Malik McDowell Update

Submitted by gobluepenn6 on

He might visit OSU and FSU, also UM is still in the picture.

 

IMHO They seem to be handling this correctly.  It is OK to take the time you need and make the right decision.

OP EDIT: They seem to NOW be handling this correctly.  Seems to be an issue inside the family and they are taking their time to figure it out.  Obviously they did not handle things well leading up to his announcement.

OP SECOND EDIT:  Nevermind. After further review, nothing has been handled correctly.

http://www.mlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/02/report_michigan_state_pledge_m.html

MDave

February 10th, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^

This would be the only time I would ever listen to 97.1 for anything other than game broadcasts.  Think they could pair him with Wojo special just this time?

Decatur Jack

February 10th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^

does Michigan have anything more than the faintest possibility here. Both he and his dad have Michigan fourth on the list. At this point I'd say either his parents cave and he ends up at MSU or he goes to OSU because both his mom and dad like it (despite being Michigan fans).

Michigania

February 10th, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^

My goodness, I feel like Kay here, in the Godfather part 2, when I say to you how naive you're being...

So... two lifelong Michigan parents and supporters, have Michigan fourth on their list here?  Realize that they cannot make either an ultimatum or tip their hand AGAIN to the son, that they want him to go to Michigan above all else.   Because if they do that, they'd push him away even further, as how human psychology goes to a 17 year old.  

Decatur Jack

February 10th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^

I wish it were that easy, and you might be right. However, something changed when Malik's parents went from "Michigan is #1 on his list" to "I just wish he'd go out of state." It's likely Malik eliminated Michigan from his list, told his parents that he was going to MSU, and his parents were heartbroken.

Yeah, I mean, Michigan still has a possibility here. It's just the faintest possibility in my opinion. I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Gucci Mane

February 10th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^

I think Michigan has a pretty good shot. We know both his parents at times have praised Michigan, and we know Malik wants to stay close to home. UofM may not be the leader, but they have a great chance.

mgobaran

February 10th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

I feel bad for this kid. Pretty sure he would have this all wrapped up if his parents (mainly his mother) would just support their childs decisions. 

Now he looks bad, wishy washy, etc. I hope no one jumps all over this kid for this whole thing. And mostly I hope he gets to end up where his heart wants him to be, and that his new teammates accept him as being 100% commited to that team.

Good luck Malik!

BluByYou

February 10th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^

paying for my kid's education, even though minimally in his case, I will have a say in where he goes.  I know of some partents who would not pay for their kid's tuition & expenses if he/she chose a major the parents deemed unmarketable.  That's a little extreme, but same point.

BluByYou

February 11th, 2014 at 7:48 AM ^

were not around when Chris Webber, of all people, complained that he did not have spending money to buy a pizza.  A scholarship does not pay for the many out of pocket expenses a college kid incurs.

jericho

February 11th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^

I'm trying to think of all the time I spent in college without money to pay for pizza. Oh yeah, that would be 99.99% of the time. Didn't Webber go to Country Day? If his parents could afford that place, I'm sure they could have spent a couple bucks a week on pizza for their son.

Ron Utah

February 11th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^

If you think Webber paid for Country Day, you're crazy.  Shane Battier probably did, but I seriously doubt Webber's family paid for him to attend Country Day.

And it's very true that these kids don't have time for a job.  I don't support "pay-to-play," but I do support a small stipend so that these college kids have a little cash and aren't as tempted to do shady things with boosters.

bringthewood

February 10th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^

They are not telling him where, but they are telling him where NOT.  They are just saying not State.  I think it is reasonable for a parent to have some say.  If your child has better options and that child can't convince you why they want option A (especially if academically below options B, C and maybe D) then I see their point.  

If they believe the atmosphere at State precludes him from getting a quality education then I think it is their right as parents to have him explore other options.  I bet if he had a great argument for State other than "the party life is better"  - for example he aspired to be a Vet or go into Packaging or Advertising then I doubt he would be in this situation.

mgobaran

February 10th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^

Nothing is wrong with caring. But they have gone through this recruiting process for 2 years. Malik is finally ready to make his decision, and at least one of the parents just bail on the kid like that? 

The problem is when your actions start having a negative effect on your child's image. And I believe their actions have done that. 

And people need stop with this bullshit illusion that Michigan is on a completely different planet than MSU. Sure, academically U of M is better. That is a fact. But if the end game is going to the NFL, their isn't much of a difference. M is sending 3 players to the combine, MSU is sending 4. Including one who plays the same position as the kid

If the kid is going to fuck up at MSU, he will fuck up at M. If all he wants to do is party, he is going to party. No matter what school you go to students drink underage, smoke pot, etc. Those decisions fall 100% on the kid, and the college he ends up at won't change that. 

Just be an adult, and support your damn child. If he ends up at MSU, his life isn't over. 

 

MGoLifer

February 10th, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^

I actually think his parents are in the best position to know what's best for him. When I was younger I hung with a bad group. Granted, staying on the "straight and narrow" comes down to making good personal decisions, but when you're a teenager it's much easier to do that without a "friend" in your ear telling you to make the wrong ones. 

From everything I've read, (and I don't know this) his parents feel he'll be surrounded by a bad group, and think he'll be better off away from that. As a parent, I feel it's not only their choice to put their foot down, but if they feel as strongly as they do, it's their responsibility to do what's best for their son.

mgobaran

February 10th, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^

Okay, this is not an attack against you. 

BUT HOW IN THE HELL DOES ANYONE THINK HE WILL END UP IN A BAD GROUP AT MSU, AND NOT END UP IN A BAD GROUP AT MICHIGAN?!

He is a teenager. If he is inclined to make bad choices, he will make them. But choosing to go to MSU over Michigan is not a bad choice. 

MGoLifer

February 10th, 2014 at 1:40 PM ^

It's not so much about ending up anywhere, as it is about what's already in place. He may know people already at MSU or who live in East Lansing that his parents want to keep him away from.

"But choosing to go to MSU over Michigan is not a bad choice." ...This assumes that all other things are equal, which according to his parents at least, they are not.

mgobaran

February 10th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^

Choosing between the two colleges is like choosing between becoming a doctor or a lawyer. People treat choosing MSU over M like it is choosing to become a drug dealer over a rocket scientist. 

Just come on people. Things could be sooooooo much worse than your kid ending up at MSU. 

And, to get back to my point, the ramifications of him ending up at MSU over M are not worth dragging this poor kids name/image through the mud, as it seems to be doing. There is just no need to put your child through all of this.

Nolongerusingaccount

February 10th, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^

Although I don't think it should matter as much as it does, the name of the institution makes a difference.  To state a reality, substantially most employers outside the state of Michigan will hire a Michigan grad over an equally qualified MSU grad for most jobs.  MSU is not considered by many outside of the state of Michigan to be a great school.  It's just not.

If I obtained the same set of degrees from MSU (or OSU for that matter), I can almost guarantee that I would not have enjoyed the same success as I do today.  Luck and timing definitely play a part, but name recognition and connected alumni do as well.