Tyree...

[fatty fat fat]

Hey. Scuba talked to some people n stuff.

[ScubaSteve]

How often are you surprised? An everyday occurrence or, say, once a year? You might have another one coming, dude...

Actually, I was suprised when we hired Huggins, to be honest.  I didn't think Weiser would hire him.  I'm not saying Evans won't be there, just that it will suprise me.  I also think it's a bad idea.

[opcat]

We need video.

All the talk is bullsh__.

If he has 'lockdown D' then that itself could be worthy of a ship.

Is thornton still out there ?

[sonofdaxjones]

This is what always gets me about this stuff.

I rather doubt the KSU administration is going to say, "hey Tyree, come in and don't worry, be as big a douchebag as you want and we won't care.". 

Everything I've heard about Randy Smithson screams high strangeness, so I pretty much dismiss all that.   Bring the kid in and tell him he's got to keep his $hit straight or he's gone.

It's not really that hard. 

[AzCat]

Steve - what, precisely, are these character issues you keep harping on? 

Obviously it's not what happened at his prep school.  I mean c'mon, pretty much every (honest non-religious freak) 17-18 year old in the country has slept with a girl 2-3 years younger than himself so that's no big deal.  And if you check the Boston Globe archives you'll find that Tyree's prep school has a history of little debutantes pulling the train for the hoops team ... at least until daddy finds out and goes to the authorities.  Again, availing himself of one of these tramps-in-training just doesn't seem like a big deal.  Being charged with statutory rape in this sort of situation where the underage female was a willing participant is about as serious as getting a parking ticket, or that's at least the level at which sane people should view it.

Smithson has a history of conflict with players so it should come as no surprise that he might have had a conflict with Tyree.  I view it as a total cop-out when a coach throws his proverbial hands in the air and boots a kid off the team while saying, "He's really a great kid.  No off court issues at all.  I just didn't like what he was doing on the court."  I mean WTF is that all about?  Smithson's the &@#%ing coach it's his &@#%ing job to FORCE his players to do what he wants them to do on the court.  If he can't handle it that's his problem, one which he has, from time to time, unfortunately unloaded on his players.  So Smithson was unable (once again) to handle a player with a strong personality, that's not exectly news.  Besides have you *seen* the KSU staff?  I can't see Tyree doing things his way for long at KSU.

And I actually think Huggins owes Tyree.  Evans got caught up in the Zimpher v. Huggins brawl at UC when his recruitment was ditched since it might reflect negatively on a program whose image Z claimed she was trying to polish.  When Huggins was forced to back off lots of other coaches probably followed suit thinking that given the reputation of the Cincinnatti program if Hugs couldn't recruit the kid there must really be something terribly wrong when in truth it was probably organizational politics within UC and the conflict between Hugs and Zimpher as much as anything.

Besides, where are you going to find a serious NBA prospect shooting guard in the '07 class with 3 years of eligibility remaining at this late date?

[ScubaSteve]

Steve - what, precisely, are these character issues you keep harping on? 

Obviously it's not what happened at his prep school.  I mean c'mon, pretty much every (honest non-religious freak) 17-18 year old in the country has slept with a girl 2-3 years younger than himself so that's no big deal.  And if you check the Boston Globe archives you'll find that Tyree's prep school has a history of little debutantes pulling the train for the hoops team ... at least until daddy finds out and goes to the authorities.  Again, availing himself of one of these tramps-in-training just doesn't seem like a big deal.  Being charged with statutory rape in this sort of situation where the underage female was a willing participant is about as serious as getting a parking ticket, or that's at least the level at which sane people should view it.

Smithson has a history of conflict with players so it should come as no surprise that he might have had a conflict with Tyree.  I view it as a total cop-out when a coach throws his proverbial hands in the air and boots a kid off the team while saying, "He's really a great kid.  No off court issues at all.  I just didn't like what he was doing on the court."  I mean WTF is that all about?  Smithson's the &*$@!ing coach it's his &*$@!ing job to FORCE his players to do what he wants them to do on the court.  If he can't handle it that's his problem, one which he has, from time to time, unfortunately unloaded on his players.  So Smithson was unable (once again) to handle a player with a strong personality, that's not exectly news.  Besides have you *seen* the KSU staff?  I can't see Tyree doing things his way for long at KSU.

