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Originally Posted by M&M Guy
I don't think rocky's an Illinois grad; he didn't make the height requirement. 
But I am, so maybe I'll comment. If he didn't want the attention, why did he have a press conference to announce where he was going to school? How many vet med or engineering students do you see have press conferences to announce which college they will attend? If he just wanted to play basketball without the attention, and stay "close to home", why didn't he go to Southern IN, or Oakland City, both Div. II schools in Indiana. Why did he choose to go to IU? Do think it might be for the national attention? Stylin' and preening on the court aren't the only ways to gather attention. That said, I've been impressed with his attitude on the court - I wish all athletes would follow his example of just playing ball and acting like he's "done it before" when he makes a good play.
I did find it interesting that SI chose to focus on this one particular game at Illinois. I was not at that particular game, but have spoken to a couple of people that were there. Those people were surprised at the level of noise and anticipation at that game. Having seen many games over the years in the Assembly Hall, my usual complaint of Illinois fans is they are pretty laid-back and not loud enough. This game was obviously different, given the circumstances surrounding Gordon and his changing his mind. Couple that with the fact that it was Indiana, and I'm not surprised it ratcheted up the intensity. If Gordon would've chosen Wisconsin or Ohio State, I don't think it would've been as intense. I'm also surprised at the mention of the usher not doing anything about a rowdy, cup-throwing fan. I've seen many people escorted out over the years, so I have no doubt they would've done the same here. I wonder if there's more to this story? I would say that that particular game was not representative of all Illinois games. I would even say it is not representative of past IL/IN games.
Death threats? Whoever does that should serve jail time. Obcenities? Easy exit off the premises, no matter what the level. Have standards deteriorated over the past several years? Yep. Should we do something to change it? Absolutely.
Notice there was no mention about the same attitudes towards officials. |
If he didn't want the attention, why did he have a press conference to announce where he was going to school? How many vet med or engineering students do you see have press conferences to announce which college they will attend? If he just wanted to play basketball without the attention, and stay "close to home", why didn't he go to Southern IN, or Oakland City, both Div. II schools in Indiana. Why did he choose to go to IU? Do think it might be for the national attention?
C'mon....Jon Scheyer's Duke announcement was carried live in Chicago......it was breaking news, All the biggies do that I, know you're going to whine about that one too. Eighteen year old kids don't schedule news conferences, their handlers do.
Gordon was arguably in the top five as far as recruits go and for a top recruit to go to a storied basketball school IN HIS OWN STATE is big news
When people pay big bucks to watch an engineering student shake and bake with his slide rule, you'll have a press conference for them. Bad analogy.
I'm a Chicago guy and an Illinois fan by the way. I don't condemn Illinois fans, that stuff seems to happen everywhere.
Southern Indiana or Oakland city may be where Weber winds up!