Must Read (SI)

[UHsurfer12]

This is a bit off topic since it's not OU, but it is college basketball. I really feel bad for the kid and if what is said is accurate, St. Joe's has lost some of my respect.

Todd O'Brien

 

[BruinSooner]

Phil Martelli = jerk

I cringe anytime I hear anyone advocate not releasing a recruit from their LOI, be it to a school in conference or not. (I know this is not exactly the same situation.) Institutions should always take the high road when dealing with the lives of 18-22 year old men.

 

[StatGeek]

is there a organization worse than the NCAA?

 

[hoopsaustin]

Sh!t like that pisses me off. It's a kid!!

 

[MsProudSooner]

I wish I could say that the behavior of Martelli, the powers that be at St. Joe's and the NCAA surprises me, but I can't.

Arrogant jerks everywhere.

 

[WTSooner]

I hate judging people on stories like this b/c we only have one side of the story.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I hate judging people on stories like this b/c we only have one side of the story.

Yeah, there are always two sides.

Even if this guy really decided to transfer b/c of athletic reasons, they should release him. I'm sure the kid wouldn't have transferred if he was getting playing time.

So in a way it was about athletics but its obvious he is transferring to pursue and education as well.

 

[DenverSooner]

Yeah, there are always two sides.

Even if this guy really decided to transfer b/c of athletic reasons, they should release him. I'm sure the kid wouldn't have transferred if he was getting playing time.

So in a way it was about athletics but its obvious he is transferring to pursue and education as well.

Unless he is named Calvin Newell.

The thing I don't get about releases is if the school doesn't have to give a scholarship each year why does the player have to honor it when they do offer or sit out a year, especially in the case of graduate work. Regardless of the true motivation of this kid, St. Joes should give him his release. This just makes them look petty.

 

[Sooner04]

And when my Saint Joseph's scholarship papers for my fourth year of eligibility arrived at my house that May, I held onto them rather than sign immediately.

This is why Martelli is pissed. Martelli could've used that scholly elsewhere if he'd known the kid was planning on transferring AGAIN.

Both sides are at fault here, but this O'Brien kid has also handled it very poorly.

 

[MsProudSooner]

This is why Martelli is pissed. Martelli could've used that scholly elsewhere if he'd known the kid was planning on transferring AGAIN.

Both sides are at fault here, but this O'Brien kid has also handled it very poorly.

But the PR fallout will be entirely on Martelli. He and his AD should have realized this early on and cut their losses.

 

[BruinSooner]

This is why Martelli is pissed. Martelli could've used that scholly elsewhere if he'd known the kid was planning on transferring AGAIN.

Both sides are at fault here, but this O'Brien kid has also handled it very poorly.

I disagree. He's a KID. He made a decision that was too late for SJU's convenience but sometimes one's life comes before the basketball interest of a University. There was certainly no ill intent on the part of O'Brien.

Good grief. Just give the kid the release. I can't believe anyone would argue otherwise.

 

[hoopsaustin]

I disagree. He's a KID. He made a decision that was too late for SJU's convenience but sometimes one's life comes before the basketball interest of a University. There was certainly no ill intent on the part of O'Brien.

Good grief. Just give the kid the release. I can't believe anyone would argue otherwise.

+1
there is no other side to this story. the school will not be significantly hurt by one kid. a bunch of grown men holding a grudge against a 22 year old. thats weak

 

[soonersublime]

They just gave every school they recruit against something to attack them with. "Hey that Martelli cat denied O'Brien's transfer" yadi yadi yada. Even if the dude said or did something to the coach who gives a hoot, release him and let him play ball for someone else.

 

[BruinSooner]

Here's another opinion I found on this:

Just as I suspected, Martelli has been silent about this.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...y-wildcats-kansas-jayhawks-college-basketball

 

[Big Old Booger]

This is why Martelli is pissed. Martelli could've used that scholly elsewhere if he'd known the kid was planning on transferring AGAIN.

Both sides are at fault here, but this O'Brien kid has also handled it very poorly.

Yep, that's exactly why Martelli is being a douche about it.

Personally, I've never cared for him. Watching games when his team is on, you hear the announcers just gush about how great of a coach and person he is, but I've never been impressed with his coaching. Now I'm not impressed with the type of person he is either. I wish Vitale, Musburger, Raftery, etc., would all start to criticize him on TV to force his hand.

 

[oldschool]

And this:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...f-valor-for-comparing-ncaa-to-organized-crime

 

[BigTime]

And this:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...f-valor-for-comparing-ncaa-to-organized-crime

Wish your son lived up to his hype...I remember when he was a 5 star sophomore that was suppossed to grow to 7 feet tall.

Good luck to him.

 

[Big Old Booger]

And this:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...f-valor-for-comparing-ncaa-to-organized-crime

Apples and oranges. Hardrick wants OU to pay for his medical costs which in order for the university to do, they have to admit fault which opens the door for a lawsuit. Hardrick already received 2 or 3 years of free education at a BCS institution when he probably deserved to be at an NAIA program. I think he got the better end of the deal.