And I actually think Huggins owes Tyree.  Evans got caught up in the Zimpher v. Huggins brawl at UC when his recruitment was ditched since it might reflect negatively on a program whose image Z claimed she was trying to polish.  When Huggins was forced to back off lots of other coaches probably followed suit thinking that given the reputation of the Cincinnatti program if Hugs couldn't recruit the kid there must really be something terribly wrong when in truth it was probably organizational politics within UC and the conflict between Hugs and Zimpher as much as anything.

Besides, where are you going to find a serious NBA prospect shooting guard in the '07 class with 3 years of eligibility remaining at this late date?

I'll address the character issues later.  I don't have time.  I will though.

Huggins owes Tyree?  Are you saying there is not room on another DI team in all of America for an NBA shooting guard.  Cincinnati was his only shot?  I don't think the whole Zimpher/Hugs battle was the problem.

[pufizzle]

Steve - what, precisely, are these character issues you keep harping on? 

Obviously it's not what happened at his prep school.  I mean c'mon, pretty much every (honest non-religious freak) 17-18 year old in the country has slept with a girl 2-3 years younger than himself so that's no big deal. 

I've learned something about myself today.  I'm either dishonest or a religious freak.  Cool.   

[HawkLegend]

Looking at K-State's lineup for next season:

G: Stewart
G: Sutton
F: Hoskins
F: Walker
F: Beasley

Bench: Bennett, Colon, Young, Pullen

Who is going to be your 3-point shooter?  I think Beasley is capable of hitting from the outside, but aside from that, there really aren't many shooters on that team.  K-State is going to have a tough time against zone defenses if you don't bring in a guy who can shoot from the perimeter.  Evans was supposed to be that guy, but it doesn't look like he'll end up at K-State.

[michigancat]

Looking at K-State's lineup for next season:

G: Stewart
G: Sutton
F: Hoskins
F: Walker
F: Beasley

Bench: Bennett, Colon, Young, Pullen

Who is going to be your 3-point shooter?  I think Beasley is capable of hitting from the outside, but aside from that, there really aren't many shooters on that team.  K-State is going to have a tough time against zone defenses if you don't bring in a guy who can shoot from the perimeter.  Evans was supposed to be that guy, but it doesn't look like he'll end up at K-State.

1)  Can you read?
2)  If you can, did you read Jeffrey Martin's posts?
3)  Do you know who Jeffrey Martin is?

[WildCatzPhreak]

I'm pretty sure Sutton won't be the fifth person on the court.

I don't doubt he'll get plenty of playing time, I've heard a lot of people from carolina rave about how underrated he is and how great a basketball player he is.  But I see him spelling Hoskins.  He's more of an undersized banger from what I hear.

The second guard will be a rotation of Young, Brown, and Pullen.  Possibly Tyree if he shows up.

[Jeffrey_Martin]

I'm writing something soon on Tyree. I've spent some time with him and I don't think he's a bad kid. He comes a bad area (Richmond, Va.), he's seen and done some bad things, but I don't think that makes him bad. I think it's going to be interesting to see how this all plays out. If he doesn't end up at K-State - and I'm not saying one way or the other - he very well could end up playing in the Big 12. He's very fond of Jeff Capel, but not nearly as much as he is of Bob Huggins.

The problem with Tyree is, all of his problems have been publicized. We all assume kids like Bill Walker and Mike Beasley - kids I like, by the way - are "good kids" because they're well-spoken and pleasant to the media. Dig a little, folks. Everything isn't always what it seems. No one is the angel they're sometimes portrayed to be.

[fatty fat fat]

is there any doubt SS was part of the gp.com mafia that wanted nothing to do with Huggs?

