Why Vander going Pro would be a huge mistake....

[IWB]

There are several reasons why Vander Blue going pro would be a HUGE mistake......

Numbers: At this point, there are 33 early entrants. There are approximately 22 seniors that are expected to be drafted. There will also around 10 international players drafted. Where does he fall in that mix?

Skills: Vander has come a long way, especially with his on court maturity. However, his handle on the ball and his shot still need some work.

Fox Sports: To me, the biggest reason why he should not go this year is because of Fox Sports. Next year the New Big East enters into unchartered waters. There are a lot of unknowns. But here is what is known. We have seen this before when Fox shocked the world and picked up the NFL contract. What happened? They promoted the living hell out of it and succeeded. Fox will bring the same mentality to the New Big East. With that, they will promote their product, and promote it in a REALLY BIG WAY. At this point, Marquette is a pre-season top 10 team. Vander Blue will likely be pre-season first team All-Big East, and actually has a shot at preseason player of the year. Fox will promote the living daylights out of that. Fox will be driving the Vander Blue bus.

So, go into the draft this year, risk not being picked at all or possibly late in the second round. Play D-League or Euro Ball where you will be taking the bus from Fort Wayne to Erie, or stay at MU one more year, let Fox build you up while you take a run at the Final Four and grab a first round or possible lottery pay check next year and make more than you ever would had you left one year early.

The decision is up to Vander Blue, so what ever he does I will wish him well, but in my mind, going this year would be a mistake.

[DCwarrior]

The biggest reason he shouldn't go pro this year is because he's not good enough right now. I hope he likes making making $30K a year and riding buses in the D-League or playing in China or Israel because those are what his options are going to be next year.

[TulsaWarrior]

That point about Fox marketing the heck out of the Big East is a drum I've been pounding for some time. Players and teams will be showcased like never before. The name recognition will be priceless.

[MU/Panther]

I don't see the Fox Sports as a reason at all.

[bleedbluegold03]

depends on how much Fox Sports pushes the NBE as a side show. If it is relegated to the new cable network, the imprint will be strong. If they could schedule a Sunday, "game of the week" afternoon game after the NFL season is over, that would be HUGE

[IWB]

Fox is not paying $500 mil to let it be a side show. Fox will push the crap out of this as they want to take on ESPN.

[IrwinFletcher]

What does being on Fox Sports have to do with draft status? Is the buzz created by a network more important that scout's and GM's analysis of tape and workouts?

[MUMac]

What does being on Fox Sports have to do with draft status? Is the buzz created by a network more important that scout's and GM's analysis of tape and workouts?

Visibility. But, you make a good point.

[CaribouJim]

What does being on Fox Sports have to do with draft status? Is the buzz created by a network more important that scout's and GM's analysis of tape and workouts?

Agree 100%, but if they are really going to promote the players and not just the coaches and it is a high profile player it could help their "brand" after they get out of school which may lead to more lucrative promotional opportunities. Especially if they are playing only one or 2 years. Other than Davis and maybe Kidd-Gilchrist, I'd be hard pressed to name many of the UK players from last year. Way back when before players could leave early, players became iconic and were flooded with offers upon graduating,i.e., Jabbar, Walton, Thompson etc.

[IWB]

What does being on Fox Sports have to do with draft status? Is the buzz created by a network more important that scout's and GM's analysis of tape and workouts?

How many guys were drafted high in the draft over the years but didn't do much in the NBA, with the excuse always being that they were "over-hyped"? It happens all of the time. Here in Wisconsin Tony Mandarich and The Vaccinator were drafted extremely high because of the hype surrounding them. They were labled busts. Actually, they weren't bad, but they didn't live up to "the hype".

Yes, Scouts and GMs should only be looking at the skills, ability, attitude etc, but it is naive to think that hype and exposure have nothing to do with the draft. If anything, it has too much to do with the draft.

Being on press row I always look at what NBA Scouts are at the MU games. Some games zero, some games a few, some games a lot. Why a lot? Usually because the opponent has a player with a lot of hype. They come to see if he is the real deal. They come to gain an opinion. Why? Because that player is ranked? Scores? No, because that player has a ton of hype surrounding him.

No one knows what next year will bring, but I see Fox forcing a ton of attention on this league. Not as much as they did with the NFL, but Fox will undoubtedly over expose this league. People from coast to coast will know about the Big East whether they want to or not. That is a good thing for players in the league.