Convergence of Relevant Stuff

Derrick Caracter saga continues. It seems like every year there is a Caracter  chapter or mini series. This time it involves Caracter who has resurrected his career at UTEP. Not only did he resurrect his career, but UTEP has clinched the Conference USA title. Of course Caracter’s goal is to make it to the NBA, perhaps he will, but if there were ever a basketball vagabond; that would be Derrick Caracter.

What would be ironic is that Caracter leads UTEP to the NCAA tournament and his former team, Louisville may not make it. Another scenario is that UTEP actually meets Louisville in the NCAA tournament.  Stay tuned the saga continues.

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Western Kentucky has a superb team. To me they are the sleeper in this NCAA tournament.  Western has an up tempo game with shooters who are solid. They also play in your face defense and they are quick. The have one player  Mendez-Valdez who can literally light it up from  downtown 25 foot . They are not shy about putting up the trey and they are currently giving Illinois all they can handle in the  first round of the South regional.

This is not entirely a surprise as Western took Louisville to the woodshed early in the season and handed the Cardinals an embarassing  defeat. From the looks of things with  3:39 left in the first half, Western may give Illinois unexpected  defeat. At the half Western led Illinois 37-28.

In the end Western Kentucky won the game 76-72

The wars continue in the Big East with over eight teams ranked in the nation’s Top 25 Basketball Polls, it is not a stretch of the imagination to say  that at least two Big East Teams may be headed for the Final Four.  Currently Marquette leads the Big East in what many see as a significant surprise. Louisville follows  going into their game today with Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.  Syracuse has surprised a number of sports pundits with their play. But it is a typical  Syracuse team.

Early on Louisville poured it on with perfect passing, picking off passing in the lane and finishing on the fast break.  This  team is for real and Louisville is on the move in the Big East.  Look for the Big East to be a signifaicnt player on the national scene come NCAA  Tournament time.

Colleges are increasingly leaning toward seeking more sponsorships in the area of naming rights for arenas and event signage. Generally the work on sponsorships is completed prior to the construction of the arena. The sponsorship serves as a revenue foundation to pay for a significant portion of the project. Corporate sponsorships of sky boxes has long been a lucrative avenue in raising revenue for new athletic facility construction. But this areas is still a relatively untapped new revenue stream.

The list of possibilities for corporate sponsorships are numerous in the areas of athletic training facilities, athletic housing, and can be applied to other athletic theme buildings and facilities. This is a revenue source that is trending upward toward growth. It is also an areas of tremendous opportunity.

In pursing this relatively new form of sponsorships, athletic administrators should be aware that the company is in it for a return on investment. They are also seeking exposure. With the the ability to obtain exposure and a return on investment constantly decreasing through traditional media, this new form of sponsorship opportunity may be a great new revenue source and a winning proposition for both the college and the sponsor.

LeBron James has a stated goal to become the richest man ever. Lofty goals for some one who will probably achieve it within the next two year. James will become a unrestricted free agent and a number of suiters will come calling for his services with bags and bags of money. Top suiters will be a team from the European Basketball league who reportedly can offer James at least $50 Million dollars per year, to come play basketball in Europe.

It appears to be an ambitious proposition, but it is one that James would consider, because, he does, after all, wish to be the richest man ever. James it seems would not stay in Europe long term; maybe for one year and then return to the NBA.

If Europe does not break the bank on James there is someone else who will. The New York Nets are removing players and dead weight from their roster in hopes of freeing up enough salary cap room to offer James the world to come play for them. After all James has designated Brooklyn as his favorite Borough in New York. So james has his eye of his future, no matter what.

If James elected to go to Europe, it would be a devastating blow to the NBA, one which they would not take lying down. The NBA would probably find a away to match the European offer. Brooklyn would spare no expenses in trying to land James. in the works are plans to build a new arena for the Nets in Brooklyn called Atlantic Yards. James would not only have a huge salary more than $50 million dollars per years, and a new home to play basketball. Both are intriguing possibilities.

College coaches continue to make the big bucks. In addition to their huge contracts. Huge incentives, shoe contract, television shows, uniform contracts and incentives for winning. A Division I college coaching job is not at all a bad proposition.

College basketball is a  big time business. Especially for the major Division I institutions where the rich just keep getting richer. The one and done athletes continually select the large top ten schools for their one year of college basketball sabbatical; someplace where they can get great exposure and raise their draft position.

It is winning a proposition for College coaches at the power Division I colleges,  because not only do they have an excellent chance at going to the big dance; but they have a great shot at winning it all. To do so means an incentive bonus for the coach and a huge payday for them school.

To hire a well known coach is like hiring a marketing brand in itself like. Roy Williams, Bill Self, Ben Howland, Lute Olsen, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, all are big time coaches that are tremendous draws. The blue chip college athlete is more than likely to choose their school. What that means is usually a cash bonanza for both the coach and the school.

While the coach and the school make out  the one and done blue chip athlete makes out even better.  Where does it leave the other less talented players? They do get scholarships and a four year college education; if they take advantage of the opportunity.  Lute Olsen after losing California High Schooler Brandon Jennings possibly to European Professional Basketball, has vowed that he will never again recruit one and done players. Olsen calls the rule that requires a high school player to not enter the NBA draft until they turn 19 years of age, a farce. Most elect to attend one year of college.

Many coaches don’t see it the same way as Olsen. Tim Floyd Head Coach at USC , who signed OJ Mayo to what turned into a one year contract, said his one year with Mayo did wonders for his program and for the school.

Tubby Smith says who wouldn’t want to coach the best talent available even if it is for one year.

But something is inherently wrong when colleges place so much emphasis on cash cow sports and not enough on making sure all students both athlete and non-athlete have a real chance in life, by making sure that they receive a college education.

The Cost of attending a four year college; both state and private has skyrocketed to the point, that the average student would be hard pressed to fund a college education and it would be harder for the parents as well. As it stands now colleges are in the middle of misguided rules set up by the NBA and it is affecting everyone; coaches, players and their families, and not to mention involving unscrupulous agents as soon as high school player hit the recruiting radar screen