[michigancat]

I'm writing something soon on Tyree. I've spent some time with him and I don't think he's a bad kid. He comes a bad area (Richmond, Va.), he's seen and done some bad things, but I don't think that makes him bad. I think it's going to be interesting to see how this all plays out. If he doesn't end up at K-State - and I'm not saying one way or the other - he very well could end up playing in the Big 12. He's very fond of Jeff Capel, but not nearly as much as he is of Bob Huggins.

The problem with Tyree is, all of his problems have been publicized. We all assume kids like Bill Walker and Mike Beasley - kids I like, by the way - are "good kids" because they're well-spoken and pleasant to the media. Dig a little, folks. Everything isn't always what it seems. No one is the angel they're sometimes portrayed to be.

Jeff, thanks for your work.  People like to ignore the fact that Walker has been ejected from multiple games and got a flagrant foul in his first game...didn't he get a techincal, too?  Not very good-guy-ish for a guy that played 5 games.

[ScubaSteve]

is there any doubt SS was part of the gp.com mafia that wanted nothing to do with Huggs?

I wasn't.  I just didn't think that Weiser would hire him.  I will say that prior to him taking the job at KSU, I did not think very highly of him.  That was purely out of ignorance though.  I'm a very big fan now, but I don't think he is perfect and can do no wrong.  I don't think it would be a bad thing for some of his decisions to be scrutinized and I think he should be willing to compromise.  If not, I could see that being a problem.

[PurpleReign]

SS you "think" a lot.  If you had any evidence to back up your posts about Tyree's character issues, then maybe some people would pay more attention.
Getting ACCUSED of rape is not the same as raping someone.  He had sex with an underage girl, she and her family made a big deal out of it.  He is INNOCENT.  I don't understand what is so hard to understand about his innocense.  He would already be at KSU if the trial would have been completed before his time to sign had passed. 
As for the problems at BuCo, Randy Smithson checked into rehab earlier this year after trying to OD on pills.  He is not exactly the greatest character himself and right now it is a big game of Tyree said, Randy said.  Look at all the issues right now and not just the fact that Tyree was once accused, not convicted, of rape before you start on the "character issues" that do not exist. 

[michigancat]

Did he even have sex with the girl, or was he just in the room when it happened?

J-Mart?

[AzCat]

Steve - what, precisely, are these character issues you keep harping on? 

Obviously it's not what happened at his prep school.  I mean c'mon, pretty much every (honest non-religious freak) 17-18 year old in the country has slept with a girl 2-3 years younger than himself so that's no big deal. 

I've learned something about myself today.  I'm either dishonest or a religious freak.  Cool.   

I suppose you could just be a loser ....   

[fatty fat fat]

Steve - what, precisely, are these character issues you keep harping on? 

Obviously it's not what happened at his prep school.  I mean c'mon, pretty much every (honest non-religious freak) 17-18 year old in the country has slept with a girl 2-3 years younger than himself so that's no big deal. 

I've learned something about myself today.  I'm either dishonest or a religious freak.  Cool.   

I suppose you could just be a loser ....   

One thing is for sure. You sure aren't one.

[ScubaSteve]

SS you "think" a lot.  If you had any evidence to back up your posts about Tyree's character issues, then maybe some people would pay more attention.
Getting ACCUSED of rape is not the same as raping someone.  He had sex with an underage girl, she and her family made a big deal out of it.  He is INNOCENT.  I don't understand what is so hard to understand about his innocense.  He would already be at KSU if the trial would have been completed before his time to sign had passed. 
As for the problems at BuCo, Randy Smithson checked into rehab earlier this year after trying to OD on pills.  He is not exactly the greatest character himself and right now it is a big game of Tyree said, Randy said.  Look at all the issues right now and not just the fact that Tyree was once accused, not convicted, of rape before you start on the "character issues" that do not exist. 

Do you know Mike Bargen?  He's the assistant coach of Butler that had Tyree riding the bench while Smithson was in rehab.  The kid wouldn't do what he was told.  He thought he was bigger than the team and was not coachable.  I'm not saying he won't listen to Huggs either.  He might.

