Ahh, another day of B1G bashing is in the books.
From the lack of quality football teams to the expansion jokes to the league's own coaches generally embarrassing themselves with their all-conference selections, it feels like we're in a perpetual cycle of suck.
Yesterday brought the latest round of flak as Sports Business Journal wrote that the B1G could likely hold Maryland and Rutgers fans hostage when it comes to televising their games on the Big Ten Network.
Specifically:
Maryland and Rutgers face the possibility of having at least two football games and at least 15 basketball games go untelevised locally when they join the conference in a year and a half.
That’s because the Big Ten Conference is looking into a strategy that could keep all Maryland and Rutgers games — encompassing all sports — off of the Big Ten Network unless local distributors place the channel on an expanded basic tier. The Big Ten used that strategy successfully in Nebraska last year when the Cornhuskers joined the conference, and the conference is expected to use it again in 2014 when Maryland and Rutgers join.
I get that it sounds crappy on the surface but frankly, business is business. I mean, let's not pretend that these two schools weren't added first and foremost to generate more revenue, specifically through pressure on cable operators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to sign up for BTN.
The story notes the conference planned to employ the same strategy after Nebraska joined but as you'd expect, such a move never became necessary because the two cable operators in Nebraska knew keeping potential Nebraska football games off television would cause a riot and therefore signed deals a few weeks before the start of football season.
Admittedly, I'm no expert on the topic but I have to wonder if Delany and company will realize the same leverage when it comes to non-televised Rutgers football and hoops, though I'm guessing the tactic may be a little more valuable when it comes to Maryland fans' desire to watch their top two squads in a new league.
MY STARS. Rittenberg took an interesting look at his All-B1G offensive selections, digging into how the league's best offensive players in 2012 were evaluated coming out of high school.
The results show that out of the 11 selections, only Braxton Miller, Jack Mewhort and Taylor Lewan were listed in ESPN's 150 for their respective recruiting classes. Miller was Scout's #4 quarterback, Mewhort was their #2 center while Lewan was considered their 12th best offensive tackle.
Meanwhile, Montee Ball, you know, the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdowns (FBS), was Scout's 74th best running back prospect in 2009, in part because he "could struggle maintaining his current yards after contact at the next level."
Fellow running back Le'Veon Bell has been an even bigger surprise as Scout touted him as the nation's 211th best running back in the class of 2010. Penn State's stud WR Allen Robinson didn't have the wow factor either, ranking as the 202nd best wideout in the class of 2011.
Ummm, Roger Daltrey is on the 12.12.12 stage glowing from a fresh coat of bronzer. I'm going to vomit real quick then move on to the next item. Hold please.
"BOWL-SH!T, BOWL-SH1T". While there is already a myriad of reasons to be annoyed with the bowls and the overall bowl system, one of those that always sticks in my craw this time of year is just how much money bowl bosses rake in for doing a whole lot of nothing in the overwhelming majority of cases.
For instance, the president of the Outback Bowl, Jim McVay, was paid over $750k in 2010 and over $800k in 2008, which was double what he pulled in way, way, way back in 2002.
The article notes:
A bowl boss' average compensation last year was $438,000, more than double since 2002 and 32% more than 2006, according to tax forms for 15 of the oldest nonprofit bowl organizations. Even second-tier games such as the Gator Bowl and Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl pay their executives at least $375,000
Not bad considering most of the bowls only produce one game per year, are tax-exempt charitable organizations, and stand to make a profit off a yearly kitty funded by teams and conferences for excess tickets. Last year, there were nearly $21 million worth of unsold tickets. Wow, those bowl bosses sure are earning their money filling seats. It all makes sense now. About as much sense as the survey some bowls use to set pay.
Conley: Dished out a school record 238 assists in 2006-07SQUARE PEG, ROUND BALL. While most OSU fans look at conference expansion almost solely through their football lens, the impact of adding Maryland and Rutgers will most definitely be felt in hoops.
Maryland has an on-court pedigree worthy of respect and while Rutgers doesn't, the real ripple as a result of their upcoming addition could be in how the B1G decides to modify what is already an unbalanced schedule.
The venerable Big Ten Geeks took a crack at the situation and emerged with differing opinions.
In my world, there is simply no place for basketball divisions. First of all, while an unbalanced schedule can be unfair on the road to a regular season conference title, and while the B1G hardware currently on display in the coaches' office is nice, it's not really the end game for the upper crust.
Second, the existing divisional breakdown used in football doesn't really translate to hoops when you consider OSU, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin and Illinois would make up five of the seven Leaders division squads and adding a different divisional breakdown than used in football would provide more fodder for the haters.
Bottom line, as we continue to move toward superconferences in the big two sports, the emphasis on the postseason will only increase meaning divisional regular season play simply seems unnecessarily complicated. Who knows, it might even make some programs schedule a few less cupcakes in December in hopes of improving their Dance resumes.
MONEY MIKE GETTING SOME LOVE. It's a little hard to believe but Mike Conley is already in his 6th NBA season. What isn't hard to believe is that the straw that stirred the drink in Columbus on the way to a 35-4 record and a spot in the 2007 national championship game is doing work at the next level.
As the article notes, the Grizzlies caught heat for signing Conley to a five-year extension worth $45 million back in 2010 but the impact he has on a game is profound and his durability doesn't hurt either:
Conley has missed only eight games since 2008 and sat out one game this season with flu-like symptoms. The Grizzlies are fortunate for his durability, as they score 12.1 points more per 100 possessions when he is on the court. On defense, the Grizzlies hold opponents to 3.5 points fewer per 100 possessions with Conley on the floor than off it.
Still only 25 years old, Conley is also a perfect fit for a roster filled with some interesting cats:
What makes Conley different — and perfect for the Grizzlies — is the reputation he has had for being a businesslike pro since he entered the league at 20 years old.
To an even greater extent than is typical for a professional sports team, Memphis’ roster is a minefield of unique personalities. Randolph is a reformed problem child. Gay was a high-scoring lottery pick who needed to be more efficient as the Grizzlies’ focus shifted into the post. Gasol was an immensely talented big man who had to be prodded to use his full array of skills on offense. Celtics fans are familiar with Allen’s occasional tendency to go off the reservation.
Good on Conley for doing his thing. I've always felt he deserves a little more run from Buckeye fans and it's great to see such a class act blossoming at the next level.
A FRESH BATCH OF 9-3's. Four minutes of Jadeveon Clownin' fools... Recent Heisman winners - Where Are They Now?... Ink in water... Lane Kiffin's face suggests he's a liar... What?! No cupholders?... Ohio: Round on the ends and high in the middle? More like fried on the ends and round in the middle... CFB's 2012 lowlights... If you click on anything, click on this: Furious Bleacher Report Editor Will Make Staff Rank Things All F*%#$@& Night If He Has To (NSFW).
