Mail’s here! Today we explore whether you are still allowed to hate Rutgers. Seriously. This is not an April Fool’s joke. Buckle up.
Remember: If your question wasn’t answered or you’ve been living under a rock and are just hearing about this, you can submit your questions here or on Twitter (@ADimeBack).
Noted good person Coffill asks: First Pikiell (w/Calhoun’s blessing) & now Hobbs? Is this a dark scheme by Rutgers to win hearts & minds? Do we still hate them? I don’t know what to think anymore.
Rutgers is certainly scheming to somehow win over our cold, dark hearts. Give them credit for that. But for now, you can still hate Rutgers. That will change in a few months when UConn is invited to the Big 12 and fans won’t be nearly as bitter*. The reason we hate the Scarlet Knights now is because they are so pitifully inept in every way imaginable, yet somehow they were invited to the Big Ten over UConn. That goes away when UConn gets a power five invite. Then, you’re left with a rebuilding program led by two former UConn coaches who seem to be all-around great people.
*They’ll still be bitter.
Josh asks: You mentioned the benefits in JCDH piece, why doesn’t every UConn player declare for the nba draft like Kentucky? #bringthenoyes
If you missed what Josh is referring to, Kentucky coach John Calipari announced that every eligible player on his roster, walk-ons included, would declare for the NBA Draft. Calipari is a slimeball, but one thing you can’t deny is that he is great at putting his players in positions to succeed professionally.
To answer your question, why doesn’t every UConn player declare for the draft? They should.
For the majority of players there is absolutely no downside. At worst you get your ass kicked in some NBA workouts. I’d argue that’s a good thing. It should be obvious where your game needs improving afterwards. There is an NBA stipulation that a collegiate player can only withdraw from the draft twice. Meaning if you declare and withdraw in each of your freshman and sophomore seasons, you don’t get the chance to do it again following your junior year. You’re either in or out at that point.
The NBA Draft rules are a joke. Forcing unwilling players to attend four months of college is silly and counterproductive to all parties. The NCAA’s amateurism rules are a joke. Jumping through legal — and logical — hoops to keep well-earned money away from athletes is unfair and anathema to our alleged values.
At least now, for once, the players can gain an advantage as they evaluate their own place in the draft process.
Bubba asks: Are you going to go see the new Batman movie?
Maybe, but that’s not the point. What I find very interesting is how Batman vs. Superman has, both here and elsewhere, been generally referred to in common parlance as “the new Batman movie.” That the most famous superhero in the history of the medium has been reduced to second-billing to a gloomy, miserable misanthrope like Batman. And I’m glad. Superman is lame and every Superman movie is stupid.
