This opening bit is for The Professor.
Who was indeed a real prof, and an eminent one at that at the Law School.
But, as is par for the course here, it’s a serpentine route to get to the point.*
*Some call if filler. Some call it shtick. I dunno.
Anyhow, I’m not a betting guy.
Those incessant adverts for betyourentire401kothisabsurdprop.com promising $500 in bonus moolah if your first buck down on Steph Curry to net 11 triples against the Rockets wins, those lures roll over me. The bait stays on the hook. I’m a many of many chronic obsessions, betting thankfully has never been one.
But . . . were I bettin’ dude . . . there’s one I’d be mighty sure of winning.
It would be that new Louisville sharpshooting guard Ryan Conwell has never heard of Ricky Nelson.*
*Warned you this would be circuitous.
But a travelin’ man, Conwell is.
South Florida > Indiana State > Xavier > U of L.
The baller has made a lot of stops.
Notwithstanding, here’s what would fill The Prof’s heart.
Conwell is reported to be on course to actually graduate in four years, after he completes his course work on the Belknap Campus this coming academic year.
This in a climate where the term “student-athlete” can no longer be found in Merriam-Webster. Not that it ever made much difference, to me anyway. The Professor would occasionally inquire whether one of our favorite Cards was passing his Phenomenological String Theory seminar, and I would scoff, “Who cares?”
But even I, a pragmatist and bottom line guy when it comes to eligibility, think that’s pretty cool.
Look forward to seeing the guy in a mortarboard.
* * * * *
As for the reality of today’s out of control pay-to-play-who-cares-about-love-for-alma-mammy climate, there’s changes a comin’.
Maybe.
I don’t totally understand this whole settlement thing that’s almost reality. Other than it will allow schools to pay athletes directly, with limits to the amount any institution of higher learning can budget.
Ostensibly, NIL collectives would still exist to supplement the monetary benefits for that kid who drains 46% from the beyond the arc on the steps of his favorite Capital One branch.
Not so fast, sayeth attorney Darren Heitner, who reps those Florida State ballers who claim in court of law they were hosed by Leonard Hamilton. Counselor says the big leagues are plotting to somehow limit NIL ops. Thus it’s not going to be the godsend for players that’s being heralded.
It’s a reality, ya know, owners like to limit benefits.
It will be as fascinating to some of us how matters play out off the court, as it will be to see if Pat Kelsey can win his first NCAA tourney game next March.
* * * * *
I understand my base of readers doesn’t want to hear a thing about that school down the road, but deal with it.
Apparently the University of Kentucky is making the bold, forward thinking, seemingly astute move to turn their athletics department into its own LLC. (Limited Liability Company.) A corporation of sorts.
Don’t know all the details.
But it seems a sensible way to treat college athletics as it really is, a business adjunct to universities.
I’ll be flabbergasted if other — many??? — schools don’t follow suit.
* * * * *
As for what we hoopaholics really want to know, the deafening silence has returned.
Is James Scott really outthere, or is his portal entrance just a move for mo’ money?
Who shall be the necessary roster additions?
Cards need more bodies.
At dinner last night, fellow hoopaholic Doc and I agreed an intriguing name we believe to still be in the portal is Federico Federico. Formerly of Pitt, lately at Texas Tech.*
*Understand I haven’t the slightest idea if PK and staff are looking in FF’s direction.
The big seems what the Cards might want at this time. A fill in big for 5-8 minutes of PT. Kind of an Anselem-Ibe, but better. Someone who should understand he’s not going to garner a deal for five star money.
Anyway, whomever it might be, we agreed Cards need another big.
A slashing wing would also be beneficial.
I know it’s Derby week, but we’re jonesin’ here.
— c d kaplan