Stevens' comments about ISU vs Butler series

[bent20]

Anyone read this story today, or was anyone there (assuming you're willing to admit it)? Personally, I don't care that much, but I know a lot of people here do. Obviously, it would be great for our rpi to be playing them now. It would be a good early season test, but we're already doing a decent job of scheduling here of late.

http://tribstar.com/sports/x1071585141/Stevens-wins-over-crowd

Question for Todd, if he sees this, on his last comment via phone, did he mean he doesn't see the series returning, or that he doesn't think the break will be forever?

From the story:

Stevens took a few questions from the crowd, and among the questions asked was whether the Butler-ISU series, once annual, but dormant since 2008 (and a sore topic among some ISU fans), would be revived.

“No chance of coming here without answering that question. It’s a three question max, we’ll see you later,” Stevens joked.

“I think it’s a great series. I think it’s a great opportunity. Right now, we weigh how much TV has become involved in our scheduling.

“You only have so many opportunities and the question is how often do you want to play a home-and-away series.

“You can either get neutral court opportunities or guaranteed home games where you have revenue-producing opportunities. You weigh all those factors together,” Stevens said.

Via phone, Stevens reiterated his point.

“I don’t see it being a forever thing,” he said on the series.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

In short he says it is about money. I don't buy it just look at their schedule. They are playing a home-away with Evansville, Ball State, etc.

 

[Teamwork]

It goes back to a couple of years ago when it was Butler's turn to come to Terre Haute. Butler wanted to reverse it and have ISU come to Indy that season. Coach McKenna said NO and I don't blame him. Butler did not want to risk a loss that season to our upstart Sycamores. The home & home was dropped at that time.

 

[Eleven]

Loved the comment in the article about Nate wearing his Sycamore T-Shirt while shooting around in Hinkle!!

 

[4Q_iu]

In short he says it is about money. I don't buy it just look at their schedule. They are playing a home-away with Evansville, Ball State, etc.

Don't forget Marian! :krazy: Opened their season with the knights...

And they won't be in a 'exempt' tourney every season...

There's room on their schedule -- they're ducking us because then can

 

[4Q_iu]

It goes back to a couple of years ago when it was Butler's turn to come to Terre Haute. Butler wanted to reverse it and have ISU come to Indy that season. Coach McKenna said NO and I don't blame him. Butler did not want to risk a loss that season to our upstart Sycamores. The home & home was dropped at that time.

That's a fairly common tactic when one school wants to get out of an agreement; they toss out that idea, knowing the opposition will refuse and then they can say, "hey, we were willing to play..."

it's bullsh** -- you'd think collier and stevens would be above it

 

[Sycamore Proud]

That's a fairly common tactic when one school wants to get out of an agreement; they toss out that idea, knowing the opposition will refuse and then they can say, "hey, we were willing to play..."

it's bullsh** -- you'd think collier and stevens would be above it

It's a part of the "Butler way" that they don't publicly acknowledge.

 

[bigsportsfan]

I read those quotes, and thought they were equally cryptic at the time. I decided any future home-home with Butler is dead. Hope that's wrong.

 

[4Q_iu]

I read those quotes, and thought they were equally cryptic at the time. I decided any future home-home with Butler is dead. Hope that's wrong.

Once they return to their historic place in the "state hierarchy" -- they'll be willing to play. Right now, they have some leverage and they're using it.

 

[sycamore51]

Screw butler!

 

[thsouth]

I went, in fact I helped organize the event. His reason for being here was to support an organization that helps kids! I'm sure he gets big bucks for speaking, but he did this for FREE!!!! He was very complimentary of ISU basketball and Coach Lansing. He helped raise a ton of money for an organization (Wabash Valley Youth for Christ) which in turn is going to make our community a better place to live!
This is coming from a DIEHARD Sycamore fan, that received two degrees from ISU, and I am proud to have a son at ISU now! I AM NOT A BUTLER FAN, but I am a fan of folks who give of themselves to help kids become better people!
GO SYCAMORES!!!!!!!!

 

[Southgrad07]

I went, in fact I helped organize the event. His reason for being here was to support an organization that helps kids! I'm sure he gets big bucks for speaking, but he did this for FREE!!!! He was very complimentary of ISU basketball and Coach Lansing. He helped raise a ton of money for an organization (Wabash Valley Youth for Christ) which in turn is going to make our community a better place to live!
This is coming from a DIEHARD Sycamore fan, that received two degrees from ISU, and I am proud to have a son at ISU now! I AM NOT A BUTLER FAN, but I am a fan of folks who give of themselves to help kids become better people!
GO SYCAMORES!!!!!!!!

Well said. Coach Stevens is a class act

 

[sycamore51]

I'm sure he is as good as they come; I doubt many people will dispute that. I like Coach k as well, but I dislike Butler and I dislike Duke. My comment wasn't about your organization or coach, just my thoughts on "elitist Butler" in general.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Yes, Brad Stevens is a class act--been that way since high school. My problem is not with him, but with his employer. I'm not at all surprised his appearance was free. In fact, I would have been shocked if he had accepted a fee.

 

[Patriot_Sycamore]

If I was Butler I wouldnt play us right now. I was one who thought they would come back to earth this year. Losing Mack and Howard will be a huge blow for them, But they seem to land on their feet alot.


Id love to see ISU play them, I just may need to wait 2 or 3 years I guess

 

[Title_BU]

I'm sure he is as good as they come; I doubt many people will dispute that. I like Coach k as well, but I dislike Butler and I dislike Duke. My comment wasn't about your organization or coach, just my thoughts on "elitist Butler" in general.

He wouldn't say it outright, but he effectively did. Because Butler can get the games with the Dukes, Ohio States, Louisvilles, etc on neutral or home-and-home situations, there is no chance it would add another non-revenue home-and-away series. It is common sense. I don't know why this comes up here. Every single program in the country would do the same thing if they had the luxury, including ISU.

Simply, if your boss comes up to you today and says, "Would you rather have $50,000 or $200,000." What do you tell him?

Its not going to happen. ISU isn't getting a home-and-away with Notre Dame either. Don't worry about it.

 

[TJames]

Hey BU...there is such a thing called tradition.......

Indiana State and Butler have long been traditional rivals. While I can understand playing one or two of the so-called big boys each season, schools like Butler should also recall tradition. They talk about the tradition at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Well some (a lot) of that tradition came from playing schools like Indiana State, Ball State, Evansville.

What happens when things arent going so well at Butler with their basketball program. These things often go in cycles. As the old song says, you shouldn't get "above your raising." Or, to put it another way, dont forget where you came from. The schools that you are ignoring now on your way up will be ignoring you on your way down.