Offer from MU

[Kroener3535]

www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=496335

at least this time they contacted Jeter for a conversation. But Jeter said he didnt see it, why do I get the feeling that when they faxed or sent the offer sheet that rosiak saw Crean push send and then wrote the story....this just wreaks of a publicity stunt to make Marquette smell like a Rose(iak) blah

[mwu]

yeah that article is crap, why publish it when jeter said he hadn't even seen it yet? makes one think if it was ever sent at all. he's just trying to add fuel to the fire.

[milwsport]

This reaks to high heaven. Basically Crean is proposing a five for 1. We play four games there and then we play 1 for 1. Even with new math that's a five for one deal and no way should we accept that.

I like what Jeter had to say. He was a lot more professional than I would have been.

[SRT4driver]

No, it's still a 4-for-1. 3 Buy games ('07, '08, '09) in the BC, then a 1-and-1 starting at the Cell in '10 and at the B.C. in '11.
A total of 4 there, 1 here. Can you say arrogant?

[SRT4driver]

www.thesouthern.com/articles/2006/07/16/sports/16932306.txt

Some great quotes from Valley coaches in there. Take notes... we don't need to sell-out to the Golden Chickens just because they think UW got "essentially" the same deal 5 years ago - before this program even MADE the NCAA tournament.

[PJD]

To me it's obvious Rob/UWM are not interested in that kind of offer. Rob always puts this incredibly pleasant,positive spin on everything he says. The comment...

A lot has changed with Milwaukee basketball. We just need to make sure that we can both put together a deal that's going to be right for both sides

Really says "No thanks, Try again". Atleast Todd did a better job of representing UWM in this story. You'd think he'd do a better job at this kind of stuff alll the time. I think he forgot where he went to school, UWM.

I think MU's really push, like anything else, is alway money related. They want home games against quality opponents so they get the money for the program. This type of deal is a huge win for them, not for us. I think at this point they would have been much better off NOT that making that "Same as UW" statement for all these years because at this point, that's completely handcuffed them from getting any kind of deal done here. It's like thier whole MU basketball community can't swallow anything less and now they are completely screwed with it. It's too late for them now. Too much water under the bridge. Way too much Panther success. I bet Tom can write that same deal every year and send it over to Rob and Bud for the next several years and it will go nowhere. At this point, both programs have too much at stake to give in. It's MU that has really messed this whole thing up.

[Deleted]

I sure the hell hope Jeter/Haidet do not accept this offer. I can live without playing MU if all were going to get is a 4-1 deal. Jeter is absolutely right when referring to the state of our basketball program being very different( for the better) from the time when we signed those outlandish deals with the UW. We really don't need to schedule MU, although it would look great on our schedule to have a Big East team, we've scheduled some nice matchups for this year and for the future.
Make a wise decision UWM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PantherLou]

If (and it's a BIG IF) the money is right, I could see us doing this deal.

However, I think that it is very unlikely that Marquette is going to be willing to offer the dollar amount necessary for us to take this deal. My guess is that it would take somewhere in the neighborhood of $80K or more per game for it to make sense financially for us to go with this. I don't think that is a figure that makes sense for Marquette, so I don't see it happening.

I do think we would accept a lower payment if it was a 1-1 with 1 or 2 guarantees game, but I doubt MU would ever consider that.

Basically, despite this article, I do not think anything has changed at all.

[nighthawk]

In other news, Tom Crean has forwarded a contract to Duke offering a 10 for 1, a contract to North Carolina offering a 15 for 1, and a contract to the Detroit Pistons offering a 25 for 1.

Crean said "Look, Marquette Basketball is the premier name in all sports in the western world. We are just going by the precedent set by the Harlem Globetrotters. When you are so much better than everyone else, this is how the schedules usually break out."

The Journal Sentinel did not bother to contact Duke, North Carolina or the Detroit Pistons for comment, since Tom Crean is never wrong.

Crean expects the contracts to be signed and returned immediately by all three organizations. "Who wouldn't want to come play the best sports team in the world in our place? We only put in a game at their place as a courtesy for the benefit of their fans. If we hadn't, we would feel bad that their fans could not see Marquette in person. That's like seeing Jesus. Actually, it's better. Jesus can't take the ball to the hole on the bounce as well as we can."

[BBFran]

Honestly, I could not stop laughing when I read that article. Who advises these guys? The same people who came up with the derided plan to close off Wisconsin Avenue so Marquette could be its own little principality?

