Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe

It's a big blow to Minnesota that Trevor Mbakwe won't be able to play until his legal matter is resolved.

The guy averaged 16.3 points and 13.2 rebounds last season in junior college.

He could help.

But credit Minnesota as an institution for taking a stand and not using the "innocent until proven guilty" card so many programs play in the spirit of winning at all costs. Right or wrong, Mbakwe has been accused of attacking a woman, and Minnesota isn't OK with trotting him under that cloud. So athletic director Joel Maturi said Monday that the junior college transfer will sit until the issue "has been resolved in a satisfactory matter," and if we never reach that point then Mbakwe will never step on the court.

Good for Minnesota.

Too often, we tend to only highlight when schools don't take stands.

So I just thought it was worth pointing out that Minnesota is handling this the right way.

As a Gopher fan, the decision is painful. Mbakwe is an oustanding talent and would have given the Gophers that strong inside presence they need. However, I do think it's the right move too. One can only hope that these allegations are false and Mbakwe will be able to put this ugly issue behind him.

Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe

taking a stand and not using the "innocent until proven guilty" card so many programs play in the spirit of winning at all costs.
Huh? Innocent until proven guilty is not a card, it's the way our justice system is set up. Why wouldn't anyone use this. This is the problem with the media in general, there has to be a verdict immediatley in the court of public opinion then the defendant can try and "prove" himself innocent to the court and then in the public eye at the same time. If he is guilty then yes, get rid of him, but to claim he cannot play until proven innocent is a travesty of justice. Let's hope this thinking doesn't trickle down to other professions or college students!

Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe

In an era of questionable ethics in college sports (shady recruiting, possible payoffs ect.(my school is just as guilty as the rest)) it is refreshing to see a coach who is unwilling to waver in his beliefs, even with a player who would for sure help this team in a positive manner. Tubby has always struck me as a coach who was a class act, and I'm glad to see that he is leading his team in a way that will show these young men how to properly function in today's society. For too long athletes have gotten away with pretty much whatever they wanted, and its nice to see coaches like Smith and Chip Kelly out in Oregon (his suspension of Blount was very admirable, and the way that he handled that situation (by coaching the player through a tough time in his life instead of just kicking him off the team)) upholding some sense of justice within the athletic arena. Michigan may be a rival of Minnesota's but I will always support programs that act in ways such as this.

Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe

Sorry for the double post but recent news has given me more thoughts to add to the discussion...

A perfect example (and contrast) to this situation is the one that is going on down in the University of Florida right now, with Brandon Spikes viciously trying to gouge out the eyes of one of his opponents during the game against Georgia. He was caught on tape and it is now all over the internet. Coach Meyer could have followed Tubby's example and sat him this week and possibly the next week for something that brutally unsportsmanlike. The fact that they are playing against Vanderbilt and South Carolina (a combined 8 wins between them and neither is exactly an offensive powerhouse) adds more credence to this fact. Instead Coach Meyer went with (what I believe) was a gutless decision in suspending him for only half a game...this is added to his decision to play Tebow against LSU two weeks after that brutal hit (I realize it worked out for them but that is like being happy your child got ahold of your unsecured firearm and didn't hurt himself...the situation shouldn'tve occurred in the first place). If only Coach Meyer would put the welfare of the players (both physically and mentally/emotionally) above his own desire to win, I would respect him much more than I do now.

Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe

The big thing is, he SHOULD be back for all the Big Ten games which don't start until late December. They do have a few tough games until than, like home against Stephen F. Austin, @Butler, @Miami FL, and home against St. Joseph's, but I think they can get by without him and hope to be about 9-1 or 8-2 heading into Big Ten conference games.

