aquaman's real name is Gary.

EDIT: Next time I'll read the whole thread. 

It looks like the session went from 9:30-11:00 this morning and was titled: 

“Important Issues Facing High School Football And Recruiting.”

That's a pretty vague title, but if Heck was talking about the recruiting process, he was at least in the topic's vicinity.

The good advice that Yuri just didn't take?

The Iowan Diamond

Ted Roof! Rusted.

it's pre-madonna, moran.

I hope Boise keeps their foot on the gas.  They have every incentive to embarrass a BCS conference opponent.

I LOVE STUFFING SCIENCE CHICKS FOR SPORT. IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

I'm in the same boat. You can text your vote in by texting 110635 to Pepsi (73774).

Austin White's brother with the TD.

Well then he shouldn't run so fast.

I think it's a great move, and a potential solution to a difficult catch-22.  They don't have the luxury of staying in power through a vast network of wealthy alumni and fans derived from years of hegemonic rule.  People get upset about a hire like this because they feel threatened or because they are idealists who refuse to accept the true money-war-by-proxy nature of college football.  Kudos to Coastal Carolina for openly acknowledging it.

Don't worry, I'm confident one of the adults would have intervened.

So why do the little schools play along? There must be a reasonable explanation, but I've never seen it mentioned. Is it about prestige? Because if so, then I don't understand it because there's little prestige in being used.

I posted this question in a thread about a month ago and I still don't have a good answer to it. This seems like a decent time to re-ask it. What is the glue that holds the FBS together?

All teams not in the B1G, B12, PAC, ACC, SEC should drop to FCS, then agree to eliminate FCS/FBS play.

1. It chops the field down and improves the odds of getting a fair BCS champion.  

2. The BCS schools will actually have to schedule decent non-conference games.  For FCS schools, the lost revenue from slaughter-for-income games will be offset by a drop in 22 scholarships, with some extra revenue coming from added home games and a bump in TV revenue.

3. Small schools won't have to attend the Beef 'O' Brady's bowl at Tropicana Field where they actually lose money.  The combination of fewer bowl-eligible teams and market forces should buttress the decent bowls and eliminate the shitty ones.

4.  Bowl traditionalists can keep their system, and the current mid-majors are now in a division they can actually win.  

Someone explain to me why this isn't a decent solution for all parties?

The '/s' now refers to satire.

I think it's a good change.

/old s 

Teams only have to hit 15,000+ once every two years, and they can use either actual attendance or paid attendance to hit 15,000.  I'd guess last year they used University/Donor/Pepsi funds to buy up the unwanted tickets to hit the 15,000 mark. If this year's meager number stands, they'll have to do whatever it takes to hit 15,000 for the 2012 season to stay in the NCAA's good graces.

EDIT: Too Slow

I hope Morris sends Stern a Christmas card this year.

Thinking about those 70's porno shoots is what fuels his desire to munch unkempt grass.

This looks devastating to the Mountain West. What's their next move, I wonder?

Edit: Forgot about the C-USA alliance