I hope Rob knows his World War II history. General McAuliffe's famous response would be appropriate here.

[hamostradamus]

"this just wreaks of a publicity stunt to make Marquette smell like a Rose(iak) blah "

No kidding. I mean really, using the media to posture for a basketball game? Who does Crean think he is, Bruce Pearl?

[pantherpanther]

This is nothing but posturing...the same posturing Crean had a fit about when Pearl did it. This from a man who just a few years ago, stated in an article on JS that there was no benefit to playing UWM. What has changed? Maybe your fans are tired of the bullsh*t cotton candy teams you bring in to play, and want a quality opponent. Whatever it is, it definetely is the pot (Crean) calling the kettle (Pearl) black. King Crean does the same thing, and his loyal subjects follow and believe. Stop drinking the Jim Jones juice people...let the deal work itself out in private, like it should. Crean should be ashamed of himself.

[pantherpanther]

Remember this article???

Crean: Rivalry with UW, not UWM
Posted: March 22, 2004

There is a decent chance that Marquette will soon find itself in New York City to compete for the NIT championship. We could argue whether that's a good or not-so-good thing for a program that was in the NCAA Final Four last season, but here's a non-negotiable fact:

The Golden Eagles will not - repeat, will not - play UW-Milwaukee Tuesday.

Although a number of conspiracy theorists continue to believe that Marquette actually rigged the National Invitation Tournament brackets to avoid UWM in the first round, it is safe to say that MU had nothing to do with tonight's matchup. Boise State beat the Panthers fair and square Saturday night, a minor detail that somehow failed to completely kill this largely manufactured controversy.

Throughout it, Marquette coach Tom Crean kept his thoughts to himself. But on Monday in his office, Crean broke his public silence on what has become a somewhat contentious issue within the community.

"I'm disappointed that so much is being made about a hypothetical that's not happening and won't happen for a long, long time," Crean said.

Marquette will never agree to play UWM in the regular season. That might make MU arrogant but it doesn't make it criminal, for the school is free to schedule whomever it pleases.

Naturally, the Golden Eagles would have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing UWM, as long as the Panthers are competitive at a high mid-major level. Crean won't say that, but he did say this on the matter:

"We just choose not to," he said when asked why MU won't play UWM. "We have one major rival in the state, and that's the University of Wisconsin. That's all it has ever been and that's all it will ever be."

Crean placed himself in the line of fire Wednesday by personally scouting the UWM-Rice game. Conspicuously seated at the end of press row, Crean was the target of isolated vulgarities from a few spectators.

"It was a great crowd, but I'm glad I didn't take my son," Crean said. "If (UWM coach) Bruce Pearl came over here, I do not think our fans would talk to him that way. I would be ashamed if they did.

"I understand where some of that hatred is coming from, but why spend time doing that instead of cheering for your team?"

Marquette is in its 37th season of post-season play; UWM won its first Division I post-season game by beating Rice. Marquette has no reason to play UWM, but did anyone consider that maybe UWM doesn't need Marquette to justify its existence?

"They (UWM) had an unbelievable season over there," Crean said. "Dylan Page could play for any team in the country. People should stand up and appreciate what Bruce Pearl is doing over there. The guy is a terrific coach. I have no trouble saying that.

"What's good for the state of basketball in Wisconsin are the teams in the post-season. What's not good for the state of basketball in Wisconsin is some of the things I heard at UWM. I'm paid to take it, but when it rubs off on my players, I don't like that."

With its heritage, first-class facilities, recent success and imminent membership in the Big East Conference, Marquette has regained its national profile.

"I don't feel a need to apologize for what Marquette is about," Crean said.

At the same time, UWM is very good at what it does in its own universe.

May they continue to prosper separately

[Pantherholic]

pantherpanther said:

"If (UWM coach) Bruce Pearl came over here, I do not think our fans would talk to him that way.

yeah right, MU students and other fans not saying nasty things to Pearl? i bet they're the epitome of class

I'm surprised StripedTomato, UncleJohn and the rest of those douchebags aren't pulling for Crean to get a Nobel Prize for this "generous offer".

It's funny how they thought Pearl's antics were low-class but if Crean does it, its ok. apparently "taking the higher-road" doesn't apply to them.

[BBFran]

Uncle John is actually a good guy -- just burdened by his unfortunate college choice.