re: Jalen Cook's Waiver Denied

Play him anyway.

If the success of the season is dependent on him playing or not, LSU is in a world of hurt.

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And forfeit every game? great plan

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So we’d technically have 2 more SEC losses than last season?

I appreciate the NCAA limiting transfers, because it fosters stability to programs, otherwise with NIL, it would be even more madness from year to year. At least these rules make it more likely for kids to stay with a program and their university, which is also good for the players.

that's not even close to what happened.....he was Smart's backup that season. Gaines played a different role. If Cook had stayed, he'd have started when Pinson was injured the next season. He wanted more PT and to be the "guy" and he accomplished that at Tulane. Also, Gaines went on to have a good career at UAB much like Cook at Tulane.

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I disagree. If a coach runs a kid off he should be allowed to transfer anywhere even if it’s his second transfer.

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They are allowed to transfer again. They just have to sit out a year after the 1st transfer. It should make kids more mindful and really have to think about that 1st transfer rather than being so knee-jerk and emotional as most seem to have been recently. It should also make them more mindful about how and why they choose their initial school as well.

But even if we disagree there—and that’s fine, I understand the other side as well—I think we can all agree that the most important thing is that they stay consistent with their rulings. If they want to allow unlimited transfers without sitting, fine. If they want to allow zero transfers without sitting a year, also fine. Just be consistent. And I think the new administration is doing a much better job of that than their predecessors.

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I dont understand how these investigations and rulings take so long, you would think the NCAA is deciding a major constitutional issue. Do they have two people who work in this department. Not to mention it's maddening how after months and months of "investigating" these decisions are always made on the eve of the season or two weeks into it.

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I hate to come across as white knighting for the NCAA, and I’m absolutely not. I personally had to deal with them and their clearinghouse, and it was a nightmare and total clusterfrick. I am, however, giving the new President and his admin the benefit of the doubt until they prove me wrong (which I’m sure they will).

But to your point, the timing of their rulings has always been a very valid criticism. But I looked it up, and there are over 1,100 member institutions (and all the different sports they compete in) and over 500,000 student-athletes under their purview. I bet the ratio of schools/sports/athletes to NCAA employees is a lot worse than we probably assume. I can’t find how many actual NCAA employees there are, but it’s just their Board of Governors (Executive Body). However many people that consists of. Their Legislative Body is made up solely representatives of member institutions. Meaning their primary gigs are for the actual schools they work for.

Still, their history of untimely decisions leaving schools, coaches, and most importantly, student-athletes has to be addressed. Which I think can only be done by adding more employees. They are technically a non-profit, so if that means cutting into the coffers of their liquid resources or if their current employees need to take a bit of a haircut, whatever, figure it out. And again, I’ll give the new admin the benefit of the doubt until they prove they no longer deserve it.

I mean't to say Smart, not Mays. Either way, the point still remains.

I understand prioritizing defense, but when you are producing that badly on the other end, it should never warrant playing time. Not to mention being 286th in points allowed, not sure he actually played the "great defense" you are referring to. Either way, not sure it mattered. I watched plenty of Gaines and although he made some great defensive plays, he was also wildly out of control and a massive liability for low shooting % and bad shot selection. Countless times I remember he was turning the ball over with charging calls.

I understand Manning played a different position. We could've easily slid Thomas to that spot and Smart as more of an off guard where he belonged anyways.

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What is your winning percentage, at the college where you are HC?
Is it better than Wade, McMahon?

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Not sure why someone has to be a college coach to understand basketball and player development, but since you are asking, I've worked with 1 current NBA player and 5 Division 1 college players. I'll leave it to you who most likely has zero basketball experience at any level to tell me if my opinion has merit.

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Only mistake was Wade letting him transfer to Tulane, fan boys won’t bring that up though.

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Wait, coaches can keep players from transferring?????

Why dont you go ahead and explain that one.

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If a coach runs a kid off he should be allowed to transfer anywhere even if it’s his second transfer.

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Nobody was "run off" in this situation, nor was that any argument used in why Cook should be eligible for us on the waiver.

Cook transferred because he was behind Gaines on playing time and both were freshman. It was a logical move on Cook's part.