blaborio Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 1, 2006	Posted on: November 2, 2009 2:33 pm Score: 71 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe Not surprised at all that Minnesota is being run with that kind of class with Tubby at the helm. He'll have them Sweet 16 this year or next. [ Reply to Comment ]
Nickeliz05 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 12, 2006	Posted on: November 2, 2009 3:57 pm Score: 93 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe As a Gopher fan, the decision is painful. Mbakwe is an oustanding talent and would have given the Gophers that strong inside presence they need. However, I do think it's the right move too. One can only hope that these allegations are false and Mbakwe will be able to put this ugly issue behind him. [ Reply to Comment ]
KVSkubball Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 21, 2008	Posted on: November 2, 2009 9:31 pm Score: 91 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe A very tough decision, but I agree that I think it is the right one. Tubby is first class, sounds like the AD is too, and this shows that Minnesota wants to do things the right way. I'm impressed and really not surprised, with Tubby at the helm. Go Tubby Ball in the Big 10! [ Reply to Comment ]
nyghoosier Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 22, 2007	Posted on: November 2, 2009 11:49 pm Score: 46 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe Ive always been a Tubby fan , great coach !!! even better person !!! [ Reply to Comment ]
spinny66 Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 18, 2008	Posted on: November 3, 2009 12:41 am Score: 90 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe I'm a HUGE Tubby Smith fan. Hated to see him leave under really ugly Big Blue duress. Cat fans are so obnoxious, and I even support UK along with all other Kentucky schools. I will always be behind Minnesota in (almost) any contest. [ Reply to Comment ]
Drewids Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 30, 2009	Posted on: November 3, 2009 3:19 am Score: 138 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe taking a stand and not using the "innocent until proven guilty" card so many programs play in the spirit of winning at all costs. Huh? Innocent until proven guilty is not a card, it's the way our justice system is set up. Why wouldn't anyone use this. This is the problem with the media in general, there has to be a verdict immediatley in the court of public opinion then the defendant can try and "prove" himself innocent to the court and then in the public eye at the same time. If he is guilty then yes, get rid of him, but to claim he cannot play until proven innocent is a travesty of justice. Let's hope this thinking doesn't trickle down to other professions or college students! [ Reply to Comment ]
DBix Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 19, 2006	Posted on: November 3, 2009 4:44 am Score: 117 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe In an era of questionable ethics in college sports (shady recruiting, possible payoffs ect.(my school is just as guilty as the rest)) it is refreshing to see a coach who is unwilling to waver in his beliefs, even with a player who would for sure help this team in a positive manner. Tubby has always struck me as a coach who was a class act, and I'm glad to see that he is leading his team in a way that will show these young men how to properly function in today's society. For too long athletes have gotten away with pretty much whatever they wanted, and its nice to see coaches like Smith and Chip Kelly out in Oregon (his suspension of Blount was very admirable, and the way that he handled that situation (by coaching the player through a tough time in his life instead of just kicking him off the team)) upholding some sense of justice within the athletic arena. Michigan may be a rival of Minnesota's but I will always support programs that act in ways such as this. [ Reply to Comment ]
DBix Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 19, 2006	Posted on: November 3, 2009 6:25 am Score: 125 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe Sorry for the double post but recent news has given me more thoughts to add to the discussion... A perfect example (and contrast) to this situation is the one that is going on down in the University of Florida right now, with Brandon Spikes viciously trying to gouge out the eyes of one of his opponents during the game against Georgia. He was caught on tape and it is now all over the internet. Coach Meyer could have followed Tubby's example and sat him this week and possibly the next week for something that brutally unsportsmanlike. The fact that they are playing against Vanderbilt and South Carolina (a combined 8 wins between them and neither is exactly an offensive powerhouse) adds more credence to this fact. Instead Coach Meyer went with (what I believe) was a gutless decision in suspending him for only half a game...this is added to his decision to play Tebow against LSU two weeks after that brutal hit (I realize it worked out for them but that is like being happy your child got ahold of your unsecured firearm and didn't hurt himself...the situation shouldn'tve occurred in the first place). If only Coach Meyer would put the welfare of the players (both physically and mentally/emotionally) above his own desire to win, I would respect him much more than I do now. [ Reply to Comment ]
stourleyk Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 11, 2006	Posted on: November 3, 2009 7:48 am Score: 63 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: This kind of attitude would never fly... ...at kentucky. Hats off to Coach Smith. [ Reply to Comment ]
JMoNeY2442 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 22, 2006	Posted on: November 3, 2009 12:54 pm Score: 95 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Credit Minnesota for being careful with Mbakwe The big thing is, he SHOULD be back for all the Big Ten games which don't start until late December. They do have a few tough games until than, like home against Stephen F. Austin, @Butler, @Miami FL, and home against St. Joseph's, but I think they can get by without him and hope to be about 9-1 or 8-2 heading into Big Ten conference games. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts