Vaughn cites STrib's "negativity" as reason for eliminating Gophers

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Certainly tough to read those quotes. Especially since the Strib article was based on nearly zero fact and all assumption.

Relevant comments considering we also just had an article from the Daily naming basketball players in an assault case they had nothing to do with.
 

I don't think he was going to come here whether or not that article was written.

And when it comes down to it, that article was pretty trivial anyway. If he was going to base his decision on it, then good riddance.

The ship has sailed. Let's focus on the players that want to be here and stop crying over spilled milk.
 

Should of just been honest and said he didn't want to come here. I think it's pretty normal for people to ask questions when an assistant for a High School team gets a job at the biggest prep school in the country. It was obvious from the start Vaughn wanted to play for a coach that would get him to the league the quickest and now he's going to do that. I wish him luck but if this is the reason he took the U off his list he's gotta get thicker skin because the further he goes in basketball there's going to be more and more negativity written and said about him. He can look at what people say about his idol (Kobe) and he'll realize it's only going to get worse.
 

Just proves that the negativity of Minnesota is a legit gripe. I'm not originally from the area, but when I went to school and subsequently became employed in the Twin Cities I was simply amazed by how much the media ragged on the sports teams. I mean you have MULTIPLE sports personalities whose entire schtick is to be completely negative. One which has a yearly preposterous statement of the year which seems to only include people who make POSITIVE statements which may ultimately prove to be false...

It truly is a shame, and Vaughn is expressing what many of us have always wondered, do the athletes recognize. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Kevin Love say something similar when he leaves,
 


Winasota Gopher said:
Just proves that the negativity of Minnesota is a legit gripe. I'm not originally from the area, but when I went to school and subsequently became employed in the Twin Cities I was simply amazed by how much the media ragged on the sports teams. I mean you have MULTIPLE sports personalities whose entire schtick is to be completely negative. One which has a yearly preposterous statement of the year which seems to only include people who make POSITIVE statements which may ultimately prove to be false...

It truly is a shame, and Vaughn is expressing what many of us have always wondered, do the athletes recognize. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Kevin Love say something similar when he leaves,
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Love will leave because of the clowns that run the team that year after year make stupid picks in the draft and free agency.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
Just proves that the negativity of Minnesota is a legit gripe. I'm not originally from the area, but when I went to school and subsequently became employed in the Twin Cities I was simply amazed by how much the media ragged on the sports teams. I mean you have MULTIPLE sports personalities whose entire schtick is to be completely negative. One which has a yearly preposterous statement of the year which seems to only include people who make POSITIVE statements which may ultimately prove to be false...

It truly is a shame, and Vaughn is expressing what many of us have always wondered, do the athletes recognize. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Kevin Love say something similar when he leaves,
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Except I don't think he says anything about the negative 'aw the Gophers suck anyway' attitude you're referring to. He's mad that anyone called out the fishy situation with his 'mentor'. That's really a separate issue from the general negativity in Minnesota.
 

So he says he really likes Pitino and the U, but won't go to school here because of some trashy innuendo piece that was put out by the STrib?

As many of us have been saying for years, the negativity of the local sports press and some of the fans can drive away players.

Rashad, don't run away from the conflict, come play for Minnesota and prove them wrong! Where ever you decide to play you will encounter criticism and rumors about various aspects of your life from certain people. What do you think it will be like in the "fan chat" groups the first time you have an off night and go 2 for 12 with 5 turnovers, the fans in Kentucky, NC, Kansas will want to run you out of the state! They will be brutal, much worse then some false rumors about your coach. Just learn to be positive and keep all of the griping in perspective, only worry about the things you can control. And with that, I think it is safe to safe that most every fan of the U wants you to play for Minnesota. One thing that can be in your control is help bring a B1G title to the Twin Cities and make a run to the Final Four. If you let the crazies chase you away from your home, they win. Don't give them the satisfaction, we need you to come back home and ignore the crazies.
 

howeda7 said:
Except I don't think he says anything about the negative 'aw the Gophers suck anyway' attitude you're referring to. He's mad that anyone called out the fishy situation with his 'mentor'. That's really a separate issue from the general negativity in Minnesota.
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True. I'm likely jumping the gun and being a negative Minnesotan!!
 



Are you serious?

Winasota Gopher said:
Just proves that the negativity of Minnesota is a legit gripe. I'm not originally from the area, but when I went to school and subsequently became employed in the Twin Cities I was simply amazed by how much the media ragged on the sports teams. I mean you have MULTIPLE sports personalities whose entire schtick is to be completely negative. One which has a yearly preposterous statement of the year which seems to only include people who make POSITIVE statements which may ultimately prove to be false...

It truly is a shame, and Vaughn is expressing what many of us have always wondered, do the athletes recognize. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Kevin Love say something similar when he leaves,
Click to expand...

Media in this town 'negative'? Try Chicago. Or New York. Or gawd help them - Philly. In some cities the fans get pissed at you they dump garbage on your lawn. Or put for sales signs up in your yard. Harass your kid at school. If Vaughn thinks this is negative he has some learning to do. Unpleasant learning at that.
 

All this shows is that Vaughn has a lot of growing up to do. He's used to being told how very awesome he is and didn't like it that somebody asked questions about his "mentor." Sorry, that's the real world. Better get used to it because it's going to continue into the future.
 

alchemy2u said:
So he says he really likes Pitino and the U, but won't go to school here because of some trashy innuendo piece that was put out by the STrib?

As many of us have been saying for years, the negativity of the local sports press and some of the fans can drive away players.

Rashad, don't run away from the conflict, come play for Minnesota and prove them wrong! Where ever you decide to play you will encounter criticism and rumors about various aspects of your life from certain people. What do you think it will be like in the "fan chat" groups the first time you have an off night and go 2 for 12 with 5 turnovers, the fans in Kentucky, NC, Kansas will want to run you out of the state! They will be brutal, much worse then some false rumors about your coach. Just learn to be positive and keep all of the griping in perspective, only worry about the things you can control. And with that, I think it is safe to safe that most every fan of the U wants you to play for Minnesota. One thing that can be in your control is help bring a B1G title to the Twin Cities and make a run to the Final Four. If you let the crazies chase you away from your home, they win. Don't give them the satisfaction, we need you to come back home and ignore the crazies.
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That ship has sailed game set match crazies :(
 

alchemy2u said:
So he says he really likes Pitino and the U, but won't go to school here because of some trashy innuendo piece that was put out by the STrib?

As many of us have been saying for years, the negativity of the local sports press and some of the fans can drive away players.

Rashad, don't run away from the conflict, come play for Minnesota and prove them wrong! Where ever you decide to play you will encounter criticism and rumors about various aspects of your life from certain people. What do you think it will be like in the "fan chat" groups the first time you have an off night and go 2 for 12 with 5 turnovers, the fans in Kentucky, NC, Kansas will want to run you out of the state! They will be brutal, much worse then some false rumors about your coach. Just learn to be positive and keep all of the griping in perspective, only worry about the things you can control. And with that, I think it is safe to safe that most every fan of the U wants you to play for Minnesota. One thing that can be in your control is help bring a B1G title to the Twin Cities and make a run to the Final Four. If you let the crazies chase you away from your home, they win. Don't give them the satisfaction, we need you to come back home and ignore the crazies.
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Get off your knees.
 



Ya, I actually don't believe Vaughn for THIS being the reason he eliminated the U. He is using this as a scapegoat. He never was going to commit here.
 

I don't yhink he was ever going to come here but I think that article really pissed him off. So he decided to blame his eliminating the Gophers on the Trib as a way to get back at them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
 

Winasota Gopher said:
Just proves that the negativity of Minnesota is a legit gripe. I'm not originally from the area, but when I went to school and subsequently became employed in the Twin Cities I was simply amazed by how much the media ragged on the sports teams. I mean you have MULTIPLE sports personalities whose entire schtick is to be completely negative. One which has a yearly preposterous statement of the year which seems to only include people who make POSITIVE statements which may ultimately prove to be false...

It truly is a shame, and Vaughn is expressing what many of us have always wondered, do the athletes recognize. Wouldn't be surprised to hear Kevin Love say something similar when he leaves,
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I agree with all of this and experience the complete opposite every day in Madison. But with that being said this has nothing to do with this story.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
 

Obviously nobody outside of Vaughn's inner circle can no whether the article killed Minnesota's chances with him or if it was just seen as a perfect scapegoat for a decision to go to school elsewhere. That said, when the article came out someone from this board emailed me with a line that sums up the situation perfectly: "That article doesn't get written in Lawrence, Kansas or Ames, Iowa".

The sad thing is most fans who would read an article on the Gophers/recruiting already "get it", situations like Kaffey/Vaughn are hardly unique or new. Most people who follow revenue sports at the high major level understand that things that are either shady or just appear shady occur all the time. The article doesn't break any new ground, it just informs people who don't follow college basketball recruiting of a situation that at best seems a little strange. With how people get their news now, I am not sure that the article even generated that many clicks.
 

As others have stated before, many MN HS kids just don't think it's 'cool' to play at the University of Minnesota. Somehow that needs to change.
 

EG#9 said:
Obviously nobody outside of Vaughn's inner circle can no whether the article killed Minnesota's chances with him or if it was just seen as a perfect scapegoat for a decision to go to school elsewhere. That said, when the article came out someone from this board emailed me with a line that sums up the situation perfectly: "That article doesn't get written in Lawrence, Kansas or Ames, Iowa".