Look, this has nothing to do with what he was accused of before Butler.  I couldn't care less about all that, other than the attention it will draw to Huggins' past.  This has everything to do with the fact that he got thrown off the team at Butler and the type of kid he his according to the Butler CC staff and administration.  I just don't see why Huggins would or should take a chance on this kid, but that's just me.  Huggins obviously thought enough of Randy Smithson that he got the kid to Butler to begin with.  Yes, it was Huggins that placed him there.  If you have a problem with Randy, maybe you should examine Huggins.  Do you think Tyree got to Butler County by accident?

[fatty fat fat]

tyree is bigger than the team.

[WildCatzPhreak]

Come to KSU, Tyree!

[ScubaSteve]

tyree is bigger than the team.

Evidently not, or he'd still be playing there.

[ksuno1stunner]

Tyree is in LOVE with Huggins.  Of course he'd listen to him.

[fatty fat fat]

It's like being the best player on a HS tennis team. you're "bigger" than the team so you pretty much rarely ever show up for practice.

it won't be like that with Beasley, walker around.

[ScubaSteve]

It's like being the best player on a HS tennis team. you're "bigger" than the team so you pretty much rarely ever show up for practice.

it won't be like that with Beasley, walker around.

Nice analogy fatty.  You've really outdone yourself there.

[Jeffrey_Martin]

Did he even have sex with the girl, or was he just in the room when it happened?

J-Mart?

Didn't have sex with her. Took a DNA test that came out in his favor - a test he paid for - but that never was mentioned along the way.

[michigancat]

Huggins obviously thought enough of Randy Smithson that he got the kid to Butler to begin with.  Yes, it was Huggins that placed him there.

Was Butler the first place they tried to place him?

[Jeffrey_Martin]

Yes, and it wasn't as if he HAD to go the Juco route. He was academically cleared to go the Div. I route, but he did what he was told.

[ScubaSteve]

Yes, and it wasn't as if he HAD to go the Juco route. He was academically cleared to go the Div. I route, but he did what he was told.

So why didn't he do what he was told once he got there?

[AzCat]

Do you know Mike Bargen?  He's the assistant coach of Butler that had Tyree riding the bench while Smithson was in rehab.  The kid wouldn't do what he was told.  He thought he was bigger than the team and was not coachable.  I'm not saying he won't listen to Huggs either.  He might.

Look, this has nothing to do with what he was accused of before Butler.  I couldn't care less about all that, other than the attention it will draw to Huggins' past.  This has everything to do with the fact that he got thrown off the team at Butler and the type of kid he his according to the Butler CC staff and administration.  I just don't see why Huggins would or should take a chance on this kid, but that's just me.  Huggins obviously thought enough of Randy Smithson that he got the kid to Butler to begin with.  Yes, it was Huggins that placed him there.  If you have a problem with Randy, maybe you should examine Huggins.  Do you think Tyree got to Butler County by accident?

So what you're saying is that you have a problem with Tyree only because the Butler staff couldn't handle him.  Don't you think Huggins has given some thought as to whether he can take the rough edges off Tyree's game?  I'm going to go ahead and assume that a coach who's rapidly approaching 600 D-I wins probably has at least given some minimal thought to the issue.  It's awfully presumptuous of a mere fan to claim that he opposes the recruitment of a particular player because he knows better than the coaching staff whether or not that player will mesh with the team enough to contribute.  I just don't see how anyone here could be so astonishingly arrogant as to actually believe their own opinions on on the court matters should outweigh those of the staff.  Help me out with that Steve.

And yes, I don think that Hugs owes Tyree to some degree.  Tyree was a victim of his own poor decision making but he was also a victim of: an underage girl who engaged in prohibited activities, a parent who couldn't just let his daughter's actions be her own fault, an administration at UC that was hell-bent on tightening the screws on Huggins beyond what he would tolerate, etc.  And as you've correctly pointed out, the fact that Tyree landed at a Kansas juco isn't exactly an accident.  He followed Hugs out here almost certainly on the promise that he'd be given a shot at KSU when things cooled off.  It's time for KSU to honor the promises made by its representatives.