The sad thing is most fans who would read an article on the Gophers/recruiting already "get it", situations like Kaffey/Vaughn are hardly unique or new. Most people who follow revenue sports at the high major level understand that things that are either shady or just appear shady occur all the time. The article doesn't break any new ground, it just informs people who don't follow college basketball recruiting of a situation that at best seems a little strange. With how people get their news now, I am not sure that the article even generated that many clicks.
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Agree completely... as I started to read it, I thought two things.. 1) another shady situation but nothing we don't already know and 2) Vaughn will NEVER come here now.

I believe it did have an affect and eliminated what small chance we had. The "'U" has many obstacles to success that other programs don't have (competition from local pro teams for attention and dollars, media does not fawn over the U like in some markets, etc). It is what it is, but its foolish to say it doesn't have an effect.
 

His handlers told him to drop the idea of playing here after the Red Star yellow journalism article
 

He's not fooling anyone. He was never coming here, but if it makes Vaughn feel better to say that's the reason, go for it. Good insight into the large, large egos some of these pampered star athletes have.
 

The Minnesota media is a reflection of the greater Minnesota sports attitude. Negative. Obviously that does not include the few that read and post on sites like the Gopherhole. But the greater attitude in general. They write what people want to read. Look at Minnesota professional sports. There is ample population to support the teams, but not the interest or revenue to support the teams at a winning level.

That isn't going to stop the Gophers from their sports renaissance. Kaler, Woody, Kill, and Pitino are forces to be reckoned with in the college sports arena.

Go Gophers!
 

station19 said:
As others have stated before, many MN HS kids just don't think it's 'cool' to play at the University of Minnesota. Somehow that needs to change.
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I can finally agree with station. The U not being cool to our in state kids is 95% of the problem. I try to get kids excited about the U, I even give 5 points extra credit for kids in my geography class to watch the game. They just need to write a short summary of the game and 5 facts about the hometown/surrounding area of the athlete that has the best night in the stat column. (Only allowed 5 points per sport) It's been getting a few kids to watch games...

After a winter like this I might consider schools like San Diego st, central Florida, etc if I was about to graduate
 

MRJ said:
All this shows is that Vaughn has a lot of growing up to do. He's used to being told how very awesome he is and didn't like it that somebody asked questions about his "mentor." Sorry, that's the real world. Better get used to it because it's going to continue into the future.
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The other thing he needs to get a clue about: he talks as if this is a huge issue in the general community and that everyone in the Twin Cities is hanging on his every word. 95% of the people who saw today's blurb don't know and don't care about the Kaffey situation and have only a passing interest in Rashad Vaughn. Even most Gopher fans don't worry about recruits until they're signed up and in games. The narcissism and self importance these athletes have makes me laugh at them.
 

I think he is a very thin skinned kid....KID (who is being more than likely, influenced by others). I predict he will go somewhere and transfer after someone questions his play and/or effort. Too bad, but we will survive.
 

lugnard said:
Media in this town 'negative'? Try Chicago. Or New York. Or gawd help them - Philly. In some cities the fans get pissed at you they dump garbage on your lawn. Or put for sales signs up in your yard. Harass your kid at school. If Vaughn thinks this is negative he has some learning to do. Unpleasant learning at that.
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You're right, because the "University of Chicago" and the "University of Philadelphia" are pulling in big time recruits left and right (nova you could argue, but even still I would be willing to bet a nickle that they don't get the negative press the Gophs get because of the other 4 private schools in the area).

I didn't say that the Twin Cities is bad compared to other big markets. What I said is that its extremely negative in the Twin Cities, so much so that it shocked the hell out of me when I moved here. If it doesn't change, the culture around the area wont change.

I've said it before, but I hope a young POSITIVE coach like Pitino can help change the manta, and we have started to see SOME of that already, but he's got an uphill battle as this city will sh1t on him the second he stumbles rather than support him.

To some of the other points, yeah, these recruits are coddled and narcissistic and I wouldn't want them as my children... But they have what we want, and they choose to go where the want. If we want them, guess what, we gotta give them what it is they are asking for.
 

lugnard said:
Media in this town 'negative'? Try Chicago. Or New York. Or gawd help them - Philly. In some cities the fans get pissed at you they dump garbage on your lawn. Or put for sales signs up in your yard. Harass your kid at school. If Vaughn thinks this is negative he has some learning to do. Unpleasant learning at that.
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+1 I would add Southern California also. Compared to those other places, playing in Minnesota is like Heaven.
 

Vaughn wasn't going to come here regardless unless if he was getting paid to do so.
It's simple as that.
Blame the media because it's handy, but it's meaningless in this case.

I'm going to blame the Strib because they said it's cold outside. Now my life is terrible because of the weather.
 

I didn't have a problem with the Strib's article when I first read it and I still don't. I thought is was right on point actually. If that's really the reason Vaughn took us off his list then good riddance.
 


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